Kevin James Amrhein Sr.

Kevin James Amrhein Sr.
Born on November 24, 1958, in Buffalo, New York and passed on April 17, 2025, in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas

  If you ever needed a laugh, a plate of food, or someone to help you out, our dad was your guy.

  Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Dad lived a life full of family, fishing, haggling, and heart. He had a gift for finding treasure where everyone else saw junk—and somehow, he could talk a vendor down with nothing more than a grin and a story. Dad could sell just about anything to anyone, and you’d walk away thinking you got the best deal of your life… and honestly, you probably did. That was his magic.

  Over the years, Dad ran several pet stores in West Plains and Cherokee Village, blending his love for animals—especially fish—with his natural talent for business. He built custom aquariums by hand, each one a little masterpiece. His shops weren’t just businesses; they were community hubs filled with conversation, laughter, and the calming sound of bubbling tanks.  Later in life, Dad found a second calling as a car salesman—and he absolutely loved it. It wasn’t just about the cars (though he knew every detail); it was about the people. He made customers feel like lifelong friends, and he lit up every time he helped someone drive away happy. It was the perfect job for a man who never met a stranger and could talk to anyone about anything.

  Sundays were sacred growing up. The smell of Dad’s cooking filled the house, and somehow, the table always had room for one more. Whether you were family, a friend, or just someone passing by, you were welcome. 

His laugh? You could hear it from across the room.
His advice? Usually unsolicited—but somehow always exactly what you needed to hear. He had a way of showing up exactly when you needed him most. He gave freely of his time, his recipes, and his love. And if you were one of his kids, you could count on a phone call almost every single day—sometimes to check in, sometimes to share a joke, sometimes just to say, “Hey, I love you.” Those calls were a thread that kept us all grounded, a daily reminder that we were never alone.

  Some of his favorite sayings will stick with us forever:
“Oh boy,”
“Who’s your buddy, who’s your pal?”
And our favorite: “I love you more.”

  Dad is survived by a wild, loving crew who adored him:
Kevin Amrhein Jr. and his wife Elizabeth, Carrie and her husband Corben Shull, Josh Amrhein, Casey Amrhein and his wife Sarah, Michael Amrhein and his wife London, Aaron Amrhein, Matthew Amrhein and his wife Katelyn, Steven Baker and his wife Jessica, Cassie and Bradley Sloniker,
Megan Charbauski, and his extended daughter Tiffany Dugan, who held a special place in his heart. He was the proud grandpa of 32 grandkids and 6 great-grandkids, each one a shining light in his world. He also leaves behind his brothers Doug, Bruce, and Bobby.

  Dad was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Frederick and Mildred Amrhein; his former wife, Ann Marie Harrington (1983); his beloved wife, Anna Marie Baker (2023); his son Bryan (2015); and his siblings Yvette Krol, Priscilla Bucceri, Skip, and Ron.

 He was the kind of dad who could make you laugh on your worst day.
The kind of grandpa who always had time for a snack or a story.
The kind of guy who never met a stranger. If there was a deal to be made or a joke to be told, he was already there—smiling. He left a mark on every person lucky enough to know him, and we know he’d be humbled by how many lives he touched with his humor, kindness, and big, generous heart.

 We’ll miss him at every family dinner, every fishing trip, and every flea market. But we know he’s up there somewhere—grilling something amazing, making a deal, and keeping an eye on all of us.

In Dad’s honor:
Tell a good joke.
Hug your people.
And don’t ever pass up a yard sale sign.
He wouldn’t want you to.

  A Memorial service will be held at Saddle Cemetery in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, on April 26th at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Charles Kirby.
After the service, all are welcome to gather at Fred’s Fish House to share memories and celebrate a life well-lived.

Prayer

May the angels lead you into paradise.
May the martyrs receive you at your arrival,
And lead you into the holy city, Jerusalem.

May choirs of angels receive you,
And with Lazarus, who once was poor,
May you have eternal rest.