Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 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. Permian Basin Obituaries Copyright © 1999-2002 Odessa American. All rights reserved ============================================================================================ Tuesday February 26, 2002 John F. Ager ODESSA - John F. Ager, 80, of Odessa passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at the Hospice House. He was born March 28, 1921, in Oilton, Okla. He married Stella Jo Lee on Feb. 14, 1948, in Odessa. He had served in the U.S. Coast Guard and had worked as a mechanic on pump jacks for Phillips Petroleum Co. for 36 years. All his work years were in Odessa except for two years as a roughneck in Maysville, Okla. He worked with Southside Church of Christ helping build the auditorium. He had attended West University Church of Christ and helped to build those buildings. He attended Parkview Church of Christ for several years and was now attending West University Church of Christ. He taught the boys and young couples class. John was a faithful Christian who loved singing and reading his Bible. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, J.W. Ager. He is survived by his wife, Stella of Odessa; son, Brian Keith Ager of Crownsville, Md.; two daughters, Marilyn Ager and Carla Jo Wheeler, both of Odessa; brother, Nedford Thomas Ager of Grove, Okla.; sister, Rosemary Davidson of Odessa; three grandchildren, Carrie Jo Owens, Bruce Neal Wheeler and Wendy Sue Teveovich; eight great-grandchildren, Sloan, Skylar and Chase Alexander, Amanda, Brian and Chelsea Owens, Ashley and Kaylee Wheeler. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Roy Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made to the Hospice House or Odessa Christian School in his name. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Marion Daniel Allen ODESSA - Marion Daniel Allen, 50, of Odessa passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital after a sudden illness. He was born Nov. 23, 1951, in Big Lake. He was a retired heavy equipment operator and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Alvin and Katherine Allen; brother, Kenneth Ray Allen and uncle, John Wash. He is survived by three sons, John Daniel Allen of Fort Stewart, Ga., Marion Daniel Allen Jr. and Jessie Allen, both of Odessa; daughter, Laura Ann Green and husband Richard of Odessa; two brothers, Jimmy Dale Allen Sr. and Terry DeWayne Allen, both of Odessa; two sisters, Frieda Ruth Williams and husband Joe and Judy Kay Thomas and husband Charlie, both of Odessa; and five grandchildren, Taylor, Christopher, Shyla and Justin Green and Mason Lee Allen, all of Odessa. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Charlotte Dickerson ODESSA - Charlotte Dickerson, 52, loving wife, mother and grandmother, went to be with the Lord Feb. 21, 2002. She was born Jan. 8, 1950, to Mr. and Mrs. Floyd C. Parker in Austin. She married Billy Dickerson on June 22, 1967, in Gilabend, Ariz. She was a member of Odessa Tabernacle. She worked for many years as an accountant for Village. She will be greatly missed by her family and all her friends. She is survived by her husband, Billy Dickerson; son, Keith Allen Dickerson of Odessa; daughter, Deanna Lindsey of Odessa; stepmother, Shirley Gene Parker of Cedar Creek; two brothers, Ronnie Parker and David Parker, both of Fort Mohave, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Ashley Elizabeth Dickerson, Amy Loren Dickerson, Arin Nicole Dickerson, Joshua Tyler Dickerson, Meagan Danelle Dickerson and Christian Joseph Lindsey, all of Odessa. She is joining her son, Kevin Joe Dickerson in heaven. Services will be at 2 p.m. today, Feb. 26, 2002, at Odessa Tabernacle Church with the Rev. Sam Jordan officiating. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Richard Gene Koerner ODESSA - Mr. Richard Gene Koerner departed from among us early Feb. 22, 2002, at the age of 68. He is survived by sons, Allan and Loren; daughters, Sharon and Carol; stepchildren, Curtis, John and Jack, Toby and Robert Copeland and Lou Ann Groth; and his wife, Margaret Koerner. He was a man of vision and sound advice, very considerate of others and willing to help those who asked. He will be missed by all who knew him. Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. today, Feb. 26, 2002, at Parker Heights Christian Church. Arrangements by Martinez Funeral Home. William James Mason ODESSA - William James Mason, 80, of Odessa passed away Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Proctor, Colo. Mr. Mason married Etta Louise Nester on Nov. 24, 1945, in Sterling, Colo. He served in the Army during World War II and was a lifelong member of the VFW. He was a retired truck driver. He was preceded in death by a son, David Mason. He is survived by his wife, Etta Louise Mason of Odessa; three sons, Dennis Mason of Joshua, Daniel Mason of Commerce City, Colo., and Dale Mason of Odessa; four daughters, Lillian Padilla of Conroe, Carolyn Hunter, Rhonda Syslo and Donna Cain, all of Odessa; three sisters, Dorothy Pierce of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Rosetta Culbertson of Denver, Colo., and Mildred Waite of Sterling, Colo.; 25 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Lucille 'Lou' Cottrell COMANCHE - Lucille "Lou" Cottrell, 84, of Austin, formerly of Comanche, passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at The Seton Hospital in Austin. She was born Oct. 15, 1917, the daughter of the late Jasper Newton and Lizzie Beth Dillard Landers. She was married to Joe Powell on Dec. 9, 1933. He preceded her in death in 1969. She was married to Cecil Cottrell on Oct. 30, 1971. He preceded her in death in June 1996. She was a homemaker and attended Pearl Street Church of Christ. Lou had been a resident of Comanche for 12 years before moving to Austin in 1996. