Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 29 Dec 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. December 29, 2000 Permian Basin Obituaries _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA Freddie M. Colbaugh, 79 years of age, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000, at his Odessa residence. He was born June 15, 1921, in Portales, N.M. He retired with the Odessa Fire Department and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a private first class. He married Grace Humphreys Nov. 22, 1972. He is survived by his wife, Grace Colbaugh of Odessa; sons, Mark Wheeler of Stradford, Mo., Paul Wheeler and Jerry Wheeler, both of Alvarado, Johnny Wheeler of Odessa, Freddie Colbaugh of Richland Hills and Delmar Colbaugh of Murtle Creek, Ore.; daughters, Charlett Thorp of Dallas, Ore., Brenda Dunken of San Angelo, Helen Wheeler of Alvarado and Susie Wheeler of Stradford; brother, Orval Colbaugh of Brandy Wine, Md.; 19 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. today at Odessa Funeral Home. Military graveside services have been set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Chaplain Owen Sharp officiating. Services by Odessa Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Norma Elizabeth Thoraldson Dougherty EDEN Norma Elizabeth Thoraldson Dougherty, Oct. 20, 1924, to Dec. 22, 2000. "The Lady" Her social manners beyond compare So regal and politically right, This proud and beautiful woman caught our daddys fancy One post-war starlit night. The highs were high The valleys low, But through it all, The "Dougherty Gang" would glow. Her life was good As she changed with the times, Even traveled to Norway On her nine childrens dime. Caddies, limousines and furs Celebrity acquaintances, Diamonds and pearls This gorgeous lady knew HOW to see the world. Family fame came with the name, military heroes Her husbands malaria after World War II, spanned her time frame, The 82nd Airborne, her brother and World War I The 82nd Airborne, and her youngest son. The Viking blood runs through our veins Her heritage lives on, though us, who remain, Our mother, our friend, from each a good flight Say "Hi" to dad and Tom, as you smile down on our lives, And may the Great Spirits guide you gently to the other side. By Lana Rutter Norma Elizabeth Thoraldson Dougherty, age 76, died peacefully Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at Heritage Oaks Estate in Ballinger. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000, at the Eden Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her father, Ole Thoraldson; her mother, Martina Bensen Thoraldson; her two brothers, Harry and Barney Thoraldson; her husband, Irvin S. Dougherty; and her son, Thomas James Dougherty. She has two surviving sisters, Lillian Rusick of South Dakota and Marion Brennan of Maine. Her eight surviving children are Donna Lynn Schwendinger of Dallas, Lana Diane Rutter of Odessa, David Harry Dougherty of Phoenix, SFC Robert Martin Dougherty of Fort Campbell, Tenn., Ramona Elaine Ulbricht of Ocean Park, Wash., Priscilla Ann Dougherty of Austin, Susan Marie Hodges of Phoenix and Norma Jane Cox of Paint Rock. She has 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and many other relatives in the United States and Risor, Norway. Her wit and charm will be missed by all who knew her well. _________________________________________________________________ Opal Ellen Hail IRAAN Opal Ellen Hail, longtime resident of Iraan, passed away Christmas Eve 2000 at the age of 79. She was preceded in death by her husband, E.B. Hail. Opal was a unique individual. She loved West Texas and the outdoors, and, in many ways, embodied the pioneer spirit of those that came before her. She was a self-taught farmer and rancher, amateur archeologist, philosopher and artist. In mid-life, Opal began experimenting with Pecos River clay on her farm near Girvin. She discovered the secrets to making pots like the Indians who lived here first. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. A sister, Ruth Reed of Plainview, niece, Suanna Bagwell, also of Plainview, and nephew, Tom Reed and his wife Mary Alice of Chino, Calif., survive her. Her family and friends would like to thank the staff of the Pecos County General Hospital for their care, compassion and love during Opals last year of life. Opal was a friend to children, loved by many and understood by few. Visitation will be held today and Saturday at the Shaffer-Nichols Chapel in Iraan. