Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 17 Jan 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; Monday, January 17, 2000, 5:34 AM Amarillo John Willburn John "Danny" Willburn, 63, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000, in Houston. Rosary was recited at 6 p.m. Sunday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 15th Avenue and Martin Road. Mass will be at 10 a.m. today in St. Martin Catholic Church with the Rev. John Hickey and Deacon Dick Willburn as celebrants. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Willburn was born in Fort Worth and had lived in Amarillo for more than 30 years before moving to Houston. He was a plumber and served in the Army. He married Carol Eckels in 1962. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Cindy Weatherly of Flower Mound; a son, Robert Willburn of Houston; his mother, Catherine Willburn of Amarillo; three brothers, Frank Willburn of Amarillo, James Willburn of Denver and Dick Willburn of Buena Vista, Colo.; two sisters, Cana Wright and Mary Bates, both of Amarillo; and two grandchildren. The family will be at 302 Rancho Trail and suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to St. Martin Catholic Church, Box 5053, Amarillo, TX 79117. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Eulajo Coonrod Eulajo Coonrod, 59, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2000. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Paramount Baptist Church with the Rev. Victor Miller, associate pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Coonrod was born in El Paso, and had lived in Amarillo since 1960. She was a homemaker and a member of Paramount Baptist Church. She married Larry W. Coonrod in 1960 at El Paso. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Sarah King of Amarillo and Deborah Gilbert of Dallas; a son, Micah Coonrod of Amarillo; four sisters, Rita Wagner of Denver, Mary Nelson of Athens, Ala., Deborah Jean Jones of Fort Worth, and Ellen Rodriquez of Athens; and a grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 Western, Amarillo, TX 79109; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 W.H. Cobb W.H. Cobb, 91, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard Batson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Cobb was born in Farming, Ky., and had lived in Amarillo since 1948. He worked for Mullin Motor Company in Paducah, Ky. He traveled for Meritt Clothing Company. He was part owner of clothing stores in Austin, San Antonio and Pampa. From 1948 until 1973, he owned and operated W.H. Cobb Clothiers. His wife, Mary Ellen Mall, died in 1999. Survivors include a daughter, Sally Croft of Amarillo; a son, David Cobb of Amarillo; a sister, Jessie Lee Cobb Farmer of Mayfield, Ky.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist Saint Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001; Cal Farley's Boy's Ranch and Affiliates, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174-0001; or Children's Home, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Steve G. Bruce Steve G. Bruce, 56, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth Ave. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Bruce was born in Sayre, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in 1972 from Happy. He was a farmer. Survivors include two sisters, Margie Shackelford and Sue Triplett, both of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Eunice H. White Eunice H. White, 78, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with Glen Walton officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. White was a housewife and the owner/operator of the Hillcrest Beauty Shop in Pampa. She married Foster White in 1968. He preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Jan Ironmonger of Artesia, N.M.; a son, Braxton Harper of Apache Junction, Ariz.; a brother, Don Hamrick of Superior, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will be at 333 Ford. They suggest memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Canyon Mohoto Isla Morgan Allen Mohoto Isla Morgan Allen, 83, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Holley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Noblett, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Post Cemetery at Post. Mrs. Allen was born in Post and moved to Canyon in 1972. She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She married Dick Allen in 1938 at Post. He died in 1993. Survivors include a son, Tommy John Allen of Canyon; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 New Mexico Eusebia M. Gutierrez CLOVIS, N.M. - Eusebia M. Gutierrez, 70, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000. Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Sunday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Mass will be at 10 a.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mission Gardens of Memories by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Gutierrez was born in Pastura and moved to Clovis in 1962. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Her husband, Manuel D. Gutierrez, died in 1974. She was also preceded in death by a son, Anthony Gutierrez, in 1979; and a great-grandson, Jeremiah Gutierrez, in 1999. Survivors include five sons, Chris Gutierrez, Steve Gutierrez, Jessie Gutierrez, and Albert Gutierrez, all of Clovis, and Pete Gutierrez of Ruidoso; six daughters, Lucy Leyba, Helen Sena, Jo Ann Gutierrez, Tina Gutierrez, Renee Aburto and Maurice Archuleta, all of Clovis; a brother, Ramon Duran of Clovis; two sisters, Tana Baca of Clovis and Lala Morales of Menard, Texas; 29 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Jason Christian TEXICO, N.M. - Jason Christian, 27, died Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000, in Lubbock. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Brown officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Terrace Memorial Cemetery at Farwell, Texas. Mr. Christian was born in Clovis and graduated from Texico High School in 1990. He had worked at Green Thumb Nursery in Clovis and was attending college in Lubbock. Survivors include his mother, Marie Christian of Texico; and two brothers, Steve Christian of Austin and Jeff Christian of Lubbock. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Jimmie Hardgrove CLOVIS, N.M. - Jimmie Hardgrove, 88, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Bader officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mr. Hardgrove was born in Burleson. He raised thoroughbred horses and was in the cattle business. In 1937, he moved with his father from Floydada, Texas, to Clovis, where they went into partnership with John Young in the Clovis Livestock Sale Barn. During World War II, he traveled the country buying horses and mules for the government. After selling the Clovis Livestock Sale Barn, he ran the registered horse sale until his retirement. He was a member of the Mounted Patrol, the Cattleman's Association and New Mexico Horse Breeders. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and was a charter member of the Men's Bible Class. Survivors include his wife, Gene; a son, Jim Hardgrove of Allen, Texas; a daughter, Betty Martin of Clovis; a sister, Elizabeth Nelson of Federal Way, Wash.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Harry Edward Eastham CLOVIS, N.M. - Harry Edward Eastham, 62, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000. Celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles F. Bader officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mr. Eastham was born in Clovis and graduated from Clovis High School in 1955. After attending the University of New Mexico he worked in the Civil Engineering Department of Santa Fe Railway. He was the Office Engineer in Clovis before transferring to Albuquerque, where he was a Divisional Office Engineer until his retirement. He served with the Army for six months and with the National Guard for 51/2 years. From 1971-85, Mr. Eastham served on the Clovis School Board and from 1971-80, he served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA. From 1981-85, he was the Chairman of the Board of Clovis High Plains Hospital, where he was also an Emeritus Board Member. He served on the Eastern New Mexico Campus Board, and from 1981-82, he served on the United Way Board. From 1986-98, he served on the First Savings Bank Board. Mr. Eastham was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board and as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Building Committee. He was also a member of the Clovis Rotary Club, where he served as president in 1978. He married Cathy Williams in 1961. Survivors include his wife; a son, Mark L. Eastham; a daughter, Melissa D. Eastham; two brothers, Carmel Eastham Jr., of Floydada, Texas, and Mike Eastham of Temple, Texas; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the New Mexico Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association; or First United Methodist Church Building Fund. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Oklahoma Grayce Iola Calhoon BEAVER, Okla. - Grayce Iola Calhoon, 83, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Pioneer Cemetery with Audie Brooks officiating. Arrangements are by Clark Funeral Service. Mrs. Calhoon was born in Toledo, Ohio, graduated from high school and attended two years of college. She was a dress shop owner in Beaver. She was a member of First Christian Church, a past member of the Beaver Garden Club, and a member of the China Painters of America. Twenty years ago, she moved to Oklahoma City. She married Dean Henry Calhoon Sr., in 1936 at Toledo. He died in 1970. Survivors include a son, Jim Calhoon of Beaver; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Area Elsie Frances Turner BOOKER - Elsie Frances Turner, 95, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church in Perryton with the Rev. Steve Ulrey officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Good Samaritan Funeral Service. Mrs. Turner was born in Marion, Kan., and settled with her family north of Canadian. She married Fred Turner at Canadian in 1923, and they farmed and ranched in the Notla Community until moving to Perryton in 1943. Her husband died in 1972 and she moved to Twin Oaks Manor in Booker in 1988. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Perryton. Her son, Kenneth, preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Cleo Crum of Darrouzett; a son, Bob Turner of Pompano Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Marge Hazlet of Borger and Josephine Gentellii of Arizona; two brothers, Ben Kelln of Waco and Dave Kelln of Canadian; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Twin Oaks Manor; or First United Methodist Church of Perryton. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Kyle Deon Murrell TULIA - Kyle Deon Murrell, 40, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Davenport officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mr. Murrell was born in Tulia and graduated from Tulia High School. He farmed in the Tulia area and was a member of First Baptist Church in Tulia. He married Juanita Maciel in 1992 at Tulia. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Brooke Nichole Murrell of Fort Worth; a stepdaughter, Samantha Lee Garza of Tulia; his father and stepmother, Paul and Ann Murrell of Tulia; his mother and stepfather, Loretta and Darrel Pierce of Kress; two brothers, Kevin Murrell of Giddings and Terry Murrell of Tulia; a sister, Tonya Kitchens of Kress; and grandparents, Carl and Violet Bradley of Ruidoso, N.M. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Maye Robb TULIA - Maye Robb, 92, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Rose Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Davenport, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Robb was born in Erath County. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Tulia and the Order of Eastern Star in Tulia. She married T.J. "Dick" Robb in 1944 at Quitaque. He died in 1981. Her son, Carroll Huckabay, died in 1992. Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Norma Huckabay of Tulia; five grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Buddy Pickens HEREFORD - Buddy Pickens, 65, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry Cosby, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mr. Pickens was born in Rio Hondo. He moved to Deaf Smith County in 1943 from Hidalgo County and graduated from Hereford High School in 1951. He was a mill foreman for Keeling Cattle Feeders and the 1997 Booster Club Fan of the Year. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He married Betty Arrington in 1955 at Hereford. She preceded him in death. Survivors include three daughters, Jackie Murphey and Jill Harrison, both of Hereford, and Jan Page of Garden City, Kan.; a son, Roger Pickens of Hereford; four sisters, Joan Yarbro and Ruth Newsom, both of Hereford, Betty Paetzold of Amarillo and Jane Wilson of Mannford, Okla.; and 10 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 George Gonzales DIMMITT - George Gonzales, 56, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Foskey, Lilley, McGill Funeral Home Ivey Chapel. Prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Foskey, Lilley, McGill Funeral Home Ivey Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Immaculate Conception Church with the Rev. Fern Couture as celebrant. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens. Mr. Gonzales was born in Mercedes. He was a maintenance assistant for Cerestar in Dimmitt and a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Dimmitt. He married Matilda Morales in 1972 at Muleshoe. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Debbie Ewing of Dallas; his mother, Petra Gonzales of Dimmitt; two sisters, Gloria Hernandez and Santos Mireles, both of Dimmitt; four brothers, Albert Gonzales of Richmond, Efrain Gonzales of Canyon, Pete Gonzales of Alvin, Eloy Gonzales of Houston and Albert Gonzales of Richmond; and four grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Ernest Anthony FRIONA - Ernest Anthony, 80, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m Tuesday in Friona United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Boren, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by EllisBlackwell Funeral Home. Mr. Anthony was born in Hobart, Okla., and had lived in Friona since 1924. He was a farmer and a member of Friona United Methodist Church, where he served as head usher. From 1978 until 1992, he was Parmer County Commissioner. He married Evalyn Gibbs in 1941 at Hobart. She died in 1993. Survivors include a daughter, Beverly Elam of Friona; a son, James D. Anthony of Friona; a brother, Jean K. Anthony of Friona; two sisters, Zonah Bass of Friona and Patsy Copley of Louden, Okla.; friend, Daphene Galloway of Rocky, Okla.; five grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Jose G. Juarez CACTUS - Jose G. Juarez, 54, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in the Parish Hall. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Richard Scully of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Dumas. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mr. Juarez was born in Porvenir, Chihuahua, Mexico and had lived in Moore County since 1976. He worked in road construction. He married Antonia Nolasco in 1975 at Clewiston, Fla. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Raul Juarez of Oakdale, La., and Luis Juarez of Cactus; five daughters, Carmen Juarez of Waukegan, Ill., Lourdes Fuentes and Patricia Juarez, both of Amarillo, Ana Maria Soto of Gruver, and Beatrice Juarez of Cactus; four brothers, Rafael Juarez of Lovington, N.M., Adrian Juarez of Andrews and Albert Juarez and Prisciliano Juarez, both of Las Cruces, N.M.; two sisters, Consuelo Juarez of Las Cruces and Marie del Pilar Juarez of Hobbs, N.M.; and 21 grandchildren. The family will be at 400 Winona. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Ralph M. Stephens ABERNATHY - Ralph M. Stephens, 88, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Abernathy Cemetery with Condy Billingsley and the Rev. David Menefee and David Bennett officiating. Arrangements are by Abell Funeral Home. Mr. Stephens was born in Dickens County and graduated from Girard High School. In 1936, he moved to Abernathy, where he was a farmer. In 1946, he began a plumbing business. He married Dorothy Petty in 1937 at Abernathy. His daughter, Ann Stephens Kindaid, died in 1969. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Ronnie Stephens of Graham, Gene Stephens of Abernathy and Sam Stephens of Turlock, Calif.; a daughter, Ruedelle Hill of Abernathy; a brother, A.R. Stephens of Amarillo; three sisters, Winona Ward of Post, Beth Evans of Abernathy and Othella Chandler of Dalhart; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a greatgreat-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Elsewhere James Dee Smith LUBBOCK - James Dee Smith, 73, died Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Cooper United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gary Boles officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park by Franklin Bartley Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born in Runnels County and graduated from New Home High School. He served with the Army during World War II and farmed in Lubbock and Lynn Counties until his retirement in 1988. He served on the boards of the Slide Coop Gin, the Lubbock Cooper Independent School District and the South Plains Telephone Coop. He was president of the Germania Insurance Local No. 197. He was a member of the Cooper United Methodist Church. He married Lila Ruth Williams in 1952 at Hale Center. She died in 1999. Survivors include two sons, Steve W. Smith and Jimmy Lee Smith, both of Slide; a daughter, Dee Ann Liles of Canyon; a brother, Bobby Joe Smith of Slide; and eight grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000 Josephine Griffith Douglass DALLAS - Josephine Griffith Douglass, 88, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. Private graveside services will be at Restland Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Restland Funeral Home. Mrs. Douglass was born in Kress and was a longtime resident of both Canadian and Amarillo. After receiving her bachelor of arts degree from North Texas State Teachers College and master's from West Texas State University, she was an educator for 30 years in Claude, Canadian and Amarillo in elementary and middle school. Her husband, Charles Russell Douglass, preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, Dr. Stanford Russell Douglass of Dallas; and a sister, Blanche Griffith Tole of Dallas. The family suggests memorials be to V.N.A. Hospice, 1440 W. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75247-4929. Amarillo Daily News Jan. 17, 2000