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Beth Lindsey and husband Doug of Casper, Wyo.; a son, Don Edward Powell and wife Martha of Austin; three sisters, Susie Quillan, Vernon Kimbler and Bessie Lewis, all of Fresno, Calif.; a brother, John Landers of Goshen, Calif.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a stepdaughter, Mary Usry and husband Morris of Collyville. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, at Hall and Sons Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the Comanche County Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Hall and Sons Funeral Home of Comanche. Valree Orr McCauley ODESSA - Valree Orr McCauley was born to William and Letitia Smith, May 22, 1919, in Ackron, Mo. She passed away peacefully Feb. 25, 2002, in Midland. The Smith family relocated to Smackover, Ark., when Valree was a young girl, where she lived until 1952. At that time, she moved to Notrees with her former husband, James J. Orr, and five children. The family moved to Odessa in 1958 where she resided until 1997 when she relocated to Midland. Valree always considered her most important role in life as that of Mother in which she was and always will be our "Shining Star." She was an extraordinary mother in so many ways. Not only was she a dearly beloved mother, but many times a best friend and confidant. She developed very special relationships with each of her children and grandchildren. She was such a positive influence in our lives and truly a blessing not only to us, but to all lives she touched through friendships and work with the Otto Boy's Ranch, Medical Center Hospital Women's Auxiliary and Odessa Study Club in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Mother was always our school room mother and if there was a child with a need in the class, she was going to make it her mission to see that they had whatever they needed, including a mother's affection. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was known affectionately as Mamaw. We love you Mother and will miss you each and every day. You made such a difference in our lives. May God bless and keep you always. Valree was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved first son, James J. Orr, Jr., brothers, Harold and Cecil Smith, and sisters, Lucy Smith, Susie Johnson and Nellie Johnson. Valree is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Steve Holifield of Midland, daughters, Jackie Newcom of Friendswood, and Amy Buchanan of Midland, son and daughter-in-law, John and Mary Louise Orr of El Campo, and daughter-in-law, Linda Orr of Lafayette, La. She is also survived by her "Special Sister" Helen Orr Thompson and niece Sunny Albrecht of Conroe, and grandchildren, Steve Holifield, Jr. and wife Lisa and Jeff Holifield of Midland, Angie Ellis and husband, Philip of Friendswood, Kacey Saladino and husband Joey, of Alvin, Michael Buchanan and wife, Diana and Tish Buchanan of Austin, William Buchanan of Valdosta, Ga., Will and Lee Orr of El Campo and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nephews. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. A family visitation will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wed., Feb. 27, 2002, at Odessa Tabernacle Church with Pastor Doug Herget officiating. Interment will be held at 10 a.m. Fri., March 1, 2002, at Arlington Cemetery, El Dorado, Ark. Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors (www.wilsonfuneral.com) Lester H. Williams Sr. ODESSA - Lester H. Williams, 82, of Weslaco passed away peacefully last Tuesday evening after a long illness. His first wife, Louise Sanders Williams of Odessa, preceded him in death. Mr. Williams had a distinguished military career, serving with the 36th Infantry Division in Italy and North Africa during World War II. He was decorated for bravery and earned the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. Mr. Williams worked in the oilfields of West Texas for several years. He also built refineries worldwide while working as a journeyman pipe fitter. Lester H. Williams Sr. was a kind, loving and devoted husband, father and family man. He will surely be missed. Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, May Williams of Weslaco; three sons, Lester H. and Glendya Williams Jr. of Odessa, David Lee and Martha Williams of McAllen and John Wesley Williams and Dr. Leticia Volpe of Weslaco; three grandchildren, Lt. Matthew Charles Williams of Fort Riley, Kan., John David Williams and Leslie Louise Williams of Odessa. A nephew, Jack Clifford Williams of Dallas, and two great-grandchildren also survive Mr. Williams. Graveside services and interment will be at 10 a.m. today, Feb. 26, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Military graveside rites will be under the direction of VFW Post No. 4372. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the John Knox Benevolent Fund %Patty Fisher, 1300 S. Border, Weslaco, Texas, 78596; telephone number (956) 968-4575. Funeral services are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Ronald Wayne McClendon ODESSA - Ronald Wayne McClendon was born April 27, 1955, in Abilene, and he was the first born child of Bob McClendon and Louise McClendon. The family moved to Odessa in 1958 when Ronald's father began work as a lab chemist for the El Paso Products Co. Refinery south of town. The most important event in Ronald's life happened at age 10, June 13, 1965, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He was later baptized at his home church, Kingston Avenue Baptist Church, June 20, 1965, by Brother Ed Welsh. A year later, at age 11, Ronald was diagnosed with sugar diabetes, a disease with which he fought a great struggle for the remainder of this life. As a teen-ager, Ronald loved going to church and participated in the youth programs at Kingston Avenue Baptist Church and Tanglewood Baptist Church. Ronald went to school at Burnet Elementary, Hood Junior High and graduated from Permian High School in 1973. Tragedy struck in Ronald's life a few weeks after graduation when his father died of a heart attack. His life was profoundly affected by the absence of his father. Ronald's work career was dramatically affected by his diabetes. After high school, he began working as an electrician for Dennard Electric, where he worked for several years. After that, he held a variety of driving jobs, which included driving a rural route in Brownwood for Coca-Cola selling soft drinks. In his last job, before he became disabled by his diabetes, he drove a taxi for the local Cab Co. in Odessa and Midland. One of Ronald's greatest successes in life was his relationship with people. He loved people for who they were, from all walks of life, regardless of wealth or social status. He did favors for people without expecting anything in return and would spend his last dollar on a friend in need. Ronald had few worldly possessions, as material wealth was not important to him. The things he cherished most were going to church to worship God and having fellowship and recreation with his friends and family. He also had a passion for singing karaoke at the various sites around Odessa and Midland. He had many friends from the karaoke crowd that are going to miss him dearly. Ronald had many faults and made a lot of mistakes during his life, of which his friends and family were fully aware. Ronald was very much loved and cherished by his immediate family he grew up with, his mother, Louise; his sister, Judy; and his brothers, Phil, Bobby and Lee. The wonderful times they had together during his 46 years on this earth are too numerous to mention here. Our hearts were breaking as we all said goodbye to him, and we know that our lives as a family will never be the same without him. Even so, based on our faith in the atoning blood shed on the cross and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we look forward to seeing Ronald again in heaven. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, at Sherwood Baptist Church with the Rev. Tom Hiser officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Linda Meek ODESSA - Linda Meek, 53, of Odessa passed away Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. She was born Feb. 21, 1949, in Lamesa. She graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1971 and married Dr. Robert Larry Meek. They moved to Odessa in 1974 and started a dental practice. Linda was a loving wife and mother. She was employed as the business manager of the practice. She retired in January to become more involved with her family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and her beloved Cornerstone Sunday school class. She served on the financial committee and helped with various functions of the church by donating her time and heart. Linda served on numerous boards and committees in the community. She was an artist, avid art collector and enjoyed her garden. She especially loved to entertain all of her family, friends and children's friends in her home in Odessa and at her lake house in Breckenridge. Linda was preceded in death by her father, Marshall Cohorn of Lamesa; sister, Gwendlyn Williams of Lamesa; father-in-law, Leo Lacy Meek of Dumas; mother-in-law, Garnette Goble Meek of Dumas; and sister-by-choice, Jamie Jackson Clifton of Midland. Linda is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert L. Meek of Odessa; son, David Leo Meek of Dallas; daughter and fiance, Lacy Camille Meek and Ryan C. Phillips of Lubbock; mother, Annie Lou Cohorn of Lamesa; three brothers, Leon and Millie Cohorn of Lamesa, Alvin and Marsha Cohorn of Comanche and Jack and Beth Cohorn of Lamesa; sister-in-law, Mary Jo and Dan Ferrell of Lake Ozarks, Mo.; brother-in-law, Dr. William D. and Sharon Meek of Broken Arrow, Okla.; brother-by-choice, William Clifton of Midland; four godsons, David, John, Lyle and George William Clifton of Midland; 15 nieces and nephews, Lisa Cohorn, Mark Cohorn, John David Cohorn, Stephern Cohorn, Rachelle Rue, Darrick Cohorn, Chris Williams, Cheryl Treadwell, Curtis Williams, Cherise Tole, Barbara Jo Ferrell, Mike Ferrell, Jack Ferrell, Tyler Meek and Justin Meek; and abundant friends and extended family whom she loved dearly. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. today, Feb. 26, 2002, at First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Steve Trout and Bill Heggemeier officiating. Friends and family will be invited to fellowship immediately following services. