Amos J. Bozarth Jr. was born April 13, 1943 on a farm near Laverne, Oklahoma, to Amos J Bozarth Sr. and Phyllis Jean (Cole) Bozarth. He departed this life October 9, 2022, at Wichita, KS at the age of 79 years, 5 months and 26 days.
For those who would like to join in the celebration of A.J.’s life, the funeral services will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 7834 West 29th St. N. Wichita, 67205 on Monday, October 17th with the viewing from 10:00-10:45am and funeral service at 11:00am. Graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Conway Springs Cemetery, Conway Springs, Kansas. (2nd Addition).
A.J. spent his early childhood in Wichita and attended South Riverside Elementary. He moved with his family to Derby and graduated from Derby Senior High School in 1961. At the age of 16, he started his printing career as an apprentice printer at the Derby News. During his remaining high school years A.J. worked after school for The Mulvane News.
A.J. met his wife, Karen Jean Barton on a blind date and they were married two years later on April 11, 1965 at the Conway Springs Church of the Brethren. They made their home in Conway Springs where they raised their family of five children.
At the age of 19, A.J. was employed as a Linotype operator and printer by R.H. Cline of the Conway Springs Star and The Argonia Argosy. After R.H. retired from the Star, he continued his employment with the Star for a total of 10 years. At the age of 23 he purchased The South Haven New Era newspaper during his continued employment at the Star. A.J. worked in the evenings to publish the South Haven New Era. He continued to publish it for over 50 years. In 1987, he established The Norwich News which he published for over 30 years.
In 1973, A.J. went into business for himself as A.J.’s Printing and purchased Dr. Eugene McCormick’s office building on Spring Avenue. In August 2002 he moved his printing shop to a new building at 215 S. Eighth in Conway Springs.
A.J. was a member of Conway Springs Chamber of Commerce and served on the Conway Springs Fire Dept. He served 16 years on the Conway Springs City Council. During his tenure, he served two years as President of the Council and 12 years as Mayor. As Mayor, A.J. focused on city improvements and infrastructure.
The City of Conway Springs honored and recognized A.J.’s service to the community by having him serve as the Fall Festival Parade Marshall in 2016.
A.J. was an active member in his church. He served as Cubmaster and Scoutmaster for 12 years. As Scoutmaster, he had five Eagle Scouts in his troop. These five young men also later served two-year church missions.
He has served nine years in the Wichita Kansas Stake Presidency and 14 years as Branch President and Bishop of the Wellington Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the past 15 years, A.J. has served as the patriarch for the Wichita Kansas Stake, ministering over 400 patriarchal blessings. The example he set for his family has generated 14 full-time missionaries, with many more to come. His son Greg served 2 years in Tacoma, Washington. Thirteen grandchildren have served or are serving missions:
Served: Christopher McCurdy- Brazil Sao Paulo, Briana McCurdy Parker - New York New York City, Adam McCurdy- Hungary Budapest, Jordan Bozarth- Spain Barcelona, Jocelyn - Peru Lima, Jacquel Bozarth Reber Japan Sapporo, Alyssa Beehler - Chili Santiago North, Madelyn Beehler- California Redlands, Rachel Bull - called to Spain Madrid but due to COVID served in Idaho Pocatello, Ethan Conrady- Utah Logan
Currently serving: Cameron Bull- Philippines Laoag, Ellie Bull- Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Gage Conrady India Bengaluru.
A.J. was a talented artist. He created many paintings and drawings throughout his life. There have been many requests from family members for him to paint more. Just retire already and we will provide you with our requests. A.J. gifted a painting to each of his five children as wedding presents when they were married. He painted scenes from the community including the Spring House in Conway Springs, and a multitude of religious scenes, but his favorite were landscapes. I’m sure all of these pieces will create many spirited discussions in the near future as everyone tries to lay their claim to these precious memories.
A.J. and Karen loved to travel. They made countless trips to Utah for babies being born, priesthood ordinations, Eagle Scout ceremonies, mission farewells, holidays, and weddings. They were committed to being in their children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s lives regardless of the distance between them. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Mom, Dad and their children and spouses went on an Alaskan cruise.
Later in life, A.J. and Karen returned to Eureka Springs, Arkansas where they had honeymooned. Ultimately, they purchased a timeshare on TableRock Lake in Branson, Missouri. They wanted to create even more memories with their family. For the past 17 years, family has gathered at Big Cedar to go boating, fishing, swimming, miniature golfing, drink lots of hot chocolate, watch fireworks, tours of the fish hatchery, see a variety of shows in Branson, ride go-karts, and endless trips to Silver Dollar City. It also included lots of naps, but most of those were taken by Mom and Dad. For the past 12 years, Mom organized a family reunion every two years in Granby, Colorado. In the mountains, the family did lots of hiking, did water sports, rode ATVs on the mountain trails and always got ice cream in Grand Lake. Dad never missed a chance to eat ice cream. He would frequently tell the story of his first ice cream cone as a kid. He picked up glass bottles to recycle and get money to buy his first ice cream cone. It was so delicious, as soon as he finished eating it, he immediately returned to hunting for more bottles and bought a second ice cream cone later that day.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother John Bozarth and two sisters: Alta Bowman and Christine Ryno.
A.J. is survived by his wife Karen; his children: Deborah (John) McCurdy of Lindon, Utah; Gregory (Carmel) Bozarth of Ivins, Utah; Teresa (Phillip) Beehler of Spanish Fork, Utah; Lora (Michael) Bull of Monument, Colorado; Mechelle (Jason) Conrady of Wichita, Kansas; one sister Ernestine Turner of Wichita, Kansas; 23 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends.
Cheers to endless ice cream cones in heaven. Thanks for the memories, Dad.
A memorial has been established to the Conway Springs Development Foundation.
Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs, Kansas.