Ector Co. TX - Obituaries from the Odessa American Online Submitted by Sonny Hall shall@balista.com 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 =========================================================================== Sunday, November 24, 2002 Permian Basin Obituaries John Lance Foster MIDLAND - John Foster, husband, father, brother and friend passed away after a brief illness at Medical Center Hospital on Nov. 21, 2002. He was 60 years old. John had worked in the broadcast business for 43 years. He started at KMID-TV in April of 1959. Working his way from studio camera operator up, he moved into the Production Manager’s position at the young age of 26 and was managing the station within a few years. After taking over the reins at KMID-TV, he took the station to the No. 1 position. In 1991, John moved to KWES-TV as General Manager, where he repeated his track record taking that station to No. 1 within a record-setting time. Two years ago, KWES welcomed a sister station, Telemundo West Texas. As General Manager for Telemundo, he provided the first Spanish-language newscasts in West Texas. Recently, the Midessa Television Group also purchased LaLey Radio station. As a consultant for the station, John changed the format to Spanish language and continued his winning record when the radio station rolled out No. 1 in its first ratings book. John loved people and constantly sought to improve the lives of others. He served as Chairman of the Permian Basin Private Industry Council with over 10 years on the board. In 1991, he won a national award for outstanding business volunteer for excellence in community service. He was endorsed by the Governor’s office for leading a media campaign to find jobs for workers laid-off from Home Savings Association. He was founding sponsor of the Golden Apple Awards recognizing teachers who work with at-risk students. A life-long lover of auto racing and a race car driver himself, John was instrumental in the development of the Chaparral Wing of the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum which will house Jim Hall’s race cars. He also owned Twin Cities Speedway. John won the "Heritage of Odessa Community Statesman Award" for excellence in community service, and under his direction, KWES-TV won the 1996 Texas Associated Press Bonner McLane Public Service Station of the Year. He also won the 2000 Silver Medalist Award from the Permian Basin Advertising Federation for dedication to advertising in West Texas and service to the community. The station was named the W.D. Noel Volunteer Group of the Year for 2001-2002 for its commitment to children. NewsWest 9 has been honored with several School Bells from the Texas State Teachers Association, Silver Apple & Golden Viddys from the National Association of Broadcast Journalists, and the prestigious NEA’s award for the Advancement of Education Through Broadcasting. Just last week, John was honored with the John Foster Humanitarian Award by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This award was designed to be presented to future recipients who exemplify John’s commitment to helping others and carry on his legacy. Just some of the boards and organizations he served with were the Midland and Odessa United Ways, The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, The Midland and Odessa Chamber Board of Directors, The Odessa College Rodeo Program, The SandHills Hereford and Quarterhorse Show and Rodeo, Theater Midland’s Board of Directors, Junior Achievement, The Odessa Chuckwagon Gang, The Texas Association of Broadcasters, and The National Association of Commerce Board of Directors. Under his leadership, the stations produced telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Easter Seals, The Permian Basin Blood Bank, Children’s Miracle Network, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Jaycee’s Christmas Auction and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin’s Development Board. He created the United Way "Bid the Basin" and was the first in the country to produce a telethon for the Ronald McDonald House. For 14 years, the NewsWest 9/Salvation Army Toy Drive has helped raise thousands of toys for West Texas children. Foster has been instrumental in developing and supporting groups and projects like Invest in a Vest, UTPB’s 4-year status, Buy West Texas First, Buy the Basin, Multiple Sclerosis, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Diabetes Association, March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Battered Women and their Children, Rape Crisis Center, Permian Basin Aids Coalition, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Centers for Women and Families, Confederate Air Force, Monahans Wagon Train Festival, Pecos Rodeo, Septemberfest, Celebration of the Arts, Hoopla and many more. Prior to the development of Telemundo and LaLey radio for West Texas, John Foster was a Pioneer in broadcasting for the Spanish speaking population of West Texas and developed television programming such as Mexico Tejano, Colores Del Barrio and Telemusica featuring Hispanic entertainment interest, as well as educational programming. John was born in Bridgeport, Conn. He attended school for a short time at Crockett Junior High and Odessa High School before moving to the valley and finishing school in Harlingen, Texas. John was preceded in death by his son, John Lance "Johnny" Foster II, and his parents, Johnie "Jack" and Amalie Foster. John is survived by his devoted wife, Linda Foster of Midland; a sister, Nancy Mettler of Woodbridge, Calif.; two sons, Matt and Sean Clements, both of Houston; a daughter-in-law, Sarah; and a nephew, Anthony Mettler stationed at Warner-Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. There are no words that can truly describe the love John’s family, friends, and co-workers had for him. He was a teacher, a supporter, a giver, and most of all, a friend. The entire Permian Basin will feel his loss. It is with fond remembrance that we celebrate his life. Visitation will be held between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002, at Ellis Funeral Home. For additional information, please go to www.mem.com. Funeral services have been scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, November 25, 2002, at First Presbyterian Church in Midland with Dr. Jerry Hilton officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Highway, Midland, Texas. Pallbearers will be Rick Wood, Richard Esparza, Chuck Cooper, John David, Johnnie David Jr., Gary Rogers, Jay Watson, Todd Newman and Darrel Newman. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Odessa College Rodeo Program, where a scholarship is being set up in John’s name, or to any of the above organizations, which meant so much to him. Alvin E. "Buddy" Belt ODESSA - Alvin E. "Buddy" Belt, 90, of Odessa, passed away Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born April 1, 1912, in Olustee, Okla. Mr. Belt moved to Odessa in 1987 from El Paso. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a cotton gin manager for many years in Welch, Texas. He was a building contractor in El Paso for 15 years. His wife, Helen Mae Young Belt; five sisters; and four brothers preceded him in death. He is survived by son, Don Belt and wife Marvis of Odessa; daughter, Pat Palmer and husband James of Eureka, Kan.; four grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Palmer officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Marjorie Montilla CHULA VISTA, Calif. - Marjorie Montilla passed away on Oct 26, 2002. She lived an adventurous and active 89 years. Margie left her home in Buffalo, N.Y. at 15, joining a fair to become part of a high-flying acrobatic team called "Maids of the Air." Preferring terra firma, she later toured with a vaudeville troupe as a dancer/singer. Eventually, she and her husband "Tito" opened a ballroom dance studio, the "Montilla Studio of Ballroom Dancing" in Odessa. Thousands of high school students and hundreds of adults learned dancing and the social graces during the 20 plus years that the Ballroom Studio was open during the 1950s through the middle 1970s. Margie and Tito held classes in Odessa, Midland, Kermit, Ft Stockton, Pecos, Big Springs, Lubbock and Hobbs, N.M. Margie was the business end of the team, and together they successfully taught throughout West Texas and as far away as New York City. In retirement since 1976, they settled in San Diego and Margie organized a popular senior citizens group called the "Comedy Makers." They performed pantomime routines for 20 plus years and brought laughter and fun to mostly senior audiences. She is greatly missed by "Tito" her husband of 71 years, her son Rick, and daughter Melanie and their families. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002, at at Palace Gardens Mobile Home Park in Chula Vista, Calif. Richard Wayne Owens Richard Wayne Owens, 44, passed away Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, at Hospice House of Odessa. He was born January 15, 1958, to Weldon Owens and Louise Herring in Odessa, Texas. He married Debbie Daniels on Aug. 6, 1976, in Odessa, Texas. Mr. Owens was a life-long resident of Odessa. He attended Odessa High School, worked for Champion Technology since 1985 as a shift foreman and was a member of the Sunset Country Club. He was preceded in death by his father Weldon "Bill" Owens. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Owens; son, Justin Wayne Owens and wife Sheila of Odessa, Texas.; daughter, Kara Dawn Owens of Odessa, Texas; mother, Louise Brasuell of Odessa, Texas; and brother, Willy Owens and wife Angela of Odessa, Texas. Pallbearers are Russell Takeda, Eddie Gutierrez, Richard Campbell, Terry McCarry, Butch Mungia and Johnny Choat. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jack Watkins officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. Rebecca Ray Sewell ODESSA - Rebecca Ray Sewell, infant, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002. She was born on Oct. 3, 2002, to Bobby and Stacey Sewell in Odessa, Texas. She is survived by her parents, Bobby and Stacey Sewell of Odessa, Texas; sister, Lacy Sewell of Odessa, Texas; paternal "Nanney," Darlene and Jerry Kimbrough of Odessa, Texas; maternal grandmother, "Mimi" Gwen Carman of Odessa, Texas; maternal grandma, "Nanney" Judy Carman of Odessa, Texas; paternal grandma, Estelle Harmon of Altasi, Ark.; aunts and uncles, Christy and Gene Wooten of Odessa, Texas, Dusty and Priscilla Sewell of Odessa, Texas, Alicia Carman of Odessa, Texas and Victoria Carman of Odessa, Texas; great-aunts and uncle, Ann and Steve McDonald of Odessa, Texas and Susie Herron; cousins, Christopher Wooten, Michael Wooten, Jonathan Wooten and Amber Sewell, all of Odessa, Texas.; second cousins, Ricky Medrano and Alexandra Medrano, both of Odessa, Texas, and Josh Herron of Wellington, Colo. Visitation will be today at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. Aridai Gabaldon Ortega Aridai Gabaldon Ortega, 3-months-old, of Odessa, died Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. She was born Aug. 5, 2002 in Odessa to Rodolfo Ortega and Nereyda Gabaldon. She was preceded in death by brother, Rodolfo "Rudy" Ortega; and grandfather, Genaro Ortega. Survivors are her parents, Rodolfo Ortega and Nereyda Gabaldon of Odessa; three brothers; Adrian Gabaldon and Auden Gabaldon, both of Odessa, and Bruce Ortega of Chihuahua, Mexico; two sisters, Diana Ortega of Dallas and Laura Ortega of Monterey, Nuevo Leon; grandparents, Eladio and Maria Gabaldon of Odessa,and Maria Ortega of Odessa; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at Odessa Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002 with the Rev. Gilbert Rodriguez officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill babyland cemetery. Services entrusted to Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999-2002 Odessa American. All rights reserved.