Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 12 Sep 2000 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: Darren McCathern (quohadi@quackquack.com) Thanks to the Amarillo Newspapers for allowing us to place their online obits in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Amarillo Daily News, Sep. 12, 2000 Clifford E. Snodgrass, 81, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Washington Avenue Christian Church with Jim Shelburne, senior pastor, and Steve Huffman, youth pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery with military rites rendered by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 26. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Snodgrass was born in Aline, Okla., and had lived in Amarillo since 1967. He served in the Navy during World War II. He worked as butcher in the grocery business for over 50 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Washington Avenue Christian Church. He married Clyda Mae Newlin in 1939 at Cherokee, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Charles Snodgrass of Phoenix and Tom Snodgrass of Cotopaxi, Colo.; a sister, Gladys Hayden of Detroit, Texas; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers be to Washington Avenue Christian Church, 3800 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX 79110. Russell Crawford, 40, of Amarillo, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2000, in Claude. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue & Pierce Street, with the Rev. Tommy Needham of First Baptist Church officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Boys Ranch Cemetery at Boys Ranch. Mr. Crawford was born in Spearman and was a longtime resident of Amarillo. He graduated from Boys Ranch High School in 1978 and attended Texas State Technical Institute for two years. He owned Russells Tire Service before going to work for Panhandle Tire Co. He was a Baptist. He married Frances Barber in 1984 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Brandie Alverez of Round Rock, Valarie Stevens of Amarillo and Cassie Crawford; two sons, Greg Crawford and Raymond Crawford; his parents, Paul and Cleola Crawford of Amarillo; five brothers, Rick Crawford, Greg Crawford and Mike Crawford, all of Amarillo, Doug Crawford of The Dalles, Ore., and Todd Crawford of Panhandle; a sister, Stacey Levitt of Amarillo; and two grandsons. MEMPHIS - Billy Thompson, 81, formerly of Memphis, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, in Rockwall. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. O.K. Bowen officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Memphis Funeral Home. Mr. Thompson was born in Memphis and lived there most of his life. He graduated from Memphis High School in 1938. He began working in the family hardware business for his grandfather and bought the business from his father in 1959. He and his wife owned and operated Thompson Brothers Hardware until 1995, when they moved to the Dallas area. He served on the board of First State Bank and was a past president of the Tri-State Hardware and Implement Association. He was a member of First Baptist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He married Hattie Demorette Ward in 1941 at Wichita, Kan. She died in 1999. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Kay Thompson, in 1945. Survivors include two sons, Billy Ed Thompson of Rowlett and Matt Thompson of Copper Canyon; a daughter, Carol Peters of Arlington; a sister, Maurine Montgomery of Richardson; a brother, Edwin Thompson of Memphis; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to Fairview Cemetery Association or First Baptist Church. PAMPA - Ralph Riggs, 75, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Lonny Robbins, pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Riggs was born in Soper, Okla. He moved to Pampa in 1946 and began working for the city of Pampa sanitation department in 1951. He retired in 1979. He also owned the Star Motel for 12 years. He was a Christian. He married Lanell Chandler in 1946 at Boswell, Okla. He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Riggs, in 1976. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Linda Pritchett of Narco, La., Dolores Czesnowski of Pampa and Teresa Bailey of Denton; a son, Jimmy Riggs of Canyon; a sister, Helen Gabriel of Pampa; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. DALHART - Joe Rumaldo Fuentes, 79, formerly of Dalhart, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, in Dumas. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Hass Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. MDT Wednesday in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Mosquero, N.M., by the Rev. Guy Roberts. Burial will be in the Mosquero Cemetery. Mr. Fuetnes was born in Genova, N.M., near Gallegos, N.M. He moved to Dalhart in the 1950s and worked at the ice plant. He worked as a veterinarian's assistant at Dalhart Animal Hospital and then worked for Mr. and Mrs. Webb Whorton until 1961. He was living in Stratford at the time of his death. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratford and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1985 he received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal from Pope John Paul II. Survivors include a niece whom he raised, Viola Kautz of Stratford; a brother, Frank G. Fuentes; a sister, Mary Velasquez of Liberal, Kan.; three grandnieces and grandnephews; and six great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. The family suggests memorials be to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church building fund in Stratford or Coldwater Manor's special unit. OLTON - J.L. Small, 82, died Monday, Sept. 11, 2000. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Olton Cemetery with Chris Craig, chaplain at Vistacare Hospice, officiating. Arrangements are by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Homes. Mr. Small was born in Cooper. He had lived in Olton since 1949, moving from Cooper. He was cotton gin operator. He married Ellen Smiddy in 1939 at Cooper. Survivors include his wife; a son, Randall Small of Dimmitt; two daughters, Patricia Conrad of Arlington and Laquita Knowles of Olton; a sister, Mabel Preas of Cooper; a brother, Howard Small of Dallas; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association, Drawer Q, Olton, TX 79064; or Olton Cemetery Association, Box 1055, Olton, TX 79064. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. CHILDRESS - Charles Amos Weddel, 84, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Parkview Baptist Church with Don McFarland, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Weddel was born in Grapevine. During World War II he served in the Army in the Aleutian Islands and received three medals. After the war he farmed in Lakeview for a short time. He owned and operated City Garage in Memphis, later adding City Parts Supply. He retired in 1983. He was a member of Senior Citizens, Busy Beavers and the Memphis Trail Raiders Association. He helped construct an addition to and was a member of the Parkview Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Martha Hutto of Arlington; three sons, Orvil "Sport" Weddel of Amarillo, Rockey Weddel of Hurst and William Weddel of Vivian, La.; a sister, Avylee Nix of Amarillo; three brothers, Elmer Weddel of Arlington, Evett L. Weddel of Amarillo and Jay Weddel of Tulia; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. ARLINGTON - Iva Jane Cox Bates, 71, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2000, in Dallas. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Park Row Church of Christ with Martin Moore officiating. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulia with Trey Morgan officiating. Arrangements are by Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. Mrs. Bates was born in Tulia. She retired from Arlington Independent School District, where she taught many years. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of Park Row Church of Christ and active in ministry at Tarrant County Jail. Survivors include her husband, Harley Simpson "Jack" Bates; two sons, John Bates of Ferndale, Mich., and Jim Bates of Watauga; a brother, James Bennett Cox; and five grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. QUANAH - Annie Mae Branch, 90, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, in Chillicothe. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. John Spangler, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Quanah Memorial Park by Price-Jackson Funeral Home. Mrs. Branch was born in Freemount. She lived in Quanah 20 years, moving from New Mexico. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She married Claude Dewey Branch in 1924 at Gainesville. He died in 1980. She also was preceded in death by a son, John Dewey Branch, in 1983; and by three daughters, Nadine Owens, in 1974, Frances Whittman, in 1981, and Val Jene Martin, in 1998. Survivors include three daughters, Doris Ware of Quanah, Verta Nolen of Electra and Lillian G. Jones of San Angelo; three sons, Raymond D. Branch and Winfred F. Branch, both of Electra and Ralph Branch of Eunice, N.M.; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. BORGER - William Robert Kelsay, 84, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Mintonƒ/ƒChatwell Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Ron Ellington, pastor of Trinity Church of Nazarene, and the Rev. Willie Adams, pastor of Eternal Light Pentecostal Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Heights Cemetery at Lefors. Mr. Kelsay was born in Monticello, Ky., and lived in Borger 58 years. He was a truck driver for Phillips Petroleum Co. He was a member of Eternal Light Pentecostal Church. He married Myrtle Mayberry in 1936 at Sayre, Okla. He was preceded in death by a son, Paul Dean Kelsay. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Bobby Dan Kelsay of Borger and Freddy Wayne Kelsay of Dallas; a daughter, Karen Sue French of Borger; 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O.Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. TULIA - Benny Luna, 61, died Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000, in Coleman. Prayer vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. today in Wallace Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Luna was born and raised in Smiley. He moved to Tulia in 1954 and to Coleman in 1968. He retired in the 1990s. He was a Catholic. He married Angelita Cruz in 1954 at Tulia. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Julia Leyendecker of Plainview and Mary Velazquez of San Antonio; seven sons, Gilbert Luna, Richard Luna, Albert Luna, Benny Luna Jr., Domingo Luna and Danny Luna, all of Tulia and Sammy Luna of Houston; his mother, Mary Luna of Tulia; two brothers, Rey Luna of Tyler and Bill Luna of Canyon; a sister, Jane Luna of Tulia; 33 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. FLOYDADA - Amanda Olivia Hart, 92, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, in Lubbock. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Anthony Sisemore, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Floydada Cemetery. Mrs. Hart was born in Nocona. She graduated from high school in Flomot. She moved to Floydada 60 years ago from Fairview. She retired from teaching piano and voice. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star and First Baptist Church. She married Paul L. "Faye" Hart in 1936 at Fairview. He died in 1989. Survivors include a son, David Hart of Shallowater; a sister, Ruby Rexrode of Sherman; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, 401 S. Main, Floydada, TX 79235. CLOVIS, N.M. - Louis Montoya Jr., 47, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2000, in Albuquerque. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Faith Christian Family Church with David Swann, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mr. Montoya was born in Alamogordo and lived in Clovis most of his life. He served in the Marine Corps. He was a bricklayer and attended Clovis Community College. Survivors include his wife, Wanda Montoya; two sons, Allen Montoya and Angel Montoya, both of Clovis; a daughter, April Montoya of Clovis; his father, Louis Montoya Sr. of Clovis; a brother, Sunny Montoya of Clovis; and a sister, Sandy Montoya of Amarillo. OKLAHOMA CITY - Bobby Glen Hill, 70, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Worldwide Church of God with Michael Rasmussen and Don Lawson, both of the church, officiating. Burial will be in Romulus Cemetery, Pottawatomie County by Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Mr. Hill was born in Carter. He was reared in Sayre and lived in California and Texas before moving to Oklahoma City in the 1960s. He worked for the Oklahoma County Highway Department for 19 years and retired in 1990 as an exempt foreman. He was a member of Worldwide Church of God. He married Christine Cobb in 1978 at Oklahoma City. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Larry Lynch and Ray Lynch, both of Northridge, Calif., and Steve Lovelady of Amarillo; two daughters, Marlene Goodman of Oklahoma City and Donna Morgan of Canyon, Texas; two brothers, Darrell Hill of Stinnett, Texas and Ferrell Hill of Amarillo; a sister Patricia Kestler of Amarillo; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the church. BAYTOWN - Raymond Larue Beason, 53, died Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2000, in Borger. Services were at 3 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church at Gillett, Ark. Burial was in the Gillett Cemetery by Essex Funeral Home of DeWitt, Ark. Local arrangements were by Brown Funeral Directors in Borger. Mr. Beason was born in Tichnor, Ark. He was a senior service technician for Hydrochem. Survivors include his wife, Delores.