Wallace “Wally” Amos, Famous Amos Cookie Creator and Children’s Literacy Advocate, Dies at 88

Wallace “Wally” Amos, the creator of the Famous Amos cookie empire, has passed away at the age of 88 in his home in Honolulu. Known for his Panama hat, kazoo, and boundless optimism, Amos was a great American success story and a source of Black pride. Despite facing challenges and losing ownership of his cookie company and the rights to use his name, Amos continued to inspire generations of entrepreneurs.

Amos, who was married six times to five women, was a lover of love, according to his children. He founded the world’s first cookie store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1975, which eventually led him to make Hawaii his home. Despite the struggles he faced as a businessperson, Amos never lost his passion for baking and entrepreneurship.

In addition to his cookie business, Amos co-founded Uncle Wally’s Muffin Co. and was actively involved in promoting literacy. He penned eight books, served as a spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America, and gave motivational talks to various groups. His dedication to inspiring others to learn to read earned him numerous honors, including the Literacy Award presented by President George H.W. Bush in 1991.

Despite the challenges he faced in his professional life, Amos’s legacy lives on through his family and the impact he made on the world of entrepreneurship and literacy. His children, Sarah and Shawn, reflect on the significance of the chocolate chip cookie in their family, recognizing it as a gift and part of their heritage passed down by their father. Wally Amos may have lost control of his cookie empire, but his legacy as a pioneer in the business world and advocate for literacy will continue to inspire future generations.