Earl Wesley Amell

Earl Wesley Amell was born November 16, 1943, in Lewiston, Idaho.  Audrey and Albert Amell welcomed him as their first of five children.  On October 15, 2024, Earl passed away at age 80 in a car accident on highway 95 north of New Meadows.

Earl graduated from Mountain Home High School, Idaho, in 1962.  For two years, he attended the University of Idaho in Moscow.  From 1965-1968, he served in the United States Air Force as an E4 Sergeant in Computer Programming at the Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  After his military service, he worked for the Kerr-McGee Corporation from 1968-1973, as a Computer Programmer.

In 1973, Earl decided to return to Idaho on his green Harley Sportster, a 1660-mile adventure.  He would spend the next 51 years in Riggins as a handyman, avid gardener, caring for his mother, and a friend to many.  You could find him anywhere in town with that long white beard and signature hat adorned with a fresh flower.  He loved his Australian Shepherd dogs, Penny, Spook, and most recently, Spooker.  He had a special gift of teaching them dozens of tricks to the amazement of his friends and family.  He always shared his garden harvests generously.  If you needed your washer,  dryer, lawnmower, or any other mechanical device fixed, you’d ask Earl.  Countless, memorable conversations with others reflected his depth of knowledge in history, math, and science.  He read profusely.  He enjoyed problem solving and puzzles.  Anyone who knew him gained access to his treasure chest of innumerable jokes!

The Salmon River American Legion Post 130 in Riggins was especially important to Earl.  He proudly participated for years in volunteering with them at the May Riggins Rodeo, parades, and other community activities.

His father, Albert Amell, mother, Audrey Amell, and brother Charlie Amell preceded him in death.  Among surviving family are his siblings: Larry Amell, Sandy (Barry) Hudson, Pete (Denise) Amell, nieces and nephews: Brian (Kori), Marnie (Jud), and Alex Hudson, Emily (Trevor) Evans, Ellie (Rob)  Welsh, and Andrea (Brian) Yoakum, Uncle Jim and Aunt Louise Amell, and cousins.

Earl’s family will be getting together next spring in his honor.  Memorial contributions may be sent to The Salmon River American Legion Post 130, P.O. Box 65, Riggins, Idaho 83549

Online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home, Inc.