Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 13 May 2001 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. May 13, 2001 Permian Basin Obituaries _________________________________________________________________ Truman C. Johnny Walker ODESSA T. C. "Johnny" Walker, age 81, of Odessa, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2001, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born November 22, 1919, in Eastland County to Joseph Franklin Walker and Lovidy Eugene Melton Walker as the fifth of six children. Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2001, at Sunset Memorial Chapel in Odessa under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Mr. Walker graduated from Loraine High School and spent two years playing football for McMurray College in Abilene before enlisting in the Army Air Force. Mr. Walker served his country during the European Campaign of World War II, served his community as a masonry contractor for 35 years, served his community as a youth baseball coach, and served his community as a Webelo scout leader. He attended Highland United Methodist Church and was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. He married Louise Hallmark on July 20, 1946, in Sweetwater. They moved to Odessa in February 1948 to raise one son, David Randall Walker of Sanford, N.C., and one daughter, Becky Walker Stanford of Odessa. They were rewarded with two granddaughters, Jordan Walker of Sanford, N.C., and Allison Wendt of Odessa, two of the brightest stars in Mr. Walkers eyes. Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Norvan Pierson Walker, Esley Olen Walker, and Kenneth Chester Walker, and one sister, Euva Walker. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 55 years, Louise. Also, his son and daughter, and his precious granddaughters, and his sister Alene Martin of Snyder. Memorials can be made in lieu of flowers to American Heart Association in honor of T. C. "Johnny" Walker. _________________________________________________________________ Marty Johnson ODESSA Marty Johnson, 44, passed away Friday, May 11, 2001, at his residence in Odessa. He was born April 30, 1957, to L.J. and Rowena Johnson in Abilene. His father, L.J., and sister, Sandra Wager, preceded him in death. Marty moved to Odessa in 1980 from Pecos. He married Lisa Woods on September 6, 1990, in Odessa, and was the shop foreman at Big Tex Trailers for three years. He worked for Beckners Chevron station for several years and also served in the Air Force. Marty attended Northside Baptist Church. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2001, at the Sunset Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Survivors include his wife, Lisa Johnson, of Odessa; son, Adam Johnson of Beaumont, Calif.; daughter, Marisa Johnson of Odessa; mother, Rowena Johnson of Bryan-College Station; brothers, Butch Johnson of Mineral Wells and Tracy Johnson of Bryan-College Station; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and other loving friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Kelly S. Kennedy ODESSA Kelly S. Kennedy, 33, of Odessa, died Thursday, May 10, 2001 at his residence. He was born December 12, 1967, in Odessa. Before his accident in January of 1997, he was a stockbroker for Ron Clifton Investments and a journeyman bladesmith. He attended Odessa College and the William F. Moran School of Bladesmithing in Hope, Arkansas, and was featured in Knives magazine and several other publications for his artistic work with knives. He won several awards at the Permian Basin Expo and the Ellen Noel Art Museum. Kelly held a Black Belt rank of Fourth Dan in Hanto-Ryu Martial Arts. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, archery, computers, and reading. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and Past Faithful Navigator Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. "Every man dies, not every man lives." If there ever was a brave heart, it was Kelly. Despite terrible, extensive injuries, pain and injury from an auto accident, his beautiful heart showed through. He always had a big smile or a kind word to everyone he met. Kelly was the ultimate best friend. He touched so many lives in his short time with us. Kelly really did live his life to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Ethel "Biggie" Rector, and his grandfather, Lyle Wayne Williams. Survivors include his mother, Susan Kennedy, grandmother Johnnie Williams, and great grandfather Lee Rector, all of Odessa, and stepgrandmother Pearl Williams of Bedford. He is also survived by great uncle Dan Sikes and his wife Mary of Anson; uncles Gary Williams and wife Jodi of Grapevine, and Michael Williams and wife Marie of San Diego, Calif.; aunt Rhonda Zielinski and husband Dr. Mark of Baton Rouge, La.; special cousin Noel Shackleford of Austin; many other cousins and aunts and uncles; childhood friend Donald Mathis of Odessa; and goddaughter Aliyah Saenz of Arlington. Kelly is also survived by his godparents, H.D. and Opal Self of Odessa, and Joseph and Kay Cordova of Bosque Farms, N.M. Rosary was said Saturday, May 12, 2001, in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with the Revs. Mark Woodruff and James P. Bridges concelebrants. Interment will follow in Ector County Cemetery. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved.