Friends and family of John Amos are remembering his legacy.

Amos’ loved ones gathered for a celebration of life at Leimert Park in Los Angeles on Nov. 21, where they pay tribute to the late actor following his death in August. Hosted by community advocate Najee Ali and led by Pastor Robert Sausedo, attendees shared their memories of Amos with the community.

“For many young African-American boys who grew up as I did, John Amos was the father figure that we didn’t have,” Ali said in a press release for the ceremony. “His role on Good Times portrayed him as a loving husband and father, who was a provider and protector for his family. The greatest honor of my life was meeting him in Leimert Park and telling him that I watched him on Good Times every week and wished I had grown up with a father like him.”

During the service, actor Rodney Allen Ripply gave a speech about what Amos meant to him, honoring the Roots alum for his widespread impact.

“I ain’t going to take up much time, but I just want to say, God bless John,” Ripply said as he got choked up. “I know he’s in heaven. He was a good man. I remember him all the way back to his one-man show, Halley’s Comet. I remember that, and I remember going to see him do his one-man act, and I was like, this man — what for like, an hour and a half — I said, ‘Man, how much content does this guy have in his hand?’ And I was like, ‘Wow.’ He was an actor of actors, and I stand on his shoulders because of people like him, who’s amazing.”

Rippy also recalled when he first met Amos while starting up his radio show. He said he was calling people to ask if they would be guests and he was introduced to Amos by his longtime rep during that process.

“Through Belinda Foster, I was able to get in contact with John,” Rippy shared. “And John and [his son] K.C. came to my show, and I was able to interview John, and I was so honored because I grew up, you know, I was proud of the 70s and all of that, and I saw John, and John was my biggest interview on my show.”

“I was so honored to have John be there,” he added.

Following the event, Amos’ son, K.C., offered thanks to everyone who contributed to the gathering, saying he was happy to see everyone “uniting with me to celebrate my father’s life.”

“We’re honoring my father, John Amos, in L.A. with those he loved and especially with the community that he cherished and cared about. I’m carrying out my father’s wishes, and there are more details coming soon as to the real truth,” he shared in a statement, seemingly referring to the ongoing drama with his sister Shannon.

Shannon was not present at the service as she announced in an Instagram post on Oct. 23 that she planned a memorial and celebration of life for the Good Times star on Nov. 23 as a means of “sending my dad’s spirit home” and to “celebrate his extraordinary life and legacy.”

Chris Tian also remembered Amos in a statement to PEOPLE, sharing, “I’d like to send my love and condolences to KC Amos, Belinda Foster, Eugene Brummet and everyone else effected [sic] by the loss of our John Amos who we cherished deeply. John was a real humanitarian as a father, actor, and dear friend. His legacy continues to inspire all of us.”

Amos died of congestive heart failure on Aug. 21 at 5:18 p.m. at a hospital in Inglewood, Calif. He was 84. No autopsy was performed and a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE showed that his remains, which appear to be in the possession of K.C., were cremated on Aug. 30.

K.C. announced his dad’s passing in a statement on Oct. 1.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over.”

He continued: “Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”

“My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life,” he added. “Most recently in Suits LA playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, America’s Dad. He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”

Shannon and Amos’ goddaughter Amy Goudy later released their own statement claiming they found out about Amos’ death through the media. On Facebook, Shannon called out her brother for the mistreatment of their father in his final days, noting that his failure to notify them about the death was suspicious.

Shortly after the message made headlines, Foster, who was also named in Goudy’s statement, refuted those claims in an exclusive statement shared with PEOPLE.

“I represented John Amos for over 30 years as his publicist of record,” Foster said. “The media knows this along with John’s agencies of record. Over the years we grew close to one another to the point of a familial relationship. In the last few years, he often referred to me as his ‘daughter.’ This was not a fraud by John, K.C., or myself. He was like a father to me. I deeply mourn his passing.”

“Shannon’s claims that John was abused are false,” Foster continued. “K.C., Eugene and I, along with numerous others cared for him. On several occasions when Shannon claimed that he was abused, law enforcement authorities sat with John and confirmed his well being.”

PEOPLE previously reached out to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department, who said there “are no updates or statements” in regards to reopening John’s elder abuse case at this time.