Jerald "Jerry" Amen, of San Antonio, passed away on July 2, 2019 at the age of 77 years. He was born December 14, 1941 in McCook, Nebraska, one of four sons of Jacob and Clara Amen.

Jerry graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1960. In 1964, he received his bachelor's degree from Colorado State University. He worked as a store manager for Montgomery Ward for over thirty years.

Survivors include his wife, Ann Stein Amen; son, Wade Amen and daughter, Melanie Amen all of San Antonio; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ron and Patricia Amen of Cheyenne, Wyoming, John and Marcia Amen of Denver, Colorado; mother-in-law, Marilyn Stein of Rio Medina; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David and Beverly Stein of Castroville, Larry and Barbara Stein of Castroville, Mark and Mary Jo Stein of Argyle; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Ken Riek of Leander; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jerrywas preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Amen and Clara Amen Christensen; step-father, Grant Christensen; brother, David Amen; father-in-law, Sylvan Stein and sister-in-law, Cindy Stein.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 9, 2019 starting at 6:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas. Interment will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Castroville, Texas.

Memorials may be made in Jerry's memory to St. Matthew Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78230.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com

EULOGY BY WADE AMEN:

Jerald Lynn Amen

He was known by most as Jerry, called Jer by his wife Ann but to Melanie and I he was Dad. He was born 12/14/41 in McCook, NE to Clara and Jacob Amen. He grew up in Fort Collins, CO with his brothers John and Ron. His family knew heartache while he was only 4 as another of his brothers was tragically killed in an accident while playing with friends. He didn't talk about growing up much but some things stuck with me like how he would pick asparagus off the side of the road for dinner. I think this is where I first heard the term "road weeds".

He attended the local university in Fort Collins, Colorado State University. He stared his career with Montgomery Ward in the management training program. His career with Montgomery Ward lasted over 30 year and took him to several states. He came to San Antonio in 1974 as the Assistant store manager in the Wonderland store where he met Ann Stein. They had to keep their relationship a secret as she was in the management training program as well. They were surprised with a wedding shower put on by their coworkers where the theme was also a Montgomery Ward slogan, "they got what they wanted at Wards". His next promotion was to store manager, opening a brand new store in Laredo. I was born in Laredo and my sister was on the way when he got a bigger and better store at Windsor Park mall in San Antonio. He was very successful at managing and routinely had his store as one of the best performers in the company. I remember him going to the headquarters in Chicago for a meeting and coming back with a signed photo for me from Michael Jordan.  I think he, like other successful people would get obsessed with certain things and would really focus on what he was passionate about.

He loved to hunt, whether it was quail, dove, deer or antelope. He loved to get out there and lead the hunts for his buddies. He would tell me stories of how he would prank the other hunters with a dead snake tied to a cooler lid by a fishing line so that when they opened the lid the snake would jump at the unsuspecting friend. Tales of how that friend levitated above the ground for tens of yards are ones I still remember. Even though he did not hunt much later in life he never lost his love of guns. He collected them no matter shape or size and amassed quite the arsenal. Going through them to take pictures and sometime sell them was a recurring event although they never stopped multiplying.

Once Wards was in the rear view, he leaned on his knack for the deal. He got into buying and selling cars but only for a bargain. Many times, he would pass the bargain on to his friends and family. He would buy plants in bulk and I would be 'volun-told' to help him pot them along with most yard projects. I learned to enjoy mowing the lawn and I can't imagine not ever cutting my own. He was really a good manager and I learned first-hand how to follow. One of the things I will miss most was his wisdom and knowledge. He taught me how to work on cars, hunt, be safe with guns, how to build a fence and a deck, trim trees as well as countless other items that have helped me become a more rounded man. He enjoyed going to his coffee group at Spouts where he was the life of the party. He used his managing skills to help his friend with wills and other items they needed.

The deal was a big theme as he would go to HEB and other stores to shop the clearance items. He would come home with 4 gallon vats of olive oil and crazy tasting yogurts that he would give to the rest of us. My sister and I made a term for it when we received the different items he purchased in bulk, "We got Jerry'd". We made fun but his heart showed to be caring and giving to all he encountered.

He would buy huge amounts of candy and walk up before mass to give them to the kids in the choir and for Sister T to distribute. He even put his deal-making skills to use by raising money in the St Matthews garage sale headed by Sister T.

He had a good heart and loved being social. He was always quick-witted and usually had a sarcastic quip lined up. He had been in the hospital many times for his knees, back, heart and other ailments. When we would visit it seemed like he would double the number of friends he had each time from the nurses to the other patients. He would even grease the wheel as it were with bribes of halo oranges to make sure the nurses knew who he was.

He was there when we needed him and his wisdom and jokes will be missed but his love will always be with us. We love You Dad.