Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 12 July 1997 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 ==================================================================== Last updated; Saturday, July 12, 1997, 7:31 AM Amarillo Alice Fuller Pool Alice Fuller Pool, 89, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, July 8, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Roy Wheeler of Paramount Christian Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Pool was born in New York City and had lived in Amarillo for 45 years. She was a past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Bonita Chapter No. 184. She married Wayne F. Fuller in 1936. He died in 1966. She married Byron A. Pool in 1975. He died in 1978. Survivors include a son, David Fuller of Honolulu; two daughters, Judy Boaz of Mount Vernon and Marcia Mudroch of Oklahoma City; a sister, Ruth Morgan of Erie, Pa.; two brothers, Charles McIntosh of Wesleyville, Pa., and Donald McIntosh of Boca Raton, Fla.; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Cypress Basin Hospice in Mount Pleasant or a favorite charity. Richard Dean Bridges Richard Dean Bridges, 51, of Amarillo, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery with Jeff Quinlan officiating. Arrangements are by Rix Funeral Home of Hereford. Mr. Bridges was born in Amarillo and had lived in Amarillo all of his life. He was a dispatcher at Bell Helicopter for two years. He married Loretta in 1975. She died in 1995. Survivors include two daughters, Rebecca DeFever and Shasta Montgomery, both of Amarillo; his father, Robert Howard Bridges Jr. of Amarillo; two brothers, Perch Bridges of Canyon and Raymond Bridges of Albuquerque, N.M.; three sisters, Molly Phillips of Canyon, Deborah Terry of Amarillo and Dr. Phyllis Bridges of Denton; and two grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing from noon until 3 p.m. today at Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth Ave. Flowers should be sent to Llano Cemetery. Vida May Ringo Vida May Ringo, 90, of Amarillo, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church of Dalhart with the Rev. Ray Sanders, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Hereford, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Dalhart by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Ringo was born in Dalhart and had lived in Amarillo for 35 years. She was a homemaker and an attendant at Nelson Street Laundry. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Dalhart. She married George Finis Ringo in 1926 at Dalhart. He died in 1970. Survivors include five daughters, Beulah Sims of Stratford, Mary Doyle of Dalhart, Fern Hutcheson of Tulsa, Okla., Shirley Vermillion of Hereford and Martha Cleaver of Amarillo; two sons, Robert Ringo and Richard Ringo, both of Amarillo; 28 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren. The family will be at 705 Norman in Dalhart and 2501 Redwood in Amarillo. Beth C. Frier Beth C. Frier, 82, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, July 9, 1997, in Dallas. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with Dr. J. Pat Kennedy of St. Luke Presbyterian Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Frier was born in Miami, Texas, and had lived in Amarillo all of her life. She married Wilton A. Frier in 1939 at Pampa. He preceded her in death. She put herself through college during the Depression and graduated from West Texas State University with a bachelor of science degree. Mrs. Frier was a primary school teacher in Shamrock. She also was a volunteer at St. Anthony's Hospital. Survivors include a daughter, Elaine Bull of Dallas; a sister, Pauline Brown of Pampa; two grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. Tommie Prince Tommie Prince, 67, of Amarillo, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Windell Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Prince was born in Erick, Okla. He married Edna M. Grantham in 1968 at Hereford. He was the owner and operator of Vega Well Service before retiring in 1989. He was an Army veteran and a member of the American Legion in Vega. Survivors include his wife; a son, Henry Craig of Amarillo; a daughter, Vera Craig of Amarillo; two sisters, Lea Pair and Minnie King, both of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Betty Hammerschmidt Groves Betty Hammerschmidt Groves, 73, of Amarillo, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Forest Hill Baptist Church with Walt Ellis and Glen Gammill of the church officiating. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Beauregard Cemetery at De Ridder, La. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mrs. Groves was born in Grenola, Kan. She graduated from Phillips High School in Phillips and attended the College of Life. She was one of the first wives into Okinawa and Japan with occupational forces after World War II. She was a member of the Study Club and the Garden Club in Amarillo and De Ridder. She also was a member of the Air Force Officers Wives Club for 20 years. Mrs. Groves was a homemaker and a member of the Methodist Women's Club, the Baptist Missionary Society and Forest Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Karen S. Wesley of Amarillo; three sons, Robert S. Hammerschmidt of South Hutchinson, Kan., Ted L. Hammerschmidt of De Ridder and Gary D. Hammerschmidt of Nolanville; two brothers, Kenneth Elsheimer and Gerald Elsheimer, both of Pampa; a sister, Verna Liebau; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Clyde Eugene Larabee Clyde Eugene Larabee, 82, of Amarillo, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Stan Coffey, pastor of San Jacinto Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Larabee was born in Colgate, Okla., and had been an Amarillo resident most of his life. He married Lizzie E. Fulton in 1936 at Colgate. He worked in oil fields in the Panhandle and operated a cattle ranch near Hereford. He owned and operated a secondhand store on Fillmore Street from 1975 to 1985 and also had worked as a security guard for Bank of the Southwest. Mr. Larabee was preceded in death by a son, Calvin Larabee, in 1988. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Gregory Steven Bybee, Jerry Dale Bybee and Ricky Harold Rojas, all of Amarillo; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. The family will be at 3113 Orange St. Elsewhere Johnny W. Smith MORTON - Johnny W. Smith, 62, died Wednesday, July 9, 1997. Military graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Morton Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Ricardo Salditos of St. Ann's Catholic Church officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born in Healdton, Okla. He married Pura R. Smith in 1974 at Albuquerque, N.M. He moved to Tampa, Fla., from Puerto Rico in 1990. He had lived in Morton since February. He was a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Tampa. He retired from the Air Force after serving 16 years. He also served two years in the Navy and three years in the Marine Corps. Mr. Smith was employed as a DDS technician for 10 years at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Albuquerque. Survivors include his wife; four stepsons, Hector, Herman, Carl and Arnold; a stepdaughter, Jenny; and his mother, Connie Smith of Morton. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 2411 73rd, Lubbock, Texas 79423. Jimmie M. Chancler WIMER, Ore. - Jimmie M. Chancler, 76, a former Amarillo resident, died Wednesday, July 9, 1997. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Wimer Grange Hall. Arrangements are by Memory Gardens Mortuary in Medford. Mrs. Chancler was born in Frederick, Okla. She married C.W. "Bud'' Chancler in 1940 at Clovis, N.M. They lived in Amarillo until 1958, when they moved to the Grants Pass area. She was a checker for Byrds and Mayfair markets in Grants Pass before retiring. She was a member of the Wimer Fire Department Auxiliary. Mrs. Chancler was preceded in death by a son, Doug Chancler, in 1975. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Curt Chancler of Central Point and Guy Chancler of Wimer; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. New Mexico Travis E. Russell PORTALES, N.M. - Travis E. Russell, 70, formerly of Portales, N.M., died Thursday, July 10, 1997, in Harlingen, Texas. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Clarence Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Floyd Cemetery at Floyd. Mr. Russell was born in Roosevelt County and raised in the Floyd community, where he attended school. He was an Army veteran, having served for 18 months in a supply unit. After the war, Mr. Russell returned to Floyd and completed school, graduating in 1947. He married Betty Thomas in 1947 at Portales. They lived in the Upton community for a few months before moving to the Widener farm south of Floyd. They lived there until 1954, when they purchased a farm 11 miles west of Portales. They also owned and operated a roofing and insulating business in Portales from 1977 until 1987. In 1987, Mr. Russell moved to Harlingen to work for Bay Insulation Co., where he was the assistant manager at the time of his death. Survivors include his wife; a son, Randall Russell of Portland, Texas; a daughter, Cherilen Brewer of Lubbock, Texas; a brother, Wylie Russell of Floyd; two sisters, Kathaleen Lusk of Clovis and Mildred Edelman of El Paso, Texas; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Oklahoma Myrtle O. Smith MANGUM, Okla. - Myrtle Oneta Smith, 88, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Greer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Arol Steverson, pastor of Willow Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born in Greer County. She married Parker Smith in 1927 at Greer County. He died Tuesday. Survivors include three children, Edna Callaway and Glenda Smith, both of Lefors, Texas, and May Howard of Weatherford; three sisters, Clovis Rust of Portales, N.M., Modell Hoover of Fremont, Calif., and Josephine Routh of Enid; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Area G.R. Buckner SHAMROCK - G.R. Buckner, 88, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Villandry of Coweta, Okla., and Red Duke of Allison officiating. Burial will be in Dozier Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mr. Buckner was born in Wise County and had lived in the Shamrock area since 1928. He was a farmer and a rancher. He married Callie Mae Davis in 1930 at Texola, Okla. Mr. Buckner was a member of Abra Baptist Church in the Abra community. Survivors include his wife; a son, Thomas Buckner of Rio Rancho, N.M.; two daughters, Kaye Ray of Borger and Roselle Taylor of Tucson, Ariz.