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000, at the Iraan Church of Christ with burial at Restland Cemetery. Arrangements by Shaffer-Nichols Chapel of Iraan. _________________________________________________________________ MIDLAND James C. "Scat" McNatt was born Dec. 19, 1918, in Lindsay, Calif., to James Franklin and May Gertrude Wright McNatt. He attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., and earned his bachelor of science degree as a petroleum engineer. While attending the university, he participated in the first National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four as a member of the Oklahoma Sooner basketball team. He made the Chicago Herald-American All-American Team in 1940, the Chuck Taylor All-American Team from 1939 to 1940 and the All Big Six Conference Team in 1938, 1939 and 1940. He also won the Big Six Conference Scoring Championship in 1940 and set the Big Six single-game scoring records of 29 points against Iowa State in Feb. 18, 1939, and 30 points against Nebraska in Feb. 9, 1940. Following college, he was employed with Phillips Petroleum Co. as an engineer starting in Bartlesville, Okla., then moving to Louisiana and later to Midland. He was recruited by Phillips Petroleum for their AAU basketball team, leading them to four AAU championships and in the process achieving four all-American honors. On Sept. 27, 1941, he married June Evans in Norman. Mr. McNatt was a member of the OU Sooners Club, First United Methodist Church, Homer Fort Fellowship Class and member of the Ranchland Country Club. Mr. McNatt is survived by his wife, June E. McNatt; his daughter, Jan Kirks and husband Don; his son, Jimmy and wife Marilee; his granddaughters, Stacey Markley and husband Rich, Jamie McNatt, Jennifer McNatt, Cristy McNatt, Kari McNatt, Julie Kirks McFadden and her husband Derek; his grandson, John S. Kirks and wife Kathy; stepgrandsons, Alan Proctor and wife Laura and J.T. Proctor; and great-grandchildren, Sarah Markley, Bryan Markley and Lacey Kirks. Mr. McNatt died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at a local nursing home. Funeral services have been scheduled for 10 a.m. today, Dec. 29, 2000, at the Glass Chapel of First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jan Reed officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Weldon Dawson, Alton Hatfield, Ralph Bills and members of Homer Fort Fellowship Class at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Manor Park Health Care Center or the Homer Fort Fellowship Class of First United Methodist Church. _________________________________________________________________ H.J. Sharp Jr. ODESSA H.J. "Skeeter" Sharp Jr., 76, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at Hendricks Hospital in Abilene after a brief illness. Skeeter was born Sept. 5, 1924, to Henry James and Leafie Sharp in Gouldbusk. He married Frances Owens April 27, 1950, in Mason. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 29, 2000, in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors with the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Diron New, Culley New, Casey Bledsoe, Michael Jolly, Lester Beam, Chester Beam, Ronnie Bivens and Danny Bivens. Skeeter served his country as a Marine and received many honors and medals, including the Purple Heart as a veteran of World War II. He also served as a peace officer in San Francisco and East Texas. He and Frances moved to Odessa in 1951 where he worked for Hubbard Electric until he retired and moved to Hubbard Creek Lake in Breckenridge. He is survived by his wife, Frances Sharp of Breckenridge; children, Danny Sharp of Marble Falls, Mike Sharp and wife Betty of Gardendale, Joyce Meadows and husband Danny of Gardendale, Janette New and husband Ronnie of Odessa, Joan Mendoza and husband Tony of Chesterfield, Mo., Linda Mullin and husband Darrell of Tulsa, Okla., and Gary Leathers of Broken Arrow, Okla.; grandchildren, Diron and Culley New, Christian Sledge, Casey Bledsoe, Michael Jolly, Gabby Aguilar, Dustin and Amanda Mendoza and Grey Lowery; great-grandchildren, Krysten and Bryttain New, Dyllan Sledge, Lillianna and Poco Aguilar, Gavin New and Levin and Jacinda Lowery; brothers, Eldon Sharp and Henry Edward Sharp; sisters, Oleta Beam, Marrietta Cain and Norma Lee Blair; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) _________________________________________________________________ Vera Edythe Weddle ODESSA Vera Edythe Weddle, 92, of Odessa passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital. There will be public viewing from 2 p.m. today through Saturday evening at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Mrs. Weddle was born Oct. 30, 1908, in Bennington, Kans. She grew up in Bennington and graduated from Bennington High School. She was a retired sales clerk and a member of First Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Weddle, Aug. 31, 1995. Survivors are a sister, Gladys A. McGuire of Glendora, Calif.; a nephew, Dennis L. McGuire of Chino Hills, Calif.; and several cousins in Salina, Kans. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001, at the Roselawn Cemetery in Salina, Kans. Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000 Odessa American. All rights reserved.