Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 10 Sep 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, September 10, 1999, 6:25 AM Area Laura Becker DALHART - Laura Becker, 9, died Monday, Sept. 6, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Texline Mennonite Church with Elder Stan Unruh, minister, officiating. Burial will be in the Texline Mennonite Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home of Dalhart. Laura was born in Clayton, N.M. She was a student and a member of the Texline Mennonite Church. Survivors include her parents, Delbert and Shirley Becker of Texline; three brothers, Jeffery Becker, Clark Becker and Craig Becker, all of Texline; and grandparents, Florence Koehn of Texline and Raymond and Helen Becker of Burns, Kan. Leo Earl Thompson CANADIAN - Leo Earl Thompson, 58, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999. Services are at 10 a.m. Saturday in W.S.& E.C. Jones Community Pavilion with the Rev. Jimmy A. Robinson, pastor of Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Cemetery by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mr. Thompson was born and raised in Canadian where he was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Canadian High School and was owner/operator of Leo's Construction for 20 years. Mr. Thompson was street superintendent for the City of Canadian. For 25 years, he had been a volunteer fireman and had been state certification coordinator for State Firemen and Fire Marshalls Association for 10 years. He was a member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Canadian. He married Ruby Irene Gibson in 1961 at Southwest City, Mo. Survivors include his wife; a son, Glenn Thompson of Amarillo; three daughters, Lillian Renfro and Melissa Hastings, both of Canadian, and Tonja Weatherholt of Amarillo; a brother, Eugene Thompson of Carlsbad, N.M.; a sister, Allene Sword of Beggs, Okla.; 10 grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. Fourth, Canadian, TX 79014. Viewing will be from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. today and from 8 until 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Garrett Myles Rex SPEARMAN - Garrett Myles Rex, 12, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in Spearman High School Auditorium with the Rev. Joe Weaks and the Rev. Gary Smith officiating. Burial will be in Hansford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Garrett was born in Perryton and was a lifetime resident of the area. A sixth grade student at Spearman Junior High School, he played Little Dribblers basketball, Pee Wee football, Little League baseball and pitched on the All-Star Team this year. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Spearman. Survivors include his parents, George and Tina Rex of Spearman; two sisters, Kelcee Rex of Spearman and Tiffani Rex of Amarillo; a brother, Brandon Rex of Lewisville; his grandparents, Paul and Joyce Woolley of Dumas; and his greatgrandmother, Christina Butz of Anthony, Kan. The family suggests memorials be to Hansford Chapter of the American Heart Association. Glenn Buckley CHILDRESS - Glenn Buckley, 69, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Childress with Kerry Wood, minister of music, officiating. Mr. Buckley's body will be donated to science. Mr. Buckley was born and raised in Childress. He attended Baylor University and Hardin Simmons University. During the Korean War, he served with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Mr. Buckley was employed at Buckley's Magnolia Service Station, then later joined the family in ownership and operation of Buckley's Men's Store. He served as a director at First State Bank, was a member of the Small Business board and was a director for Childress Jaycees. From 1966 until 1972, Mr. Buckley served as city councilman. He was mayor from 1972 until 1977. During his term, paving projects of several streets were completed. He worked to bring Spartan Industries and Lancer Mobile Homes to Childress. Survivors include his wife, Ester; two sons, Ken Buckley of Georgetown and Greg Buckley of Childress; a daughter, Gwen Keys of Childress; two stepdaughters, Ron Musgrove Walker of Estelline and Patsy Bell of Plainview; a stepson, Mack Dishman of Childress; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Carl Deckman PAMPA - Carl Deckman, 84, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Teeter, pastor, officiating. His body was donated to Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Deckman was born in Higgins and had lived in Pampa for 55 years. He was an Army veteran of World War II. After his discharge from the Army, he was a foreman for Petroleum International until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He married Ann Gilpen in 1977 at Pampa. Survivors include his wife; a son, Norman Deckman of Douglas, Okla.; three stepsons, David Gilpen of Wimberley, Larry Gilpen of Carlsbad, Calif., and Scott Gilpen of Birmingham, Ala.; two sisters, Goldie Dearing of Guymon, Okla., and Nannie Hall of Seiling, Okla.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, P.O. Box 2234, Pampa, TX 79066-2234; or a favorite charity. The body will not be available for viewing. Jack Louie Oldham DUMAS - Jack Louie Oldham, 83, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Vincent Kolb, pastor, officiating. Burial will be private by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 500 N. Maddox of Dumas. Mr. Oldham was born in Waxahachie and had lived in Dumas for 37 years. During World War II, he served with the Navy seabees in the Pacific. He was a wholesale distributor for Phillips Petroleum. Since 1953, he had been a member of First Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder. He married Wynn Baer in 1946 at Dallas. Survivors include his wife and a brother, Arch Oldham of Dallas. The family will be at 201 Mills. They suggest memorials be to a favorite charity. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. today in the funeral home. Amarillo Melvin Gene Morris Sr. Melvin Gene Morris Sr., 67, of Amarillo, died Monday, Sept. 6, 1999. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Faith Baptist Church with the Rev. Kurtis Spidel, pastor, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Morris was born in Portales, N.M. While living in Tucumcari, N.M., he owned and operated Morris Construction and was active in starting the Liberty 4-H Club. After moving to Amarillo, Mr. Morris was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and the Harrington Cancer Center. He was involved in mission projects in Mexico and was a member of Faith Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, Melvin Gene Morris Jr. of Tyler, Jerry Dean Morris of Amarillo and Jimmy Don Morris of Waco; a daughter, Judy Ann Hall of Alamogordo, N.M.; three brothers, Hershal Morris of Stafford, Ariz., Leon Morris of Clovis, N.M., and Steve Morris of Tucumcari; three sisters, Dorothy Quaife of Springfield, Mo., Roberta De Fraga of Las Vegas and Wanda Ford of Santa Anna, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to the Mission Program at Faith Baptist Church. J.W. Farley J.W. Farley, 88, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in St. Stephen United Methodist Church with the Rev. Terry Lowe officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Farley was born in Wilburton, Okla. