Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 29 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; Wednesday, December 29, 1999, 6:21 AM Area Billy Joe Medaris BORGER - Billy Joe Medaris, 72, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Memory Gardens in Pampa with the Rev. Leonard Forsythe, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Medaris was born in Kenefic, Okla., and had been a Borger resident since 1945. He was a member of First Baptist Church and retired as a loader for Phillips Petroleum. He was a Navy veteran. Survivors include a son, Joe Medaris of Borger; a brother, Gene Medaris of Anchorage, Alaska; two sisters, Peggy Lowe of Fritch and Margrett Moss of Stinnett; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 C.W. Bradshaw MULESHOE - C.W. "Neal" Bradshaw, 82, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at Littlefield. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Muleshoe Church of Christ with Harry Riggs, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Bradshaw was born in Waxahachie. He was a farmer and a member of the Muleshoe Church of Christ. During World War II he served in the Army where he served for 18 months in Germany with the 84th Division and received three battle stars and the Combat Badge. He married Gladys "Skeet" Smith in 1939 at Lubbock. He was preceded in death by a son, Odis Neal Bradshaw, in 1980. Survivors include his wife; a son, Lloyd Bradshaw of Lazbuddie; a brother, Ted Melugin of Wilson; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, N.M.88130-9411. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Alvin A. Auld FRITCH - Alvin A. Auld, 85, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, at Round Rock. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Brown Funeral Directors Chapel of the Fountains of Borger with the Rev. Brad Foster, pastor of Lake Meredith Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Borger. Mr. Auld was born in Carter County, Okla. He was a retired employee of the J.M. Huber Corp., and a member of First Baptist Church of Borger. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Irene in 1986. Survivors include a son, Michael Eugene Auld of Round Rock; three daughters, Betty Combs of Amarillo, Sandra Kay Brewer of Lake Texhoma, and Pennie Lou Ormsby of Hobbs, N.M.; five brothers, Roswell Auld, Truman Auld and Lee Auld, all of Hobbs, L.V. Auld of Lake Texhoma and Thurman Auld of Chickasha, Okla.; two sisters, Lorraine Latimer and Nola Brown, both of Hobbs; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 J.D. Cox CHILDRESS - J.D. Cox, 87, of Tell, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Southside Baptist Church of Tell with the Rev. Harold Moore, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Tell Cemetery in downtown Tell by Johnson Funeral Home of Childress. Mr. Cox was born and raised in Tell where his family were the first settlers. He was a member of the Southside Baptist Church and a farmer. He married Vic Hughes in 1937 at Tell. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Cox, in 1968. Survivors include his wife; a son, Mike Cox of Tell; a daughter, Vicki Cox of Tell; two grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Josefina Vargas Claudio HEREFORD - Josefina Vargas Claudio, 47, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999. Rosary vigil will be at 7 p.m. today in Rix Funeral Directors Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in La Iglesia de San Jose in Hereford with the Monsignor Joe Bixenman, Vicar General of the Diocese of Amarillo, and Deacon Jessie Guerrero officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Mrs. Claudio was born in Coened, Michuacan, Mexico and moved to Hereford in 1968. She was a member of La Iglesia de San Jose. She married Lorenzo Claudio in 1969 at Hereford. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Claudio, in 1981. Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Paula Claudio, Laura Claudio, Martha Claudio and Nora Claudio, all of Hereford; six sons, Lorenzo Claudio Jr., Andy Claudio and Jose Manuel Claudio, all of Hereford, and Manuel Claudio, Roberto Claudio and Jose Claudio, all of Chicago; her parents, Manuel Vargas of Chicago and Carmen Vargas of Mexico; four brothers; four sisters; and four grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Clifford Meeks FARWELL - Clifford "Pat" Meeks, 80, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel in Muleshoe with the Rev. Richard Laverty, pastor of First Baptist Church in Farwell, officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Meeks was born in Mangum, Okla. Until his retirement in 1979, he farmed in Dodd. After his retirement he moved to Farwell. He married Mary Beth Martin in 1947 at Roswell, N.M. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Alene McClelland of Clovis, N.M., and Wilma Robinson of Muleshoe; two sisters, Odie Mae Gregory of Earth and Cleo Joyce White of Showlow, Ariz.; two brothers, Marvin Meeks of Globe, Ariz., and I.V. Meeks of Fallon, Nev.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Harold A. Smith PLAINVIEW - Harold A. Smith, 60, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Bob Fagan, pastor of Memorial Baptist Church in Lubbock, officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. Mr. Smith was born in Seymour and graduated from Borger schools. He attended the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Arlington on football scholarships. For 35 years Mr. Smith worked for the U.S. Postal Service. He moved to Plainview in 1976 where he was postmaster for 21 years. He married Janet Kay Hatley in 1960 at Phillips. