Paul Thomas Codispoti

Paul Thomas Codispoti, 56, of Kingsport finished the race of life on Friday, January 19, 2024, after nearly four courageous years battling ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease). Paul was born June 2, 1967, in Akron Ohio to Nicolas and Carmel (Pappano) Codispoti. 

He was a 1985 graduate of Stow High School where he was a proud member of the marching band. He went on to continue his education at The Ohio State University where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and at The University of Akron earning a MS in Management in 1995.  After graduating from Ohio State he went to work with The Timken Company for 16 years first in Canton, Ohio, and then Gaffney, SC.  He spent the next 16 years with Rockwell Automation/Baldor/ABB/Dodge Industrial in Rogersville TN.  He has fond memories and lifetime friends from both companies.    

Throughout his life, Paul was involved in many activities. He was a member of the Canton, Ohio, and the Spartanburg South Carolina Jaycees, where he served as chapter president.  While he enjoyed activities such as running, weight training, and golf his favorite activities involved his kids. He was not only an active spectator, but also a base coach, assistant coach, school play set builder, Dobyns Bennett High School Dramahawks judge, swim meet scoreboard operator, and DB Band Black shirt. As a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, he joyfully served in the children, youth, missions, and home repair ministries.  

Paul was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Stella and Frank Pappano; paternal grandparents, Mary and Nicola Codispoti; uncle and godfather, Frank Codispoti; aunt and uncle Mary and Jim Dietrich; mother and father-in-law, Ronald and Jayne Amon; and nephew, Jackson Amon.  

He is survived by the love of his life, his amazing wife of 26 years and his caregiver, Betsy (Amon); the joys of his life, his children, Ron and Madi. Surviving him are also his parents, several aunts, uncles and cousins; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Mitzi Amon of Powell, OH; and nieces, Chelsea Leasure (Chicago, IL), Kylie Amon, and Ellie Amon (Powell, Ohio).

The family would like to thank Dr. James Caress and the Wake Forest ALS Clinic, the ETSU ALS clinic, Dr. Aaron Metcalf and staff, the TN ALS Association, Amedysis Hospice, especially his care staff; Tiffany, Teresa, Bobbie, Kelli, Amanda, Carrigan, Jackie, Jennifer and Karl, members and staff of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Phil Horner, Hank Brown, Mary Smith, Travis Hager, Rick Eldreth, Team Wandell and the many friends and family who provided support and prayers.  Special thanks to the members of the local running community especially the Travis Hager Running Club, (Italian Stallions ALS Awareness Running Team) and the Village Idiots who would take him on runs in his custom wheelchair.

Paul will be cremated after a donation to the University of Miami (FL) Miller School of Medicine’s Brain Endowment Bank. 

A Celebration of Life will take place at 2:00pm on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Wm. Randall Frye, Associate Pastor Rev. John Rowe and Associate Pastor Rev. Misti McCreary officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. The service will be live streamed at Hamlettdobson.com. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church Children’s and/or Youth Ministries, 100 E Church Cir, Kingsport, TN 37660 or the TN ALS Association, PO Box 40244, Nashville, TN 37204.