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Howard Williams McLEAN - Howard Williams, 82, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Buel Wells, retired Baptist minister, and the Rev. David Drennon, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery by Lamb Funeral Home. Mr. Williams was born in Benjamin and moved to McLean in 1917. He married Lillie Mae Pharis in 1936 at Wheeler. He owned and operated Williams Appliance Store for 38 years before retiring in 1988. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Charles Williams of McLean and Larry Williams of Denver; three sisters, Jessie Watson of McLean, Betty Bush of Bentonville, Ark., and Bernice Holms of Amarillo; and two granddaughters. Elizabeth Rhoads DUMAS - Elizabeth Rhoads, 79, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, a former longtime Dumas resident, died Friday, July 11, 1997, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Vince Kolb of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Eastern Star rites will be by Dumas Chapter 653 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Rhoads was born in Beaver, Okla. She lived in Dumas from 1941 to 1992. She currently was living in Idaho Falls. She was a homemaker and a member of First Presbyterian Church. She was a past matron and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years. She also was a member of the Rebekahs and was active in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She married Tuffy Rhoads in 1937 at Borger. He died in 1984. Survivors include a daughter, Rowena Bowerman of Idaho Falls; a son, Granville Rhoads of Jupiter, Fla.; a brother, Sam McLelland of Odessa; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Blondina Arvie Tupman Edwards SPEARMAN - Blondina Arvie Tupman Edwards, 83, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Gruver Cemetery at Gruver with Gene Tupman and Ben Hatcher officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Edwards was born in Smackover, Ark., and was a former Lamesa resident. She had lived in Spearman since 1935, moving from Bledsoe. She married Joe T. Edwards in 1934 at Bledsoe. He died in 1988. Mrs. Edwards was a farmer and rancher for 60 years before retiring. She was a member of the Flying Farmers and Farm Bureau. Survivors include a brother, Dave Tupman of Gainesville. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday. They request memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch or a favorite charity. Roy Carl Simmons WHITE DEER - Roy Carl Simmons, 73, of El Paso, a former White Deer resident, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Dorn, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in White Deer Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Simmons was born in Wichita Falls. He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in Operation Infantry in Belgium and Germany with the 89th Lightning Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He retired in 1985 after 39 years of service as a teacher, coach and counselor. He was a longtime teacher and coach in White Deer. He married Margaret Bates in 1943 at Hollis, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Melanie La Bree of Humble; a son, Roger W. Simmons of Bryan; a sister, Velma Decker of Abilene; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The body will be available for viewing at the Methodist church from noon until service time Monday. The family will be at the home of friends in White Deer. They suggest memorials be to the United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or the White Deer Cemetery Association. Betty Louise Jernberg STINNETT - Betty Louise Jernberg, 55, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel in Borger with the Rev. Orville Rogers of First Baptist Church of Stinnett officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Stinnett. Mrs. Jernberg was born in Texas and had been a Stinnett resident for 40 years. She was a homemaker and a member of First Christian Church. She married Paul Jernberg in 1959 at Borger. Survivors include her husband; a son, Gerald Jernberg of Stinnett; a daughter, Bobbette Elliott of Houma, La.; her mother, Rosalee Lee of Sherman; a brother, Bobby Williams of Peacock; a sister, Ruth Ann Eakin of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. John S. Skelly Jr. PAMPA - John S. "Jack'' Skelly Jr., 86, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with Dr. R.L. Kirk, associate pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist Church of Amarillo, and the Rev. Todd Dyess, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Skelly was born in New Eagle, Pa. He graduated from Monongahela High School in Monongahela, Pa., in 1928. He attended Kiskiminetas Springs Prep School for one year and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., from 1929 to 1933, receiving a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering. He moved to Pampa in 1933 to engage in the oil business. He had worked for various oil companies in the area. Mr. Skelly married Lillian Gordon Payrow in 1934. In 1949, he established his own business, J.S. Skelly L.P. Gas Co., which he sold in 1990. He had been a member of the American Chemical Society since 1931 and served as chairman, secretary and treasurer of the Panhandle Section. He was named Propane Dealer of the Year for the state of Texas. Mr. Skelly was active in First United Methodist Church, the Men's Fellowship Class and the Chancel Choir for 63 years. He was a member of the Community Concert Board for 53 years, was a charter member of the Pampa Fine Arts Association and was an Act I patron. He was