Wednesday night, the remaining co-founder of Aflac, Paul Amos, passed away after a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old. “Mr. Paul,” as he was affectionately known throughout the company, held numerous positions, both at corporate headquarters and as a hands-on member of the sales force during his nearly 60-year tenure at the company.
Amos was raised in both Enterprise, Ala. and Milton, Fla. He and his wife, the former Jean Roberts, met in church when she was just 17 years old and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in October of last year. The couple's only child, Daniel P. Amos, is AFLAC’s current chairman and CEO.
"My father was a consummate businessman who led with compassion and dignity," said Dan Amos. "He was a straight-shooter who believed in the simple tenets of honesty and integrity. He was a gentleman, as well as a gentle man.”
Steve Gill, Milton, knew Amos when Amos was a Milton resident. Gill said Amos was a best friend of his and business partner.
“Our families were close,” he said. “His son grew up with my girls. He was a respected Christian man. I was blessed having him as a friend; we really had a nice life together.”
In addition to helping build the world's largest supplemental insurance company with his two brothers, Amos established a quiet history of philanthropy and community service. Through anonymous donations and the endowment of educational funds and scholarship programs, he and his wife, Jean, touched thousands of lives with major financial commitments, including an endowment to Pensacola State College.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Former Milton businessman Amos dies