Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 1 Oct 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. October 13, 2001 Permian Basin Obituaries Obituaries Index Terry Burkholder PECOS - Terry Louis Burkholder passed away at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001, at his home at the age of 56. He was born April 9, 1945, in Pecos and was the third son of the late Ralph William Burkholder and Janice Howard Burkholder of Pecos. He was married to Billie Jean Roberson of Abilene, granddaughter of Louis and Dorothy Roberson of Pecos. Terry attended schools in Barstow until his junior year in high school. Following in his older brother's footsteps, he enrolled at New Mexico Military Institute and graduated in 1963. The next fall he went to Texas Tech University and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. After graduation, he received his commission and served in the United States Army in the Quartermaster Corps for two years. Terry and Jean returned to Pecos in August 1971 and he went into business for himself. Mr. Burkholder is survived by his wife, Billie Jean Burkholder of Pecos, and two daughters, Tiffani Burkholder of Houston and Tera Burkholder King of Fort Stockton. He is also survived by his son-in-law, James Bentley King, and granddaughter, Brooke Adrienne King of Fort Stockton. Other survivors include brothers, Ben Ralph Burkholder of Houston and Mike A. Burkholder and wife, Dixie. Terry has five nephews and nieces, Dr. Duncan Mark Burkholder of Lubbock, Ralph Carter Burkholder and Ben Reese Burkholder, both of Houston, Shawn Burkholder Mitchell of Ozona and Page Burkholder Young of Dallas. There are 14 great-nieces and nephews. While at Texas Tech, Terry was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and participated in the ROTC program. In Pecos, he served on the board and as president of the Pecos Valley Country Club and the Reeves County Tax Appraisal District. He is also a member of the Permian Basin Landman's Association. A service celebrating Terry's life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001, at the First Christian Church of Pecos and burial will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, at Elmwood Cemetery in Abilene. The family wants to convey a special thank you to caregivers, Victor Dominguez, Johnny Jasso and Martha Pando for the loving care and patience given to Terry in his last few weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 297153, Houston, Texas, 77297, or West of the Pecos Museum, 120 East First, Pecos, Texas, 79772, or American Home Health and Hospice, 315 South Oak, Pecos, Texas, 79772. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ronnie Cunningham MIDLAND - Ronnie P. Cunningham, 69, of Odessa, an oilfield welder, died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001, at his residence. Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Friday at Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Gilbert Rodriguez officiating. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel. He was born in Reeves County. He is survived by foster son, Gumaro Marquez of Odessa; foster daughter, Lorena Marquez of Odessa; and cousin, Beverly and husband Joe Mack of Muleshoe. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cora Ruth LaFon PLANO - Cora Ruth LaFon, 89, of Plano passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001, in Plano. Mrs. LaFon was born Nov. 15, 1911, in Parker County. She married Lloyd LaFon on Feb. 4, 1934, in Mineral Wells. They moved to Odessa in 1969 where she had been a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She moved to Plano in 2000. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Monty LaFon; and a daughter, Marva LaFon Hopkins. She is survived by a daughter, Ronda Horan of Plano; a daughter-in-law, Patsy LaFon of Kermit; a sister, Nanette Harwell of Midland; two grandchildren, Tommy LaFon of Houston and Lee Ann Greene of Abilene; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today, Oct. 13, 2001, at the Kermit Cemetery in Kermit under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top | Obituaries Index | Home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnny Albert Ruiz ODESSA - Johnny Albert Ruiz, 37, passed away Monday, Oct. 8, 2001, at his residence. Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon today at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with the Rev. Gilbert Rodriguez officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Moses Garcia, Peter Moomey, Rene Ruiz, Maurice Garcia, Tony Garcia and Lori Gonzales. Mr. Ruiz was born Nov. 4, 1963, in Odessa. He was a computer operator at Flow CO2. He was Catholic. He graduated from Permian High School in 1983 and then went to Arlington State College. He was preceded in death by his sister, Cynthia Moomey. His survivors include his daughter, Vianca Ruiz of Odessa; his mother, Narce Ruiz of Odessa; his father and stepmother, Pete and Mary Ruiz of Odessa; his grandfather, Celedonio Ruiz Sr. of McCamey; his four brothers, A.G. Carrasco of Odessa, Leslie Garcia of Sacramento, Calif., Moses Garcia of Odessa and Pete Anthony Ruiz of Odessa; and his sister, Mari Cruz Ruiz of Odessa. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.