Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 3 Dec 1999 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; Friday, December 3, 1999, 6:55 AM Amarillo E.O. Howard Jr. PAMPA - E.O. Howard Jr., 74, of Pampa, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999. No services are scheduled. Cremation and arrangements were handled by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Howard was born in Luling and moved to Amarillo in 1945. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He had worked for Santa Fe Railway for 43 years, retiring in 1986. After retirement, he moved to Pampa. He married Melba Savage in 1956 at Tucumcari, N.M. She died in 1967. Survivors include two sons, Bud Howard of Amarillo and Vern Howard of Normandy Park, Wash.; a sister, Helen Ruth Moore of Canadian; and two grandsons. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Ruth Lee Conley Ruth Lee Conley, 85, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 1999. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. F.M. Byford of Paramount Baptist Church officiating. Mrs. Conley was born in Amarillo. With her husband, she owned Artistic Cleaners in Borger from 1952 to 1980. While living in Borger, she was a member of First Baptist Church. In Amarillo, Mrs. Conley was a member of Paramount Baptist Church, Pastor's Sunday School Class and the Order of Eastern Star. She was retired and a homemaker. She married R.N. "Bob" Conley in 1935 at Breckenridge. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1995. Survivors include a son, Bob Conley of Amarillo; a daughter, Penny Jackson of Borger; a sister, Rachael Phillips of Lubbock; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 D.J. Ripley D.J. "Jack" Ripley, 63, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999. No services are planned. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell Ave. Mr. Ripley was born in Los Angeles where he was employed as an actor and private investigator. He was in "77 Sunset Strip" and other movies. In 1984, he moved to Amarillo. Survivors include two sons, Shane Ripley of Hesperia, Calif., and Trevor Ripley of Yucca, Calif.; two daughters, Melinda Ripley-Montcross of Lynnwood, Wash., and Amy Ripley of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and three grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Northwest Texas Hospital. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Charles Henry Kelley Charles Henry Kelley, 80, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with the Rev. Windell Taylor, chaplain of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, officiating. Mr. Kelley was born in Kansas City, Mo., and had lived in Amarillo since 1945. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps. A plumber by trade, Mr. Kelley owned and operated Kelley Plumbing for more than 20 years. He was a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 196, American Legion Hanson Post No. 54 and the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association. Survivors include two daughters, Karen Pittman of Amarillo and Patsy Kelley; a son, Mike Kelley of Amarillo; a stepson, Jay West of Austin; three brothers, Bill Kelley of Eldon, Mo., Art Kelley of Independence, Mo., and Earl Kelley of Wichita, Kan.; four sisters, May Proper of Eldon, Pattie Smith of Roswell, N.M., Lorene Dickinson of Independence and Ethel Kelley Hartzell of Holden, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family will receive friends at 13517 Mescalero after the service. They suggest memorials be to Amarillo Senior Citizens Association, Box 31180, Amarillo, TX 79120. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Canyon Thomas D. Rolen Thomas D. Rolen, 55, of Canyon, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Christian Church in Canyon with the Rev. Suzanne Rolen of First Christian Church of Riverside, Calif., officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle, Amarillo. Mr. Rolen was born in Lindsay, Okla., and had lived in Canyon on and off since 1970. From 1970 until 1978, he worked for the Canyon Police Department where he also served as Chief of Police. He served with the Naval Reserves. Survivors include two sons, Shane Rolen of Murrieta, Calif., and Matthew Rolen of Borger; two daughters, Kym Dennis of Canyon and Chelsea Rolen of Plainview; two brothers, Larry Rolen of Canyon and Lewis Rolen of Hereford; two sisters, Lavanna Hogan of Nashville, Tenn., and Brenda Smith of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. The family will be at 1209 20th St., in Canyon. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 New Mexico Alvaro Garcia CLOVIS, N.M. - Alvaro "Andy" Garcia, 74, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community with Deacon Daniel Chavez officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Garcia was born in Clovis where he was a lifetime resident. During World War II, he served in the Army. In 1990, he retired as an engineer for the AT&SF Railroad. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3015 and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community. He married Agnes Marques in 1943. She died in 1982. Survivors include two sons, Alex Garcia of Belen and Charlie Garcia of Clovis; two daughters, Anna Chavez and Dolores Montoya, both of Clovis; three brothers, Robert Garcia and Ted Garcia, both of Albuquerque, and Isidro Garcia of Santa Rosa; three sisters, Beatrice Hernandez of Albuquerque, Agustina Baca of Belen and Amelia Urban of Clovis; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Mary Ellen Mills CLOVIS, N.M. - Mary Ellen "PeelToots" Mills, 74, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in The Chapel. Burial will be at Muleshoe Memorial Park in Muleshoe, Texas by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Mills was born in Konawa, Okla., and moved to Clovis in 1942. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She married Roy Mills in 1965 at Clovis. Survivors include two sons, Larry Peel and Gaylon Peel, both of Clovis; two daughters, Kayla Peel and Mitzi Barrows, both of Clovis; five brothers, David Palmer of Maud, Okla., Matthew Wood and Virgil Wood, both of Seminole, Okla., Wallace Wood of Sierra Vista, Calif., and Donald Wood of Shawnee, Okla.; two sisters, Elma Washington of Shawnee and Barbara Washington of Seminole; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Elsewhere William Raymond Schwartz ASHLAND, Kan. - William Raymond Schwartz, 78, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in First Church of God in Ashland with Roy Spurnger, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery by Myatt Funeral Home of Ashland. Mr. Schwartz was born in Ashland where he was a lifelong resident. He was employed by Northern Natural Gas Co., and was a member of First Church of God in Christ. He married Margaret Elizabeth Epp in 1954 at Newton. Survivors include his wife; a son, William E. Schwartz of Amarillo; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. The family suggest memorials be to American Cancer Society or the Church of God in Ashland. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Area Dorris W. Jones FLOYDADA - Dorris W. Jones, 82, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Floyd County Memorial Park with Dr. Glenn S. Burk of Lubbock officiating. Arrangements are by MooreRose-White Funeral Home. Mr. Jones was born in Jonesboro and moved to Floydada in 1924 from Electra. He graduated from Floydada High School. From 1980 until 1983, he served on the board for the Floyd County Central Appraisal District and was on the Federal Land Bank board from 1978 until 1986. He retired as a farmer and was a member of West Side Church of Christ. He married Lois Freeman in 1935 at Plainview. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Linda Heflin of Floydada; a brother, Dalton Jones of Lubbock; a sister, Mary Frances Christopher of Wyoming, N.Y.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Floydada EMS, Box 373, Floydada, TX 79235; or the Multiple Sclerosis Society, National West Texas Divisions, Lubbock. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Minnie Otis SILVERTON - Minnie Otis, 55, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. today in First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. today in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery at Canadian by Myers-Long Funeral Directors of Silverton. Mrs. Otis was born in Dickens and moved to Silverton from Canadian eight years ago. She married Floyd Otis in 1964 at Canadian. He died in 1981. Survivors include two sons, Bronc Otis of Silverton and Farris Otis of Globe, Ariz.; three sisters, Jody Urban of Santa Fe, N.M., Jan Bradley of Albuquerque, N.M., and Mag Scott of Rosebud; a brother, J.C. Douglas of Tulsa; and three grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to the First United Methodist Church or the Silverton Volunteer Ambulance Association. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Melba Jean Haugh Snodgrass BORGER - Melba Jean Haugh Snodgrass, 64, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999, at Breckenridge. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Fairlanes Baptist Church with the Rev. Scott Rankin officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Snodgrass was born in Gassville, Ark., and moved to Borger with her family when she was seven. She graduated from Phillips High School in 1953 and from West Texas State University in 1968 with a degree in elementary education. She received a master's degree from Arizona State University. She taught school for 23 years in Scottsdale, Ariz., retiring in 1991. She lived for four years in The Dignity House at Breckenridge. She married Joe B. Snodgrass in 1953. Survivors include her mother, Jennie Haugh; a daughter, Rebecca Blackman of Breckenridge; three sisters, June Henson, Barbara Thompson and Marilyn Buckley; and a grandson. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 2, 1999 Sue Smiley LEFORS - Sue Smiley, 78, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel at Pampa with the Rev. John Glover, associate pastor of First Baptist Church of Pampa, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at Pampa with graveside rites courtesy of Pampa Chapter 65 Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Smiley was born in Garfield, Ark., and had been a resident of Lefors since 1953. She worked for the Pampa Country Club as a cook for three years. She was a member and Past Worthy Matron of the Pampa Chapter 65 Order of the Eastern Star and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary. She also was a member of the American Business Women, the First Baptist Church of Pampa, and was a past Noble of the Rebekah Lodge in Borger. She married Charles Smiley in 1940 at Bentonville, Ark. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Barbara Louise Smith of Amarillo and Carolyn Kay Morton of Eldorado; a son, Charles Everett Smiley of Amarillo; a brother, E.L. Ford of Borger; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and 16 step-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-Times Dec. 3, 1999 Billie Ruth Bivens GROOM - Billie Ruth Bivens, 70, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Groom with the Rev. Byron Williamson officiating. Burial will be in Groom Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home Armstrong Chapel in Claude. Mrs. Bivens was born in Turkey and graduated from Tulia High School. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Women's Missionary Union. She married Jack Bivens in 1947. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Bimbo Bivens of Filer, Idaho, and Mark Bivens of Groom; two daughters, Andrea Jennings of Richmond and Lynette of Luther, Okla.; a brother, John Herald Shannon of Killeen; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggest memorials be to Groom Ambulance Service. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999 Houston Hart MULESHOE - Houston Hart, 80, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brad Reeves of Muleshoe officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe. Mr. Hart was born in Kansas City, Kan., and was a longtime resident of Muleshoe where he was a farmer. He also was the owner of the E.R. Hart Co. He was a former mayor of Muleshoe and a city councilman. Mr. Hart was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Over the Hill Golf Club. He was one of the original organizers of the Muleshoe Country Club and had served as president several times. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps. He married Ruby Sterling in 1939 at Lordsburg, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bill Hart of Austin; a daughter, Roxana Coffman of Odessa; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Muleshoe Meals on Wheels, 300 S. First, Muleshoe, TX 79347. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 3, 1999