Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 3 Dec 1998 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, December 3, 1998, 7:07 AM Area Myrtle Beatrice Dunn MEMPHIS - Myrtle Beatrice Dunn, 94, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Travis Baptist Church in Memphis with the Rev. Phillip Shelton and the Rev. O.K. Bowen officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Memphis Funeral Home. Mrs. Dunn was born in Tarrant County. She was a homemaker who taught Sunday School for many years and was active in the Baptist church. She married M.L. Dunn in 1922 at Estelline. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1968 and by a son, Jimmie Dunn, in 1969. Survivors include two sons, Jack Dunn of Iowa Park and Marvin Dunn Jr., of Ruidosa, N.M.; a daughter, Dixie Wynn of Memphis; a brother, Al Pope of Amarillo; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. John T. Sands PLAINVIEW - John T. Sands, 79, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Richard Emerson officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Lemons Funeral Home. Mr. Sands was born in Floydada and was raised and attended schools in Fulbright. Later, he moved to Petersburg and then served with the Army in World War II. After his discharge, he moved to Plainview. For several years, Mr. Sands was in construction work and built several drivein theaters across the county. He owned and operated Belmar Furniture from 1973 until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of First Christian Church. He married Lorane Kingery in 1948 at Plainview. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Debbie Arnett of Irving; five sisters, Ailene Short of Tyler, Maxine Sells of Borger, Merle Stanton of Longview, Marie James of Albuquerque, N.M., and Cleo Howerton of Midland; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Glenn Mills PLAINVIEW - Glenn Mills, 71, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Joe P. Weldon, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church of Plainview, officiating. Burial will be at Plainview Memorial Park. Mr. Mills was born in Anson and grew up in Grayford where graduated from high school. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps in San Antonio. After his discharge, he moved to Plainview. Mr. Mills worked with his father in Mills & Son Barber Shop. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Elks Lodge. Survivors include a daughter, Misty Replogle of Macon, Ga.; a son, Randy R. Mills of Lubbock; two brothers, Bill Mills of Plainview and Steve Mills of Houston; and two grandchildren. Eva N. Smith CHILDRESS - Eva N. Smith, 92, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Kerry Wood, minister of music of the church, and the Rev. Burditt Hitt, retired minister, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Smith was born in Crowell. She and her husband were former owners of Childress Auto Supply and operated a service station in Tell. She was a homemaker and member of First Baptist Church. She married George T. Smith in 1929 at Hollis, Okla. He died in 1972. Survivors include a son, Jimmy T. Smith of Childress; two daughters, Jean Boyd and Sue Walker, both of Vernon; a brother, Eddie Johnson of Childress; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Wesley Adell Clendennen BORGER - Wesley Adell Clendennen, 64, died in Hillsboro. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Bible Baptist Church in Borger with the Rev. Leonard Foresight officiating. Arrangements are by Rains-Seale Funeral Home of Ballinger. Mr. Clendennen was born in Ballinger. During the Korean War, he served in the Air Force. He was employed as a truck driver and did some farming at the Ben Richey Boys Ranch in Abilene. Survivors include four daughters, Louise Thurman of Borger, Janet Hinders of Stinnett, Dale Vincent of Channing and Sandra Clendennen, of Borger; two sons, Wesley Clendennen of Pampa, and Kenneth Clendennen of Borger; a brother, Charles Clendennen of Abilene; three sisters, Lola Jean Davis of Abilene, Carolyn Louise Barth of Breckenridge and Geraldine Key; 18 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Ada Swafford DALHART - Ada Swafford, 100, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery with Bob McAllister officiating. Arrangements are by Hass Funeral Home. Mrs. Swafford was born in Calhoun, Ky., and was raised in Indian Territory. She moved to the Texas Panhandle in 1918. She worked for the Dallam County Judge's office for many years, retiring in 1972. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Rebekah Lodge and Order of Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tank Swafford and a son, A.F. Swafford. Survivors include a daughter, Joanne Burson of Amarillo; two sisters, Ella Lee Kinsey of Vega and Opal Nelson of Mesa, Ariz.; four grandsons; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will meet at K-Bob's after the service. They suggest memorials be to Meals on Wheels or XIT Museum. Roy Stout DALHART - Roy Stout, 85, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Christian Church with Ray M. Guy, senior minister, and Chad Barnett, associate minister of the church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home. Mr. Stout was born in Haskew Flats, Woodward County, Okla., and attended school in Mooreland and Carrier, Okla. In 1930, he moved to Dalhart where he graduated from Dalhart High School in 1932. He worked as a grocery store clerk, butcher, cook and farm worker. Mr. Stout retired after 43 years as an engineer for Rock Island Railroad. He was a volunteer and past director of XIT Museum. He was a longtime member of First Christian Church where he served as deacon and trustee of the Coleman Trust. He married Marjory Logan in 1938. She preceded him in death. Survivors include a daughter, Eula McKay of Lancaster, Pa.; a son, Robert Stout of Dalhart; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Christian Church. Linnie Andrus KRESS - Linnie Andrus, 75, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ron Kelley, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulia by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mrs. Andrus was born in Hermleigh in Scurry County. She moved to Kress in 1929, attended Center Plains School and graduated from Kress High School. She graduated from Lippert's Business College in Plainview. She was a farmer. A life member of First United Methodist Church, she taught a Sunday school class. She married J.E. Andrus in 1941 at Hollis, Okla. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Charles E. Andrus of Tulia and Marlin L. Andrus of Kress; two sisters, Evelyn Kerby of Abilene and Irene Trotter of Amarillo; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Douglas Sims PLAINVIEW - Douglas Sims, 47, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Shaun Fouts, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mr. Sims was a lifelong resident of Plainview where he graduated from Plainview High School in 1969. For 12 years, he worked in the distribution area in traffic for Wal-Mart. He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene where he was caravan director and a Sunday School teacher. He married Deborah Jane McLaurin in 1975 at Plainview. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Brook Robinson and Bethany Sims, both of Plainview; a son, Landon Sims of Plainview; a sister, Sandra Sims of Plainview; his father, Paul Sims of Plainview; and a granddaughter. Cleva LeCompte DALHART - Cleva "Bo" LeCompte, 82, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Paul Thompson of Odessa officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home. Mrs. LeCompte was born in Myra. She was a ranch cook for 15 years for Brown & Tovrea Ranch, cook for Coon Memorial Hospital for six years and for Dallam and Hartley County Child Development Center. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church and was a retired minister of the church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter. Survivors include two daughters, Phyllis Harwood of Simsboro, La., and Ginger Marquez of Dalhart; five sisters, Mary Copeland of Sanger, Bonnie Row of Springtown, Ruth Row of Azle and Thelma Naranjo and Virginia Gossett, both of Atoka, Okla.; three brothers, J.M. Lillard of Pilot Point, Avery "Rusty" Lillard of Roseburg, Ore., and Tony Lillard of Denton; seven grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1306 Tennessee in Dalhart. They suggest memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center or First Assembly of God in Dalhart. Lowal Hand CANADIAN - Lowal "Spook" Hand, 63, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Central Baptist Church in Canadian with the Rev. Rick Timmons, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Cemetery in Canadian by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors. Mr. Hand was born in Wichita County and raised in the Canadian area. From 1965 until 1970, he worked on several merchant marine vessels. He was a heavy equipment operator and was employed by several oil companies as a dry watchman. In 1984, he moved to Arnett, Okla. In 1986, he married Dorothy Phillips at Lipscomb County. His first marriage was to Mary Helen Morrow in 1955 at Canadian. He was preceded in death by a son, Billy James Hand, in 1958. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Bobbie Jo Chase of Protection, Kan., Cynthia Pugaczewski of Kenosha, Wis., and Deonna Hand and Renea Hand, both of Oklahoma City; two sons, Lonnie Dee Hand of Clinton, Okla., and Terry Wayne Hand of Woodward, Okla.; a stepdaughter, Kathy Phillips of Arnett; five stepsons, Wes Phillips, Bill Phillips, and Mike Phillips, all of Arnett, Wayne Phillips of Vici, Okla., and Roy Phillips of Leach, Okla.; three brothers, Alonzo Hand Jr., of Canadian, George Hand of Wewoka, Okla., and Kenneth Kerns of Tulsa; two sisters, Betty Jo Thomason of Canadian and Polly Horton of Higgins; 23 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Jack Cartwright DIMMITT - Jack Cartwright, 86, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church in Dimmitt with the Rev. Howard Rhodes, pastor, officiating and special words by Keith Lowe. Burial will follow in Castro County Memorial Park by White Funeral Home of Lubbock. Mr. Cartwright was born in Estacado and moved to Dimmitt in 1916 from Cone. He graduated from Hereford High School in 1933 where he was an all-district football player and captain of the basketball team. For 22 years, he was sheriff of Castro County. Until his election as sheriff, Mr. Cartwright was a farmer, rancher and horse breeder. He was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Texas Sheriffs' Association. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dimmitt. He married Bettye Miller in Hereford. They were married for 43 years until her death in 1985. He also was preceded in death by a son, Edwin Odell Cartwright, in 1974. Survivors include a son, Jerry Keith Cartwright of Dimmitt; two daughters, Jacquelene Joy Phillips of Lubbock and Dera Kay "Dee" Lowe of Idalou; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. The family will greet friends from 6:30 until 8 p.m. today at Foskey-LilleyMcGill Funeral Home in Dimmitt. The family suggests memorials be to Edwin and Logan Cartwright Memorial Fund for Children with Special Needs, c/o First Bank of Muleshoe, 215 W. Bedford, Dimmitt, TX 79027. Amarillo Lee Roy Oliver Lee Roy Oliver, 71, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Dick Marcer, minister of Central Church of Christ, officiating. Entombment with Masonic rites by San Jacinto Masonic Lodge No. 1330 and military rites by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26 will be in Llano Garden Mausoleum by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Oliver was born in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1945. He received his bachelor of science degree from West Texas State University in 1962. He also received his master of library science degree from East Texas State University in 1967 and his master of science degree from East Texas State University in 1977. Mr. Oliver worked for Southwestern Public Service Co., Pantex and retired as director of the Learning Resource Center at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens. He returned to Amarillo five years ago. A veteran of the Navy, Mr. Oliver served in World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Oliver was a member of San Jacinto Masonic Lodge No. 1330, Texas Library Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Ercoupe Owners Club. He was a member of the Central Church of Christ. He is survived by his brother, Billy Ray Oliver of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Virginia Prince Virginia Prince, 75, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in BlackburnShaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St., with the Rev. David Fletcher of Jayton and Jerry Davy of Pleasant Valley Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Prince was a lifelong resident of Amarillo where she graduated from Amarillo High School. She studied business at Amarillo College. In 1985, she retired after 25 years as an administrative assistant in nursing services at St. Anthony's Hospital. She married Johnnie E. Prince in 1940 at Albuquerque, N.M. He died in 1996. Survivors include two daughters, Irenda Cornelison of Amarillo and Johnnie Renay Goodman of Grand Junction, Colo.; six grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren. Miguel Garcia Jr. Miguel "Mike" Garcia Jr., 48, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1200 S. Washington, with the Rev. Kenneth Keller as celebrant. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Garcia was born in San Benito and was a Navy veteran of Vietnam. He moved to Amarillo in 1982 from McAllen. For 19 years, he was employed as a field engineer by CCI Triad. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He married Adelia DeLeon in 1976 at Muleshoe. Survivors include his wife; a son, Michael Dan Garcia of Amarillo; a daughter, Leia Marie Garcia of Amarillo; a brother, David Garcia of Dallas-Fort Worth; three sisters, Maria Elva Garza of Clovis, N.M., Gloria Lopez of Decatur and Hortencia Gonzales of Alamo; and his parents, Miguel Flores Garcia of Muleshoe and Irenia Casarez Garcia of Weatherford. John Lloyd Giersch John Lloyd Giersch, 58, of Mesa, Ariz., and a former Amarillo resident, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998. Graveside services will be Friday in Claude Cemetery in Claude with the Rev. Sammie Rainey officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St. Mr. Giersch was born and raised in Amarillo where he attended Amarillo High School. He joined the Navy at age 17 and retired after 23 years as a lieutenant junior grade. He then was employed as a consulting engineer by PRK Associates. For the last three years, Mr. Giersch was PRK's managing director for the state of Arizona. He was a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Marie Giersch. Survivors include his wife, April; two daughters, Renee Nelson of Mesa and Leslie Goossens of San Diego; a son, John Giersch Jr. of Las Vegas; his mother, Pauline Giersch of Amarillo; a sister, Gloria Vaughn of Houston; a brother, Guy Ray Giersch of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. The family will be at 3403 S. Jackson. They suggest memorials be to the Trinity United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association. The body will not be available for viewing. New Mexico David Lee Walker CLOVIS, N.M. - David Lee Walker, 36, died Thursday, Nov. 26, 1998, at Sanford, S.C. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in St. John's Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred R. Williams officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Walker was born and raised in Clovis. He moved to South Carolina about two years ago and was working for Weyhauser Wood Co. He was an Army veteran and a member of St. John's Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Diane; a son, Brandon Walker of the home; a daughter, LaTavia Walker of the home; his parents, Jessie and Ruthie Walker of Clovis; six brothers, Roy Brown, Marvin Walker and Jesse Walker Jr., all of Clovis, James Walker of Colorado Springs, Colo., Curtis Walker of Denver and Jewel Walker of El Paso; six sisters, Linda McPherson, Carolyn Phillips, Patricia Walker, Gloria Walker, Brenda Walker and Michelle Taylor, all of Clovis. Clara E. Hendershot MELROSE, N.M. - Clara E. Hendershot, 96, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, in Albuquerque. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Melrose Cemetery with the Rev. Coy Brewer officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Hendershot was born in Wray, Colo., and moved to Leedey, Okla., when she was young. She married George Dewey "Dick" Hendershot in 1923. They lived several places prior to moving to Melrose in 1929, where they farmed and ranched. After the death of her husband in 1951, she moved into town. She worked for the Melrose and Albuquerque schools for a number of years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Senior Citizens Association and had been a member of the First Baptist Church over 70 years. Survivors include a son, Mack Hendershot of Lovington; a daughter, Betty Boydstun of Albuquerque; a sister, Lenna Purtec of Olympia, Wash.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Oklahoma Jessie Lee Brooks ERICK, Okla. - Jessie Lee Brooks, 93, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at Fritch, Texas. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in the Erick First United Methodist Church with Lynn Brach officiating. Burial will be in the Erick Cemetery by Fatheree-Albert Funeral Home. Mrs. Brooks was born in Texola. She married Tommie Brooks in 1924 at Wheeler, Texas. They lived in Texola before moving to Erick where they were active in farming. He died in 1994. She was a member of Erick First United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star and Riverview Home Demonstration Club. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Whitson of St. Anthony, Idaho, and LeDonne Bass of Fritch; a son, Tommy Dean Brooks of Pasco, Wash.; a sister, Eddye Zane of Kansas City, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Margaret Bernece Hunter ELDORADO, Okla. - Margaret Bernece Hunter, 80, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Patterson-Greer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Noel George officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery. Mrs. Hunter was born in the Louis community where she was a lifelong resident and farmed with her husband. She was a member of the Louis Baptist Church. She married Thurman Hestle Hunter in 1938. He preceded her in death. Survivors include two daughters, Sandra Witherspoon of Amarillo and Brenda Shilling of Goodwell; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Clifton Stark KEYES, Okla. - Clifton "Cliff" Stark, 90, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Keyes Church of Christ with Johnny Knight officiating. Burial will be in Willowbar Cemetery by Cimarron Mortuary of Boise City. Mr. Stark was born in Burnett, Texas, and attended schools in Doole and Coleman, Texas. He attended Abilene Christian College and then farmed in the Doole area while he was a part-time minister. He was a member of the Keyes Church of Christ. In 1954, Mr. Stark became a full-time minister. He retired in 1974 after serving congregations in Garden City, Kan., Raton, N.M., Hooker, Millersview, Texas, Dexter, N.M., Akron, Colo., and Keyes. After his retirement, he preached at Richland Springs, Texas, until 1984. He married Mildred Fry in 1929. He was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Stark. Survivors include his wife; a son, Don Stark of Felt; a brother, Andrew Stark of Santa Anna, Texas; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Elsewhere Olen Lee Christie BRECKENRIDGE - Olen Lee Christie, 74, of Graham and formerly of Idalou, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Veal Creek Cemetery with the Rev. George Johnson officiating. Arrangements are by Melton Funeral Home of Breckenridge. Mr. Christie was born in Donley County. During World War II, he served in the Navy as Seaman First Class. In 1983, he retired as vocational agricultural teacher for Idalou High School. Mr. Christie was on the board of directors of the Vocational Agricultural Teachers Insurance and had worked for the Farmers Home Administration in Levelland. He was a deacon of First Baptist Church of Idalou. In 1997, he moved to Graham. He married Frances Easterling in 1944 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Brenda Weems of Possum Kingdom Lake; two sons, Richard Lee Christie of Graham and Dr. Bobby Christie of Mobile, Ala.; a sister, Mary Ford of Amarillo; two brothers, Nelson Christie of Clarendon and Drew Christie of Upland, Calif.; six grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Kyle Lee Weems Scholarship Fund c/o First State Bank, 1526 Fourth St., Graham, TX 76450, or Melton Funeral Home, P.O. Box 67, Breckenridge, TX 76424.