Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 9 April 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, April 9, 1998, 7:07 AM Amarillo Cynthia Dawn Climer Cynthia Dawn Climer, infant daughter of "Joey" and Sheryl Climer of Amarillo, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Anthony Pennington of Northwest Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Cynthia was born in Amarillo. Survivors include her parents; a brother, Joseph Adam Climer Jr. of the home; grandparents, Barbara and Chock Climer, and Cindy Terlizzi, all of Amarillo, and Toni Hubbs of Borger. J.W. Denny J.W. Denny, 84, of Amarillo, died Thursday, April 2, 1998, in Las Vegas. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Howard K. Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Denny was born in Stroud, Okla. He was raised in Vega, where he lived for many years. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a staff sergeant. He retired from Skelgas in St. Cloud, Minn. He was Baptist. He married Ozelle Knorpp in 1947 at Vega. She died in 1984. Survivors include two sons, Frank Denny of Las Vegas and Lawrence R. Knorpp of Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Nelia Younger and Wanda Howard, both of Amarillo; a brother, Merle Denny of Oklahoma City; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter. Robert D. Bowers Robert D. Bowers, 46, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 3, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Warren Coble, pastor of Love Fellowship COGIC, officiating. Arrangements are by Warford-Walker Mortuary Inc., 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Bowers was born in Amarillo. He attended Amarillo schools and graduated from Palo Duro High School. He was a truck driver for a wholesale company. He was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Victoria Bowers of Minnesota; his mother and stepfather, Bobbie J. and Oliver Lee of Amarillo; a son, Robert Bowers III of Amarillo; four daughters, Patricia Jones and Tommora Shelton, both of Amarillo, Erica Bowers of Houston and Bobbie Jean Bowers of Dallas; two brothers, Dwight Earl Bowers of St. Paul, Minn., and Kenneth Dale Bowers of Minneapolis; three sisters, Arlene Davis and Audrey E. Bowers, both of Minneapolis, and Delores J. Bowers of Amarillo; and nine grandchildren. The family will be at 406 N. Hughes St. Missionary Amariah Lasiter Missionary Amariah Lasiter, infant daughter of Randal and Jacquelyn McSorley Lasiter of 1614 S. Buchanan St., No. 2, died Monday, April 6, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Ed Vulgan, pastor of Buchanan Baptist Chapel, officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Missionary was born in Amarillo on April 6. Survivors include her parents; a sister, Maresha Lasiter of Amarillo; two brothers, Shawn McSorley of Amarillo and Christian Lasiter of Lawton, Okla.; and a grandmother, Cleo Evans of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to Buchanan Baptist Chapel, 1515 S. Buchanan St., Amarillo, Texas 79101; or a favorite mission. DaLana Westmoreland DaLana Jean Westmoreland, 35, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with the Rev. Jay Graham, minister of singles at Paramount Terrace Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Ms. Westmoreland was born in Amarillo and had been a lifelong Amarillo resident. She was a sales representative for Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages. She was a member of the Texas Tumbleweed Ski Club, the Business and Professional Women's Club, Leadership Amarillo, Tascosa Country Club and the Alpha Chi Omega Alumni Association. She was a board member of the American Cancer Society and a member of SPCA and the Adult Literacy Council. Ms. Westmoreland also was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Survivors include her parents, Rodney and Sharollett Smith, Lloyd Jasper and Nancy Kirby, all of Amarillo; a sister, Kelly Jasper Thompson of Las Vegas; her grandmother, Veda Downs of Amarillo; and companion, Keith Brinson of Amarillo. The family will be at 4847 Morning Drive before the services and at 3410 Carlton after the services. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 Bell St., Amarillo, Texas 79109. Virginia Lauder Bush Virginia Lauder Bush, 76, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, April 8, 1998. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Children's Chapel with the Rev. Andrew Parker of the church officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Bush was born in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1939. She lived in Etter, Calif., Houston and Midland for more than 30 years. She moved back to Amarillo in 1977. She retired from Retail Credit Association. She was a member of the Midland Women's Bowling Association. She married J. Waymon Bush in 1942 at Amarillo. He died in 1985. Survivors include a sister, Ruby Cathie Blank of Manchaca; and a brother, Howard L. Lauder of Amarillo. The family will be at 3710 Teckla. They request memorials be to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1515 S. Georgia St., Amarillo, Texas 79102; or Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. The body was donated to the Texas Tech Medical School. It will not be available for viewing. Wyona Lee Wall Wyona Lee Wall, 73, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, April 8, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in North Amarillo Church of Christ with Glen Walton of the church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mrs. Wall was born in Weatherford. She graduated from Slaton High School in 1943. She moved from Slaton to Amarillo 30 years ago. She married Melvin Wall in 1944 at Slaton. She was a homemaker and a member of North