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1931. He served in the 27th Air Depot Group, was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1475, and Masonic Lodge 731. He was a junior partner for Sanders Automotive. Mr. Farley was a charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church and also of St. Stephen United Methodist Church. He served on the official board and the board of trustees at the church. He was an organizing member, had served as a president and a teacher of the Vaughn Sunday school class. He participated in the Volunteer Ministry Program, supported the Stephen Ministry program and served in many other leadership positions. He married Evelyn Wiley in 1935 at Canyon. She died in 1994. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Ratliff of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Don M. Manning Don M. Manning, 48, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Brent Childress officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Manning was born in Dallas and was a longtime resident of Amarillo. He received his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University. For 25 years, he was an environmental specialist for TNRCC. He married Molly Quinlin in 1989 at New Mexico. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Damon Manning and Jason Manning, both of Amarillo, and Rex Manning of the home; a daughter, Katina Manning of the home; his mother, Martha Manning of Abilene; and a sister, Cynthia Laster of Abilene. The family suggests memorials be to any kind of children's funds or activities. Mildred Odell Haddock Mildred Odell Haddock, 62, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with Scott Jordan, discipleship pastor of Southwest Baptist Church, officiating. Mrs. Haddock was born in Abilene and moved to Amarillo 11 years ago. She had lived in Africa, German, Spain, France and Italy. She worked in the dietary department of Integrated Health Services and was a Baptist. She married Hugh Haddock 34 years ago. Survivors include three daughters, Brenda Mason of Brandon, Fla., Sheila Kestran of Tampa, Fla., and Penny Gustafson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a son, Mark Haddock of Hilliard, Fla.; her mother, Willie Wilkerson of Amarillo; six sisters, Betty Robbins and Loraine Smith, both of Amarillo, Lila Mae George of Joshua, Lillian Upchurch of Cleburne, Billie Jo Parrish of Lake Coleman and Millie Boyourd of Gorman; a brother, John Musick of Cleburne; and five grandchildren. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Twyla Marie Cowan Twyla Marie Cowan, 90, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Norman Grigsby, associate pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Cowan was born in Hymer, Kan., and had lived in Amarillo since 1941. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederic O'Neal Cowan, in 1989. Survivors include her daughter, Marilyn Ault of Amarillo; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1503 S. Alabama. They suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. LaVerne Hise LaVerne Hise, 79, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Paul Sneed and Bobby G. Hise officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Hise was born in Memphis and had been an Amarillo resident for many years. For more than 35 years, she was employed by Guaranty Title and Abstract Co. She was a longtime member of North Amarillo Church of Christ. She married Vernon Hise in 1936 at Canyon. She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Paula Kay Hise, both in 1952. Survivors include a son, Bobby G. Hise of Lubbock; a daughter, Barbara Whittenberg of Panhandle; two sisters, Doris Taliaferro and Jonnie Hall, both of Amarillo; four brothers, Maurice Holman, T.W. Holman Jr., Charles Holman and Roger Holman, all of Amarillo; eight grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home. New Mexico Annie M. Cruz CLAYTON, N.M. - Annie M. Cruz, 87, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today and funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with the Rev. George Silva, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton. Mrs. Cruz was born in Mineral, Okla., and was a longtime resident of the Clayton area. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She married Guillermo "Bill" Cruz in 1945 at Boise City, Okla. Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Mary Trujillo of Clayton, Eloise Trujillo of Hugoton, Kan., Dora Marrandino of Liberal, Kan., and Mary Ann Trujillo of Moscow, Kan.; a son, Gary Cruz of Clayton; 21 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and five greatgreat-grandchildren. Elsewhere James Altsman DELTA, Colo. - James "Lee" Altsman, 70, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Crippen Funeral Home Chapel in Montrose with George Senecal officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, in Crestlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Riverside, Calif. Mr. Altsman was born and raised in Amarillo where he graduated from high school. He was an Army veteran of the Korean conflict. Mr. Altsman retired as a foreman in a paint manufacturing company. In 1993, he moved to Delta from Whittier, Calif. He married Frankie D. Russell in 1951 at Clovis, N.M. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Kelly Altsman and Karen Lee Altsman. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Terry Tyndall of La Habra Heights, Calif., and Carol Allison of Delta and Montrose; two brothers, Charles Altsman of Amarillo and Nelson "Tex" Altsman of Kinnear, Wyo.; a sister, Fredia Bartlow of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials in his name be to Delta County Hospice Project, P.O. Box 24, Delta, CO 81416; or Hospice of the Uncompahgre Valley, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402. James F. Wardell LOCKLAND, Ohio - James F. Wardell, 60, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999. Services are planned for a later date by the family. Arrangements are by Vorhis Funeral Home of Lockland. Mr. Wardell was a Texas resident before he moved to Ohio. Survivors include three children, Todd Wardell and Jo Dawn Gifford, both of Dallas, and David Cummings; his mother, Betty Wardell of Amarillo; a brother, Robert R. Wardell; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity.