Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 10 Apr 2001 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 ==================================================================== Eugene Eli Smith Eugene Eli Smith, 82, of Amarillo, died Sunday, April 8, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church with Landrum Medlock officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Smith was born in Lea County, N.M. He married Helen Hickmott in Clovis, N.M., on April 24, 1948. He graduated from Prairie View High School and Texas Tech University. He managed RT Sims Lumber for 18 years. He was a member of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church and North Amarillo Lions Club, and taught chess at the YMCA. He served in the Army Air Corps during World II and then in the Reserves. He enjoyed gardening and chess. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Linda Jeanne Dean of The Woodlands; three sons, Mike Smith of Amarillo, Kenneth Smith of Hoover, Ala., and Philip Smith of Elizabeth, Colo.; and 14 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church; or Habitat for Humanity. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Canyon Jose Leandro Flores Sr. Jose Leandro Flores Sr., 67, of Canyon, died Sunday, April 8, 2001, in Amarillo. Prayer services were at 8 p.m. Monday in Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in the church with the Rev. Phil Mercado, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Amarillo. Mr. Flores had been a concrete contractor in Canyon since 1976. Survivors include his former wife, Elizabeth Flores; two sons, Joe L. Flores Jr. of Canyon and Johnny Flores of Amarillo; four daughters, Minerva Flores, Sally Flores and Jasinia Flores, all of Canyon and Irma Flores of Amarillo; a brother, Sabino Flores of Tucson, Ariz.; four sisters, Rita Ramirez and Maria Estrada, both of Hereford and Yolanda Gonzalez and Josephine Flores, both of San Antonio; 10 grandchildren, Dulce, Diangela, Diego, Mercedes, Ezekiel and Elijah, all of Canyon and Billy, Joseph, John and Jonah, all of Amarillo; and two greatgrandchildren, Isaiah and Adrick, both of Amarillo. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 William Joseph Findley William Joseph Findley, 86, of Canyon, died Monday, April 9, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Christian Church with the Rev. John Githiga of St. George's Episcopal Church; Dr. Don McDonald, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Canyon; and the Rev. Deborah Huffman, minister of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Holley Funeral Home. Dr. Findley was pastor of First Christian Church from 1942 to 1947, when he became a professor of psychology at West Texas State University. He retired in 1980. He was supply pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Happy for 27 years. Survivors include his wife, Nell Findley; a son, William Joseph Findley Jr. of Amarillo; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Ronald McDonald House or a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 New Mexico Edna Blount CLOVIS, N.M. - Edna Blount, 89, died Sunday, April 8, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roy Stewart and the Rev. L.C. Camp officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Blount came to Clovis in 1947. She was saved at and a member of the First Assembly of God. Survivors include two daughters, Jewell "Judy" Eaton and Donna Motsko, both of Clovis; two sisters, Lora Teague of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Reba Jackson of Clovis; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Gideons International or Clovis Animal Welfare League. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Faustina G. Padilla CLAYTON, N.M. - Faustina G. Padilla, 97, died Sunday, April 8, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the church with the Rev. George Silva, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Mrs. Padilla was born Feb. 15, 1904, in Logan, to Jose De La Luz Garcia and Caroline Grule. She was a lifelong resident of Clayton. Survivors include four daughters, Lenore Padilla and Ramona Alarid, both of Denver, Esther Garcia of Albuquerque and Becky Gonzales of Clayton; a son, Gilbert Padilla of Denver; 18 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 55 greatgreat-grandchildren and two great-greatgreat-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Oklahoma Alberta May Watson FARGO, Okla. - Alberta May Watson, 92, formerly of Fargo, died Saturday, April 7, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in United Methodist Church with the Rev. Aaron Martin officiating. Burial will be in Fargo Cemetery by Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Woodward. Mrs. Watson was born Oct. 25, 1908, to Wilhelm and Bertha May Toellner, at Harmon. She married Alvin Earl Watson on May 8, 1935, at Buffalo. Survivors include a daughter, LaDena May Pierce of Amarillo; a son, Alvin Deon Watson of Pampa; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Fargo Methodist Church building fund or the church organ fund, 118 S. Walnut, Fargo, OK 73840. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 George C. Bergner TEXHOMA, Okla. - George C. Bergner, 77, died Sunday, April 8, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in First Christian Church with Mike Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Texhoma Cemetery by DawsonWelch Funeral Home. Mr. Bergner was a World War II veteran and a farmer. He was a member and deacon of First Christian Church. He was a member of the Texhoma Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Frances Bergner; two sons and daughters-in-law, John H. and Karen Bergner and Robert D. and Donna Bergner; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Christian Church of Texhoma. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Elsewhere Ben Dial DESOTO - Ben Dial, 57, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Services were at 1 p.m. Monday in Oak Cliff Assembly of God in Dallas with Dr. Tom Wilson and the Rev. Scott Wilson officiating. Burial was in Little Bethel Cemetery in Duncanville. Arrangements were by West / Hurt Funeral Home of DeSoto. Mr. Dial, a high school football coach for more than 20 years, was DeSoto's head coach the last nine seasons, compiling a 67-42-4 record. He also played pro football for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis of the home; two sons, Lance Dial of Red Oak and Bryce Dial of Plano; a daughter, DeeAnn Dial of Nacogdoches; and two sisters, Valarie Henneman of Amarillo and Gloria Hightower of Phoenix. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Doris Jean Johnson SAN ANGELO - Doris Jean Johnson, 68, died Saturday, April 7, 2001. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home. Mrs. Johnson was born Aug. 11, 1932, in Locust Hill, Ky. She married Walter J. Johnson, Dec. 8, 1951, in Hardinsburg, Ky. Survivors include her husband; sons, Walter D. Johnson of Junction, Larry W. Johnson of Hereford and David L. Johnson of Amarillo; a daughter, Shirley M. Dunn of Lakeland, Fla.; four sisters, Maxine Harned of Hardinsburg, Joann Drane of Garfield, Ky., and Mary Miller and Faye Nix, both of Irvington, Ky.; a brother, Wendell Horsley of Irvington; eight grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 David Ramzel ARLINGTON - David "Dave" Ramzel, 65, died Monday, April 9, 2001. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Moore Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Ramzel was born June 18, 1935, in Amarillo. Maj. Ramzel retired from the Marines in 1976 after 24 years of active service. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he worked for the city of Arlington for 16 years. Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Donna "Dee Dee" Ramzel of Arlington; a son, Brian Ramzel of Arlington; a daughter, Cindy Jeanes and husband, Rick Jeanes, of Flower Mound; a brother, Charles Ramzel and wife, Joye, of Bartlesville, Okla.; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Von Dell and Basil Hensler, both of Irving; four grandsons, Brandon Ramzel, Steven Ramzel, Alex Ramzel and Chris Jeanes; and a granddaughter, Katie Jeanes. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch of Amarillo. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Area Peggy H. White MULESHOE - Peggy H. White, 56, died Tuesday, April 3, 2001. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Bailey County Cemetery with the Rev. David Symm of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lariat officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe. Survivors include a son, Timothey White of Lubbock; three daughters, Michelle White and Kimberley Springer of Winchester, Tenn., and Edie Kalbas of Farwell; her mother, Velma Howell of Muleshoe; two sisters, Latoya Sawyer of Buckeye, Ariz., and Shirley Adams of Slaton; two brothers, James Howell of Denton and Dewayne Holland of Lancaster, Ky.; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Fayttie Bell Barton MCLEAN - Fayttie Bell Barton, 90, died Saturday, April 7, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in United Methodist Church with the Rev. Thacker Haynes officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery by Lamb Funeral Home. Mrs. Barton was born to Will and Fannie Copeland, Sept. 23, 1910, in Gray County. She had lived in the McLean area most of her life. She had worked at several floral shops, Montgomery Ward in Pampa, and had been the curator of the McLean / Alanreed Area Museum in later years. She married Aubrey Barton. He preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Sybil Joyce Bates. Survivors include two grandsons, David Bates of Winthrop, Australia and Bill Bates of Rhonert Park, Calif.; a niece, Shela Snyder of Warrensburg, Mo.; and two nephews, Russell Prather of Oklahoma City and Morris Turner of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice of Amarillo, 600 N. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79107. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Ben L. Parks MEMPHIS - Ben L. Parks, 92, died Sunday, April 8, 2001. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Neely Landrum officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Memphis Funeral Home. Mr. Parks had been a banker in Memphis since January 1952, retiring in 1981. Afterward, he pursued his farming and ranching interests. He married Lois Roberts July 2, 1932, in Erick, Okla. He started his banking career in Allison, where he survived two bank robberies in 1934. In one of those robberies he was held hostage. Subsequently, he continued his banking career in Shamrock and Memphis. He executed the first merger of banks in Texas in 1968, when the First National Bank of Lakeview merged into the First National Bank of Memphis. Mr. Parks was honored in 1978 by the Panhandle Bankers as one of the 10 active bankers with 50 or more years of experience. In 1999, he was honored for 50 years of banking service by the Texas Banker Association. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Ben Parks Jr. and Larry Parks, both of Rockwall; a daughter, Joy McQueen of Kingwood; six grandchildren, Shari L. Overstreet, Brent McQueen M.D., Paige Parks, Murphy Parks, Cori Collier and Liz Morrison; five great-grandchildren, Marie Norton, Spencer Morrison, Evan Morrison, Melanie McQueen and Joey McQueen. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 121 N. Eighth, Memphis, TX 79245; Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174; or a local YMCA. Pallbearers are Milton Beasley, Roy Gresham, Danny Davidson, Woodrow Richardson, Jim Harrison, Mike Fleck, Mark Tarver and Denzil Lacy. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Sorrels, Chris Cronin, John Forbis, Don Curl, Robert Clark M.D., Billy Ray Jones, Martin Allison, Melvin Long, Mack Shields, Jimmy Garland, Richard Owens, Jimmy Fowler, John Deaver, Paul Macina, Bob Buckingham, Gilbert Srygley, Andy Gardenhire, Jim Dixon and Mackie Allen. Organist is Ann Chamberlain. Soloist is Jennifer Baucom. Mr. Parks enjoyed a colorful life. He loved the Texas Panhandle, its sports, the Palo Duro Drama, and most of all, its people. He played baseball with "Suitcase Simpson" Seeds, who was a major league player. He enjoyed his community's football and golf state championships in Allison and Memphis. He and Lois enjoyed their ranch operation and claimed the Grand Champion prize at the 1986 Tri-State Fair in the Longhorn Cattle division. Mr. Parks was involved in numerous organizations: the First United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the board; a Mason for more than 70 years; past president of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce; the Boy Scout Advisory Council; served as city alderman of Memphis; and served as chairman of the Hall County Hospital board for 22 years. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Ernest Cribbs DUMAS - Ernest Cribbs, 79, died Sunday, April 8, 2001, in Winslow, Ariz. Graveside services with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Hartley Cemetery at Hartley with the Rev. Mike Venable, pastor of First Baptist Church of Hartley, officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Cribbs was an electronics technician for the National Weather Service. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was a prisoner of war. Survivors include his wife, Montie Jean Cribbs of Winslow; two sons, Randall Michael Cribbs and Donald Cribbs, both of Flagstaff, Ariz.; a daughter, Carla Baber of Flagstaff; three brothers, Dale Cribbs and Roy Cribbs, both of Oklahoma and Jimmy Cribbs of Washington; a sister, June Verrett of Michigan; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Northland Hospice, P.O. Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 A. Elie Lefevre STINNETT - A. Elie Lefevre, 74, died Sunday, April 8, 2001, in Borger. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Orville Rogers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Stinnett Cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Lefevre was a custodian for 47 years at First Baptist Church in Stinnett, where he was a member. Survivors include two sisters, Dorothy Fritchie of Houston and Vivian Swafford of Okmulgee, Okla. The family suggests memorials be to Stinnett First Baptist Church. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Golda Arlene Holbrooks SUNNYSIDE - Golda Arlene "Toots" Holbrooks, 80, died Sunday, April 8, 2001, in Marion, Ind. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Sunnyside Baptist Church with the Rev. David Fletcher and Benny Wright officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Dimmitt by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Mrs. Holbrooks, a former Sunnyside resident, moved to Marion in 1991. She was a longtime member of Sunnyside Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Johnnie Wayne Holbrooks of Spur; three daughters, Freda Henderson of Calhan, Colo., Jeanette Walling of Brashear and Betty Ramey of Hartford City, Ind.; two brothers, D.L. Porter of West Covina, Calif., and C.W. Porter of Kennedale; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, April 10, 2001 Ora Calvin Holt SPEARMAN - Ora Calvin Holt, 94, died Monday, April 9, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Holt Schoolhouse. Burial will be in Holt Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Spearman. Mr. Holt, son of Birda May and Benjamin Calvin Holt, was born Aug. 29, 1906 in the Holt community, Hutchinson County. O.C. attended Panhandle A&M College at Goodwell, Okla., West Texas State Teachers College and the University of Texas. Mr. Holt was with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in its beginning during the Dust Bowl, at Dalhart and later at Hereford, Spearman and Stinnett. He was a farmer and rancher. He was a member of the Federal Land Bank Association. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Holt was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Rorex Holt, in 1990; by a sister, Maudie Marie Holt Marshall; and by a brother, Benjamin Fredrick Holt. Survivors include his wife, Helen Blanton Oakes Holt; a daughter, Anita Louise Holt Eisenhauer and husband, Gene, of Corpus Christi; a sister, Myrle Holt of Spearman; two brothers, Dr. Joseph Newton Holt of Fort Worth and Nolan Holt of Spearman; two grandsons, William Edmond Eisenhauer and wife, Karen, of Yakima, Wash., and George Edward Eisenhauer of Victoria; a greatgrandson, David Edmond Eisenhauer; and a great-granddaughter, Rachel Elizabeth Eisenhauer.