Garley Amos
WINNEMUCCA, NV – Garley Amos was honored as the 2017 “Ranch Hand of the Year.” It wasn’t the first time the longtime Humboldt County resident, rancher, community enthusiast and activist was recognized for his contribution.
“Garley is one of those people who make up the backbone of Humboldt County,” said Maher. “He served in so many capacities in this community, on local boards, as a local rancher, as a mentor and a good friend. He really epitomized everything good that we stand for in this area.”
Amos was born Jan. 28, 1948, in Winnemucca, the son of Garley Sr. and Helen. His father arrived in Winnemucca on a freight train during the Depression where he worked at various ranches. It was here that Garley Sr. met Helen, Amos’ mother.
“It was love at first sight,” laughed Amos. The son says it must be true that opposites attract because his dad was a buckaroo who didn’t finish grade school while his mom held a master’s degree from Mills College in language.
You would have never put them together, added Amos’ sister MaryAnna Enochson, but it worked. When Garley Sr. died, the couple had been married over 50 years.
A short time following their first meeting, the couple married in 1942 and soon moved on to the Dolly Haden Ranch to begin the second generation of Amos’ in Humboldt County.
At the time, the ranch was such a long way from town that young Garley actually had to board in town to attend the first grade.
It was also far enough away that when Amos’ older brother, John, became ill, the family wasn’t able to seek help in time. He died at age four.
The family moved to the River Ranch where they spent 13 years. In fact, Garley Sr. was just getting ready to buy the place when its owner, Charley Hillyer, died. That cast the family into another struggle. From there they moved to the Clear Creek and Great Western ranches, back to the River Ranch, to the Diamond S, out to Crescent Valley, to a farm at Dutch Flat and the Grayson Ranch in Paradise Valley, the same ranch that Amos’ brother, Charley, ran for many years.
Amos said his dad was his inspiration through it all. He belonged on a horse and so does Amos. In fact, Amos said he couldn’t remember too many times when there wasn’t a rope in his own hand. “My aspiration was to learn to rodeo and rope calves; that was my passion in life.” He added, “That’s what I set out to do when I was young and I hope that’s what I’m doing when I’m buried.”
Amos, who along with his brother Charley roped many a calf in the lot where Ridley’s now stands remembered well the call that went out for volunteers to help build the new rodeo grounds at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds. He said the two figured it was a good way to do what they loved most while getting some much needed R&R from school.
“We really thought we were sneaking away,” recalled Amos. That is until the boys were each recruited to pound nails for hours and hours. He laughed, “We were so sore, it wasn’t as much fun as we thought it would be.”
After graduating from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo in Animal Science, Amos settled into his lifelong dream. “I always wanted to have my own place and my own bunch of cattle.” He ran about 500 head at the Garteiz Ranch.
Following many years of service to the National Guard, Amos also recently completed 12 years as a Humboldt County Commissioner.
He also served over 20 years as a member of the Agricultural District No. 3 where he was instrumental in bringing several major events to Humboldt County, including the United States Team Roping Championship Northwest Finals as well as the Superior Livestock Auction.
Amos laughed at that. “I am tooting the horn, I guess,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of that.”
Amos was also a leading force in building the Winnemucca Event Center. He also was heavily involved in this area’s Friday night ropings, which led to improving the Winnemucca Events Complex grounds to the point that Winnemucca now is able to host roping events from across the country.
It was during those weekend mini-competitions that many of Humboldt County’s finest young ropers got their start.
Amos also has played a pivotal role in helping to grow and develop the Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo weekend. Seven years ago, Amos was recognized by then-Governor Jim Gibbons for his years of dedicated service.
The proclamation noted that as a native of Humboldt County, a rancher, a former member of the Humboldt County Agricultural District No. 3 Board and a (then) member of the Humboldt County Commission, Amos “has utilized every position and opportunity over the past decades to strengthen both his hometown and regional cowboy communities, and...has profoundly influenced the great sport of rodeo through his efforts.”
Petersen said the proclamation was well-deserved, not just for Amos’ work with the Ranch Hand Rodeo, but for his help with many, many other special events.
The “Ranch Hand of the Year” award is sponsored by the Agricultural District No. 3 as a way to recognize those men and women who make their living in the ranching industry.
Garley Amos was presented with the 2017 “Ranch Hand of the Year” award on Saturday, March 4, before the kickoff of the 28th annual Ranch Hand Rodeo. Garley passed away on March 20, 2017 in Winnemucca, Nevada.
Preceding him in death were his father Garley Amos Sr., mother Helen Cornforth Amos and his brother, John Amos. Garley is survived by his wife Patricia Amos, his sons Garth Willard Amos and Gus Duncan (Barbara), Wayne Crowder, Keith Crowder, Emily Sowden, Casey Crowder and Derek Crowder, his sister Maryanna Enochson (Dale), his brother Charley Amos (Frances), grandchildren Gus Thomas Duncan V, Blake Michael Duncan, Seth Amos Duncan, Madalynn Maria Ardis Armos and Garley Dale Thomas Amos and numerous nephews and nieces.
Services were held March 23 at the Winnemucca Convention Center, West Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Humboldt County High School Rodeo Club, PO Box 1023, Winnemucca, NV 89446.