Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 18 May 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, May 18, 1997, 8:50 AM Amarillo Rittie G. Ward Rittie G. Ward, 77, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 16, 1997. There will be no services. Cremation was by Memory Gardens Crematory. Arrangements were by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Ms. Ward was born in Perryton. She worked for Amarillo Paper Co. and Service and Supply Co. and retired from Westinghouse Corp. She was a folk music connoisseur and a lifetime member of the Kerrville Folk Music Festival. Survivors include a daughter, Danna Garcia of Amarillo. Earl W. Mills Earl W. Mills, 64, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 15, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Burkburnett Cemetery at Burkburnett. Arrangements are by Owens-Brumley Funeral Home. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with the Rev. Marty Hamrick, associate minister at Polk Street United Methodist Church, officiating. Mr. Mills attended public school in Burkburnett and graduated from Burkburnett High School in 1950. He served with the Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Midwestern University at Wichita Falls in 1958 and a master of education degree from Midwestern in 1965. He taught at Grandfield, Okla., for two years and moved to Amarillo in 1960. While in Amarillo he taught at Horace Mann Junior High School for one year and then spent 14 years teaching at Amarillo High School, where he served as a student council sponsor and taught in the business education department. During the fire at Amarillo High School in 1970, Mr. Mills coordinated the efforts of students and ex-students who entered the building to save the school's art collection, trophies and memorabilia. Mr. Mills served as coordinator of Secondary Instructional Services for Amarillo ISD from 1975 until retiring in 1990. As coordinator, he provided direction for the school district's programs in business education, journalism, speech, drama and foreign languages. Survivors include a sister, Betty Anthony of Tulsa, Okla. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176; or a favorite charity or organization. Willa Dean Love Willa Dean Love, 57, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in SchoolerGordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with Troy Matthews officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Love was born in Oklahoma City and had lived in Amarillo for 40 years. She married Elmer Love in 1956 at Plainview. She was a homemaker and a member of Caprock Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband; four sons, Delmer Love, Donnie Love and John Love, all of Amarillo, and Alvin Love of Armour, S.D.; her mother, Elsie Matthews of Amarillo; two brothers, Synott Matthews of Mangum, Okla., and Marvin Matthews of Papua, New Guinea; a sister, Elsie Deloris Wilson of Washburn; 11 grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. The body will be available for viewing this morning at the funeral home. Opal Griffin Opal Griffin, 81, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Elder R.A. Tindall of Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Griffin was born in Quinton, Okla. She was a member of Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, in September 1996. Survivors include a son, Roger Ray of Amarillo; two sisters, Wilma Serdahl of Amarillo and Lee Appel of Lyons, Kan.; two brothers, John Whittington of Amarillo and Bob Whittington of Goodnight; two granddaughters; and a great-grandson. The family will be at 6802 Cloud Crest Drive. They request memorials be to Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church, 914 Colorado St., Amarillo, Texas 79108-5014. Clinton Charles Cooper Clinton Charles "Chuck'' Cooper, 68, of 6711 Chalet Court, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Blackburn-Shaw Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with the Rev. Dale Bigham, pastor of Arden Road Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Mausoleum. Mr. Cooper was born in Shreveport, La. He was a Navy veteran, serving in World War II and the Korean War. He married Lois Watson in 1983 at Mesquite. He was a member of Arden Road Baptist Church, Palo Duro Khiva Shrine Temple, Masonic Lodge No. 1239 and the Lubbock Scottish Rite. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Russell Cooper, in 1991. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Terri Lynn Crawford of Royse City; a stepson, Todd Watson of San Diego; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Arden Road Baptist Church Building Fund or a favorite charity. The family will be at 6711 Chalet Court. Alberto Gomez Alberto Gomez, 25, of 4203 E. 13th Ave., died Friday, May 16, 1997. Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mass will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in St. Laurence Cathedral with the Rev. Patrick Hoffman officiating. Burial will be at Llano Cemetery. Mr. Gomez was born in Coralillos Jausco, Mexico. He had lived in Amarillo for the past six years. He worked for IBP inc. as a meat cutter. He was a Catholic. He married Julieta Gomez in 1992. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Crystal Denise Gomez of the home; his father, Jesus Gomez of Mexico; seven sisters, all of Mexico; and seven brothers, three of Amarillo, two of California and two of Mexico. The family will be at 1015 Hodges St. Lois Rhoades Lois Rhoades, 89, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel at Duncan, Okla. Burial will be at Duncan Cemetery in Duncan. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Rhoades was born in Lawton, Okla. She was a seamstress for 37 years. She was a Noble Grand of the Rebekah Lodge. She was in various garden clubs. She was also a charter member of the Banner Assembly of God. She married Buel Rhoades in 1927 at Duncan, Okla. He died in 1971. Survivors include a daughter, Gwenn Scott of Amarillo; a grandson; and three stepgrandchildren. Elmer Dodgin Elmer Dodgin, 90, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Amarillo South Church of Christ with Brad Small, Larry Brown and Fred Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Dodgin was born in St. Jo. He was former mayor of Vega and an elder of Vega Church of Christ. He was also a member of South Church of Christ. He married Vera Browning in 1928 at Montague. Survivors include two sons, Bill Dodgin of Amarillo, and Jim Dodgin of Shamrock; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Amarillo South Church of Christ Building Fund. Joe B. McDaniel Joe B. McDaniel, 82, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Polk Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. James E. Garrett officiating. Burial will be at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. McDaniel was born in Commerce. He moved to Clayton, N.M. He moved to Amarillo in 1937. He managed a service garage as partner of Jenkins One Stop Service, retiring in 1975. He married Elsie McPherson in 1936 at Clayton, N.M. He was actively involved as director of the Red River New Mexico Community House for more than 40 years. He was a member of Polk Street Methodist Church for more than 50 years, where he served on the Administrative Board as usher and as member of the 50-50 Class. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Myrna McDaniel McClenny of Greenville; a son, Jack McDaniel of Alexandria, Va.; a brother, H.J. McDaniel of Amarillo; two sisters, Rosa Lee Hale of Green Valley, Ariz., and Fama McClellan of Buena Vista, Colo.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. David Duane Tyler David Duane Tyler, 66, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Westcliff Bible Church with the Rev. Steve Waterhouse officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Tyler was born in Amarillo. He had been a lifetime resident of Amarillo. He was a barber for many years. He was also an Air Force veteran. He married Marjorie Carlson in 1975 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Lynn Tyler Wilson of Amarillo; a brother, Kenneth Tyler of Amarillo; two sisters, Sue Lightfoot and Betty Walters, both of Amarillo; and a grandchild. Area Michael Alexander Diaz HART - Michael Alexander Diaz, infant son of Michael and Amy Diaz, died Thursday, May 15, 1997. Graveside services were Saturday in Hart Cemetery with the Rev. Roger Velasquez officiating. Arrangements were by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Michael was born in Dimmitt. Survivors include his parents; a brother, Ryan Diaz of Hart; grandparents, Willie and Gloria Diaz, and Ray and Amelia Velasquez, all of Hart; great-grandparents, Joe Velasquez, Manuela Rodriquez, and Mel and Dominga Gonzales, all of Hart; and great-great-grandparents, Romanita Reyna, and Beatrice and Manny Fernandez, all of Hart. Betty Joyce Wilkinson SHAMROCK - Betty Joyce Wilkinson, 69, died Thursday, May 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Church of Christ with Sid Smith, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Dozier Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Wilkinson had lived most of her life in Shamrock. She married Joe Wilkinson in 1945 at Wellington. She was a member of the Church of Christ and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband; a son, Joe F. Wilkinson Jr. of Aurora, Colo.; two daughters, Margret Wasilewski of West Wellington, Conn., and Carolyn Wilkinson of Waco; a sister, Theda of Washington; and six grandchildren. Velma Rhyne BORGER - Velma Rhyne, 93, died Thursday, May 15, 1997, in Dumas. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Brown Funeral Directors Chapel of the Fountains with the Rev. Weldon Rives officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery. Mrs. Rhyne was born in Eastland County and had been a Borger resident for 46 years. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip, in 1989. Survivors include two sons, P.D. Rhyne of Dumas and Dale Rhyne of Borger; four grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. Kellie Carter PAMPA - Kellie Carter, 18, died Thursday, May 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Briarwood Church with the Rev. Lynn Hancock, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Cemetery at Amarillo by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Miss Carter was born in Borger and had been a lifelong resident of Pampa. She was a 1996 graduate of Pampa High School and had been active in track and drama. She also had been a Red Cross volunteer. She had completed her freshman year at Texas Tech University, where she was majoring in history. She had planned to later join the Marine Corps and then work for the FBI. She was a member of Briarwood Church. Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Bonnie and Terry Cox of Fritch; her father, Don Carter of Pampa; and grandparents, Doris M. and Virgil Eckroat of Pampa, Vernon and Wilma Carter of Bessie, Okla., and Betty Langston of White Deer. The family requests memorials be to the American Red Cross. Chester L. Pyle SPEARMAN - Chester L. Pyle, 73, died Thursday, May 15, 1997. Graveside services were Saturday in Rose Hill Cemetery at Tulia with Trey Morgan officiating. Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Pyle was born in Elmore City, Okla., and had lived in Spearman for more than 30 years. He was a farmer. Survivors include a son, Jackie Wayne Pyle of Happy; two daughters, Patsy Pinwell and Karen Pyle, both of Fort Worth; two sisters, Wanda Hodges of Plainview and Clara Mahan of Fort Worth; and a brother, Joe Pyle of Guymon, Okla. G.W. Swimmer SUNRAY - G.W. Swimmer, 86, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel at Dumas with Sister Roena Sanders, lay minister from Sunray, and Darla Newbold, niece, officiating. Burial will be in Lane Memorial Cemetery at Sunray. Mr. Swimmer was born in Vian, Okla., and had been a resident of Sunray since 1947. He was a crane operator for Pott Ash. He was a member of the Pentecostal Assembly of God. He married Lucille Esther Baker in 1939 at Geary, Okla. She died in 1996. Survivors include three sons, Lonnie Swimmer of Clinton, Okla., Donnie Swimmer of Sunray and Terry Swimmer of Dumas; a daughter, Yvonne Bradshaw of Denver; three sisters, Arietta Linton of Belen, N.M., Jackie Ellison of Texhoma, Okla., and Christina Kurger of Michigan; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1221 Mills. They request memorials be to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Panhandle Chapter, 715 Lamar St., Amarillo, Texas 79106. Janyth Elaine Estes WELLINGTON - Janyth Elaine Estes, 49, died Tuesday, May 13, 1997, in Dallas. Graveside services were Saturday in North Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Johnny Tims, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements were by Adams Funeral Home. Ms. Estes was born in Wellington and graduated from Wellington High School in 1965. She spent the last eight years in New York City working as a legal secretary. She had returned to Wellington recently. Survivors include her mother, Lola Estes of Wellington; and a sister, Cheryl Clinton of Graham. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Virginia Barkley Renfro SPEARMAN - Virginia Barkley Renfro, 87, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Hansford Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Lust, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Renfro was born in Hansford. She had lived in the Spearman area for 14 years, moving from Midland. She married Harley Renfro in 1955 at Lubbock. He died in 1983. She was a graduate of Texas Woman's University in Denton. She retired from the civil service and was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include two sisters, Reba B. Huffhines of Amarillo and Gertrude B. Archer of Spearman; and a brother, Freeman Barkley of Spearman. Ralph Edward Futrell HEREFORD - Ralph Edward Futrell, 70, died Saturday, May 17, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Hereford Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Ted Taylor and the Rev. Denzil Leonard of Canadian, officiating. Burial will be at Hart Cemetery in Hart. Mr. Futrell was born in Florence. He came to Deaf Smith County in 1969 from Hart. He was a farmer. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of Church of the Nazarene. He married Bonnie Hill in 1948. He then married Wilma Townsend in 1988 at Hereford. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bruce Futrell of Phoenix; a daughter, Rebecca Henley of San Antonio; a brother, Weston Futrell of Dumas; a sister, Carol Carruth of Alamosa, Colo.; and five grandchildren. The family will be at 104 Beach, 363-1057. Maria Perez Azua PLAINVIEW - Maria Perez Azua, 68, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Lemons Memorial Chapel. Mass will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Elbert Fodallon officiating. Burial will be at Plainview Memorial Park. Mrs. Azua was born and reared in San Francisco Del Oro, Mexico. She moved to El Paso in 1955 and to Plainview in 1963. She was a homemaker. She married Alberto Azua Sr. in 1944 at San Francisco Del Oro. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Olga A. Samarripa and Blanca Estela Juarez, both of Plainview; three sons, Alberto P. Azua of Lubbock, Salvador P. Azua of Plainview, and Jesus P. Azua of Euless; a brother, Sebastian Perez of Mexico; a sister, Minerva Ortiz of Mexico; 16 grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. Ruby Ann Ramirez HEREFORD - Ruby Ann Ramirez, 27, died Saturday, May 17, 1997. Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. today in the Rix Chapel. Mass will be at 2 p.m. Monday in San Jose Catholic Church at Hereford with Jesse Guerrero, deacon, officiating. Burial will be at St. Anthony's Cemetery. Mrs. Ramirez was born in Hereford. She had been a resident of Hereford all of her life. She was a homemaker. She was a member of San Jose Catholic Church. Survivors include a daughter, Priscilla of Hereford; her mother and stepfather, Sarah and Domingo Huerta of Hereford; a brother, Ernest Domingos of Tucumcari, N.M.; her grandparents, David and Maria Campos of Hereford. The family requests memorials be to the American Heart Association. David Galvan Rico CHILDRESS - David Galvan Rico, 60, died Friday, May 16, 1997. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Monday in Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Holy Angels Catholic Church with Father Edward Graff of Silverton, officiating. Burial will be at Childress Cemetery. Mr. Rico was born in Hillsboro. He worked for a cotton gin. He was a Catholic. He married Roberta Martinez in 1957 at Childress. Survivors include his wife; three sons, David Rico Jr., and Alex Rico, both of Childress, and George Rico of Quanah; three daughters, Elizabeth Rico, Johnnie Juarez and Marie Ramos, all of Childress; a sister, Mary Helen Agular of San Antonio; a brother, Moses Rico of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.