Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 11 May 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 ==================================================================== HAPPY - Nina Bush, 48, died Wednesday, May 9, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Burwash, pastor, and the Rev. Curtis House, pastor of United Methodist Church of Happy, officiating. Burial will be in Happy Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors of Happy. Mrs. Bush was born on Feb. 9, 1953, in Albuquerque, N.M., and adopted by Raymond and Fern Spear. She attended Happy Schools and graduated from Draughon's Business College in 1974. Survivors include her husband Bill Bush; two sons, Casey Bates of Amarillo and Raymond Guitheinz of Albuquerque; her mother, Fern Spear of Happy; two brothers, Richard K. Spear of Happy and Danny Hopkins of Shreveport, La.; a sister, Patricia K. Bryant of Amarillo; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of Happy, 102 N. Western Ave., Happy, TX 79042. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Frank A. Spring FRIONA - Frank A. Spring, 93, died Wednesday, May 9, 2001. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Friona United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Boren, pastor, officiating. Family graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Friona Cemetery with the Rev. Don Boren officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home. Mr. Spring, a lifetime resident of Parmer County, was born Oct. 9, 1907. He was the first registered birth in Parmer County. He married Ethel Ruth Collins Oct. 3, 1937, in Canyon. She died March 15, 1995. He had been a member of the Friona United Methodist Church since 1925. He was a 65-year member of the Friona Masonic Lodge No. 1332 and a charter member of the Friona Evening Lions Club. He was president and CEO of the Friona State Bank for 38 years. In 1953, he was appointed to the State Finance Commission by Gov. Alan Shivers. He was president of the Friona Chamber of Commerce in 1962 and was named Friona's Man Of The Year in 1964. He also was a partner in the Ethridge-Spring Insurance agency for many years. Survivors include a son, Frank L. Spring of Albuquerque, N.M.; a daughter, Mary Tom Isaac of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a sister, Lydia M. Silvester of Pine Top, Ariz.; a brother, Dr. Paul Spring of Friona; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers are Barry Isaac, Tom Isaac, Jeff Metzler, Frank A. Spring II, John Spring and John Gurley. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Allen, Hollis Horton, Pudge Kendrick, Robert Neeley, Gary Brown, Jerry Hinkle and Jake Outland. The family suggests memorials be to Prairie Acres, 201 E. 15th, Friona, TX 79035. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Frances H. Ruiz TULIA - Frances H. Ruiz, 70, died Thursday, May 10, 2001, in Lubbock. Vigil services will be held today at Wallace Funeral Home with Colquitt Nash, minister of Ninth and Columbia Church of Christ in Plainview, officiating. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Central Church of Christ with Lemuel Phillips, of College Station, officiating. Burial will be in Abernathy Cemetery. Mrs. Ruiz was born Jan. 15, 1931, in Cuero, to Maria Benavidez and Francisco Hernandez. She married Delphine Ruiz on Sept. 7, 1947, in El Campo. She was preceded in death by two great-grandsons, Gaston and Gage Gonzalez, in August 2000. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mary Ann Garcia of Abernathy; two sons, Joe Frank Ruiz of Amarillo and Jesse Ruiz of San Antonio; five sisters, Janie Davila of Lubbock, Amelia Cantu of McAllen, Soila Robles of Denver City, Gloria DeLeon of Tulia and Dolores Lara of Amarillo; four brothers, Tomas Hernandez of Abernathy, Manuel Hernandez of Lubbock and Henry Hernandez and Frank Hernandez, both of Denver City; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Pallbearers are nephews, Robert Hernandez, Frankie Hernandez, Richard Hernandez, George Hernandez, Gilbert Davila and Steve Robles. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 W.T. Cooper Jr. LOCKNEY - W.T. Cooper Jr., 83, died Wednesday, May 9, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church. Officiants are the Rev. Ted Samples, retired non-denominational pastor; Ray Macha, lay minister; and Phillip Golden, pastor of First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park Cemetery by Bartley-Silva Funeral Home of Plainview. Mr. Cooper was born March 21, 1918, in Kenna, N.M. He married Mary Lavern Patton. Survivors include his wife; a son, L.T. Cooper of Lubbock; three daughters, Anita Bigham of Lockney, Linda Lemons of Quitaque and Kay Shackelford of Plainview; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice Hands of West Texas Lockney, P.O. Box 1118, Lockney, TX 79241; or the Elaine Hardy scholarship fund, c/o First National Bank, 201 N. Main, Lockney, TX 79241. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Clemente G. Leal QUITAQUE - Clemente G. Leal, 77, died Thursday, May 10, 2001. Prayer service will be at 7 p.m. today in Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Mass will be read at 11 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church in Silverton by the Rev. Ed Graff, pastor. Burial with military graveside rites will be in Resthaven Cemetery. Mr. Leal married Ysidra Mendoza on Oct. 6, 1946, at Seguin. He was a member of Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church. Survivors include three sons, Clemente Leal Jr. of Arlington, Ysidro Leal of Childress and Vangelio Leal of Pampa; six brothers, Genero Leal, Ralph Leal, Louis Leal, Jesse Leal, Fidel Leal and Oscar Leal; a sister, Lucy; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Amarillo Diane Jannette York Diane Jannette York, 52, of Amarillo, died Monday, May 7, 2001. Memorial services were at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Medi Park at the intersection of Killgore Drive and Streit Drive with the Rev. Gary Ashlock, pastor of Washburn Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. York was born in Trinidad, Colo., and had been a 35 year resident of Amarillo. She was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. She was a nurse's aid at BSA Hospital. She was preceded in death by her mother, Vivian Richardson on Oct. 6, 1996. Survivors include three sons, Bryan York and Todd York, both of Amarillo, and Jason York of Wichita Falls; her father, Garner Richardson of Amarillo; two sisters, Jackie Ashlock of Amarillo and Linda Nowell of Pampa. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Inez Sayle Inez Frizzell Sayle, 87, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Washington Avenue Christian Church with the Rev. Jim Shelburne, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Sayle was born in Singleton. She had been a resident of Amarillo since 1947. She owned and operated a motel, grocery store and rental property in Amarillo for many years. Mrs. Sayle played piano for Parkview Christian Church, Oakdale Christian Church, and Highland Christian Church. She was a member and played piano at Washington Avenue Christian Church. She married Gerald Warren Sayle in 1940 at Big Spring. He passed away in 1994. Survivors include a daughter, Geraldine McBride of Amarillo; a sister, Gertrude Vivian Staggs of Mirando City; two grandchildren, Michael McBride and Megan McBride, both of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 D.B. Wheeless D.B. Wheeless, 88, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in San Jacinto United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Fitzgerald, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Wheeless was born in Valencia, Ark., and had lived in Amarillo since 1938. He attended Texas A&M at Arlington. He was employed by AT&T for 30 years and was a pioneer in the newest technology of his day. He was an active and enthusiastic member of WAGG Travel Club. He was Scout Master with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of San Jacinto United Methodist Church, where he taught youth groups and served on the administrative board and board of trustees. Survivors include his wife, Kathaleta Wheeless; a son, Barry Don Wheeless of Newburgh, Ind.; a daughter, Daleta Wheeless Reno of Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister, Lorene Jackson of Walnut Ridge, Ark.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers San Jacinto United Methodist Church, 505 Tennessee St., Amarillo, TX 79106. Visitation will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Steve Schrayer Steve Schrayer, 48, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 10, 2001. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Paul Richardson, of Rockwell Road Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Schrayer married Gloria Robbs in Fort Collins, Colo., on June 3, 1973. He worked as a lease operator for Coastal Oil and Gas for 19 years in Masterson. He moved to Amarillo on June 7, 1979, from Keyes, Okla. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; a son, Brian Schrayer of Amarillo; and two brothers, Bill Schrayer of Virginia Dale, Colo., and Don Schrayer of Morse. