Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 14 May 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: Thanks to the Amarillo Newspapers for allowing us to place their online obits in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Last updated; Sunday, May 14, 2000, 5:17 AM Amarillo Walter Z. Baker Walter Z. Baker, 81, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Scott Greer officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Baker was born in Shamrock and moved from Fritch to Amarillo in 1976. During World War II, he served as a Navy Seabee. He worked in the oil and gas industry and was a member of the Paramount Terrace Christian Church. He married Glenda Myrick in 1959 at Stinnett. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Kelly Baker of Santa Fe, N.M., Terry Hise and Tony Hise, both of Dumas; a daughter, Lana Little of Amarillo; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Paramount Terrace Christian Church; or BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 John W.G. Conrad John W.G. Conrad, 45, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Graveside services were at 9 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Charles Jones of Second Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements were by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Conrad was a lifelong resident of Amarillo. Survivors include his mother, Nita J. Conrad of Amarillo; and a brother, Charles Oates of Norman, Okla. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Martha "Louise" Hertner Parks Martha "Louise" Hertner Parks, 83, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Private services will be held. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Parks was born in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School. She was a certified apartment manager and member of the Apartment Association of the Panhandle; the Texas Apartment Association Inc.; and the National Apartment Association. She married Syemmeon E. Parks in 1940 at Amarillo. He preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, John B. Parks III of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and a grandson. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Johnie Lamar Pugh Johnie Lamar Pugh, 81, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, May 12, 2000, in Austin. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Gregg Kinch, pastor of South Lawn Baptist Church, officiating. Masonic Rites will be by Palo Duro Masonic Lodge No. 1239. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Pugh was born in Calvert City, Ky. He was a longtime resident of Amarillo before moving to Austin six years ago. During World War II, he served in the Army. He had worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone. Mr. Pugh was a member of the South Lawn Baptist Church and the Palo Duro Masonic Lodge No. 1239. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Syble Brown Pugh. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Pugh of Austin; a son, Johnie Thomas Pugh of Amarillo; a daughter, Vicky Faith of Austin; a stepdaughter, Rita Gale Welch of Canyon Lake; two sisters, Mary Ann Lindsey of Calvert City and Margie Ruth Irvan of Benton, Ky.; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to South Lawn Baptist Church, 4306 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX 79110. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Rita Marie Mayes Rita Marie Mayes, 50, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with Glendell Smith, Baptist St. Anthony chaplain, and Rick Mayes, evangelist, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Miss Mayes was born in Olympia, Wash. She was a member of New Neighbors of Amarillo and a founding member of Miracles In Action. Survivors include two sisters, Linda L. Shelton of Aberdeen, Wash., and Elsie S. Soard, of Ridgecrest, Calif.; two brothers, Frederick W. Mayes of Novi, Mich., and Larry L. Mayes of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Miracles in Action, in care of Amarillo National Bank, 6000 Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Thurman W. Tigart Thurman W. Tigart, 75, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in North Amarillo Church of Christ with Dalton Key of North Amarillo Church of Christ and Glenn Walton of Bell Avenue Church of Christ officiating. Arrangements are by BlackburnShaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 15th Avenue and Martin Road. Mr. Tigart was born in Clarksville, Tenn., and was a longtime resident of Amarillo. He attended Amarillo High School, where he played football on a "Sandie" state champion team. He was later named to the All American Team while playing at Oklahoma University. Mr. Tigart was a chemist for the Bureau of Mines, retiring in 1985. He was a member and an elder at the North Amarillo Church of Christ. He married Betty Meyer in 1946 at Norman, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a son, Michael Tigart of Amarillo; a daughter, Patricia Neusch of Amarillo and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Pauline Russell Pauline Russell, 81, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, May 5, 2000, in Grand Prairie. