Farrell James Ami, 73, passed away at 8:36 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2015, at the Phoenix VA Hospital after a brief illness, which included three major surgeries in less than four weeks. His burial and family gathering was held July 26 on the Hopi Reservation, with burial in Polacca Cemetery and the family gathering at the home of his sister Sonia Poocha in Keams Canyon. Many friends and family gathered to bid him farewell and comfort one another. His memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 300 E. Hermosa Drive in Holbrook. All family and friends are cordially invited to attend. Following the service will be a meal and fellowship at the Holbrook Senior Center on East Joy Nevin Avenue.
He was born on First Mesa on the Hopi Reservation on Sept. 1, 1941.
Survivors include his wife of only two years, Rosemary J. Ami of Snowflake; two sisters, Sonja Jean Poocha of Keams Canyon and Toni Antoinette Ami-Sanchez of Phoenix; one brother, Alonzo Stanley Ami of Camp Verde; two children, daughter Jeanelle Ami Orozco (husband Lou) of Apache Junction and son, Ronald Alan Ami of Glendale; four grandchildren, Nathaniel and Jonathan Orozco, and Katrina and Aiden Ami; and one niece, Natonia May (Tiki) Ami of Surprise. He is also survived by three stepdaughters, Romoncita Montoya, May Montoya and Debra Montoya with family, all of the Hopi Reservation.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ella May Talashie-Ami on Dec. 17, 2014; his father, Clyde Ami; and a brother, Aaron Ami.
His many interests and occupations over his adult lifetime included, but were not limited to, being an emergency medical tech (EMT), national forest fire fighter, carver of Kachina dolls, electrician, avid gardener, which included Hopi corn fields, cattleman on the Hopi Reservation for years, community service administrator for several villages on the Hopi Reservation, and, lastly, spending over 30 years employed by the Veterans Administration Hospital in downtown Phoenix in several different trades.
At age 26, he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam for a year and a half until he was wounded and sent to Japan for hospitalization for almost a year. He received a Purple Heart and a number of medals. One of the accomplishments of his Army career was his marksmanship as a rifleman. He was a 100 percent disabled vet at the time of his death. In spite of his diminished health and eyesight, Farrell was a joy to be with. Everyone loved Farrell.
The most treasured highlight of his life was becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which spanned many years, but most recently since 2009. His lifelong dream was realized just seven weeks before his death, that is, translating into the Hopi language some nine pieces of Watchtower literature for use in the Bible educational work that Farrell loved so much. It was his heart’s desire to teach the Bible to his Hopi brothers in their language, along with his dear wife Rosemary, who made Farrell’s dream her own.
