Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 29 Jun 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; Thursday, June 29, 2000, 6:00 AM Area Sam A. Byers Johnnie Mae Byers DALHART - Sam A. Byers, 77, died Friday, May 19, 2000, in Greenville. Johnny Mae Byers, 80, died Sunday, June 25, 2000, in Greenville. Both are former Dalhart residents. Joint memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Sullivan Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. David Jones, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Dalhart Memorial Cemetery at Dalhart with the Rev. Rusty Hancock officiating. Mr. Byers was born in 1923 at Chillicothe. He served in the Army and was a retired auto mechanic. Mrs. Byers was born in Seymour. The couple married in 1958 at Vernon and moved to Dalhart in 1963. Their survivors include two sons, Sammy Byers of Fort Worth and Raymond Byers of Greenville; two daughters, Sue Streit of Vernon and Jannell Davis of Amarillo; 20 grandchildren; and 15 greatgrandchildren. Mr. Byers also is survived by three sisters, Mary Green of Seagraves and Betty Wall and Martha Boyd, both of Vernon. Mrs. Byers also is survived by two brothers, Arble Wooten and Frank Wooten, both of El Cajon, Calif. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Alvaro Valenzuela PANHANDLE - Alvaro Valenzuela, 22, died Sunday, June 25, 2000, in Angel Fire, N.M. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today in St. Theresa's Catholic Church by the Rev. Jim Hutzler, pastor, and the Rev. Hoffman, pastor of St. Laurence Catholic Church of Amarillo. Arrangements are by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Home. Mr. Valenzuela was born in Groom and was a lifetime resident of Panhandle. He graduated from Panhandle High School in 1996. He was a junior at Central State College and was planning to transfer to Tarlton State College. Survivors include his parents, Alvardo and Marie Ann Valenzuela of Panhandle; and two brothers, Jose Valenzuela of Amarillo and Johnny Valenzuela of Panhandle. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Frances A. Whittenberg PAMPA - Frances A. Whittenberg, 60, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000, in McLean. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. John Valdez, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Whittenberg was born in Childress. She lived in Amarillo for 45 years. She attended Amarillo schools and was a bookkeeper for D&S Pharmacy in Amarillo. She moved to Pampa in 1995. She was a Catholic. She married Robert Wayne Robbins in 1953 at Amarillo. Survivors include two daughters, Kim Hurst of Pampa and Rebecca Bulman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; three sons, Mark Robbins of Lovington, Okla., Jerry Robbins of Fort Lauderdale and Kevin Wilson of Pampa; a sister, Jackie Gregory of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Floyd Edward Medley FLOYDADA - Floyd Edward Medley, 84, died Monday, June 26, 2000, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Ione Sedinger, pastor of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Floydada Cemetery. Mr. Medley was born in Quinlan. He attended schools in Agra, Okla., and was a lifelong resident of Floydada. During World War II, he served with the Army. He was a retired truck driver and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rachel Medley. Survivors include a son, Mike Medley of Santa Ana, Calif.; a daughter, Ilene Cameron of Arizona; a brother, Jack F. Medley of Dove Creek, Colo.; two sisters, Evalene Goodnight of Floydada and Lorene Ford of Agra; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 LaRue Grant Trottman HIGGINS - LaRue Grant Trottman, 89, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Higgins Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Morris, officiating. Arrangements are by Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Shattuck, Okla. Mr. Trottman was born in Higgins. He was raised in Lipscomb County and was a lifelong resident. He was a gun enthusiast and a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He married Lucille Young in 1952 at Las Vegas. She died in 1989. Memorials should go to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Opal Nelson DIMMITT - Opal Nelson, 89, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. today in Fourth and Bedford Church of Christ with Chuck Ball, pastor, King Burney, pastor of College Church of Christ in Junction, and Ronnie Parker officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Directors. Mrs. Nelson was born in Coleman. She lived in Abernathy from 1949 to 1970 and moved from Guymon, Okla., to Dimmitt in 1980. She was a homemaker and a member of Fourth and Bedford Street Church of Christ. She was a past member of the Anton Home Demonstration Club. She married Clarence Nelson in 1934 at Altus, Okla. He died in 1997. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Kent, in 1979. Survivors include three sons, Dan Nelson and Corky Nelson both of Dimmitt and Jim Nelson of Lubbock; a daughter, Earlene Myatt of Dimmitt; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Children's Home of Lubbock or a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Joan Rita Harbison NAZARETH - Joan Rita Harbison, 62, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000. Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today in the CCD building. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Holy Family Catholic Church with the Rev. Fern Couture of The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Dimmitt officiating. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery by FoskeyLilley-McGill Funeral Directors. Mrs. Harbison was born in Tulia. She grew up in Nazareth and was lifelong resident. In 1956, she graduated from Nazareth High School. She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church. Survivors include a daughter, Danlee Brown of Happy; three sons, Kevin Harbison and David Harbison, both of Hereford and B.J. Harbison of Nazareth; three sisters, Mary Lou Birkenfeld of Nazareth and Grace Chism and Veronica Brown, both of Amarillo; three brothers, Jerry Lange of Nazareth, Tom Lange of Hereford and Bill Lange of Gainesville; and four grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing until 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 William John Messick PLAINVIEW - William John Messick, 82, died Monday, June 26, 2000. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with Dr. Max Browning, pastor, and the Rev. Kendall S. Bridges, pastor of the Worship Center in Houston, officiating. Arrangements are by Lemons Funeral Home. Mr. Messick was born in Northfield, Motley County and moved to Newlin in 1918. In 1928, he moved to the Snyder Community in Hale County. He was active in the 4-H Club. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1936 and entered Texas A&M University. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater for the Navy. Mr. Messick returned to Hale County and married Hazel White in 1945 at Plainview. They moved to Hereford in 1951, where they farmed. In 1970, they returned to Plainview and he worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce until his retirement. He was a member of the Plainview First United Methodist Church, the Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He also was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite and Shrine. Mr. Messick was preceded in death by a son, William Robert Messick, in 1987. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jane Mueller of Houston; a sister, LaTrice Dean of Amarillo; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 1001 W. Seventh, Plainview, TX 79072; Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79105-9985; or, Hospice Hands of West Texas, P.O. Box 1118, Lockney, TX 79241. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Roy Dale Underwood DIMMITT - Roy Dale Underwood, 68, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rusty Dickerson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Directors. Mr. Underwood was born in Lorenzo. He grew up in Springlake and graduated from Springlake High School. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a farmer, retiring in 1988. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Porsch of Dimmitt; two sons, Roger Underwood and Danny Underwood, both of Dimmitt; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 110 S.W. Third St., Dimmitt, TX 79027. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Joshua Sexton PADUCAH - Joshua Sexton, 20, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Roy C. Keith, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Seigler Funeral Home. Mr. Sexton was born in Vernon. He was a lifelong resident of Paducah and graduated from Paducah High School in 1998. He worked with his father, an oil field contractor. Survivors include his parents, Terry and Vickie Sexton of Paducah; a sister, Nakia Sexton of Paducah; and grandparents, Arlie and Demeris Chaney and Kenneth and Doris Glidewell, all of Paducah. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Joe Bob Crowell CHILDRESS - Joe Bob Crowell, 47, formerly of Flomot, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church of Turkey with the Rev. Melvin Clinton, pastor, and the Rev. Michael Arndt, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Childress, officiating. Arrangements are by Myers-Long Funeral Directors in Turkey. Mr. Crowell was born in Matador. He retired as road master from Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway after 25 years. He was a member of the Fairmount Baptist Church. He married Joan Ferguson in 1975 at Turkey. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Claudia Crowell Strode of Flagler, Colo.; a son, Jarrod Crowell of Fort Hood; a brother, Lynn Crowell of Fort Collins, Colo.; and a grandson. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Amarillo Scott W. Anderson Scott W. Anderson, 70, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Paramount Baptist Church with the Rev. F.M. Byford, retired minister, and the Rev. Victor Miller, associate minister, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Anderson was born in Decatur. He graduated from Custer City High School at Custer City, Okla. He had been sales coordinator for Ponca Wholesale. He moved to Amarillo in 1953 from Roosevelt, Okla. He served as a bailiff for Randall County from 1988 to 1999. He was a member of Paramount Baptist Church, Amarillo Executive Club and Southwest Basketball Officials Association. Mr. Anderson's first wife, Patsy Watson, preceded him in death in 1968. He married Sharon Tole in 1970 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; a son, Shane Anderson of Canyon; and a brother, Fred Anderson of Oklahoma City. The family suggests memorials be to Paramount Baptist Church building fund or mission fund; BSA Hospice; or Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center. The family will be at 8415 Olympia. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Billie Jean McMorries Billie Jean McMorries, 72, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Southwest Church of Christ with Brent Adams and Ben Mereness officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. McMorries was born in Mountain View, Okla. She earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1949 at the University of Oklahoma, and she played tennis. She was a teacher and physical education instructor. She was a member of the Southwest Church of Christ and the Engineers' Wives' Organization. She married Bill McMorries in 1949 at Cordell, Okla. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Stephanie Ann Brennen of Amarillo and Marcia Lynn Weaver of Plano; a son, Kim Elliot McMorries of Nacogdoches; a sister, Artema Buie of Amarillo; and eight grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, 1501 W. 58th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79110. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Minnie Pearl Harvey Minnie Pearl Harvey, 55, of Amarillo, died Monday, June 26, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. Kenneth Smith, pastor of Eastridge Victory Tabernacle Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Harvey was born in Turkey. She moved to Amarillo from Pampa in 1970. She was a homemaker and child care provider. She was a member of Eastridge Victory Tabernacle Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a song leader. She married Larry D. Harvey in 1970 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Michelle L. Barty of Vacaville, Calif., Gloria K. Nelson of Chelsea, Okla., Vickie A. Shanks of Collinsville, Okla., and Jennifer L. Harvey of Amarillo; four sons, Larry W. Harvey and Sherman W. Harvey, both of Amarillo and Charles R. Welch and Elmer R. Welch, both of Chelsea; 28 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Eastridge Victory Tabernacle Church. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Jean Gabbard Jean Gabbard, 61, of Amarillo, died Monday, June 26, 2000. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with the Rev. Scott Greer, senior minister of Paramount Terrace Christian Church, officiating. Ms. Gabbard was born in Booneville, Ky. She was educated in nursing at Saint Anthony's School of Nursing and Amarillo College. She lived in Nashville, Tenn., for a short time, and returned to Amarillo in 1970. She was a registered nurse for Dr. Ted M. Nicklaus at High Plains Baptist Hospital, retiring in 1990. Ms. Gabbard volunteered for the Greater Amarillo Chapter of the American Red Cross and was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Survivors include three brothers, Bob Gabbard of Vega, Jake Gabbard of Port Orange, Fla., and Dennis Gabbard of Fort Worth; and two sisters, Shirley GabbardWood of Austin and Melinda Gabbard of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Camp Agape, 3321 Lewis Lane, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Chad Edward Campbell Chad Edward Campbell, 25, of Amarillo, died Sunday, June 25, 2000, in Angel Fire, N.M. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with Jud Wilhite, associate senior pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Campbell was born and raised in Amarillo. After graduating from Amarillo High School in 1992, he moved to Chile where he taught English language at the English Institute. He had been a ski instructor at the Red River Ski Basin and spent several years backpacking through Europe and South America. He was a senior at West Texas A&M University and working at the Big Texan Steak Ranch. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Louise Gambill of Pampa; his parents, Tom and Kim Campbell and Larry and Marilyn Weaver, all of Amarillo; a stepbrother, Charles Weaver of Sacramento, Calif.; a stepsister, Lagene Weaver of Sacramento; and his grandparents, Lucille Matthews of Cheyenne, Okla., Lynette Brown of College Station and Mac and Deanna Thrash of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to the March of Dimes. The family will be at 2818 John Drive and 4229 Farmers Ave. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 William T. Beaty William T. Beaty, 71, of Amarillo, died Monday, June 26, 2000. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Claude Tugwell officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Beaty was born in Havana, Ill. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He moved to Amarillo from Clinton, Iowa, in 1968. He was a truck driver. He married Opal Brook in 1965 at Beardstown, Ill. Survivors include his wife; and a son, Walter Brown of Amarillo. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Larry Glenn Cook Larry Glenn Cook, 41, of Amarillo, died Sunday, June 25, 2000, in Houston. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in San Jacinto United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Fitzgerald, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Claire Borthers Funeral Home of Houston. Mr. Cook was born in Hobbs, N.M., and was a lifelong resident of Amarillo. He graduated from River Road High School in 1978 and from Clarendon Junior College in 1980. In 1986, he received his degree in psychology from Texas Tech University. He worked on his master's degree at North Texas State University at Denton and had worked as a behavioral therapist for the Denton State School and Amarillo State School. Survivors include a son, Dalton-Lee Cook of Corpus Christi; his parents, Preston and Glennda Cook of Amarillo; a brother, David Cook of Dallas; a sister, Pamela Sirmon of Amarillo; and his grandparents, Glenn and Lucille Scott of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Dalton-Lee Preston Cook Education Fund, Amarillo National Bank, P.O. Box 1, Amarillo, TX; or, San Jacinto Untied Methodist Church, 505 S. Tennessee St., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000 Canyon Francis M. Davis Francis M. "Frank" Davis, 74, formerly of Canyon, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000, in Stockton, Calif. Services will be Friday in First Baptist Church at Stockton. Arrangements are by Wallace-Martin Funeral Home in Stockton. Mr. Davis born in Castro County. He attended school in Arney, Blue Ridge, Happy and Canyon. During World War II, he served with the Army in the Pacific Theater. He had farmed in Randall County and later owned and operated a backhoe service in Las Vegas and Stockton. He married Una Bauer in 1945 at Amarillo. He married Charlotte Murdock in 1960 at Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by a son, Bill Davis, in 1979. Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Donna Key, Lynette Quigley, Edith Past and Alice Stubler, all of Las Vegas, and Kathryn Grabowski of Shippensburg, Pa.; two sons, Bruce Davis and Matt Davis, both of Stockton; three brothers, Wayne Davis of Pocatello, Idaho, Donald Davis of Amarillo and Gwen Davis of Bullhead City, Ariz.; a sister, Laura Herber of Escondido, Calif.; four stepchildren, Sharlene Kutch, Laurie Brown, Valerie and Mark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, 11461 S. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79118. Amarillo Daily News, June 29, 2000