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in Southland Memorial Park at Grand Prairie. Arrangements were by Jeter & Son Funeral Directors of Dallas. Mrs. Russell was born in Alvarado and had lived in Amarillo for 53 years. She was a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Everett Leo Russell of Avalon; four daughters, Frances Cook of Wellston, Okla., Christine Anderson and Gearldine Galbraith of Grand Prairie and Doris Post of Amarillo; a sister, Ruby Hardy of Amarillo; a brother, A.R. Gregory of Amarillo; 14 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Arvell D. Bledsoe Arvell D. Bledsoe, 85, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 12, 2000. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Llano East Cemetery with Sister Mary Morrissey of Crown of Texas Hospice officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Bledsoe was born in Quanah. Before moving to Amarillo in 1986 from Crowell, he lived in Dumas and Sunray. During World War II, he served in the Philippines with the Army. In 1980, he retired from Diamond Shamrock. He was a Methodist and a former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is survived by his wife, Katy Bledsoe. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Jim Habekott Jim Habekott, 47, of Amarillo, died Saturday, May 13, 2000. A memorial service by family members will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Habekott was born in Perryton and was self-employed. Survivors include two sisters, Diana Foley of Amarillo and Janice Cranmer of Bethany, Okla.; three half sisters, Vicky Mitchell of Borger, June Ellis of Denton, and Christy Habekott of Dumas; a half brother, Dennis Ellis of Borger; and father and stepmother, Jimmie and Yulanda Habekott of Dumas. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Leon Cox Leon Cox, 77, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 12, 2000.. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Paramount Baptist Church with Dr. Gil Lain officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Cox was born in Merit. During World War II, he served in Panama with the Army. He worked for Plains Chevrolet and was in the trucking business. After retiring from Plains Chevrolet in 1985, he began working in the ranching and cattle business. He was a member of the Randall County Sheriffs Posse and the Palo Duro Rangers, where he was past president. He assisted in organizing the Pony Express Races and worked as a horse judge at the Tri-State Fair. He was a member of Paramount Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Cleo Cox; two daughters, Carlene Burk of Amarillo and Rebecca "Becky" Salazar of Phoenix; a son, Bobby Cox of Amarillo; a brother, Babe Cox of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Canyon Hank Decker Hank Decker, 83, of Canyon, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Private services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements were by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mr. Decker grew up in Richmond, Ind., and moved to Canyon in 1945. He played basketball at West Texas State University and went on to play in the National Basketball Association for Detroit and New York. He toured with the "House of David" professional team in Europe and toured for one season with the Washington Sentinels. Mr. Decker left professional basketball to run casinos at Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe and Korea. He retired in 1980 to raise Malemute / Timber Wolf and pan for gold on the Snake River. He was a member of the Barn church in Hereford. Survivors include a son, Mike Decker of Canyon; and a daughter, Susan Meredith of Albuquerque, N.M. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 New Mexico Erminda V. Flores CLOVIS, N.M. - Erminda V. Flores, 84, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in The Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church by the Rev. Carlos Chavez. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home Inc. Mrs. Flores was born in Puerta De Luna and moved to Clovis in 1945. She was a homemaker and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She married Frank B. Flores in 1932 at Santa Rosa. He died in 1993. Survivors include a son, Frank M. Flores of Clovis; four daughters, Paula Rodriquez of Clovis, Patricia Witt of Ruidoso, Rita Bumgarner of Selma, Calif., and Vivianne Knobloch of Austin, Texas; two brothers, Arcenio Valverde of Whittier, Calif., and Luis Valverde of Yuma, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and seven greatgreat-grandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Pauline Alice Pape CLOVIS, N.M. - Pauline Alice Pape, 66, died Friday, May 12, 2000. Graveside services were at 3 p.m. Saturday in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens with the Rev. James Robbins officiating. Arrangements were by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Ms. Pape was born in Curry County and had been a resident of Clovis for the past six years, moving from Snyder, Texas. She was a bowling alley manager and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Survivors include a son, Dwain Pape of Big Spring, Texas; a daughter, Linda Zbitowsky of San Angelo; three brothers, Earl Riley and John Riley, both of Clovis and James Riley of Fort Worth, Texas; two sisters, Betty Guthals and Margaret Brewer, both of Clovis; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Bessie Parker CLOVIS, N.M. - Bessie Parker, 86, died Friday, May 12, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. MST Monday in Wheeler Mortuary Chapel at Portales with the Rev. Gene Hawkins, interim pastor of Central Baptist Church of Clovis, officiating, and the Rev. Glen Edwards, pastor of Causey Baptist Church, assisting. Burial will be at 4 p.m. CDT in Dreamland Cemetery at Turkey, Texas. Mrs. Parker was born in Turkey. After marrying H.H. "Herb" Parker in 1934 at Turkey, they lived in Turkey until moving to Ropesville, Texas, in 1947. In 1953, they moved to Causey, where they farmed. Her husband died in 1991, and she moved to Clovis in 1992. She was a member of the Central Baptist Church, where she was active in her Sunday school class and the Women's Missionary Union. She was also a member of the Causey Baptist Church and the Causey Homemaker's Club. Survivors include two sons, Dwight Parker of Norwood, Colo., and Joe Parker of Clovis; three daughters, Reita Fietz of Kingsland, Texas, Shirley Clavel of Tempe, Ariz., and Vickie Wilkerson of Portales; seven sisters, Oline Dumont of Paducah, Lorene Collins of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Florene Wynn of Florida, Evelyn Lyles of Lubbock, Texas, Joyce Plaster of Rantoul, Ill., Jean Brantley of Mabank, Texas, and Sue George of Plainview, Texas; 14 grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Charlotte G. McCarty NARA VISA, N.M. - Charlotte G. McCarty, 63, died Friday, May 12, 2000. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. MST Monday in Nara Visa Cemetery with her sons, Jack McCarty and Rick McCarty officiating. Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mrs. McCarty was born in Tucumcari and was a longtime resident of Nara Visa. She was a homemaker and a member of the Nara Visa Methodist Church. She was a doll collector and historian. Survivors include her husband, Jack McCarty; two sons, Jack McCarty Jr. of Logan and Rick McCarty of Fort Myers, Fla.; and 10 grandchildren. Viewing will be from 1:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. MST today at the funeral home. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Oklahoma Opal Ruth Robinson TYRONE, Okla. - Opal Ruth Robinson, 56, died Friday, May 12, 2000, in Liberal, Kan. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Tyrone United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kim Alan Domnick and the Rev. Bill Prater officiating. Burial will be in the Tyrone Cemetery by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home of Hooker. Mrs. Robinson was born in Syracuse, Kan., and attended schools in the Syracuse, Turpin-Baker and Tyrone areas. She later moved to Tyrone, where she operated the OK Day Care. She was a member of Tyrone United Methodist Church, where she led the youth group and served as a Sunday school teacher and liturgist. She married Kennith Robinson in 1961 at Clayton, N.M. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Treva Bradford of Dumas; three sons, Trent Robinson, Tracy Robinson and Troy Robinson, all of Tyrone; three brothers, Ralph Spreier of Oklahoma City, Kenneth Spreier of Enid and Jimmy Spreier of Okeene; five sisters, Margaret McCree of Golden, Colo., Georgia Spreier of Enid, Marjorie Brown of Turpin, Arlene Hoeme of Liberal and Marlene Yarbro of Bridgeport; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Tyrone United Methodist Church. Memorials will be accepted at the funeral home. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Kevin Wagoner BEAVER, Okla. - Kevin Wagoner, 29, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in Beaver First Baptist Church with Dr. Don Rogers officiating. Burial will be in the Pioneer Cemetery by Clark Funeral Service. Mr. Wagoner was born in Beaver. After graduating from Beaver High School in 1989, he worked as a derrick hand for Leonard Hudson Rig No. 2. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and was a Cheyenne. He married Martha Means in 1999 in Beaver. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Shayne Leigh Rutherford of Fort Sill, and Mikel Estala Wagoner, Jaime Montgomery Estala Wagoner, and Jordan McKenzi Estala Wagoner, all of Beaver; two daughters, Sheridan Leslie Rutherford and Janene Marie Estala Wagoner, both of Beaver; his parents, Wayne and Carmen Wagoner of Beaver; and a brother, Robby Wagoner of Seaford, Va. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Area Frank Burge PLAINVIEW - Frank Burge, 84, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Dr. Travis Hart, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Parklawn Memorial Gardens. Mr. Burge was born and raised in Fields, N.M. He served for the U.S. Calvary 1935-38 and worked for the Santa Fe Railway. He moved to Plainview in 1952 and worked as a carpenter until he retired in 1985. He was a member and deacon of College Heights Baptist Church and later became a member of the First Baptist Church, where he also served as deacon. He married Dona Wyatt in 1938 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; and two daughters, Janet Burge of San Antonio and Joyce Burge of Topeka, Kan. The family suggests memorials be to Vista Care Family Hospice, 4418 Olton Rd., Plainview, TX 79072. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Joe Spinhirne VEGA - Joe Spinhirne, 89, died Friday, May 12, 2000, in Amarillo. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the church with the Rev. Pat Carathers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Vega Cemetery by Vega Funeral Home. Mr. Spinhirne was a lifelong resident of Vega. He was a farmer and a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Hons Spinhirne, in 1995. Survivors include three sons, Raymond Spinhirne of Austin, James Spinhirne of Albuquerque, N.M., and Charles Spinhirne of Vega; a brother, Glen Spinhirne of Vega; a sister, Rose Hons of Georgetown; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Vega E.M.T.s, P.O. Box 411, Vega, TX 79092. Viewing will be until 7 p.m. today at the church. The family will be at Charles Spinhirne's residence in Vega. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Arminda Nunez PERRYTON - Arminda Nunez, 73, formerly of Perryton, died Thursday, May 11, 2000, in Liberal, Kan. Graveside services were at 4 p.m. Saturday in Ochiltree County Cemetery near Perryton with Monsignor Rex Nicholl officiating. Arrangements were by Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Booker. Mrs. Nunez was born in Alice, where she attended schools. She married Rene Benavidez at Alice and worked as a housekeeper. In 1964, she married Alfonso Nunez at Spearman. They lived in rural Hansford County and farmed. Mrs. Nunez moved to Perryton after the death of her husband. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In 1989, she moved to Good Samaritan Nursing Home at Liberal. Survivors include two daughters, Belinda Jimenez and Linda Hernandez, both of Perryton; a brother, Melquiades Lerma of El Paso; and four grandsons. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Marcelina Perez DIMMITT - Marcelina "Cora" Perez, 84, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Vigil services were Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Services were at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church with the Rev. Fern Couture, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Castro Memorial Gardens by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Directors. Mrs. Perez was born in Del Rio. She attended schools in Melvin and moved to Castro County in 1950. She was a homemaker and a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Guadalupanas. She married Santos Perez Sr. in 1935 at Brady. He died in 1997. She also was preceded in death by a son, Manuelito Perez; and a daughter, Selia Cabrera. Survivors include two daughters, Janie Ramirez of Dimmitt and Betty Gonzalez of Amarillo; two sons, Santos Perez Jr. of Dimmitt and Robert Perez of Milford, Ohio; a sister, Julia Arrendondo of Brownwood; 22 grandchildren; 29 greatgrandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Mary Thelma Smith FRITCH - Mary Thelma Smith, 92, died Friday, May 12, 2000. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Westlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Ricky Griffin, pastor of First Baptist Church in Sanford, officiating. Interment will be in the Garden of the Good Shepherd at the cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Smith was born in Calhoun County, W.Va., and moved from Louisiana to Fritch in 1931. She was a charter member of the First Southern Baptist Church, the Sunshine Club and arts and crafts clubs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Smith, in 1969. Mrs. Smith is survived by a sister, Pauline Smith of Ohio, and a niece. The family suggests memorials be to the Sunshine Club. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Raymond Ortiz BORGER - Raymond Ortiz, 69, died Thursday, May 11, 2000. Services will be held at a later date in Chihuahua, Mexico. Burial will be in El Salitre Cemetery in Cienega de Ortiz, Mexico. Local arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. Ortiz was born in Chihuahua and worked as a ranch hand. He married Epigmenia Mendoza in 1959 at Chihuahua. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Omero Ortiz of Borger, Rafael Ortiz of Hobbs, N.M., Saul Ortiz of Odessa, and Armando Ortiz of Stinnett; a daughter, Silvia Tabarez of Borger; two brothers, Esequiel Ortiz of Chihuahua and Jose Dela Luz Ortiz of Juarez, Mexico; a sister, Otila Ortiz of Chihuahua; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 William Denver Campbell BORGER - William Denver "Red" Campbell, 93, died Saturday, May 13, 2000. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Westlawn Cemetery with the Rev. Leonard Forsythe, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. Campbell was born in Rust, La., and had lived in Borger for 74 years. He was the owner of Campbell Grading Contractor and was a Christian Scientist. His wife, Minnie Lee Campbell, died in 1989. Survivors include a son, James Donald Campbell of Borger; a daughter, Wanda Klause of Borger; three sisters, Martha Lloyd of Waco, Mildred Espey of San Antonio, and Mamie Hays of Guthrie; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000 Floyd E. Lechner DUMAS - Floyd E. Lechner, 74, died Saturday, May 13, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in North Plains Christian Church with the Rev. Don Willingham, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Lechner was born in Sedan, N.M., and lived in Dalhart before moving to Dumas in 1973. During World War II, he served with the Navy. He was a cowboy and a member of North Plains Christian Church, where he was a deacon. He married Janna Lechner in 1956 at Clayton, N.M. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Debora Miller of Laramie, Wyo., and Rebeca Milam of Sunray; a son, Harvey Lechner of Dumas; a sister, Dora Garrett of Diamond, Mo.; and six grandchildren. The family will be at 916 S. Maddox and suggests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. Second, Dumas, TX 79029; North Plains Christian Church, 702 Birge, Dumas, TX 79029; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Sunday News-Globe May 14, 2000