Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 11 June 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, June 11, 1999, 6:42 AMAmarillo William J. Grabowsky William J. Grabowsky 73, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St., with Max Beggs and Jimmy Beggs, pastors of Caprock Christian Fellowship Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Grabowsky was born in Milwaukee, Wis. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and had lived in Amarillo for 30 years. He graduated from Layton School of Art where he received a bachelor's degree in fine art. Mr. Grabowsky worked for Pantex as a technical artist illustrator for 21 years. He was president of the Artist Studio in the early 1970s and was superintendent of the fine arts department at the Tri-State Fair for five years. He was a member of the Caprock Christian Fellowship. He married Edith Lancaster in 1977. Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Christen Grabowsky of New York City, Diana Grabowsky of Pecos, N.M., Mary Grabowsky-Rowe, Constance Grabowsky and Darla Miller, all of Albuquerque, N.M.; three sons, David Grabowsky of Clovis, N.M., and Paul and Daniel Grabowsky, both of Albuquerque; two stepdaughters, Judith Spalding of San Diego and Beth Lancaster of Amarillo; two stepsons, Gary Lancaster of Amarillo and Joel Lancaster of Phoenix; 12 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Johnny Fry Johnny Fry, 63, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Southwest Baptist Church with the Rev. J. Alan Ford and Sonny Rogers officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Fry was born and raised in Childress and moved to Amarillo in 1952. For 30 years, he worked in the parts department at Plains Chevrolet. For the past 13 years, he worked for Ken's Kar Kolors. He was a member of Southwest Baptist Church and board member of Southwest States Messianic Fellowship. He married Margie Mathis in 1954 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Becky Cary, Melinda Christy and Lamelva Hooker, all of Amarillo; his parents, R.T. "Travis" and Laura Fry of Amarillo; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Program, Olivia's Angels or the Southwest Baptist Church Youth Program. The family will be at 4820 Gary Lane. Paul E. Walker Paul E. Walker, 43, of Amarillo, died Thursday, June 10, 1999. Memorial services are planned for a later date. Cremation and arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Walker was born in Phoenix and had lived in Amarillo for eight years. He was employed as a warehouseman and truck driver. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Sandra Jones in 1974 at Phoenix. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Paul Patrick Walker and James Walker, both of Amarillo; two daughters, Bethany Walker and Leslie Walker, both of the home; his parents, Paul and Betty Walker of Showlow, Ariz.; a brother, Jerry Walker of Phoenix; two sisters, Patsy Barlow and Laura Penland, both of Phoenix; and two grandchildren. Kansas Ronald N. Gaverick LIBERAL, Kan. - Ronald N. Gaverick, 68, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Kitch Funeral Home with Heath Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Hugoton Cemetery. Mr. Gaverick was born at Mount Gilead, Ohio. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. In 1988, he moved to Liberal from Hugoton. He retired in 1994 as a truck driver with Consolidated Freightways after 37 years. He married Sheryn Cantrell in 1977 at Albuquerque, N.M. He was preceded in death by a son, Bill Gaverick. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Jimmy Gaverick, Jeffrey Gaverick, Ronald Gaverick, all of Liberal, and Steve Hay of Haines, Alaska; a daughter, Cheryl Hanna of Wadsworth, Ohio; and 10 grandchildren. The family will receive friends until time of service today at the funeral home. New Mexico Johnny M. Cornejo Jr. CLOVIS - Johnny M. Cornejo Jr., 56, died Tuesday, June 8, 1999. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe with the Rev. Ray Gania officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Fort Sumner Cemetery by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Cornejo was born in Clovis, where he was a lifelong resident. He was a carman for Santa Fe Railway and a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Carman, where he served as recording secretary and trustee. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Community Church. He married Barbarita Zamora in 1963 at Clovis. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Phyllis Joan Cornejo of Clovis; a son, Mario Cornejo of Clovis; his mother, Felipa Cornejo of Portales; a brother, Richard Cornejo of Albuquerque; and a grandson. James J. Sherrill CLOVIS - James J. Sherrill, 71, died Tuesday, June 8, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Mission Gardens of Memories with the Rev. Doug Brooks officiating. Military honors are by Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard with arrangements by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Sherrill was born in Lone Wolf, Okla., and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He moved to Clovis in 1962 and was a finish carpenter and a Baptist. He married Myra Ramirez in 1956 at Bovina, Texas. He was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Sherrill, in 1976. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sylvia Hewett of Artesia and Gloria Olp of Clovis; two brothers, Claude Sherrill of Lubbock, Texas, and Billy Ray Sherrill of Henrietta, Texas; a sister, Cora Etta Moore of Enid, Okla.; three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Maria Esperanza Lucero Clovis, N.M. - Maria Esperanza "Hope" Lucero, 61, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Daniel Chavez officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Lucero was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She had been a longtime resident of Clovis and a member of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She married Raymond Lucero in 1980 at Portales. Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Mary Jane Ramirez, Sara Cruz, Cindy Wright and Judy Rodriquez all of Clovis; five brothers, Anacleto Ortiz Jr and Richard Ortiz of Texico, Arturo Ortiz of Liberal, Kan., Jimmy Ortiz of Houston and Frank Ortiz of Clovis; four sisters, Alicia Jones of Liberal, Kan., Rosa Hernandez of Houston, Norma Williams of Texico and Elsie Hill of Clovis; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Elsewhere Carolyn Louise Durnford MONONA, Wis. - Carolyn Louise Durnford, 76, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Lake Edge United Church of Christ in Madison with the Rev. David J. Michael officiating. Burial will be in Richland Center Cemetery by Gunderson Funeral Home of Monona. Mrs. Durnford was born in Richland Center. In 1943, she married George "Dutch" Durnford at Fort Stockton, Texas. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Roger Kent Durnford of Amarillo and Jacque Daryl Durnford of La Crosse; a daughter, Jayne Karyl Fritz of Cross Plains; and six granddaughters. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Oklahoma Edith Lavonne Scott Yowell REYDON, Okla. - Edith Lavonne Scott Yowell, 67, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Reydon Community Building with the Rev. Lynn Brack officiating. Burial will be in White Rose Cemetery by Rose Chapel Funeral Service of Cheyenne. Mrs. Yowell was a part of the 1948 state basketball champions of Hydro. After her marriage, she continued her education at Sayre Junior College and Southwestern State. She received her bachelor's degree in education and graduated Magna Cum Laude with her master's degree. Mrs. Yowell taught first grade in Reydon. She also was an artist. She married Bill Yowell in 1952. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Jimmy Yowell of Canadian, Texas, and Jerry Yowell of Euless, Texas; three sisters, Doris Cline of Oklahoma City, Clara Mae Highfill of Lawrence, Kan., and Marvine Armstrong of Tucson; two brothers, Ted Scott of Watonga and Sam Scott of Santa Rosa, Calif.; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Area Gene Wayne Helton CANADIAN - Gene Wayne Helton, 66, died Wednesday, June 2, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Alberta Helton, pastor of Reydon Community Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Stickley-Hill Funeral directors of Canadian. Mr. Helton was born in Wheeler County and moved to Hemphill County in 1955. He worked for Ward Oil Co. for 27 years as a truck driver. He later worked for Turner 3 until his retirement in 1996. He married Frankie Fuller in 1955 at Hemphill County. Survivors include his wife; a son, Mike Helton of Pampa; two daughters, Peggy Helton of Amarillo and Joe Dean Helton of Joy; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Abraham Memorial Home. Dimmie I. Nickel TULIA - Dimmie I. Nickel, 94, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Wallace Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Guenther, pastor of First Assembly of God Church and Renay Rice, former pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Nickel was born in Stephenville and graduated from Stephenville High School. In 1943, she moved to Swisher County. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church. She married Robert E. Nickel in 1935 at Tahoka. He died in 1973. Survivors include a daughter, Roberta Hotchkiss of Lubbock; three sons, Donald Nickel of Lake Mackenzie, James Nickel and Jerry Nickel, both of Tulia; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. Mary Garrison PAMPA - Mary Garrison, 89, died Tuesday, June 8, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Plainview with the Rev. Roger Foote, pastor of North Side Baptist Church of Plainview, officiating. Burial will be in Olton Cemetery. Mrs. Garrison was born in Blackwell. She married Bert Garrison in 1942 at Clovis, N.M. He died in 1987. Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Elliott and Cletis Courter, both of Pampa; a son, Jack Garrison of Springfield, Mo.; a sister, Hazel Birchell of Roosevelt, Utah; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and seven greatgreat-grandchildren. Carmen Lita Clayton CANADIAN - Carmen Lita Clayton, 69, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Abundant Life Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Jimmy A. Robinson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mrs. Clayton was born in Fort Yates, N.D., of the Hunkpapa Sioux Indian tribe. In 1970, she moved from Denver to Canadian where she was a homemaker and member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church. She married Bill Clayton in 1963 at Fort Lupton, Colo. She was preceded in death by a son, William Walter Canada Jr. in 1996. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Jacque Reynolds of Canadian; a son, Robert Harold Canada of Huntsville; a brother, Kenneth Zahn of Dever; a sister, Lorraine McLaughlin of Fort Yates; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Homer Lawrence Thomas Sr. CANADIAN - Homer Lawrence Thomas Sr., 78, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Rick Timmons, pastor of Central Baptist Church, and Roger Smelser Sr., minister of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mr. Thomas was born in Canadian and was raised in the Gem community. During World War II, he served in Europe in the Army as a tank driver. He was awarded two purple hearts. From 1948 until 1969, he worked for the Wiggin's Ranch in Hemphill County. From 1969 until 1977, he owned and operated Thomas Locker. He then moved to Gem to farm and ranch. He was a member of First Christian Church of Canadian. He married Georgia Davenport in 1942 at Arnett, Okla. He was preceded in death by a son, Frankie, in 1944. Survivors include his wife; three sons, H.H. Thomas Jr. of Canadian, John Thomas of Austin and Rocky Thomas of Pampa; two daughters, Mary Thomas of Yukon, Okla., and Sandie Thomas of Canadian; a sister, Genevieve Johnson of Grand Junction, Colo.; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery Fund, 400 Main St., Canadian, TX 79014; or Hemphill County Library Fund, 500 Main, Canadian, TX 79014. Regina Avila EARTH - Regina Avila, 57, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Rosary will be said at 8 p.m. today in St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church with the Rev. Joe Augustine, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Earth Memorial Cemetery by Parsons-Ellis Funeral Home. Mrs. Avila was born in Raton, N.M., and moved to Earth from Dalhart. She was a homemaker. She married Guadalupe Marine Avila in 1961 at Dalhart. She was preceded in death by two sons, Michael and Leonard. Survivors include her husband; six sons, Raymond Avila of Lubbock, Jesse Avila, Joe Avila and Chris Avila, all of Plainview, and Lupe Avila and Albino Avila, both of Salinas, Calif.; four daughters, Matilda Medina, Erma Avila and Rachal Avila, all of Plainview, and Grabilta Pedro of Earth; two sisters, Alice and Hester, both of Rocky Ford, Colo.; a brother, Chris Griego of Dalhart; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Margaret Evans Daniel FLOYDADA - Margaret Evans Daniel, 81, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Trinity Church of Floydada with the Rev. Henry Russell, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Floyd County Memorial Park by MooreRose-White Funeral Home of Floydada. Mrs. Daniel was born in the Vivian community and graduated from Paducah High School in 1934. In 1942, she received her bachelor of science degree from West Texas State University. She worked in Washington, D.C., before working for the Red Cross in World War II. Her three-year tour took her to the European theater, Puerto Rico and the Lower Antilles Island of Antiqua. In 1948, Mrs. Daniel moved to Floyd County from Lubbock. A retired teacher, she taught in Petersburg, at the Della Plains school and was the first to teach in the home-bound program in Floydada. She was a charter member and helped organize the Floyd County Historical Museum. Mrs. Daniel was a charter member on the board of the Floyd County Library, served on the Floyd County Day Care board of directors from 1971 until 1982 and attended Trinity Church of Floydada. She married W.R. Daniel in 1948 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; a son, W.R. Daniel Jr. of Floydada; a daughter, Ilene Daniel Kendrick of Sherman; two brothers, E.T. Evans Jr. of Amarillo and Milton Clifford Evans of Floydada six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family will greet friends from 6 until 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. They suggest memorials to the Floyd County Historical Museum, 105 E. Missouri, Floydada, TX 79235; Floyd County Day Care, 301 W. Missouri, Floydada, TX 79235; or Friends of the Floyd County Library c/o Janice Lloyd, Rt. 2, Box 49, Floydada. Russell Gail Wilson LOCKNEY - Russell Gail "Rusty" Wilson, 40, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with Russell Harris, minister of Main Street Church of Christ, Frank Duckworth, minister of West Third and College Street Church of Christ, and Russell Byard, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Lockney Cemetery by Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home of Lockney. Mr. Wilson was born in Plainview and graduated from Lockney High School in 1976. A longtime Lockney resident, he attended Texas Tech University. He owned Wilson Insurance Agency and was a Realtor with the Lockney branch of Adamson Real Estate. Mr. Wilson was a member of the Hale County Realtors Association, Lockney Booster Club and Flatlanders Model Aviators of Kress. He also was a member of First United Methodist Church in Lockney. He married Laura Watson in 1977 at Lockney. Survivors include his wife; a son, Marc Evan Wilson of Lockney; a daughter, Callie Suzanne Wilson of Lockney; his parents, Carolyn Jackson of Lockney and James Gail Wilson of Olton; a brother, Aaron Wilson of Lockney; a stepbrother, Danny Wilson of Garland; a stepsister, Laura Bean of Cordele, Ga.; and a half-sister, Virginia Sredanovich of Odessa. The family suggests memorials be to the Children's Miracle Network, c/o University Medical Center, 602 Indiana, Lubbock, TX 79401.