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Stacey Stevens of Plainview; two sons, Michael Dean Smith of Monument, Colo., and Mark Darren Smith of Garland; his mother, Bernice McGlaun of Plainview; and three grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Boys Ranch or the American Heart Association. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Charles Newell HEREFORD - Charles Newell, 89, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in West Park Cemetery with Doris Huckert, chaplain of Hereford Care Center, officiating. Arrangements are by Rix Funeral Directors of Hereford. Mr. Newell was born in Hereford and graduated from Hereford High School in 1928. He worked in the grocery business and spent 20 years with the ASCS office. After retirement from the ASCS he was a school crossing guard and worked for Rix Funeral Directors. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He married Marguerite Raysor in 1930 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jacqueline Riggs of Camarillo, Calif.; a son, Pat Newell of Clovis; two sisters, Virginia Wingot of Hereford and Elaine Willoughby of Oklahoma City; a brother, Gaylord Newell of Albuquerque, N.M.; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 70, Hereford, TX 79045. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Amarillo Hazel Harper Smith Hazel Harper Smith, 86, of Dallas and a former Amarillo resident, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St. Burial will precede services at 2 p.m. in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born in Longview and lived in Amarillo more than 40 years before moving to Dallas in 1993. She graduated from Texas Woman's College of Industrial Arts in 1935 and taught school in Schulenburg. She lived in a number of small towns in the Panhandle before settling in Amarillo in the late 1940s. She taught school in Amarillo and served as the district director of Children's Work of the Methodist church. She was a member of San Jacinto United Methodist Church for many years, serving in many capacities in the educational and outreach ministries of the church. Mrs. Smith and her husband were delegates to the annual conference of the United Methodist Church. She was active in the American Red Cross, the American Association of University Women, Meals on Wheels, and Parent Teacher's Association. She married Charles W. "Chili" Smith in 1937. He died in 1989. Survivors include her children, Stewart D. Smith of Temple, Barry G. Smith of Fort Worth and Carolyn Smith Lewis of Dallas; and five grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to San Jacinto United Methodist Church, 505 Tennessee St., Amarillo, TX 79106 or Meals on Wheels of Amarillo, 1416 W. Eighth Ave., Room 106, Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 M.C. Phillips M.C. Phillips, 84, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Bill Purdy, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Phillips was born in Wise County and moved to Amarillo in 1937 from Clarendon. In 1975 he retired after 40 years as a truck driver for Groendyke Transport. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Methodist Church. He married Ina Fay Pittman in 1937 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Alice Phillips Harrison of Amarillo; a brother, Robert Phillips of Muleshoe; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Jerry Henderson Jerry Henderson, 77, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the chapel of Craig Methodist Retirement Center with Chester O'Brien, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Henderson grew up in East Texas. In 1966 he retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. He served in World War II and the Korean War. After his retirement Mr. Henderson was a stock broker before becoming an administrator for Coffee Memorial Blood Center. He was a member and past president of the Tascosa Country Club. He married his wife, Florence, in 1968 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Gerald Henderson and Donald Henderson, both of Houston, Douglas Henderson of Dallas and Robert Del Prete of Albuquerque, N.M.; two daughters, Jan Rollins of Amarillo and Tana Maxwell of Atlanta; two sisters, Creola Phelps of Dallas and Jessie Broyles of Cloudcroft, N.M.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society, District Office, 3915 S. Bell, Amarillo, TX 79019. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Canyon Boston E. Justice Boston E. Justice, 97, of Canyon, died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Gayle Bowen, associate pastor of the First Baptist Church of Canyon, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mr. Justice was born in Rolf, Okla., and moved to Texas in 1905. Two years later his family moved to Colorado where he graduated from Prichard High School. He moved to Childress when he was 18. In 1928 Mr. Justice moved to Arizona where he farmed and ranched. He was a member of the First Assembly of God in Tolleson, Ariz. He returned to Texas in the 1950s. He married Lillie Mae Hendrick of Fort Worth in 1922. She died in 1994. Survivors include three daughters, Lorain Inman of Canyon, Maxine Wright of Avondale, Ariz., and Betty Montana of New London; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 New Mexico Setsuko Birdsong CLOVIS, N.M. - Setsuko "Miko" Birdsong, 65, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in The Chapel, 1500 Thornton with the Rev. Stan White officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home Inc. Mrs. Birdsong was born in Okinawa, Japan and moved to Clovis in 1962. She worked for Plains Regional Medical Center for 15 years and was a member of Westbrook Baptist Church at Clovis. She married Nilen Birdsong in 1960 at Okinawa. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Linda Birdsong and Carol Birdsong, both of Clovis; two brothers, Seian Tomikawa and Seiken Tomikawa, both of Osaka, Japan; three sisters, Fumiko Tomikawa, Toshiko Tomikawa and Masako Tomikawa, all of Osaka; and four grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Ferrell L. Wheeler HOBBS, N.M. - Ferrell L. Wheeler, 78, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Prairie Haven Memorial Park with Elio Burris officiating. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Home Inc. Mr. Wheeler was born in Burkburnett, Texas. He served during World War II. He was employed by Tootie's Grocery Store in the 1960s and retired from United Grocery in 1987. He was a Baptist. He married Doris in 1942 at Los Angeles. Survivors include his wife; a son, Larry Wheeler of Lubbock, Texas; a daughter, Charlotte Maddux of Hobbs; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family requests memorials be to Vista Care Family Hospice, 1515 Calle Sur, Hobbs, N.M. The body will be available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Cora Monzingo FARWELL - Cora Monzingo, 86, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in 16th and Pile Church of Christ with Bob Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by SteedTodd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Monzingo was born in Oklahoma and lived in Clovis and Curry County for more than 65 years. She was a member of 16th and Pile Church of Christ. She married John Monzingo in 1932. He died in 1989. She is survived by a sister, Fannie Whisenant of Holliday. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Bette J. Herring CLOVIS, N.M. - Bette J. Herring, 72, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Faith Christian Church with David Swann, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Sumner Cemetery at Fort Sumner, N.M. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Herring was born in Fort Sumner and had lived in Clovis off and on for the past 25 years. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Schroeder in 1995. Survivors include two sons, Mike Herring of Clovis and Pat Herring of Lubbock, Texas; and four grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Herbert Herman Ayres TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Herbert Herman Ayres, 71, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church of San Jon with the Rev. Ben Talley, minister, and the Rev. M.V. Summers, Baptist minister, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot of San Jon Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mr. Ayres was born in Porter and graduated from Porter schools in 1944. He served with the Navy for seven years, most of that time on the USS Chopper SS342 submarine. He was a lifelong resident of the Porter and San Jon communities. A farmer and rancher, Mr. Ayres was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of San Jon and served on the San Jon school board for 12 years. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the BPO Elks Lodge 1172 of Tucumcari. He married Jackie Wallace in 1948. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Ayres. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Richard Ayres of Dahlonega, Ga., and David Ayres of Logan; two daughters, Sherry Magee of Aztec and Cindy Stamps of Portales; five sisters, Mary Belle Mason and Betty Terry, both of Logan, Doris Hall of Colorado, Bertha Mae Brown of Texas and Crystell Terry of San Jon; and 11 grandchildren. Viewing will be until noon today at the funeral home. The casket will not be open after the services. The family suggests memorials to Baptist Children's Home in Portales or the San Jon First Baptist Church Building Fund. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Elsewhere Larry Ed Beck SAN ANTONIO - Larry Ed Beck, 57, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church at Spearman with the Rev. Ken Cole officiating. Burial will be in Hansford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mr. Beck was born in Spearman and moved to San Antonio 30 years ago from Lubbock. He was a horticulturist and a member of Colonial Hills United Methodist Church of San Antonio. He was active in Boy Scouts of America, did youth projects with Colonial Hills and was a member of the Texas Association of Nurserymen. He married Gloria Ricketts in 1966 at Spearman. Survivors include his wife; a son, Trenton Marshall Beck of San Antonio; two brothers, Verlin Beck of Spearman and Gail Beck of Amarillo; and a granddaughter. The family requests memorials be to Colonial Hills United Methodist Church; First United Methodist Church of Spearman; or the American Cancer Society. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999 Lawanna Jo Duckworth DALLAS - Lawanna Jo Duckworth, 73, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999 in Lubbock. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Restland Abbey Chapel. Burial will be in Restland Memorial Park by Restland Funeral Home of Dallas. Mrs. Duckworth was born in Woodward, Okla., and was a longtime Canyon resident. She was preceded in death by her husband, R.L. Duckworth. Survivors include a son, James W. Lowin of Canyon; four daughters, Marjorie Collins of Canyon, Pamela Atkins, Tina Brown and Jean Lowin; eight grandchildren; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 29, 1999