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Margie Ree Johnson Margie Ree Tinnin Johnson, 66, of Amarillo, died Monday, May 7, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. John Baptist Church with the Rev. Grover Neal, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mrs. Johnson moved to Amarillo in 1949. She worked various jobs before retiring as the housekeeper for the John O'Brien family in 1997. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Taft Tinnin, in 1974; and by two children, Robbie Nell Brooks, in February 1958 and Jerry L. Wright Sr., in October 2000. Margie was a member of St. John Baptist Church, where she actively worked as a member of the senior usher board, the Medin Sunday school class No. 1, and the Women's Missionary Union. She also was a member of St. John's Homeless ministry. Survivors include three daughters, Linda Vaughn and Toni Westmoreland, both of Amarillo, and Meta Scott of Liberal, Kan.; a son, David Brooks of Amarillo; a sister, Mary Morris; a brother-in-law, Frank Morris of Amarillo; a son-in-law, Alphonso Vaughn of Amarillo; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers to BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Program, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. The family will be at 504 N. Hughes St. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Salvador C. Jimenez Sr. Salvador C. "Taloy" Jimenez Sr., 56, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 10, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Monday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church by Monsignor Rex Nicholl. Mr. Jimenez was a lifelong resident of Amarillo. He was a furniture repairman for Texas Furniture. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Survivors include two daughters, Virginia Jimenez and JoAnna Perez, both of San Fernando, Calif.; a son, Salvador Jimenez Jr. of Amarillo; a sister, Anita Ordaz of El Paso; two brothers, Andy Jimenez of Amarillo and Charlie Gomez of Dallas; his mother, Margaret Gomez of the home; and 10 grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Canyon Leroy Pitt Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel with the Rev. Ron Whitt, interim pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Mr. Pitt was born Oct. 31, 1926, in Claude, to Paul and Gladys Judd Pitt. He married Laura B. Johnson at Canyon on Nov. 13, 1943. She preceded him in death in February 2001. Leroy had served in the Navy. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He was a caller of the Canyon Capers Square Dance Club and past director of Canyon Co-op. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Merle Pitt. Survivors include a son, Larry Pitt of Amarillo; four sisters, Lola Stevens of Pagosa Springs, Colo., Lou Ella Knox of Amarillo, Jean Wells of Tempe, Ariz., and Wilda Greenfield of Las Vegas; a brother, Cecil "Sonny" Pitt of Palestine; two grandchildren, Warren Pitt of Canyon and Mindy Pitt of Dallas; and two great-grandchildren, Courtney Tyson and Kylie Tyson. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 New Mexico Tommy Gerald Cooper Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Melrose Cemetery at Melrose with the Rev. Loa Fair officiating. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Cooper was a retired drill instructor for the Army. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 3280 and the American Legion. Survivors include a daughter, Leslie Cooper of Clovis; a stepson, William Choate of Kansas; a stepdaughter, Mary Magill of California; three brothers, Kenneth Cooper and Billy Cooper, both of Clovis, and Danny Cooper of Laredo, Texas; and a sister, Glenda Hansen of Tucson, Ariz. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Thelma Chloe Davidson FARMINGTON, N.M. - Thelma Chloe Davidson, 95, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001. Graveside services will be held today in Ada, Okla. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by La Quey Funeral Home of Farmington. Mrs. Davidson was born in 1906, in Maxwell, Okla., which was then Indian Territory. She was the daughter of the pioneer family of Marshall McMahon Fleming and Sara Stalcup Fleming. She attended school in Maxwell and Vanoss, and Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla. She also attended East Central State College in Ada. She married Lindsey Davidson in 1926. She was a homemaker and had worked as a receptionist for nine years in the office of Dr. H.E. Hewett at Farmington. She moved to Farmington in 1960 after the death of Lindsey. She was a member of the Methodist church. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Lindsey; and by a daughter, Betty Woods. Survivors include four children, Lindsey Davidson and wife, Gerry, of Amarillo, Patsy Hewett of Farmington, Mercedes Durham and husband, Gordon, of Payson, Ariz., and Jimmy Jack Davidson and wife, Sandra, of Winter Harbor, Maine; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Oklahoma Edward Jake Cameron BOISE CITY, Okla. - Edward Jake "Ed" Cameron, 52, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in Boise City Cemetery with Tom Milbern officiating. Arrangements are by Cimarron Mortuary. Mr. Cameron, the son of Donald and Margaret Joan (Osten) Cameron, was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Lamar, Colo. He worked for Panhandle Telephone Co-op for 27 years, and received a 25-year award for his service. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; a son, Richard Cameron of San Antonio; a daughter, Jennifer Cameron of La Junta, Colo.; mother, Joan Cameron of La Junta; a brother, Karl D. Cameron of Lakin, Kan.; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to Save Our Hospital Fund; or the Soutar Memorial Library. Memorials may be left in care of the mortuary. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Elsewhere R.L. Stephens CROSBYTON - R.L. Stephens, 82, of Lake Tanglewood and formerly of Crosbyton, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001, in Amarillo. Graveside services were at 4 p.m. Thursday in Crosbyton Cemetery with Dr. Roger Hubbard, pastor of Lake Tanglewood Community Church, officiating. Arrangements were by Adams Funeral Home of Crosbyton. Mr. Adams was born July 12, 1918, in Chattanooga, Okla. He was a paint contractor. He moved to Crosbyton in 1934 then to Lake Tanglewood in March 1995. He married Bonnie Pauline Matthews on July 2, 1939, in Lubbock. She died Dec. 11, 1987. Survivors include a daughter, Jean Low of Lake Tanglewood; two sons, David Stephens of San Clemente, Calif., and Danny Stephens of Ontario, Calif.; two sisters, Juanita Edler of Lubbock and Beatrice Stegall of Crosbyton; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Lake Tanglewood EMS & Fire Dept., 201 N. Shore, Amarillo, TX 79118. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Troy Dean Dunavin Sr. RIO VISTA - Troy Dean Dunavin Sr., 72, died Sunday, May 6, 2001. Memorial services will be Saturday in Rio Vista Civic Center. The body has been donated to North Texas University for cancer research. Mr. Dunavin retired from Bell Helicopter in 1989. He was a member of Nolands River Masonic Lodge No. 453. Survivors include his wife, Nelda; four sons, Troy Dean Dunavin Jr. and Bobby Dunavin, both of Fort Worth, Tandy Dunavin of Weatherford and Ernest Dunavin of Cleburne; five daughters, Linda Baxter of Jacksboro, Patricia Elkins of Arlington , Kelly Leann Kelly of North Richland Hills, Rayma Crawford of Weatherford and Brenda Weber of Fort Worth; his mother, Frankie Dunavin of Amarillo; seven brothers, Bobby, Dunavin, Chester Dunavin, Muriel Dunavin, and Steve Dunavin, all of Amarillo, Patrick Dunavin of Cleburne, Jerry Dunavin of Kennedale and Roy Dunavin of Fort Smith, Ark.; two sisters, Rojean Hume of North Richland and Joann Thigpen of Amarillo; 34 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of the Heart Inc., P.O. Box 2081, Whitney, TX 76692. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Kay Stone WATAUGA - Kay Stone, 54, died Thursday, April 19, 2001, in Bedford. Memorial services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22, 2001, in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements were by Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home. Mrs. Stone was a devoted mother, wife and friend. She was a wonderful homemaker and businesswoman. Kay owned and operated an arts and crafts business. She was active in the League of Women Voters. She re-established the Arabian Horse Club in Amarillo. Mrs. Stone was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon W. and Clara Frances Schroeder; and brother, Vernon W. Schroeder Jr. Survivors include husband, Gene Stone; two sons, Sean and James Stone; and sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Gerald Lis. The family suggests memorials be to the American Lung Association. Amarillo Globe-News, May 11, 2001 Frances Mae Nichols LUBBOCK - Frances Mae Wilburn Nichols, 91, died Wednesday, May 9, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Sanders Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Ron Ledgerwood officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park. Mrs. Nichols attended Eugene Bible College in Eugene, Ore. She was a member of the Sunset Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, James R. Wilburn of Malibu, Calif., and Bob G. Wilburn of Canadian; a daughter, Betty Listenbee of Tulsa, Okla.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to Sunset International Bible Institution, 3723 34th St., Lubbock, TX 79410.