Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 12 Oct 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; Sunday, October 12, 1997, 7:21 AM Amarillo Esther Lou Kirscht Esther Lou "Punk'' Kirscht, 61, of Amarillo, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Terry Lowe of St. Stephen United Methodist Church officiating. Entombment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery East Mausoleum. Mrs. Kirscht was born in Pueblo, Colo. She moved to Amarillo in 1967 from San Bernardino, Calif. She married Leo Joe Kirscht in 1953 at Raton, N.M. Mrs. Kirscht was a homemaker and a crafter. She attended St. Stephen United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Katheryn Kay Kirscht. Survivors include her husband; a son, Leo Joseph Kirscht of Amarillo; a daughter, Debra Rae Chavez of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Clara E. Bolk Clara E. Bolk, 82, formerly of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, in Albuquerque, N.M. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. today in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with Monsignor Francis Smyer, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery at Dalhart with the Rev. Dale Guidry officiating. Mrs. Bolk was born in Bartelso, Ill. She moved to Amarillo in 1977 and was an Amarillo resident until moving to Albuquerque in June. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was a past member of St. Mary's Altar Society and St. Anthony's Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Bolk was preceded in death by her husband, Ben H. Bolk, in 1977. Survivors include three daughters, Nancy Beadle of Albuquerque, Linda Gibbs of Las Cruces, N.M., and Deborah Bolk of Golden, Colo.; a son, William J. "Bill'' Bolk of Amarillo; a brother, Leo Kohrman of Socorro, N.M.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family will be at 7524 Baughman. They request memorials be to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Panhandle Chapter, 715 S. Lamar St., Amarillo, Texas 79106. Donald Ray Smith Donald Ray Smith, 63, of Rt. 7, Box 1315, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Dan Moser officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Smith graduated from Borger High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Texas Tech University. He began working for Phillips Petroleum and then worked in the computer industry for several years as a computer systems analyst for the state of Arkansas. He moved to Amarillo in 1980 and worked for Santa Fe Energy until they closed their offices in 1989. He then went to work for the Potter-Randall County Appraisal Office. Mr. Smith was a member of the Church of Christ Science. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Smith and David Smith, both of Amarillo; a brother, Richard Smith of Amarillo; and a grandchild. The family will be at 1306 W. 20th Ave. or 3200 Mesa Verde. Roberta Wilson Roberta Wilson, 75, of Amarillo, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in San Jacinto Baptist Church with Dr. Stan Coffey, pastor, and Gordon Benson, associate pastor, officiating. The family will have a private committal in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Wilson was born in Plainview and graduated from Plainview High School. She attended Texas Tech University and Amarillo College. She married R.P. "Bob'' Wilson in 1941 at Clovis, N.M. Mrs. Wilson had been co-owner of Wilson Advertising since 1954. She also served as office manager. She was active in the PTA and was a volunteer with St. Anthony's Auxiliary. She was a member of Tascosa Country Club and a past president of the Ladies Golf Association there. She was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Ronda Wilson Gwyn of Amarillo; two sons, Rik T. Wilson of Amarillo and Robert P. Wilson II of Everett, Wash.; two brothers, Malley Chisholm Jr. of Kerrville and James E. Chisholm of Plano; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The family will be at 1604 S. Austin St. They request memorials be to the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106. Marie Daniel Marie Daniel, 67, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Robert Field, pastor of Southeast Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano East Cemetery. Mrs. Daniel was born in Carmen, Okla. She moved to Amarillo from Dumas in 1970. She married Everett Daniel in 1948 at Sacramento, Calif. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Danny Daniel and Randy Daniel, both of Amarillo; and five daughters, Rosamary Burch, Cherrie Drerup, Sylvia Turnner and Carol Wineberg, all of Amarillo, and Phylis Deccio of Tacoma, Wash.; 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. B.G. Gressett B.G. Gressett, 73, of Amarillo, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 S. Bell, with the Rev. Larry Payne of Coulter Road Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Gressett was born in Comanche County and graduated from Sidney High School. He moved to Amarillo this year from Abilene. He worked for 33 years as a field supervisor for Halliburton before retiring. He was a member of Wiley Baptist Church. He married Viva Christine Fisher in 1943 at Gorman. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Karen Brown of Amarillo; a brother, Vaden Gressett of Bristow, Okla.; three sisters, Neta Boyd of Comanche, Charlsie Fisher of Granbury and Barbara Tacker of Cut and Shoot; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Lung Association. Nora Valenzuela Nora Valenzuela, 74, of 4201 E. 11th Ave., died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997. Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Francis A. Smyer. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Valenzuela was born in Euless. She moved to Amarillo in 1960. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She married Emilio Valenzuela in 1944 at Childress. He died in 1995. Survivors include two daughters, Alice Valverde of Henderson, Nev., and Anita Cifuentes of Grand Prairie; a son, Jimmy Valenzuela of Amarillo; a sister, Adela Valenzuela of Irving; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 4201 E. 11th. add to city Annie Nickleberry Annie Nickleberry, 97, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. V.P. Perry of Mount Olive Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by WarfordWalker Mortuary. Mrs. Nickleberry was born in Longview. She moved to Amarillo in 1940. She was secretary of Texas Women's Baptist Association and treasurer of Women's Original West Texas Association for 22 years. She was a member of the Governor's Committee on Aging. She was a member of Superior Chapter 214 of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Nickleberry. New Mexico Mary Louise Fredericks CONCHAS DAM, N.M. - Mary Louise Fredericks, 72, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Conchas Dam Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Moreland, Baptist minister from Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Masonic Cemetery in Las Vegas, N.M. Mrs. Fredericks was born in Las Vegas and had been a resident of the Conchas Dam area for about 17 years. She was a homemaker and a member of Conchas Dam Baptist Church. For several years, she and her daughter owned and operated the Mar-Lyn Ceramic Shop in Tucumcari. Survivors include her husband, George; a daughter, Lynda McCarty of Tucumcari; a son, Gerald Fredericks of Tucumcari; a sister, Anna Belle Thomas of Colorado; and three grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Conchas Dam Book Exchange. Virginia Abeyta Thibodeaux TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Virginia Abeyta Thibodeaux, 81, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997. Rosary will be recited at 2 p.m. today by the Society of Mount Carmel. Rosary also will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Dunn Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Anne's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park. Mrs. Thibodeaux was born in Tucumcari. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Wayne. Survivors include four daughters, Ann Thibodeaux and Cathy Bargas, both of Albuquerque, Susan Harvey of Brea, Calif., and Elaine Dalbard of Verneuil, France; two sons, Charlie Thibodeaux and Paul Thibodeaux, both of Tucumcari; five sisters, Anita Roche, Sylvia Harbison, Lorinda Kemp, Christine Turnbeaugh and Aurora Abeyta; five brothers, Red Abeyta, Louis Abeyta, Norman Abeyta, Buddy Abeyta and Steve Abeyta; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing at the funeral home until service time. James Robert Smith CLOVIS, N.M. - James Robert Smith Jr., 46, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M. Mr. Smith was born in South Bend, Ind. He moved to Clovis in 1990. He served in the Navy for 22 years where he retired as a chief petty officer. He was yard manager at Caprock Feed Yard in Bovina. He was a member of the Aviation Boatswain's Mate Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his wife, Brenda; three sons, Travis Smith of Fort Stewart, Ga., James R. Smith of Fort Gordon, Ga., and Johnny Smith of Groton, Conn.; two daughters, Cynthia Davis of Hinesville, Ga., and Dawn Judge of Abilene; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Disabled Veteran's Association. Pauline Bryant MELROSE, N.M. - Pauline Bryant, 85, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, in