Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 8 Aug 2001 Thanks to http://www.amarillonet.com/ for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright, http://www.amarillonet.com/ ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** All Obits - Text Only Area Derl O. Boyd LEFORS - Derl O. "Seaboard" Boyd, 71, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Lefors with the Rev. Lewis Ellis, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Heights Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Boyd worked for The Service Co. in 1947 and the Seaboard Co. in 1950, which later became Texaco, retiring as a pumper in 1988. He served in the Army during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, Mary L. Boyd; five sons, Dennis Boyd and David Boyd, both of Lefors, Rickey Gilbert and Chris Gilbert, both of Houston, and Bobby Gilbert of Oklahoma City; three daughters, Debra Diane Alexander of Mayfield, Ky., Betty Cockrell of Glen Rose and Debra Jenian Tolbert of Tulsa, Okla.; a brother, Odel Boyd of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Lometa Pennington of Zwolle, La., and Renae Porter of Stillwater, Okla; 25 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Winther Waden Brantley ABERNATHY - Winther Waden Brantley, 95, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001, in Hale Center. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Northside Baptist Church with the Rev. Hollis Shewmake, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Burial will be at Dreamland Cemetery in Turkey by Bartley-Silva Funeral Home of Plainview. Mr. Brantley lived at Turkey and Seymour before moving to Abernathy in 1972. He was a deacon, farmer and caretaker of Wichita Colony at Lake Kemp. Survivors include two sons, Daniel Brantley of Mabank and Garland Brantley of Abernathy; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Northside Baptist Church building fund, Box 790, Abernathy, TX, 79311. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 FULL COLUMN MUG Gaston Ira Wells: 1915-2001 Gaston Ira Wells DUMAS - Gaston Ira "Buck" Wells, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001, in Dumas. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Wagoner, pastor, and Dr. Clifford Trotter, retired Methodist minister of Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be at Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Wells was born on March 23, 1915, in Moore County, the only son and middle of five children born to James and Bessie Lee Walker Wells. His father, a farmer and cattleman, moved to Moore County in 1904. He attended the first nine years of school at Palo Duro school and after his freshman year he moved into Dumas so he could attend high school. In 1933, he graduated from Dumas High School. He married Ruth Troutman on May 23, 1937. A native resident of Moore County and longtime civic leader, Wells was named the first "Moore County Farmer-Rancher of the Year" presented by the Dumas Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wells helped organize the Dumas Co-op in 1947 and served on the board for 41 years. He was an organizer and director of the Dumas and Vicinity YMCA created in 1957. He served as trustee of McMurry University from 1967 until 1976. He also served as president of Moore County Farm Bureau. He was an organizer and director of Water Inc. He was a past president of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce. On Jan. 27, 1955, the North Plains Ground Water District was officially created and Mr. Wells was elected president of the board. He continued to be elected as the NPWD director for Moore County and president of the board until his term ended in May of 1994. However, his service to the district started before the election of 1955. He was very active in the early consideration for the creation of the district. He also served as president of the temporary board. In 1994, he received the Honorary Life Membership Award from the Texas Water Conservation Association. This is the highest award given by the association for outstanding leadership in the field of water conservation. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he helped pioneer the cattle feedlot industry on the North Plains. He joined with five other Moore County farmers and ranchers in organizing and building the county's first commercial feed yard in 1960 (Moore County Cattle Feeders) and served as vice president. His interest in the feed yard operation led to a second commercial feed yard, the sprawling Cactus Feeder in north Moore County. He served as a member of the board of directors of Amarillo Production Credit Association for 33 years and was president of the board the last 11 years. During that time he served on the advisory committee of the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Houston and was involved in the National Farm Credit Board of the Farm Credit Administration. In 1959, he was an organizer of the North Plains Savings and Loan Association and served on its board of directors until 1995. Mr. Wells was an active member and ardent supporter of First United Methodist Church for 69 years. He also was involved in New Beginnings, the Christian retreat center, located southwest of Dumas. Survivors include his wife, Ruth, a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Jerre Wells of Amarillo; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Mike Bennett of Lubbock and Janet and Jim McWhirter of Plano; two sisters, Bertie Murphy and Leota Wells; 11 grandchildren and spouses, Scott Wells and Shelia, Gary Wells and Jatawn, Rachel Wells, Jenks Currie and Erica, Audra Currie, Jeff Bennett and Alison, Mark Bennett and Viki, Whitney Donaldson and Jay, Ryan McWhirter, Zack McWhirter, Grant McWhirter; and six great-grandchildren, Bree Wells, Britton Wells, Cameron Sales, Chloe Bennett, Brittany Bennett and Melody Bennett and a host of extended family and friends. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 401 Binkley, Dumas, TX 79029; Ceta Canyon Methodist Encampment of Happy or Memorial Hospice, 209 S. Bliss, Dumas, TX 79029. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 E.O. Kelly BRISCOE - E.O. Kelly, 78, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church of Wheeler with the Rev. B.A. Hyatt of Lubbock officiating. Burial will be in Zybach Cemetery in Wheeler County by Wright Funeral Home of Wheeler. Mr. Kelly was born Nov. 27, 1922, in Cass, Ark. He moved to Briscoe in 1941. He married Alice Helton on Nov. 26, 1942. He was a farmer and rancher in the Allison and Briscoe communities. Mr. Kelly was a member of Briscoe Assembly of God Church. He served on the Wheeler County Appraisal Board, the Farm Bureau Board and the Translator Board. Mr. Kelly was preceded in death by a brother, Jess Kelly; and by two sisters, Zona Edwards and Oma Plymale. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Elizabeth Meers of Briscoe and Pampa, Diann Rose of Canyon, Janice McCloy of Morse and Linda Thomas of Dalhart; four sisters, Patricia Swearengin, Linda Jo Hipsher, Mary Sue Lowrimore and Pandora Frazer, all of Mulberry, Ark.; three brothers, Jimmy Kelly of Kennewick, Wash., and Doug Smalley and Ray Dale Smalley, both of Mulberry; and six grandchildren, Ginger Meers of Pampa, Jared Johnson of Lubbock, Kirby Johnson of Morse, Kelly and Savannah Rose, both of Canyon and Bethany Thomas of Dalhart. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Briscoe Community Church. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Lloyd Daniel Littlefield GROOM - Lloyd Daniel Littlefield, 82, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Jericho Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mr. Littlefield was born Feb. 18, 1919, in Sunset, Wise County. He was a Wheeler County resident until age 7, when his family moved to Wayside. He moved from Jericho to Groom in 1970. He married Verda Lee James on May 31, 1941, at Panhandle. He had been a farmer and rancher most of his life. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Verda Littlefield of Groom; three sons, Lloyd Littlefield of McLean, Leroy Littlefield of Rosenberg and Jerry Littlefield of Waelder; a brother, John Littlefield of Muleshoe; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Casket bearers are Russell Littlefield, Jim Bob Adams, John McMordie, Mark Littlefield and Greg Littlefield, all grandsons of Mr. Littlefield. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Edward S. Williams PAMPA - Dr. Edward S. Williams, 83, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Todd Dyess officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Dr. Williams was born in Plainview and grew up in Lubbock. He attended Texas Tech and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1942. He joined the Navy and served a year as an intern at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. He married Mary Earle Sansom in 1942. He was then placed as a medical officer with the 1st Marine Division, serving two years in the South Pacific during World War II. He received two presidential citations and a promotion to lieutenant commander as a result of his tour of duty. He spent one year practicing in Levelland, then moved to Pampa in 1947 where he practiced obstetrics and pediatrics, retiring in 1984. He delivered over 5,000 babies during his years in practice. After retiring, he served as city health officer from 1984 to 1994. He was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Texas Department of Health for 12 years of volunteer service with the Pampa Health Department. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was past president of the Rotary Club, a former member of the board of trustees of Coronado Hospital, and the American and Texas Medical Associations. He also served on the first board of directors of Tralee Crisis Center. A licensed pilot himself, he was a medical examiner of pilots for the Federal Aviation Administration from 1966 to 1996. Survivors include his wife; a son, Rev. Sansom Williams and his wife, Jan, of Austin; two daughters, Mary Ellen Coon and her husband, Sanford, of Austin and Anne Martin and her husband, Jim, of Austin; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to the First United Methodist Church of Pampa; the March of Dimes; a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Mozell Phipps HEREFORD - Mozell Phipps, 79, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Thomas Episcopal Church with the Rev. Lemuel Salik, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mrs. Phipps was a telephone operator. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, W.A. "Bill" Phipps; two daughters, Sylvia Rupert of Dallas and Margaret Crayton of Arlington; two sisters, June Fielder of Hereford and Gladys Brown of Sunray; two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice or Hereford Senior Citizens. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Carlos Socorro Alvidrez PERRYTON - Carlos Socorro Alvidrez, 28, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Services will be in Meoqui, Chihuahua, Mexico. Burial will be in Meoqui Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton. Mr. Alvidrez worked in the oil field construction business. Survivors include his wife, Blanca Orena Alvidrez; a son, Carlos Alberto Alvidrez Jr. of Perryton; a daughter, Blanca Isela Alvidrez of Perryton; his parents, Rodolfo and Maria Alvidrez of Mexico; two brothers, Rodolfo Alvidrez Jr. and Omar Alvidrez, both of Perryton; and three sisters, Angelica Alvidrez, Lucia Alvidrez and Idalia Alvidrez, all of Mexico. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Amarillo Email mug - ONE COL PHOTO Grace Louise Schwan: 1921-2001 Grace Louise Schwan Grace Louise Schwan, 80, of Amarillo, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Llano Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. today in Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Franklin Williams, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Schwan was born July 17, 1921, in LaJunta, Colo., to George and Lula Carpenter. She and her husband John graduated from Amarillo High School in the class of 1939. She married John Schwan on Aug. 31, 1942, in Amarillo. She was very active in Covenant Presbyterian Church. In August 1999, she received an Honorary Life Membership Award from the Presbyterian Women. Survivors include her husband; a brother, Virgil Carpenter and wife, Olledine, and family; cousins, Wanda Milligan, Ruthann Clayton and husband, Roger, and family and Julie Pearson; a sister-in-law, Jack Schwan; a niece, Judy Garrett and husband, Bill, and family; and special friends, Ray and Joy Clark. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1400 Wolflin, Amarillo, TX 79109; or BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. She was loved by all who knew her. She was a caring, giving person with a true servant's heart. She will be greatly missed. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 1/2 COL MUG Margarette Bixenman: 1935-2001. Margarette Bixenman Margarette Bixenman, 66, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Brentwood Chapel of Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St., with Monsignor Joe Bixenman and Jay Roberson officiating. Mrs. Bixenman was born in Silverton. She married Timothy Bixenman in Amarillo on Feb. 23, 1991. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ottie Lee; a son, Gary Lynn Keasler; and a granddaughter, Amber Starleen Keasler. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Steven Keasler of Amarillo and Michael Jay Keasler of Mesquite; a stepson, Timothy Bixenman Jr.; four stepdaughters, Stacie Lynn Bixenman, Gina Ann Pattie, Sarah Nicole Bixenman and Trisha Michelle Bixenman, all of Amarillo; two brothers, Billy Rexrode of Dumas and Donald Rexrode of Brownfield; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors at Schooler Funeral Home from 7 to 8 p.m. today. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 1/2 COL MUG Hope Halley: 1924-2001. Hope Halley Hope Halley, 77, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Monsignor Ray Crosier officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Halley worked in bookkeeping for Santa Fe Railway and Plains Creamery. She also worked for Lewis Picture Frames for 14 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Timothy Halley, in 1983; and her son, Michael Halley, in 1999. Survivors include a daughter, Marie Merrill of Maumee, Ohio; a sister, Helen Lewis of Amarillo; a grandson; five great-grandchildren; and a special friend, D.O. Hobson of Amarillo. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001; or American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Donna Jean Barber Donna Jean Barber, 57, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2001. No services are planned. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Barber was born in Fort Worth and had lived in Amarillo for 21 years. She was a night auditor at the Executive Inn. Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Barber; and two sisters, Mary Hightower of Springtown and Shirlee Gillmore of Childress. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Dorothy Jeannette Mullen Dorothy Jeannette Mullen, 89, of Amarillo, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Fairview Cemetery of Pampa with Dr. Murray Gossett of First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Miss Mullen was born in Pampa and lived on a farm there until she was a junior in high school. She graduated from Pampa High School in 1929. Her father was Charles Thomas Mullen and her mother was Wardie Alice Barbee. Miss Mullen worked for the Welfare Services, Texas Employment Services and for the Boy Scouts of America in Pampa for 51/2 years. She moved to Amarillo in 1943 to work for the Boys Scouts of America, retiring in 1976. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo, where she served as an elder. She also was a charter member of the Northminster Presbyterian Church, where she also served as an elder. Her grandfather, C.L. Mullen, came to the Texas Panhandle in 1907 and moved to Pampa. Survivors include nephews, Robert Mullen of Seattle and William T. Mullen of Albuquerque, N.M.; a niece, Marsha Lewis of Tigard, Ore.; 11 great-nieces and great-nephews; and 21 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Darrell Gene Ritchie Darrell Gene Ritchie, 58, of Amarillo, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Howard Baston, senior pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Ritchie was born in Decatur and had lived most of his life in Amarillo. He was a scrap metal worker. Survivors include three daughters, Dianna Lynn Noble, Heather Dannette Sanders and Susan Marie Langwell, all of Amarillo; his mother, Ruby Claire Ritchie of Amarillo; and six sisters, Beverly Dalton, Cindy Cazzell, Janie Knox, Kay Sherlock, Pat Darby and Joyce Nell. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 1/2 COL MUG Inez B. Olivas: 1911-2001 Inez B. Olivas Inez B. Olivas, 90, of Amarillo, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church by Monsignor Rex Nichols. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Olivas was born in New Mexico and moved to Amarillo in 1942. She worked as a housekeeper for years in Amarillo. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Mrs. Olivas was preceded in death by her husband, Conrad, in 1981; a son, Joe Miller, in 1932; and a daughter, Lucy, in 1999. Survivors include a son, Patrick Olivas of Amarillo; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Harold Mathis Rev. Harold Mathis, 71, of Amarillo, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Vurn Martin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Mathis was born Aug. 15, 1929, in Clarksville, Red River County. He was a veteran of the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a corporal from the Army. He received his certification in pastoral ministry from Amarillo College. He served as pastor of El Bethel Baptist Church in Amarillo. He was a member of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church. He worked for EZ Tight Insulation and was self-employed at Mathis Air Speed. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Theola Mathis of Amarillo; four daughters, Caroll Mathis, Pauline Mathis and Gala Mathis, all of Amarillo and Cynthia Mathis of Dallas; a son, Harold Mathis of Amarillo; a sister, Sally Coleman of Wichita, Kan.; six brothers, L.T. Mathis of Fort Worth, Clarence Nelson and Lonnie Nelson, both of Amarillo, Billy Ray Nelson and Merk Nelson, both of Wichita and Willie Nelson of Jacksonville. The family will be at 2004 Ron St. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 New Mexico Joann Wagner PORTALES, N.M. - Joann Wagner, 62, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001, in Lubbock, Texas. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Memorial Heights Cemetery at Lefors, Texas, with the Rev. Lewis Ellis, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lefors, officiating. Additional memorial services will be scheduled in Portales at a later date. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa, Texas. Mrs. Wagner was a practicing registered nurse for many years in Pennsylvania. She had lived in Portales since November 1996 and was in the process of moving to Lefors at the time of her death. Survivors include four daughters, Katherine Green of Lefors, Deborah Greber of Tamaqua, Pa., Marybeth Brown of Garland, Texas and Donna McElwee of Clifton Heights, Pa.; a son, David Wagner of Philadelphia; a sister, Doris Cripps of Hilltop, N.J.; a brother, Raymond Haring of Locust Valley, Barnesville, Pa.; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Elsewhere Mary Hill HAMLIN - Mary Moore Hill, 94, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2001, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Moore Family Cemetery of Hamlin with the Rev. Jeff Sedberry officiating. Arrangements are by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Hill had been a resident of Hamlin since 1940. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Jimmy Lassiter of Hereford; a daughter, Nancy Winters of Fritch; three sisters, Ella Hoenehs and Sally Lee, both of Crane and Eva Hagle of Midland; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 George W. Brewer HOUSTON - George W. Brewer, 71, died July 1, 2001. Memorial services were at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 5, 2001, at J.B. Earthman-Tanglewood, in Houston. Private burial was in Houston National Cemetery. Mr. Brewer was born in Elk City, Okla., on Jan. 22, 1930, to Bert and Cora Brewer. He had been a resident of Houston for more than 25 years. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; three children, Gaylene, Gary and Gregg; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials, in lieu of flowers, be to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Bruce Dee Anderson BLACK CANYON CITY, Ariz. - Bruce Dee Anderson, 40, died Tuesday, July 31, 2001. Services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Rude Family Northwest Mortuary at Phoenix. Mr. Anderson was born in Amarillo. He had been a resident of Black Canyon City for one year. Survivors include his wife, Sandra; a son, Kehnan; a daughter, Khori; a stepson, Robert; a stepdaughter, Sara; and his mother, Kathryn Anderson of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 8, 2001 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/080801/obi_allobits.shtml