Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 31 Dec 1996 Copyright, http://www.amarillonet.com/ ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Thanks to the Amarillo Newspapers for allowing us to place their online obits in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Amarillo Jewell Scott Long Jewell Scott Long, 82, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery at Vega with Dr. David Evans, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Long was born in Vega and had lived most of her life in Amarillo. She moved to Duncanville five years ago. She had been the owner of Nelson Street Grocery in Amarillo. She was a Baptist. Survivors include two daughters, Arliss Dickson of Duncanville and Rae Dodson of Amarillo; a son, Jim Long of Flowermound; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Arthur Lee Blackburn Arthur Lee Blackburn, 80, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Happy Cemetery at Happy with the Rev. Ricky Allen of Assembly of God Church at Wichita Falls officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mr. Blackburn was born in Knox County. He moved to Amarillo in 1965 from Happy. He was a heavy equipment operator for T&M Paving. He was a Baptist. He married Gladys Coleman in 1939 at Vera. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Willa Charlene Cole of Amarillo; three sons, Bill Blackburn of Childress, and Jimmy Blackburn and Gary Blackburn, both of Lubbock; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers be to the Happy Cemetery Association, Happy, Texas. Harold A. Richardson Harold A. Richardson, 62, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 1996. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Richardson was born in Custer, S.D. He was a Methodist. Survivors include a son, Dean A. Richardson of Seattle. Arthur E. Siemantel Arthur E. Siemantel, 77, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Field, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Siemantel was born in Kansas City, Mo. He married Dorothy Siemantel in 1946 at Canadian. She died Thursday. He had been a volunteer fireman in Chicago. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II and a Presbyterian. Survivors include two daughters, Toni L. Christian of Iowa Park and Tammy Fortin of Amarillo; two grandsons; and a great-granddaughter. The family will be at 5705 Berget Drive and suggests memorials be to St. Anthonyıs Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Bobby Wayne Frost Bobby Wayne Frost, 60, of Amarillo, a former Hereford resident, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Rix Funeral Directors Chapel at Hereford with Ted Taylor, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Cemetery at Hereford. Mr. Frost was born in Quanah. He was raised in Hereford and had been a resident of Amarillo for the past 10 years. He had been a member of Avenue Baptist Church of Hereford. He was a Marine Corps drill instructor and a veteran of three tours in Vietnam. Survivors include the mother of his children, Lila Gay Frost; a daughter, Kristy Michelle Linebarger of Canyon; five sons, Michael Todd Frost and Jeffrey Frost, both of Canyon, Steven Wayne Frost and Mathew Eric Frost, both of Amarillo, and Mark Allan Frost stationed in Germany; four sisters; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, Texas 79101; or Heritage Convalescent Center, 1009 Clyde St., Amarillo, Texas 79101. William Amyx William "Bill" Amyx, 76, of Amarillo, died Friday, Dec. 27, 1996. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Claud Tugwell of Bell Avenue Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Amyx was born in Cooke County and moved to Amarillo in 1953. He married Joye Martin in 1961 at Clarendon. He was a fireman for Santa Fe Railway before retiring in 1959. He started in the real estate business in 1955 and was owner of Suburban Realtors. He was named Realtor of the Year in 1980. He retired in 1986. He was a 50-year member and past master of Rock Island Lodge No. 869 in Dalhart. He also was a member of Amarillo Lodge No. 731 and the Khiva Temple Shrine. He had served in the Navy Seabees 14th Battalion. He was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Don Martin, in 1983. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Janice Amyx Thompson of Afton, Okla., and Sharon Martin McCurdy of Plano; and a brother, James E. Amyx of Dalhart. James L. Selman James L. "Jim" Selman, 48, of 3440 Amherst Drive, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Trinity Fellowship Church with Gil Hiltbrunner of the church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Selman was born in Haltom City and moved to Amarillo in 1972. He graduated from Midland Lee High School in 1966 and attended West Texas State University. He married Tricia Maxwell in 1967 at Hereford. He was owner and operator of Capital Automotive Products and did computer work for Thriftway Supermarket. He participated in the Amarillo Soapbox Derby Association and served as president in 1984. He was a member of Trinity Fellowship Church. Survivors include his wife; two sons, John Selman and Brian Selman, both of Amarillo; a daughter, Shari Slaughter of Amarillo; his mother, Edwina Selman of Midland; a brother, Neil Selman of Dewey, Ariz.; a sister, Joan Grant of Washington; and six grandchildren. The