Amarillo Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband; four sons, Bernard Wall of The Colony, Dennis Wall and Casey Wall, both of Amarillo, and Patrick Wall of Wichita Falls; a daughter, Melva Messer of Harlingen; a brother, Warren West of Amarillo; a sister, Irland Jenkins of San Angelo; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176. Mary Lee Mixon Mary Lee Mixon, 90, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Robert Field of Southeast Baptist Church officiating. Cremation will be by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Mixon was born in Washington County, Okla. She married W.V. Mixon in 1937 at Amarillo. He died in 1978. She was a member of the Moose Lodge in Albuquerque, N.M. Survivors include three sons, Bob Mixon of Amarillo, Bill Mixon of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Don Mixon of Chama, N.M.; 13 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. The body will not be available for viewing. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Dorothy I. Givens Dorothy I. Givens, 84, of 3308 Eddy No. 158, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Lynn Garrett of the church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Givens was born in Dale, Okla. She moved to Amarillo in 1963 from California. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She was an early member of the Northwest Texas Hospital Auxiliary. She had been a member of the High Plains Auxiliary since inception. She married Otha Givens in 1933 in New Mexico. He died in 1985. Survivors include a brother, H.D. McCormick of Barstow, Calif.; and a sister, Margaret Berry of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to the Alzheimer's Association. Gerald L. Kent Gerald L. Kent, 75, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Miami Cemetery at Miami, Texas, with Wes Wellborn of First Baptist Church in Miami officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Kent was born in Gainesville and had lived in Amarillo for 41 years. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. He worked for Tri-State Baking for many years. He also worked for Tradewind Airport. He was a member of Faith Lutheran and a former member of First Baptist Church of Miami. Mr. Kent married Jennie Hosier in 1957 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; and a brother, Dale Kent of Joplin, Mo. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Jewel M. West Jewel M. "Judy" West, 79, of 4003 N.E. Pinon, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dr. J. Thomas Yessick of Franklin, Tenn., officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. West was born in Texhoma. She was a beautician for more than 40 years. She was a member of Forest Hill United Methodist Church and a charter member and Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. She married Ray Biles in 1940. He died in 1956. She married Clovis R. West in 1963 at Sunray. He also preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Melinda Yessick of Franklin; two sisters, Tommie Childers of Dumas and LaVern French of Rockport; and a grandson. The family will be at 4003 N.E. Pinon. Area June Hancock HAPPY - June Hancock, 71, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Happy Cemetery with the Rev. Lonny Poe, pastor of First Baptist Church, and the Rev. John Baird, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Happy. Mrs. Hancock was born in Happy and had been a lifelong resident of Happy. She graduated from Happy High School in 1943 and attended West Texas State University. She was a member of the Women's Study Club, Order of the Eastern Star No. 562, the Arny Community Club and First United Methodist Church. She married Clyde Hancock in 1947 at Happy. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mary Lou Hancock of Happy; two brothers, Jack Ratjen of Mansfield and Dick Ratjen of Happy; and a sister, Bettye Whelchel of Claude. The family requests memorials be to the Lord's Acre Fund at First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 343, Happy, Texas 79042; or a favorite charity. Domitila S. Garcia DIMMITT - Domitila S. Garcia, 74, died Wednesday, April 8, 1998. Vigil was at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Guillermo Morales officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Garcia was born in Mibil. She lived in San Marcos before moving to Dimmitt in 1992. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the ICC Prayer Group. She married Reynaldo Garcia in 1947 at Kokomo, Ind. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Paul Garcia and Reynaldo Garcia, both of Dimmitt; two daughters, Ester G. Martinez and Janie G. Esquivel, both of San Marcos; two brothers, Macario Salinas of Weslaco and Marcelino Salinas of Colton, Calif.; three sisters, Alberta S. Zuniga of Weslaco, Modesta S. Lopez of Dimmitt and Dominga "Minga" Salinas of Elsa; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Johnnie B. Kelley BORGER - Johnnie B. Kelley, 79, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in New Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Russell Dickson of Texarkana, the Rev. J.H. Blakemore of Borger and the Rev. Howard Romaine of Amarillo officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Garden at Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Kelley was born in Linden and had been a Borger resident since 1946. He was a cook for 25 years. He retired from Phillips Petroleum Co. after 10 years of service and from Haliburton Services after 17 years. In 1980, he became a member of New Zion Baptist Church, where he was president of the Usher Board. Survivors include a sister, Willie Mae Love of Long Beach, Calif.; and a grandson. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Rena Henderson SHAMROCK - Rena Henderson, 87, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jack Lee, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Henderson was born in Charlie and had lived in Wheeler County all her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She married Vernon Alva Henderson in 1932 at Sayre, Okla. He preceded her in death. Survivors include two sons, Vernon Carroll Henderson of Rogers, Ark., and Alva Dean Henderson of Loomis, Calif.; a daughter, Judy Coward of Canadian; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Rufus E. Butler TURKEY - Rufus E. Butler, 78, died Wednesday, April 8, 1998. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Dreamland Cemetery. Arrangements are by Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Mr. Butler was born in Petty. He married Dorothy Tallant in 1940 at Farwell. They moved to Turkey in 1945 and operated the Turkey Laundry for many years. Mrs. Butler died in January. Mr. Butler was a plumber for many years. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, Mark Butler and Richard Butler, both of Turkey, and David Butler of Amarillo; three sisters, Hazel and Letzy, both of Wyoming, and Ruby Newell of Kansas; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Elsewhere Mark Nelson HOUSTON - Mark Nelson, 41, formerly of the Oslo community, died Monday, April 6, 1998. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Oslo Lutheran Church at Gruver with Charles Byer, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Texhoma, officiating. Burial will be in the Oslo Lutheran Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon, Okla. Mr. Nelson was born in Guymon. He attended Gruver and Spearman schools, graduating in 1975 from Spearman High School. He had been working in the insurance business with his father in Houston. Survivors include his mother, Amelia C. Johnson of Austin; his father, Millard Archie Nelson of Houston; a brother, Nick Nelson of Pearland; and three sisters, Julia C. Nelson of Dallas, Laura Dahl of Texhoma and Jennifer Bratton of Austin. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. New Mexico Paul L. Arnold PORTALES, N.M. - Paul L. Arnold, 88, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Third and Kilgore Church of Christ with P.B. Middlebrook and Chris Swinford officiating. Burial will be in Portales Cemetery by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales Inc. Mr. Arnold was born on a farm near Huntsville, Texas, where he spent most of his childhood. He moved with his family to Arkansas. At age 13, he moved to Houston, Texas. Mr. Arnold worked for Phillips Petroleum. Later, in Los Alamos, N.M., he worked as a steamfitter. He went into business for himself as a plumber contractor, retiring at age 70. He was a member of Third and Kilgore Church of Christ. He married Ione Shulk in 1936 at Oklahoma City. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jim Arnold of Amarillo and Frank Arnold of Bozeman, Mont.; five daughters, Barbara Burch of Amarillo, Jacque Smith of Albuquerque, Alice Turnbow of Portales, Saundra McIndoe of San Diego and Robbie Lambert of Santa Fe; five grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Gene Dellinger CLAYTON, N.M. - Gene Dellinger, 74, died Wednesday, April 8, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Andy Husted, pastor, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Hass Funeral Directors. Mr. Dellinger was born in Clayton. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1941. He joined the Army Air Corps and served during World War II. After returning from his military service, he married Mary Nell Cleveland in 1948 at Clayton. They lived and ranched in Union County until 1964, when they moved to Washington. They lived and ranched in Washington until retiring and moving back to Clayton in 1996. Mr. Dellinger was a member of United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Priscilla Ann Dellinger. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Patricia Sanders of Kennewick, Wash.; two sons, Jerry Dellinger of Brentwood, Calif., and Jimmy Dellinger of Clayton; three sisters, Ruby Scott, Edith Atchley and Shirlene Lorenzen, all of Washington; four brothers, Kenneth Dellinger of Clayton, and J.C. Dellinger, Barney Dellinger and Walt Dellinger, all of Washington; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Salida del Sol Nursing Home, 419 Harding St., Clayton, N.M. 88415. Canyon John D. Galbreaith John D. Galbreaith, 74, of Bethany, Okla., a former Canyon resident, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Jacklyn McNeil, pastor of Wesley Drive United Methodist Church of Amarillo, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mr. Galbreaith was born in Bremerton, Wash. He graduated from Fort Worth Pascal High School in 1941. He received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Texas A&M University with the class of 1945. He later received his master's degree in public health from Texas A&M. He was a retired lieutenant colonel with the Army, having served for 27 years. He served during World War II in the China Burma India Theater. He received a commendation from the National Chinese Government. He also served in Panama and in the Vietnam War. He received a Legion of Merit Award. Mr. Galbreaith worked for Region I as an epidemiologist. He retired from West Texas State University after 10 years. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. He married Vivian Pauline Balsiger in 1944 at Fort Worth. She preceded him in death. Survivors include two sons, David Paul Galbreaith of Bethany and Michael Wayne Galbreaith of Canyon; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Alzheimer's Association, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79106; or a favorite charity.