Rowlett. Services will be in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Brad Howard, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Bryant was born in Dressy. She married Dave Callaway Henson. He died in 1947. She married Allen J. Bryant. He died in 1992. Survivors include a son, James W. Henson of East Pepperell, Mass.; a daughter, Barbara A. Grisell of Rowlett; a stepdaughter, Venus Kilmer of Tucson, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Steed-Todd Funeral Home today from 4 to 6 p.m. Oklahoma Richard Curtis OKLAHOMA CITY - Richard "Max'' Curtis, 62, died Monday, Oct. 6, 1997. Memorial services were held on Oct. 9, 1997, in the Demuth Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Paul Tanner of the Amazing Grace Chapel officiating. Mr. Curtis moved to Amarillo in 1976, where he worked as a quality control inspector for IBP. He was later employed by Baxter Lane Co. He was an entrepreneur in Oklahoma City. Survivors include two daughters, Lisa L. Horner of Augusta, Kan., and Laura L. Post of Amarillo; two brothers, Jim Le Forgey and George Le Forgey, both of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Judy Le Forgey of Portland; and six grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Heart Association, 3435 N.W. 58th, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73112. Area Clyde Hackler CHILDRESS - Clyde Hackler, 90, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Carey Baptist Church at Carey with the Rev. S.L. Yeilding officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Hackler was born in Cook County. He was a farmer and served on the boards of the Farmers Coop Gin and Gate City Electric. He also had served as director of the Farm Bureau. He married Lola Newman in 1930 at Altus, Okla. Survivors include his wife; and three brothers, Bailey Hackler of Plainview, and Monroe Hackler and Howard Hackler, both of Childress. Ken Adcock CANADIAN - Ken Adcock, 38, formerly of Canadian, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997, in Fort Worth. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in the Church of Christ with Rex Boyles, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Washita Cemetery in Hemphill County by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors. Mr. Adcock was born in Canadian. He graduated from Canadian High School in 1977 and from Texas State Technical Institute in 1979. He lived in Amarillo from 1977 until moving to Fort Worth in 1985. Mr. Adcock was the owner and operator of the Get Tan and Tan Fastic tanning salons. He also competed as a body builder. Survivors include his wife, Freida Adcock of Fort Worth; a son, Miles Ross Adcock of Irving; a daughter, Felecia of the home; his parents, Jimmie and Carol Adcock of Canadian; two brothers, Tie Adcock of Moore, Okla., and twin brother Tim Adcock of Mobeetie; two sisters, Devonna Mares of Albuquerque, N.M., and Cindy Moore of Canadian; and grandmother, Lila Turner of Canadian. The family requests memorials be to Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch, Canadian, Texas 79014; or a favorite charity. Randi Brooke Harrison HEREFORD - Randi Brooke Harrison, 5, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Griffith officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery in Hereford by Parkside Chapel. Miss Harrison was born in Amarillo. She attended school at Northwest School in Hereford. She attended Avenue Baptist Church. Survivors include her parents, Brent and Beverly Harrison of Hereford; a sister, Cassie Harrison of Hereford; and grandparents, Chester and Tommye Harrison, and Loyd and Beverly Hulsey, all of Hereford. Donations may be made to the Brooke Harrison fund at the Hereford State Bank, 212 E. 3rd, Hereford, Texas, 79045. Hattie Berry MULESHOE - Hattie "Pat'' Berry, 68, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel in Muleshoe with Stacy Conner officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park. Mrs. Berry was born in Lexington, Ky. She lived in Baker, La., after moving from Lone Oak in 1989. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge in Garland. She was a homemaker. She married Glen Berry in 1954 at Lexington. He died in 1988. Survivors include two sisters, Lola Berardi of Louisville, Ky., and Patricia Ashley of Baker; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Rebekah Lodge of Muleshoe. Blaine Smith LAZBUDDIE - Blaine Smith, 28, died Friday, Oct. 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Watson, pastor, and the Rev. John Thiesen of Grace Baptist Church in Odessa, officiating. Burial will be in Lazbuddie Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born in Littlefield. He was a longtime resident of Lazbuddie. He graduated from Texas Tech University. He was a farmer. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Lazbuddie. He married Jennifer O'Neal in 1991 at Odessa. Survivors include his wife; a son, Jerod; a daughter, Kendra; his parents, Jerry Lee and Donna Smith of Clovis, N.M.; two brothers, Shawn Smith of Bloomington, Minn., and Shane Smith of Helotes; and a sister, Tazia, of Clovis. The family requests memorials be to the Smith Children's Trust Fund, Muleshoe State Bank, 101 W. American Blvd., Muleshoe, Texas 79347. Irene Lopez PLAINVIEW - Irene Lopez, 87, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday in Lemons Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Lemons Funeral Home Chapel with Augustine Cantu officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park. Mrs. Lopez was born in Del Rio. She moved to Plainview in 1959. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She married Manuel Oscar Lopez in 1935 at Mexico. He died in 1975. Survivors include a niece, Herminia Robles of California. Karol Kay Craig WHITE DEER - Karol Kay Craig, 54, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997. Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. today in the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Kevin Hand officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Mrs. Craig was born in Pampa. She graduated from White Deer High School. She worked for Gray County Appraisal District. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was on the Parish Council for three years. She married Orville Craig in 1986 at White Deer. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Kerry Braddock of Denton and Kevin Braddock of Sarasota, Fla.; a daughter, Lisa Bowers of Pampa; two stepsons, Shawn Craig and Torey Craig, both of White Deer; her mother, Evangeline Kotara of White Deer; and 10 grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer. Ada E. Pashon PAMPA - Ada E. Pashon, 93, died Saturday Oct. 11, 1997. Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Lonny Robbins of Trinity Fellowship officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. Pashon was born in Cushing, Okla. She moved to Pampa in 1972 from Modesto, Calif., where she had managed a home for mental patients. She was a member of Trinity Fellowship. She was preceded in death by her son, Ray Lockwood, in 1985. Survivors include a daughter, Evelyn White of Pampa; seven grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Nancy Gleason LAZBUDDIE - Nancy Gleason, 86, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with Cleveland Bass officiating. Burial will be in Lazbuddie Cemetery. Mrs. Gleason was born in Jones County. She had lived in Lazbuddie since 1944. She was a beautician and a homemaker. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church of Muleshoe. She married Truman Gleason in 1935 at Stamford. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Dr. Jerry Gleason of Levelland, and Bobby Gleason of Lubbock; a daughter, Linda Gilbreath of Flower Mound; a sister, Minnie Parham of Lazbuddie; a brother, J.T. Mayfield of Lazbuddie; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Grace Irene Smith BOOKER - Grace Irene Smith, 94, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Heart Cemetery with John Lemon Sellers officiating. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. at Senior Village in Perryton. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Perryton. Mrs. Smith was born in Eton, Colo. She had lived in the Booker area for 53 years. She was a homemaker and a member of Booker Christian Church. She married James H. Smith Sr. in 1922 at Dewey, Okla. He died in 1991. Survivors include a son, James H. Smith Jr. of Perryton; a daughter, Mary Lou Lemon of Perryton; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. The family requests memorials be to the Senior Village Memorial Fund, Highway 83 S., Perryton, Texas 79070. James H. Threadgill PERRYTON - James H. Threadgill, 44, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Foursquare Gospel Church. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Perryton. Mr. Threadgill was born in Lubbock. He had lived in Perryton since 1958. He was a truck driver. He was preceded in death by his father, John Threadgill. Survivors include five sons, David Threadgill and Brian Threadgill, both of Yuma, La.; Adam Threadgill, James E. Threadgill and Brett Threadgill, all of Corinth, Miss.; his mother, Adelyne Carnes of Perryton; three brothers, John Threadgill, Thomas Threadgill, Daniel Threadgill and Billy Carnes, all of Perryton; two sisters, Annie Crawford of Flint, Mich., and Kathy Hague of Perryton; and one grandchild.