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 ============================================================================================ Wednesday March 13, 2002 Merle Coy David CLARENDON - Merle Coy David, 67, of Buffalo, Okla., a musician, died Sunday, March 10, 2002, at Grace Living Center Nursing Home in Buffalo, Okla. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2002, at Robertson's Funeral Home Chapel in Clarendon with Pastor Bryan Knowles officiating. He was born in Clarendon and was a resident of Odessa from 1959 to 1980, involved in the music industry. He is survived by his brothers, Ray David of Clarendon and Eldon David of Oklahoma City; sisters, Rita Gonzales of Amarillo and Jewel Millan of Tucson, Ariz.; children, Karren Deniece Poucher of Taylor and William Merle David of Odessa; the mother of his children, Betty David; four stepchildren, Jim Collum, Susie Garrett and Shirley Collum, all of Odessa, and David Collum of Arlington; eight stepgrandchildren; and 12 stepgreat-grandchildren. Theda Martin Lane ODESSA - Theda Lane, 82, passed away the evening of March 8, 2002, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, John and Becky Lane of Katy. Theda was born in 1919 in Roswell, N.M., and spent most of her adult life in Odessa where she was an artist, wife and mother. Theda is well known for her paintings of Texas landscapes and for her realistic wood carvings of birds. She was a member of the Odessa Art Association, the Watercolor Horizon Group and the Odessa Cultural Council. Theda was an active volunteer, working for hospice and delivering meals to the homebound through Highland Methodist Church, where she was a founding member. But Theda gave most of her time to the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa. She volunteered 200 to 250 hours a year there for the past 17 years. Among other duties, she served as a gallery attendant twice a week, ordered books for the museum store, judged student art shows and donated her own art to raise money for the museum. Theda was a huge influence on her granddaughters, both of whom are pursuing careers in the arts. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, and brothers, Bill and Ted Martin. She is survived by her sisters, Betty Domitrovich, Lea Hall and Alva Elliot, and her two sons and four grandchildren, Michael Lane of Middletown, Ohio, husband of Priscilla Lane and father of Megan and Geoffrey Lane, and John Lane of Katy, husband of Becky and father of Alexis and Austin. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2002, at Highland Methodist Church, 1808 N. Dixie Blvd., in Odessa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Houston Hospice, 8811 Gaylord, Suite 100, Houston, Texas, 77024. Please include Theda's name and request an acknowledgement sent to John Lane. Robie 'Red' Lucas ODESSA - Robie "Red" Lucas, 73, of Odessa passed away Sunday, March 10, 2002, at 3:45 p.m. at his home. He was born Aug. 6, 1928, in Center to Lon and Ida Lucas. He served nine years in the U.S. Army, which included the Korean Conflict. During his military career, he held numerous positions such as an infantry scout, communications specialist and a unit medic. Some of his awards and decorations included the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal and United Nations' Medical Badge. After an honorable discharge, he returned to his previous occupation as a truck driver. He married Mildred Jackson on March 6, 1961, in Nacogdoches. Red had four children that he loved very much. The children found out very quickly that Daddy always had nicknames for people. It started at home where he cherished his life the most. Debbie was known as "Cricket," Dee, the youngest of our bunch, was called "Punkin," and Bennie and Lynda came to be known as "Bubba" and "Sissy." Daddy's humble beginning and hard work is what allowed him to teach us the things that we know today. He rarely ever mentioned that he was born in the Piney Woods of deep East Texas to very poor parents with too many mouths to feed. That was when he learned that being a hard worker only strengthens a person. He was proud of his children when he talked to others, frugal, a dreamer, an early riser and a man who helped others even when no one else was looking. He would not have been the same grandfather to his grandchildren behind a desk wearing a three piece suit. His overalls made him "PaPa Red." He was a man of few words. Not being the center of attention, sitting in his chair watching the sporting event of the season, that is what made him "PaPa Red." He was steadfast in his daily routine and never wavered even when the cross he had to bear in the last year of his life made each day a challenge. We thank God for the extra time that He gave Daddy to spend with us. The time spent with his children and grandchildren is a legacy he left to us all. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Versie Webb; and a brother, Lonzo Lucas. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Lucas of Odessa; a son, Bennie Jackson of Henderson; three daughters, Lynda Jackson of Amarillo, Debbie Igo of Odessa and Dee McKee of Odessa; a brother, LeRoy Lucas of Lumberton; a sister, Naomi Smith of Houston; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and Bill Bradshaw, "the best of friends." Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 13, 2002, at Sunset Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Jess Little officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Lowery Hutson, Russell McKee, Dale Huckabay, Rodney Robertson, Bill Bradshaw and Mariano "Chico" Hernandez. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions would be made to Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Sam Martinez POMONA, Calif. - Sam Martinez, 66, of Pomona, Calif., died Friday, March 8, 2002, at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana, Calif. He was born April 22, 1935, in Ozona and lived in Pomona for 32 years. He was a retired meat cutter for Vons Grocery for 25 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Assumption Church. He was also a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus organization. Mr. Martinez is survived by his wife, Connie of Pomona; six daughters, Barbara Valenzuela of Upland, Calif., Elizabeth Nagey of Ontario, Calif., Theresa Padilla of Chino, Calif., Christine Lowery of Fontana, Thelma Martinez and Katherine Martinez, both of Pomona; a son, Gerald Martinez of Pomona; two sisters, Edna Ramirez and Eva Armesto, both of Texas; three brothers, Sergio Martinez of Missouri, Santiago Martinez of Arizona and Alonzo Martinez of Texas; and nine grandchildren, Nora and Stephen Valenzuela of Upland, Katherine Martinez of Pomona, Michelle Romero of Chino Hills, Calif., Andrea Nagey of Anaheim, Calif., Scott, Samantha and Stephanie Lowery of Fontana and Alexa Padilla of Chino. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. PST today, March 13, 2002, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Claremont, Calif. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Pomona following Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Todd Memorial Chapel in Pomona is in charge of arrangements. Robert Smith Searls Jr. ODESSA - Robert Smith Searls Jr. passed away March 11, 2002, at his home. He was born Aug. 11, 1921, in Sulphur Springs to Ondus Gee Searls and Robert S. Searls. He graduated from Eastland High School in Eastland, then attended Texas Tech College in Lubbock. He left Texas Tech to serve his country during World War II by joining the U.S. Navy. He served for several years in the Pacific aboard the USS Alpine. He returned to Odessa after the war where he married Sally Peery in 1947. He began his career with Iverson Supply. He later started his own business as an independent oil operator. He was active in the oil business throughout West Texas since the early 1950s. He was a past director of the First National Bank of Odessa, a director of Odessa Savings and Loan, a director of National Bank of Odessa, 32nd degree Mason, former member of the board of directors of the Colorado River Municipal Water District, past director of Odessa Country Club and past president of Odessa Country Club. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 54 years; son, John Searls and daughter-in-law Jennifer; daughter, Susan Collier and son-in-law Roy; daughter, Linda Neidert; son-in-law, Bob; seven grandchildren, Steven Collier, Stacy Collier, Lynette Neidert, Robert Neidert, Cort Searls, Pierce Searls and Halston Searls; brother, Jim Searls and wife Luisa; aunt, Ruth Searls; nephew, Robert Searls; and niece, Ceci Leonard and husband Jack. Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Bradley, Cy Bond, C.H. Martin, Ted Roden, Herb Norman, T.J. Barto, B.G. Newberry, Ronald Crane, Glen Hunt, Paul Campbell, Dick Feemster, John Late and Jim Chilcoat. Pallbearers are Boyd Cowan, Bill Fowler, Ace Barnes, Joe Mac Sanders, Billy Carson and Ronnie Sewell. The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Kandelwal and his staff and Odyssey Hospice Care. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2002, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Trout officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. James C. Stringer ODESSA - James C. Stringer, 71, of Odessa passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2002, in Odessa. He was born Oct. 21, 1930, to James and Nannie Stringer in Leona. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, March 14, 2002, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Chapel. James served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as a tech sergeant. He was raised in Midland and left after 1960. He lived in Austin for 17 years before moving to Livingston for a while. He had been working in construction since 1950 until 1993. He moved to Odessa three years ago after retiring from selling advertising around the country. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and was an avid bowler. He bowled a 300 game. He was a member of the American Legion, Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang and the Bass Club. His father, James, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Stringer of Odessa; sons, Clifton Robert Stringer of Mesa, Ariz., and James Curtis Stringer of Boise, Idaho; stepson, Don Eberle of Odessa; daughters, Katherine Stringer of Boise, Idaho, and Ruth Ann Kyle of Everot, Wash.; and stepdaughter, Debbie Ellis and husband Gary of Harlingen; mother and stepfather, Nannie and Bennie Johnson of Anson; brothers, Shorty and wife Louise of Midland, Danny Johnson and wife Judy of Midland and Tommy Johnson of Anson; sister, Viola Williams and husband Purvis of Dallas; seven grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Hospice House, 903 N. Sam Houston Ave. Services are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Doug Combest ODESSA - Doug Combest, beloved father, grandfather and brother, passed away Monday, March 11, 2002, at Hospice House. His son, Lohn, and his parents preceded him in death. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell of Home Hospice officiating. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Doug was born Dec. 28, 1933, in Clarendon to Cecil and Susan Combest. He served in the U.S. Army. He came to Odessa in 1952 and graduated from Odessa High School in 1954. He married JoAnn Watkins in 1955. Doug was a reserve deputy sheriff in Corpus Christi and Odessa for 14 years. He had retired from Meridian, formerly El Paso Natural Gas Co., in 1991 after 31 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion, he enjoyed fishing, boating and R.V.-ing. Survivors include his son, Scott Combest and wife Rochelle and grandchildren, Clare and Reid Combest all of Dallas; special friend, Needa Faught of Odessa; brothers, Park Combest of Odessa and Michael Combest of Elkhart, Ind.; sister, Beth Beard of Houston and JoAnn Combest of Garland. Memorials can be made to Home Hospice. Arthur Lee Nicholson PARIS, Texas - Arthur Lee Nicholson, 51, of Austin, formerly of Monahans, died Tuesday, March 5, 2002, at North Austin Medical Center following a brief illness. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2002, at Fry and Gibbs Funeral Home in Paris, Texas. The Rev. Othoe Stegall officiated. Burial followed at Long Cemetery near Powderly. Nicholson was born Nov. 23, 1950, in Paris to Alvin and Wanda Lee (Tucker) Nicholson. He was a 1968 graduate of Monahans High School and attended San Marcos State University. He was employed by the Lower Colorado River Authority in Austin. Survivors include his parents of Odessa; a brother, Bill and his wife Linda of Higgins; two sisters, Reta Barnard and her husband Roy of Old Brookville, N.Y., and Sue Kelley and her husband Tom of Artesia, N.M.; eight nieces and nephews; and numerous aunts and uncles in the Paris and Powderly area. Pallbearers were Nickolas Kelley, James Ruthardt, Ernest Ruthardt, Steve Martin, Steve Estes and Casey Graham. Copyright © 1999-2002 Odessa American. All rights reserved.