Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 22 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; Thursday, May 22, 1997, 7:23 AM Area Hoyt Welch CANADIAN - Hoyt Welch, 70, died Tuesday, May 20, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Christian Church with Roger Smelser, senior minister, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors. Mr. Welch was born in Jacksboro. He worked on the 6666 Ranch and Portwood Ranch in Paducah. In 1961 he moved to Canadian from the Cogdell Ranch at Silverton. He broke and trained horses for several years and later began ranching. He married Alice Cozette Copeland in 1949 at Quanah. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Bullet Welch of Amarillo, Cowboy Welch of Canadian and Rowdy Welch of Canyon; three sisters, Daisy Dipprey of Lockney, Mary Etta Howe of Wichita Falls and Bonnie Hall of Decatur; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family requests memorials be to the National Kidney Foundation or a favorite charity. Gilbert Wuest PAMPA - Gilbert "Gil'' Wuest, 88, died Tuesday, May 20, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Virgil Smith, visitation minister of First United Methodist Church, and Jean Martindale officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Wuest was born in Schertz. He married Amelia "Amy'' Thompson in 1959. He moved to Pampa in 1973 from Amarillo. He was a professional bowler and managed lanes for 50 years including Western Bowl in Amarillo and Harvester Lanes in Pampa. He worked for Centennial Realty in Pampa and was a transport driver for West Texas Ford Lincoln Mercury. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Charles Wuest and Richard Wuest, both of Austin; and a granddaughter. Ernest William Morrison CLARENDON - Ernest William "Red'' Morrison, 83, died Wednesday, May 21, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Robert Burns and Pastor Jerry Pollard officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors Inc. Mr. Morrison was born in Pauls Valley, Okla., and raised in Floydada. He married Vada Ellen Shadix in 1938 at Floydada. They had lived in the Clarendon and Claude area since 1942. They had lived in Clarendon since 1969. He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad as a railmaster for 38 years before retiring in 1979. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carolyn Clark of Grand Prairie; three sons, Herman Morrison of Muleshoe, Jackie Morrison of Cripple Creek, Colo., and Larry Morrison of Amarillo; a sister, Lillian Todd of Wichita Falls; three brothers, Ted Morrison, Albert Morrison and Frank Morrison, all of Amarillo; eight grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 14 step-greatgrandchildren. The family requests memorials be to First Assembly of God Church Building Fund, P.O. Drawer F., Clarendon, Texas 79226. Consuelo Castaneda HEREFORD - Consuelo Castaneda, 71, died Tuesday, May 20, 1997. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. today in Gililland-Watson Funeral Home Rose Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in La Iglesia de San Jose with the Rev. Jim O'Conner, the Rev. John Valdez, the Rev. Joe Bixenman, the Rev. Domingo Castillo and Monsignor Orville Blum officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Mrs. Castaneda was born in Lockhart. She moved to Deaf Smith County in 1946 from Lockhart. She was a homemaker and a member of San Jose Catholic Church, the Guadalupanas and the Cursillistas. She married Jesus Castaneda in 1941 at Lockhart. He died in 1996. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Helen Cisneros, and a son, Johnny Mark Castaneda. Survivors include four sons, Ernest Castaneda of Amarillo, and Richard Castaneda, Jesus Castaneda Jr. and Edward Castaneda, all of Hereford; four daughters, Gloria Garcia and Linda Castaneda, both of Hereford, and Carmen Castaneda-Nunez and Christine "Chris'' Castaneda, both of El Paso; her mother, Salustina Gonzalez of Hereford; six sisters, Alice DeLos Santos, Lilia Arredondo, Dolores Hernandez, Lale Vargas, Estella Lineweaver and Dora Castro; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Sam S. Cowan PLAINVIEW - Sam S. Cowan, 94, died Tuesday, May 20, 1997. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church Chapel with Dr. Max Browning, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Lemons Funeral Home. Mr. Cowan was born and raised in Forrestburg, Montague County. He became a certified teacher in 1921 and taught at Hardy and Dewey in Montague County. He graduated from North Texas Demonstration School at Denton in 1924. He married Clara M. Baker Cowan in 1928 at Denton. She died April 10. He received a bachelor of science degree in physics and math from North Texas State University. He moved to Memphis in 1928 and taught physics and math at Memphis High School. In 1938, he began the Distributive Education Program at MHS. He also coached the high school basketball team and was superintendent of the First Methodist Church Sunday school. Mr. Cowan moved to Plainview in 1940 and headed the Distributive Education Program until retiring in 1967. Throughout the years he maintained farming interests. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Hooten Dean Sunday School class and served on the administrative board. He and his wife had prepared Communion for more than 20 years. He was a charter member of the Plainview Community Concert and a member of the Knife and Fork Club, the '57 Supper Club and the Retired Teachers Association. Survivors include a daughter, Ann Story of Tulia; a son, Sam Cowan of Plainview; a brother, John J. Cowan of Austin; a sister, Mrs. Essie King of Fort Worth; four grandchildren; and five great-grandsons. Amarillo Opal Betenbough Rae Opal Betenbough Rae, 89, of Amarillo, died Monday, May 19, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Llano Cemetery with Jim Gianoutsos of Amarillo Bible Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Rae was born in Shamrock and had lived in Amarillo for more than 50 years. She worked in retail sales in Amarillo for many years. She retired from Blackburns in 1989. She attended Amarillo Bible Church. Survivors include three sons, Bob Batchelor of Amarillo, and James Batchelor and Gary Rae, both of Tulsa, Okla.; a daughter, Betty Burgy of Amarillo; a brother, Bert Betenbough of Shamrock; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Brenda Hall Brenda Hall, 40, of Amarillo, died Sunday, May 18, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Francis Crowe of St. Martin Catholic Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Ms. Hall was born in Lawton, Okla. She was an Army veteran and a Baptist. Survivors include two sisters, Donna Hall of Fairfield, Calif., and Charlotte Hall; a brother, David Hall; and her fiance, Gary Miller of Amarillo. The family will be at 916 N. Mirror St., Lot 79. Leroy Phares Leroy Phares, 64, of 145 W. Cactus, died Wednesday, May 21, 1997. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Rick Rice, pastor of Bykota Southern Baptist Church, officiating. Military rites will be by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Phares was born in Enid, Okla. He moved to Amarillo in 1962 from Enid. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He married Merlie M. Converse in 1957 at Enid. He owned and managed rental property in Amarillo and also owned and operated A-Authorized TV Repair for several years. He was a member of Palo Duro Masonic Lodge 1239 in Amarillo and Fargo Masonic Lodge 254 in Fargo, Okla. He also was a member of the Scottish Rite at Guthrie, Okla., and Amarillo Chapter 787 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include a son, Jimmy Phares of Amarillo; and five sisters, Darla Tauber, Alice Solladay, Cecilia Marker, Madonna McElfresh and Susanna Payne, all of Enid. The family will be at 8601 Tule. They request memorials be to the Western Regional Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Road, No. 12A, Lubbock, Texas 79424. Mary Frances Weir Mary Frances Weir, 67, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, May 21, 1997. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. today in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Monsignor Joseph Tash of the church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Weir was born in Fort Worth. She had been married to Grady Weir for 49 years. They owned and operated Globe Real Estate for many years. She was a real estate broker for Prudential Ada Realtors. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. She also was president of the Women's Council of the Amarillo Board of Realtors. Survivors include her husband; two sons, David L. Weir of Amarillo and John P. Weir of Plano; three daughters, Cindy A. Neal of Osgood, Ind., Carolyn M. Newton of Amarillo and Brenda K. Jefferson of Lubbock; and 10 grandchildren. The family will be at 6200 Dreyfuss. They request memorials be to the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center Endowment Fund. Tom Tompkins Tom Tompkins, 47, of 6612 Falcon, died Wednesday, May 21, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. William C. Houghton officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Tompkins was born and raised in Wichita, Kan. He was a resident of Borger for eight years. He moved to Amarillo in 1990. He was an administrative manager for the Budweiser Distributing Center in Amarillo. He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Survivors include his wife, Sandy Tompkins; three daughters, Meagan Tompkins and Kaulene Rappanner, both of Amarillo, and Evonne Allen of Jacksonville, Fla.; a son, Craig Tompkins of Jacksonville; his