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Clifton, David Clifton, John Clifton, Lyle Clifton, George William Clifton and Bob Jackson, all of Midland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Santiago Ocon Jr. ODESSA - Santiago Ocon Jr., 58, of Odessa passed away at his residence Feb. 23, 2002. Mr. Ocon was born in Marfa Nov. 27, 1943, to Santiago and Eulalia Ocon. He later married Gloria Rodriguez on March 13, 1980. He was an Army veteran. He worked for and retired from Chevron Oil Company. He is survived by two stepsons, Ralph and his wife, Maricela Baeza and Efrain Baeza, both of Odessa; two sisters, Elida Sepeda of Big Spring and Librada Moreno of Austin; and two grandchildren, Vanessa and Ralph Baeza Jr. of Odessa. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Francis Frey officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Jane Elizabeth Reddell ODESSA - Jane Elizabeth Reddell was born to Bernice and Sherwood Simpson March 27, 1920, in Pine Bluff, Ark. She marred the late David Lloyd Reddell on Aug. 10, 1942, in Los Angeles, Calif., and was a devoted wife and mother whose primary concern was her family. She loved the Lord and her church so much that only rarely was she not in attendance. Until her health failed to the point where she could not attend in person, she would "attend" church on television. She taught Sunday school for many years and loved to sing in the choir. Jane worked as a bookkeeper for Dr. Reddell and for various other companies to help support her family and put her children through college. She retired from Dr. Reddell's office in 1995. Mrs. Reddell passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, after a lengthy illness. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Johnny Young officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Feb. 26, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Jane will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved her. Survivors include her children, Patricia Reddell of Arlington, Annette Snowden of Odessa, Suzanne Thames and husband Jimmy Ray of Houston and Dr. David Reddell and wife Jo of Belton. Her grandchildren, who called her Mama Jane, are Josh and Kris Snowden, Heather Parson and husband Cris, Rebecca Thames, Jeffrey Thames and wife Amanda, Jennifer Gillett and husband Jon, Kimberley Cole and husband James and Brice Reddell and wife Janet; and close friend, Sandra Reddell Fisher. She has two great-granddaughters, Holly and Catherine Parson. She has a sister, Virginia Harrison of Memphis, Tenn.; a brother, Jim Simpson and wife Billie Jean of Arkansas; a sister-in-law, Becky Evans of Abilene; brothers-in-law, Bill Reddell and wife Cynthia of San Antonio, Ray Reddell and wife Mary of Corpus Christi and Dean Reddell and wife Wilma of Hemet, Calif. She also has an aunt, Ethel Tiner of Tupelo, Miss.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a beloved church family; and many precious friends. Services are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Valentin Bustos Torres MIDLAND - Valentin Bustos Torres, 74, founder of the Apostolic Assembly Church in Midland, went to be with our Lord and Savior Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at Midland Memorial Hospital. He was born May 21, 1927, to his parents, Marcelino Torres and Paula Bustos Torres, Agua Nueva, Coahuila, Mexico. He came to The Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus Church. On Sept. 9, 1950, he married Maria del Refugio Vazquez. On March 13, 1952, they immigrated to the United States. In 1953, he and his wife moved to San Antonio. In 1957, he was called to pastor in McCamey. In 1966, he began a mission in Midland. He is survived by his wife, Maria del Refugio Vazquez Torres of Midland; sons, the Rev. Abel Javier Torres of Midland and Valentine V. Torres Jr. of Missouri City; daughters, Virginia Berlanga, Tabita Torres Mendoza, Noemi T. Taylor and Joanna Torres, all of Midland; sister, Inez Garza of Monterrey, Mexico; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was a man of small stature but in all eyes, he was the greatest, tallest of them all. Services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Feb. 26, 2002, at Apostolic Assembly Church in Midland with the Rev. Abel Torres officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements by Reyes-Garcia Funeral Home. Donna Lynn Williams ODESSA - Donna Lynn Williams, 47, passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at Hospice House. She was born Oct. 31, 1954, to Billy R. and Barbara LaVerne Williams in Odessa. They precede her in death. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today, Feb. 26, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Terry Wright of Westover Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Donna enjoyed arts and crafts and was a well-known ceramics artist and certified instructor. She was also a member of the West Odessa Fire Department and the VFW Diabetes Support Group and a lifelong resident of Odessa. Survivors include her son, Vincent Williams and wife Trish; brother, Marlin Williams and wife Reggie; a grandchild, Jordan Williams; and three nephews, Joe, Rod and Michael Williams, all of Odessa. Memorials may be donated in her honor to Hospice House, 903 N. Sam Houston Ave., Odessa, 79761. Services are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.