Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 8 Feb 2000 Submitted by Charlene Beatty Beauchamp cbodessa@classicnet.net Thanks to the Odessa American Online http://www.oaoa.com/ ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OA Online Obituaries. February 08, 2000 Permian Basin Obituaries _________________________________________________________________ Cecil Bergerson ODESSA — On Feb. 6, 2000, our beloved father, Cecil Bergerson, passed from this earthly realm at his residence in peace and with dignity after 83 years. He was a veteran of World War II, and was a member of the VFW and American Legion. He was born Jan. 11, 1917, in Orrock, Minn., to Bert and Sarah Bergerson. He was preceded in death by both his parents, two brothers and one sister. The world will not miss "Pop’s" passing, but his many friends, and especially his son and family, with probable selfishness wish he could grace our lives longer, but God in his infinite wisdom decided he should come home to occupy his prepared mansion. He is survived by his son, Bert, and daughter-in-law, Karen, of Odessa; two granddaughters; one grandson and cousins too numerous to mention throughout Minnesota. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Don William Gray was born June 12, 1919, in Oletha to Annison and Lottie Gray. He passed away Feb. 6, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at the Sunset Memorial Chapel with Tom Hiser officiating. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Don was in the Navy during World War II serving in the Pacific Theater. He was the son of an oilfield worker during the oil-boom days in Breckenridge and Ranger. He moved to Odessa in 1934. He worked for W.M. Cameron for 38 years. He married Earlene on Oct. 13, 1972, in Odessa. He was a member of the Christian Church. A brother and a sister preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Earlene Gray of Odessa; his sons, Leo Gray and his wife, Dianne, of Bossier City, La., and Clifford Gray of Spokane, Wash.; a stepson, Lawrence Daniel Nichols and his wife, Billie Ann, of Odessa; a stepdaughter, Marilyn Grogan of Odessa; his brother, Steve Gray and his wife, Faye Nell, of Odessa; his sisters, Maudie G. Land of Las Vegas, Faye Nauret and her husband, LeRoy, of Abilene, Margie Hicks and her husband, Neal, of Seminole and Monte Rafford and her husband, Clifton; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Manuel C. Molinar, 82, passed away Feb. 6, 2000, at the V.A. Hospital in Big Spring surrounded by his family. He was born on May 13, 1918, in Terlingrua. Mr. Molinar retired many years ago from tire construction/bricklayer industry. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific and was a member of the Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Molinar was preceded in death by his son, Manuel J. Molinar. He is also survied by his brothers, Cruz Molinar of Odessa and Adolfo Molinar of San Mateo, Calif.; sisters, Esperanza Grado of Presidio and Consuelo Machuca of Odessa; grandchildren, Rick Molinar of Austin and Darlene Garcia of Midland; great-grandchildren, Ricky Molinar, Rebecca Garcia and Ray Garcia Jr. Services by Odessa Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Guillermo "William" Montoya PECOS — Guillermo "William" Montoya, 50, of San Antonio died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at University Hospital in San Antonio. Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. today at Santa Rosa Catholic Church. Burial will be at Santa Rosa Cemetery. He was born Jan. 28, 1950, in Pecos. He was an Army veteran. He was Catholic. He was preceded in death by his mother, Otilia Gonzales Montoya; paternal grandparents, Guillermo Montoya and Antonia C. Montoya; maternal grandparents, Serapio Gonzales and Vidala G. Gonzales; brothers, Sisto Barrera Montoya, Pablo Gonzales Montoya Jr., Felipe Barrera Montoya and Jose Barrera Montoya. Survivors include his son, William Montoya Jr. of Dallas; daughter, Yvette Montoya of San Antonio; father, Pablo Montoya Sr. of Pecos; brothers, Andres Montoya of Crystal City, Epifano "Pifi" Barrera Montoya of Pecos, Rogelio "Roy" Garza of El Paso, Benito Gonzales Montoya and Tiodoso "Tio" Gonzales Montoya, both of Odessa; sisters, Elvira Montoya Mendoza of Crystal City, Armida Rico, Emma Montoya Carrasco and Ninfa Montoya Hernandez, all of Pecos, Otilia "Tillie" Montoya Valenzuela and Delia Montoya, both of Odessa; and one grandchild. Arrangements by Pecos Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Mabel Lorena Pursley, 82, of Odessa died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Edgar and Annie Smith. She was born Sept. 5, 1917, in May, Texas. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tues., Feb. 8, 2000, at Chapel Hill Baptist Church. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Lorena worked as an L.V.N. in Monahans, Roscoe, and Sweetwater. She met and married Arthur Woodford Pursley April 29, 1946, in Sylvester, where they were both very active in their church. He preceded her in death Feb. 23, 1998. They later moved to Abilene, where they were members for more than 20 years at Westside Baptist Church. While there, she taught Sunday school for primary-grade children and was loved by children of all ages. In addition to her work with the church, she volunteered at the Retired Senior Citizens Center. Her greatest joy was in sharing her love of cooking with friends and family. Her grandchildren delighted in her homemade cookies, jellies and pies. This was the highlight of her life. She was a blessing to all of them by her presence alone. Survivors include her daughter, Frances Haynes of Odessa; grandchildren, Starla King and husband, Ronnie, Shan Johnson and wife, Telene, and Kye Johnson, all of 0dessa; sisters, Billie Wood of Midland and Dorothy White of Amarillo; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. The family will receive visitors at 1533 Westbrook Ave. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Bernice Zimmerman, 79, of Odessa died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at her residence. She was a graduate of Tishamingo Junior College. She married Al Zimmerman, Feb. 11, 1950, at the East Dallas Christian Church in Dallas, and they moved to Odessa in 1968. She was the former owner of Al’s Waterbed Sleepshop, retiring in 1998. She had been a member of Bethany Christian Church since 1980. Survivors include her husband, Al Zimmerman of Odessa; daughter, Linda Cumba of Arlington; granddaughters, Leah Lani and Farrar Cumba of Arlington. She also is survived by a brother, Curtis Swink of Cherokee, Okla.; sister, Ina Swink of Hillsboro; and brother-in-law, Eddie Zimmerman of Odessa. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at Bethany Christian Church with Rev. Robert Scoffeld officiating. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at Swink Cemetery in Swink, Okla. If desired, memorials may be made to the Door of Hope Mission. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000 Odessa American. All rights reserved.