mother, Phyllis Tompkins of Wichita, Kan.; a brother, Phillip Tompkins of Louisville, Colo.; two sisters, Cora Anderson of Wichita and Floydyne Lippoldt of Fort Morgan, Colo.; and five grandchildren. The family will be at 6612 Falcon. They request memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176-0001. New Mexico Jasmine Rose Contreras CLOVIS, N.M. - Jasmine Rose Contreras, infant daughter of Johnny and Rosemary Contreras, died Monday, May 19, 1997. Graveside services were at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Mission Garden of Memories with the Rev. Billy Hines officiating. Arrangements were by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Jasmine was born in Clovis. Survivors include her parents; grandparents, Juan Contreras Sr. and Georgia Contreras, both of Clovis, and Stretch Borba and Veronica Borba, both of San Jose, Calif.; and great-grandparents, Lorenzo and Rose Contreras of Hereford, Texas. Crystal H. Williams CLOVIS, N.M. - Crystal H. Williams, 91, died Monday, May 19, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Ed Abla officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Williams was born in Jasper County, Mo., and had lived in Clovis since 1948. She was a licensed registered nurse in Missouri, California, Kansas, Texas and New Mexico. She worked at Clovis Memorial Hospital for several years. She also worked as a public health nurse and in several nursing homes in Clovis. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene at Clovis. Her first husband, Benjamin E. Green, died in 1971. She married James S. Williams in 1974. He died in 1978. She also was preceded in death by an infant son. Survivors include a son, Keith Green of Ruidoso; a daughter, Betty Cutter of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and two grandchildren. Jack A. Nelson NARA VISA, N.M. - Jack A. Nelson, 84, died Saturday, May 18, 1997. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Nara Visa Community Center with the Rev. Gary Eggert, minister of Nara Visa United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Nara Visa Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mr. Nelson was born in Boone, Iowa,and had been a resident of Nara Visa since 1967. Before retiring to Nara Visa, he was an automotive engineer with Standard Oil Co. of Indiana from 1939 to 1967. He worked on the technical staff for the Indianapolis 500 Race from 1946 to 1969. He was the author of numerous technical bulletins on fuels and served as instructor of fuels at the employee schools. He also talked at training schools throughout the Midwest. Mr. Nelson was a life member and chairman of the Chicagoland Society of Automotive Engineers. Since moving to Nara Visa, he was an official car inspector for the state of New Mexico for several years. Survivors include his wife, Travis Nelson; three sons, Richard A. Nelson of Phoenix, Norman A. Nelson of Lake Zurich, Ill., and Tom A. Nelson of Garden Ridge, Texas; a brother, Richard L. Nelson of Kenosha, Wis.; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Nara Visa Community Center, the Nara Visa United Methodist Church or a favorite charity. Elsewhere Alyce M. Borland LUCAS, Ohio - Alyce M. Borland, 52, died Tuesday, May 20, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Snyder Funeral Home Bellville Chapel in Bellville with the Rev. Dean Roush, pastor of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Longview Cemetery at Bowerston. Mrs. Borland was born in Akron and graduated from St. Vincent's High School in 1963. She moved to Lucas in 1989 from Borger, Texas, where she was active in the Girl Scouts Council as a board member and troop leader. She was a homemaker and a member of Lucas Village Council. Survivors include her husband, Jeff Borland; three daughters, Cindy Borland of Amarillo, Susan Borland of Lucas and Debbie Stacklin of Columbus; a brother, Bernie Lee Dies of Akron; a sister, Barb Conley of Akron; and a granddaughter. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be to the Girl Scouts of America. Mabel Williams Cranford JAYTON - Mabel Williams Cranford, 86, died Wednesday, May 21, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Harrison and the Rev. H.T. Stanaland officiating. Burial will be in Double Mountain Cemetery by McCoy Funeral Home of Aspermont. Mrs. Cranford was born in Peacock. She married Howard Williams in 1927. He died in 1970. She married Homer Cranford in 1988. He died in 1993. She also was preceded in death by a son, Loyd Dean, in 1943. Survivors include a son, Bill Williams of Jayton; two daughters, Nelda Patterson of Monahans and Dorothy Cranford of Fritch; a brother, Pete Sherrod of Aspermont; a sister, Mattie Trammell of Aspermont; seven grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing at the church from 12:30 p.m. until service time Friday.