Wally Amos, the visionary behind the well-known Famous Amos cookie brand, has passed away at the age of 88. Amos was a significant figure in the food industry, though he eventually lost control of his company and the rights to its name.
In 1975, after securing a $25,000 loan from friends in California, Amos launched his concept of premium cookies. This led to the creation of one of the most recognizable names in the cookie market.
According to Decoda Literacy Solutions, Amos began baking cookies using his aunt’s recipe as a pastime while working at the William Morris Talent Agency. His coworkers often praised his cookies, which laid the groundwork for his future cookie venture.
The New York Times reported that Amos’ children, Shawn and Sarah, revealed that he succumbed to dementia before his passing. He died at his home in Honolulu on Tuesday, with his wife Carol by his side.
In their statement, his family highlighted his trademark “Panama hat, kazoo, and boundless optimism,” remarking that Wally’s journey was “a great American success story, and a source of Black pride.”
Amos also co-founded Uncle Wally’s Muffin Co., a national brand based in Shirley, New York, shortly after he lost ownership and naming rights to Famous Amos, according to the Associated Press.
After gaining fame in California, Amos continued his entrepreneurial efforts in Hawaii.
Amos was also a strong advocate for reading, hosting a reading room at his Hawaii cookie shop and organizing events to encourage children’s literacy. In 1991, he received the National Literacy Honors Award from President George H.W. Bush.
His children fondly recalled, “Our dad taught us the value of hard work, believing in ourselves, and chasing our dreams.”
They added, “We also know he would love it if you had a chocolate chip cookie today.”