Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired) July 21, 1934 - February 25, 2014 OKLAHOMA CITY

COL Amend was born in Saint Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK on July 21, 1934. He passed away in Oklahoma City on February 25, 2014.

He was raised in Oklahoma City and graduated from St. Gregory's HS in Shawnee, OK, and from Oklahoma State University with a BS degree in 1958. He was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

He began his military career following his graduation from OSU as a Field Artillery Officer. He served in multiple military positions throughout the United States, which included Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery at Fort Carson, CO, a faculty member at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Department of the Army Staff in Washington, D.C. While in Washington D.C., COL Amend graduated from the National War College.

During this same period, he also received a Master of Science in International Affairs from the George Washington University.

COL Amend served two tours in South Vietnam as an advisor to the Vietnamese Army in 1965, and the 4th Infantry Division Artillery in 1969-70.

He served two tours in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery, and the VII U.S. Army Corps. During his military career, COL Amend received numerous military decorations including the Soldier's Medal for valor, four awards of the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

He retired from 23 years of military service in 1981. Throughout his military career, he cherished the many wonderful friends he made while in the service of the nation.

After his retirement, COL Amend joined his brother, Robert, in the family business, Decorative Arts, Inc. He eventually became a stockholder in the company and rose to the position of Executive Vice President. His specific areas of professionalism were personnel management, production, and information systems, to include computer operations. He was a member of the Decorative Arts family for twenty years, retiring in June of 2001.

On September 22, 1962, COL Amend married Virginia Marie Hillerman. They started their military journey at Fort Sill, OK. Over the course of the years, they had five children. During their marriage, he continued to stress the importance of God, Family and Country. He and Ginny loved the family deeply and proudly watched as they grew into wonderful people.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, OK. His father, William Edward Amend, his mother, Mary Florence (Baron) Amend, and his stillborn son, Leo Baron Amend, preceded COL Amend in death.

COL Amend is survived by his wife, Virginia; his daughter, Charlotte Renee Hinckle and son-in-law, Mark Hinckle; and his daughter, Angela Denise Schneider and son-in-law, Allen Schneider; and his sons, Edward Baron Amend, and Steven Howard Amend and daughter-in-law, Nicole (Stangle) Amend. He is also survived by his brother, Robert L. Amend and his wife Diane (Dinger) Amend; five grandchildren, James Lee Baron Schneider, Virginia Louise Schneider, Caleb Baron Amend; and by marriage, Christopher William Hinckle and Nathan Alan Hinckle; one great grandson, Luke Alan Hinckle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be Friday, February 28, from 4-6 p.m. and the funeral service will be Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel.

Contributions may be made in COL Amend's memory to the Alzheimer's Association , Arthritis Foundation , Catholic Charities or to your favorite charity honoring Veterans.

(Published in The Oklahoman on Feb. 27, 2014)