family will be at 3440 Amherst Drive. They request memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, Texas 79109; or Bethesda Outreach Center. Aretta Denise Westerholt Aretta Denise Westerholt, 36, of Tyler, a former Amarillo resident, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Ms. Westerholt was born in Amarillo and had lived in Tyler for the past five years. She was the owner of a housecleaning business. She was preceded in death by a son, Arthur Westerholt. Survivors include her husband, Jim Miller; two sons, Harley Westerholt of Dallas and Jeffrey Westerholt of Tyler; her mother and stepfather, Betty and Bill Brasfield of Amarillo; her father, Edmund Belter of Amarillo; two sisters, Teresa Kinser of Pueblo, Colo., and Betty Cameron of Amarillo; and two brothers, Larry Belter of Weston, Colo., and Aaron Belton of Troup, Colo. The body will be available for viewing today and Thursday at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Oklahoma Melvin Batterman GUYMON, Okla. - Melvin "Slim" Batterman, 72, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Mike Laughlin, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home. Mr. Batterman was born in Texas County near Guymon. He attended the Guymon school system. He was an Army veteran of World War II and had received the Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon and three Overseas Service Bars. He was a member of the Guymon Veterans of Foreign Wars. He married Alice Mae Watkins in 1949 at Clayton, N.M. He was a measurement technician for Panhandle Eastern before retiring in 1981. Survivors include his wife; a son, Danny Batterman of Borger, Texas; a daughter, Vicki Piccirillo of Watonga; a sister, Ethel Webb of Guymon; a twin brother, Marion Batterman of Enid; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to No Manıs Land Senior Citizens Center c/o Bunch Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, Okla. 73942. Robbie Robinson ROLAND, Okla. - Robbie Robinson, 48, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Quinton Cemetery at Quinton. Arrangements are by Fentress Mortuary of Fort Smith, Ark. Mr. Robinson was born in Pampa, Texas. He was an antique dealer. Survivors include his mother, Beatrice L. Jackson of Roland; and a brother, Jim L. Newton of Muldrow. New Mexico John Fury GRADY, N.M. - John Fury, 90, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996. Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Monday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel at Clovis. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. today in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Clovis. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens at Clovis. Mr. Fury was born in a Czech community near Mustang, Okla. In 1907, he moved by wagon with his family to the New Mexico territory. They established a homestead two miles south of Wheatland. He married Margaret Semadeni in 1941 at Monticello, Utah. He was a lifelong farmer and cattle rancher. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Clovis. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Adameck, in 1979. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Joise Lix of Wright, Kan., and Janice Phillips of Memphis, Tenn.; two sons, Steve Fury of Golden City, Mo., and Stanley Fury of Broadview; 16 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to the Grady EMS, P.O. Box 74, Grady, N.M. 88120. Elsewhere Bruce L. House HOUSTON - Bruce L. House, 49, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996. Arrangements were by Klein Funeral Homes and Memorial Parks in Klein and Tomball. Mr. House had lived in Houston for 21 years. He was an operating room technician at St. Lukeıs Episcopal Hospital. Survivors include his mother, Nellie M. House of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Joan Crumbley of Oklahoma City and Zana Elliott of Wichita Falls; and two brothers, Ned House of Amarillo and Joe House of Bakersfield, Calif. Canyon Hersey L. Williams Sr. Hersey L. Williams Sr., 88, of Canyon, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church of Canyon with the Rev. Strauss Atkinson, pastor emeritus, and Dr. Frank Williams officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mr. Williams was born in Brownwood and grew up in Greenville. He attended West Texas Normal College. He married Glee Henderson in 1948 at Dimmitt. He previously had worked at Consumer Supply of Happy. He also built and rented apartments. He was a 52-year Mason and served as master of the lodge. He also was a Shriner and a member of First Baptist Church of Canyon. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Joy Anderson of El Paso and Glenda Hemphill of San Antonio; two sons, Hersey L. Williams Jr. of Amarillo and Dr. Frank Williams of Miles City, Mont.; two sisters, Ina Belle Reeves of Greenville and Flossie Cotner of Copeville; two brothers, Elmo Bam Williams and O.D. Williams, both of Greenville; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Gideon Memorial Bible forms will be available at Brooks Funeral Directors and First Baptist Church of Canyon. Area Jose M. Aleman Sr. DIMMITT - Jose M. Aleman Sr., 72, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Vigil services were at 7 p.m. Monday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church by the Rev. Guillermo Morales, pastor. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Aleman was born in San Benito. He lived in Donna before moving to Dimmitt in 1951. He married Anita Rivera in 1944 at Memphis. He worked for the city of Dimmitt in the Public Works Department for 30 years before retiring in 1990. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Estella Galindo of Midland, Lupina Fry of Sapulpa, Okla., and Mandy Aleman of Dimmitt; three sons, Frank Aleman of Amarillo, Joe Aleman Jr. of Dimmitt and Armando Aleman of Plainview; a sister, Teresa Rivera of Dimmitt; and 10 grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Jimmy Carbajal DUMAS - Jimmy Carbajal, 24, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Templo Elim Asemblea de Dios with Saul Carbajal, lay minister of George West, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Carbajal was born in Dumas. He had been a longtime Dumas resident, moving to Dalhart one month ago. He worked in maintenance for Premium Standard Farms in Dalhart. Survivors include a son, Angelo Carbajal of Sunray; his mother, Linda Carbajal of Bedford; his father, Roy Carbajal of Dalhart; two brothers, Roy Carbajal Jr. of Stephenville and J.D. Carbajal of Bedford; a sister, Linda Rios of Hurst; and grandparents, the Rev. and Mrs. Esteban Carbajal of Dumas and Belia Gomez of Grand Prairie. The family will be at 309 W. 9th. Clyde W. Bohannan DUMAS - Clyde W. Bohannan, 55, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Bible Baptist Church with Jerry Clark, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Bohannan was born in Colbert, Okla. He had lived in Dumas since 1950, moving from Oklahoma. He was a veteran with the National Guard and a foreman of a concrete company. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church. He married Dorthie Canaday Bohannan in 1966 at Pampa. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Scott W. Bohannan of Dumas and Leslie D. Bohannan of the home; a daughter, Lea D. Smith of Dumas; his parents, Charles W. and Lida Bohannan of Dumas; a sister, Della Fortenberry of Del Rio; and three granddaughters. The family will be at 314 W. 5th and requests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. 2nd, Dumas, Texas 79029; or High Plains Epilepsy Association, 806 Bryan St., Amarillo, Texas. Alta Mae Irwin FLOYDADA - Alta Mae Irwin, 94, a former Floydada resident, died Friday, Dec. 27, 1996, in Pennsylvania. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Rushing Chapel Cemetery with Brad Thompson, minister of University Church of Christ in Canyon, officiating. Arrangements are by Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home. Ms. Irwin was born in Texas. She graduated from Floydada High School and then moved to New York. She later moved to Pennsylvania. She was a secretary and attended the Methodist church. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Alice Lovance Day PAMPA - Alice Lovance Day, 76, died Monday, Dec. 30, 1996. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Canadian with the Rev. Jimmy A. Robinson, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. today in Memory Gardens Cemetery at Pampa. Arrangements are by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mrs. Day was born in Paris, Texas. She married Jim F. Day in 1937 at Woodward, Okla. They lived in Borger from 1952 until moving to Pampa in 1984. Her husband died in 1989. She had lived in Canadian for the past seven months. She was a Baptist and a homemaker. Survivors include three sons, Vernon D. Day of Wellington, Jim Day of Borger and Kennie Day of Pampa; a daughter, Karen Spruell of Canadian; four sisters, Ora Martin of Leedy, Okla., Nora Lister of Borger, Flora Mae Trimble of Vici, Okla., and Dorothy Molar of Elk City, Okla.; a brother, Leon Dixon of Springfield, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th St., Canadian, Texas 79014; or a favorite charity. Irene V. Syphax FRITCH - Irene V. Syphax, 88, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Brown Funeral Directors Chapel of the Fountains at Borger with the Rev. David Jones, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery at Borger. Mrs. Syphax was born in Lawrenceville, Ill., and had been a Fritch resident for 52 years. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Syphax, in 1970; and a son, Billy Syphax, in 1955. Survivors include a brother, Gordon F. Wells of Moline, Ill.; and a sister, Jane Sloan of Robinson, Ill. Debra Mae Sisco SHAMROCK - Debra Mae Guy Sisco, 62, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Eleventh Street Baptist Church with Scott Porter of Shamrock officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Sisco was born in Shattuck, Okla. She had lived in the Texas Panhandle most of her life, living in Shamrock since 1977. She graduated from school at Bowie. She married Delbert Haskell Sisco in 1954 at Breckenridge. He died in 1980. She was a Methodist and a home care provider. Survivors include a son, H.D. Sisco of Bedias; two daughters, Lizette Morgan of Joplin, Mo., and Annette Walden of Shamrock; three brothers, Lee Guy, T.W. Guy and Don Guy, all of Breckenridge; and seven grandchildren. Timothey Dean Jackson Jr. CLARENDON - Timothey Dean Jackson Jr., 2 months old, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Citizens Cemetery with the Rev. Melvin Brooks of Borger officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors Inc. Timothey was born in Amarillo. He was a resident of Clarendon. Survivors include his mother, Martha Harris of Clarendon; his father, Timothey Dean Jackson Sr. of Pampa; two sisters, Jaqueda Harris and Reanna Jackson, both of Clarendon; a brother, Neal Harris of Clarendon; and grandparents, Mae D. Harris and Neal Smith, both of Clarendon, Dolly Mae Jackson of Pampa and Larry Doby of Childress. G. Irene Franklin Smith PAMPA - G. Irene Franklin Smith, 91, died Monday, Dec. 30, 1996. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with Dr. R.L. Kirk, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born on the Waggoner Ranch near Groom. She was an honor graduate of Amarillo College, majoring in business. She moved to Pampa in 1933 and was a bookkeeper for CulbersonSmalling Chevrolet. She married Irl Marvin Smith in 1935. They owned and operated Smith Studio from 1936 to 1994. Her husband died in 1994. She held various offices in the Panhandle Photographers Guild and was a member of the Texas Professional Photographers Association. In 1970, on the groupıs 50th anniversary year, she became the second woman to serve as president of the Southwest Professional Photographers Association. She studied photographic oil painting under various artists and was one of the founding members of the American Photographic Artisans Guild. She served as national president of the APAG in 1978. She was presented an honorary degree in 1991 and a Distinguished Service Award in 1993. Mrs. Smith was a life member of the Professional Photographers of America and in 1991, she and her husband were the first couple to be honored by the PPA with the Directorıs Award for distinguished service to the profession. They were also one of the first couples from Texas to be honored as lifetime members of the Oklahoma Professional Photographers Association. She was in the first group of graduated from the advanced portrait class of the PPAıs Winona School of Photography. She received the Craftsman degree from the PPA in 1977. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir and for many years taught Sunday school in the youth and adult divisions. She also was active in the Wesleyan Service Guild. She was a member of Altrusa International, where she served various local offices and was instrumental in helping establish the Career Day programs at Pampa High School. Survivors include a son, Dwayne Smith of Spearman; a daughter, Rochelle Lacy of Pampa; three sisters, Hazle Butler of Pampa, Cleo Nix of Groom and Virgie Vance of Oklahoma City; a brother, Orville Franklin of Pampa; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, the Altrusa Club or the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, Kirkpatrick Center, Oklahoma City, 73111. Carroll Mitchell PLAINVIEW - Carroll Foster "Mitch" Mitchell, 64, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Don Robertson of College Heights Baptist Church officiating. Mr. Mitchell was born in Pampa and grew up in Center Plains. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1948 and attended Wayland Baptist University. He was a Conoco distributor in Plainview until 1956 when he moved to Grandview. He then worked at Hobbs Truck Manufacturing Co. He moved to Grand Prairie in 1966 and owned and operated a sanitation company. In 1988 he moved to Plainview and worked for Deltonıs Automotive until retiring in 1993. He was a member of the Baptist church. Survivors include a daughter, Rebecca DeMoreno of the Netherlands; two sons, Robert Mitchell of Grand Prairie and David Mitchell of Mansfield; a brother, J.R. Mitchell of San Pedro, Calif.; a sister, Beth Lipscomb of Plainview; and six grandchildren. Melvin Ray Farrar WHEELER - Melvin Ray Farrar, 62, died Monday, Dec. 30, 1996. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Wheeler Cemetery with the Rev. Rodney Weatherly of Wheeler officiating. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home. Mr. Farrar was born in Indian Creek. He had been a resident of the Texas Panhandle and Wheeler most of his life. He married Faye Dick in 1959 at Lefors. He dedicated about 20 years to the Texas school system before retiring in 1994. He was a member of the Country Chapel in Wheeler. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Donald Farrar and David Farrar, both of Pampa, and Danny Farrar of Round Mountain, Nev.; his mother, Thelma Farrar of Wheeler; a sister, Pat Stanton of Pampa; and eight grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Joyce Y. Harding FARWELL - Joyce Y. Harding, 63, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996. Services will be at 10 a.m. (MST) Thursday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel at Clovis, N.M., with Thomas P. Jones, pastor of Central Christian Church of Clovis, officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Terrace Memorial Park at Farwell. Mrs. Harding was born in Clovis. She married Hurshel R. Harding in 1954 at Farwell. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Deborah J. Penner of Lubbock; a son, David R. Harding of Brownwood; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Cal Farleyıs Boys Ranch, Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79105-9985; or the American Cancer Society.