a member of the American Red Cross board for 55 years and was the first water safety and life-saving chairman. He served as a Scoutmaster at First Presbyterian Church. He was a 46-year member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis Key Club honored him twice as Adult Leader of the Year. Mr. Skelly had been a member of the Pampa Chamber of Commerce since 1949 and a Knife and Fork Association member for many years and a board member for several terms. He served as president and chairman of the fund-raising committee of the American Cancer Society board and the Texas Rehabilitation Center. He was a 26-year member of the Gonzales Warm Springs Foundation and served as president in 1961. He delivered Meals on Wheels and served as team captain for many years for the United Way. Mr. Skelly was active in the Republican Party and was a contributor and supporter of the Quivira and the Texas Plains Girl Scout councils. He also was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was preceded in death by a son, John Scott Skelly III in 1970. Survivors include his wife; seven daughters, Adelaide Colwell of Pampa, Martha Crawley of Arlington, Rebecca Edgren of Greeley, Colo., Natalie Stephenson of Amarillo, Prudence Traut of Madison, N.J., Phoebe Duggan of Lubbock and Gretchen Zimmer of Princeton, N.J.; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Gray County Chapter of the American Red Cross or First United Methodist Church. Chuck Wilson LOCKNEY - Chuck Wilson, 64, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. today in Lockney Cemetery with Frank Duckworth, minister of West College and Third Street Church of Christ, officiating. Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. at West College and Third Street Church of Christ. Arrangements are by Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home. Mr. Wilson was born in Gailsburg, Ill. He graduated from Lubbock High School and received a bachelor's degree in music education from Texas Tech University. He served in the Air Force. He moved to Lockney in 1960 after being discharged. Mr. Wilson married Joyce Carthel in 1953 at Lockney. He was a professional photographer and videographer. He was a member of West College and Third Street Church of Christ, PPA, SPA, TPPA and SPPP. He also was a trombonist for the Plainview Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the Plainview Symphony Quintet. He was preceded in death by two sons, David Wilson in 1962 and Michael Wilson in 1966. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Lesa Deen Bledsoe of Dallas, Melinda Jane Thompson of Bridgeport and Ruth Elaine Molina of Carrollton; and nine grandchildren. The family will greet visitors today from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. They request memorials be to Christian Relief Fund, Box 30007, Amarillo, Texas 79120; or South Houston Bible Institute, 812 Main St., Houston, Texas 77587. Burl Robison TURKEY - Burl Robison, 70, of Pecos, formerly of Turkey, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Dreamland Cemetery with Delos Johnson, minister of Quitaque Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Mr. Robison was born near Paris, Texas. He was a retired farmer and a member of the Church of Christ. He served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include his ex-wife, Audry of Pecos; a daughter, Kathy Robison of San Angelo; a son, Wayne Robison of Fort Worth; four stepdaughters, Patsy Rogers and Lorene Hummer, both of Pecos, and Janet Shirley and Vicki Ruybliad, both of Lubbock; a sister, Mary Ann Stephens of Lubbock; two brothers, Earl Robison of Turkey and Joe Lee Robison of Waggoner, Okla.; and a grandson. Jesus Garcia HEREFORD - Jesus Garcia, 65, died Friday, July 11, 1997. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today and Sunday in Gililland-Watson Funeral Home Rose Chapel. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in San Jose Catholic Church with the Rev. Harold Waldo of Amarillo and the Rev. Domingo Castillo of La Iglesia de San Jose officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Mr. Garcia was born in Beeville and moved to Deaf Smith County in 1958. He married Carmen Arrisola in 1952 at Beeville. He was an auto mechanic and a member of San Jose Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife; three sons, John Garcia and Joe Garcia, both of Hereford, and Fernando Garcia of Magnolia; five daughters, Dolores Moreno, Yolanda Garcia and Isabel Brown, all of Amarillo, Maggie Castro of Liberal, Kan., and Melinda Hudson of Beeville; his father, Joe Garcia of Beeville; two sisters, Marie Arrisola of Tuleta and Lupe Gonzales of Sudan; a brother, Jose M. Garcia of Pettus; 19 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Marie A. Bradford HEREFORD - Marie A. Bradford, 59, died Thursday, July 10, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Parkside Chapel with the Rev. Glendell Smith officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery. Mrs. Bradford was born in Kellerville. She was a homemaker and a member of the Good Sam's Club. She also was a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church. She married Sammie Bradford in 1956 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Tami Carrell of Dumas; a brother, Jackie Rhodes of Newark; a sister, Norma Blakley of Toto Basin, Ariz.; and a grandchild. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society or Hereford Senior Citizens.