Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 26 Jan 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 ==================================================================== Alma H. Peeler PAMPA - Alma H. Peeler, 92, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Roselawn Cemetery at Mangum, Okla., with Eddie Beard, Church of Christ minister of Duke, Okla., officiating. Arrangements are by CarmichaelWhatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Peeler was born in Mangum and a was longtime resident until moving to Pampa in 1995. She was a homemaker and a member of the Mangum Church of Christ. She married Frank Peeler in 1928 at Mangum. He died in 1970. Survivors include two daughters, Francis Howard and Billie Ann Darrow, both of Duncan, Okla.; a son, Norman Leon Peeler of Pampa; two sisters, Oleta Finley of Sulphur, Okla., and Viola Goodman of Altus, Okla.; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79065; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Fritz Smith HEREFORD - Fritz Smith, 72, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, in Albuquerque, N.M. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Parkside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Perkins officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery at Hereford. Mr. Smith was born in Crosbyton. He moved to Hereford in 1952, where he was a self-employed farmer. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He married Marilyn Ames in 1952 at Parke County, Ind. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Marvin Lee Smith of Brady and Curtis Ray Smith of Hereford; two daughters, Sue Elaine Talley of Andrews and Janis Smith Wade of Hereford; four brothers, Euen Smith Jr. of Edcouch, Don Smith of Elsa, Billy Smith of Lake Jackson and Rodney Smith of Aransas Pass; and nine grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Fred Hicks OLTON - Fred Hicks, 90, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Main Street Church of Christ with Rick Harper, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Olton Cemetery by Foskey-LilleyMcGill Funeral Home. Mr. Hicks was born in Rochester. He was a retired farmer and member of Main Street Church of Christ. He was a past member of the Olton school board and the Olton Cemetery Association board of directors. He married Doris Rea in 1946 at Rochester. Survivors include his wife, two daughters, Carol Hooper of Austin and Gerry Rogers of Bay City; two sons, A.C. Brown of Victoria and Landon Brown of Del Rio; 11 grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 R.C. Franklin Jr. BORGER - R.C. Franklin Jr., 83, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Minton / Chatwell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Myron Waddle, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the Garden of Beatitudes at Westlawn Memorial Park. Mr. Franklin was born in Cooper and had been a Borger resident since 1943. An Army veteran of World War II, he was retired from Vogue Cleaners as a dry cleaner and presser. He was a Baptist. He married Florence Collier in 1943 at Borger. He was preceded in death by three sons, Jerome C. Franklin, Voris L. Franklin and Blain T. Franklin. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Roland Franklin of San Diego and Daryl Franklin of Borger; a daughter, Shelia Clement of Borger; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Naomi Burgess EARTH - Naomi Burgess, 94, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, in Dallas. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Earth United Methodist Church with the Rev. Henry Stone, pastor, and the Rev. Albert Lindley, of Lubbock, officiating. Burial will be in Springlake Cemetery at Springlake. Arrangements are by ParsonsEllis Funeral Home of Earth. Mrs. Burgess was born in Vinson, Okla., and attended Southwestern State College at Weatherford, Okla. She moved from Vinson to Earth in the 1930s and had lived in the community for 63 years. She was a homemaker and gardener. She was a member of the Earth United Methodist Church, where she was active in WSCS and taught Sunday school. She married Floyd Ernest Burgess in 1926 at Vinson. He died in 1964. Survivors include three sons, Kenneth L. Burgess of Abilene, Jimmie E. Burgess of Dallas and Michael L. Burgess of Richardson; a daughter, B. June Brown of Omaha; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Earth United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 181, Earth, TX 79031. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Cecil F. George CHILDRESS - Cecil F. George, 70, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Grace Family Church with the Rev. Dale Sexton, pastor, and Larry Crabtree, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. George was born in Bogata. He was a retired heavy-equipment operator and a member of the Grace Family Church. He married Ruth Trammel in 1969. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Nora George. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Charlotte Shoffner and Jannie Tipton, both of Childress, and Sherry George of Georgetown; four daughters, Timothy S. George of Lubbock, Cecil F. George Jr. of Grand Prairie and Stephen Sloss and Chris Sloss, both of Childress; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Robert Oran Lister Jr. SHAMROCK - Robert Oran Lister Jr., 75, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Calvary Christian Fellowship with Joe G. Jernigan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mr. Lister was born in Plymouth. He had lived in Sayre, Okla. for 24 years and in Shamrock for the past six years. He attended West Texas State College. He received the Purple Heart while serving in the Army during World War II. He was a lease operator in the oil and gas industry. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lone Oak, Okla., and the American Legion. Mr. Lister married Esther Sullivan in 1952 at Elk City, Okla. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Jerry Don Lister of Wheeler, Gary Robert Lister of Miami and Robert O. Lister III of Elk City; Linda Gayle Lister of Elk City and Cynthia Ann Lively of Mangum, Okla.; two brothers, W.V. Lister of Kelton and Kenneth Lister of Texline; 15 grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Arther F. Gibson DIMMITT - Arther F. Gibson, 88, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001. Graveside services were at 5 p.m. Thursday in Idalou Cemetery in Idalou with Les Carey, minister of Church of Christ. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements were by Foskey-Lilley-McGill. Mr. Gibson was born in Aquilla. In 1936 he moved to Idalou where he was a farmer, rancher and ginner. He retired in 1977 and moved to Dimmitt. He was a member of the Idalou Church of Christ. He married Annie Granger in 1930. She died in 1976. Survivors include a daughter, Rita Carole Ellison of Dimmitt; a sister, Christene Layne of Cleburne; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Roy Hutchinson Stewart WHITE DEER - Roy Hutchinson Stewart, 89, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Citizens Cemetery of Clarendon with the Rev. Bob Kelly, pastor of White Deer United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mr. Stewart was born in Brice, Hall County. He was an insurance agent in White Deer and farmed near Clarendon. He managed motels in Amarillo and Austin before retiring and returning to White Deer in the early 1980s. He was a Presbyterian. He married Irene Brock in 1952 at Clarendon. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ida A. Stewart, in 1950; and by a son, Gilbert Stewart, in 1998. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gayle Stewart of Amarillo and Gary Stewart of Dripping Springs; a sister, Bertie Helton of Claude; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Leslie Fay Bruns MULESHOE - Leslie Fay Bruns, 87, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with Curtis Shelburn and the Rev. Brad Reeves, both of Muleshoe, officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Bruns was born in Snyder. He moved from Mountain Park, Okla., to Parmer County in the early 1930s. After 1937, he moved to the Stegall community in Bailey County and farmed. He moved to Clovis, N.M., and was a brakeman for the Santa Fe Railway. In 1947 he moved to Aiken and in 1951 returned to the farm in Parmer County. He was instrumental in bringing irrigation, natural gas and telephone service to southwest Parmer County. Mr. Bruns served as chairman of the Parmer County Republican Party and was director of Parmer County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He married Ruby Nell Morris in 1937 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Morris Bruns, Jerry Bruns and Bruce Bruns, all of Muleshoe, and Mark Bruns of Littlefield; three daughters, Judy Watson of Breckenridge, Toni Tucker of Possum Kingdom and Jane Stephens of Shallowater; a sister, Ruth Briscoe of Muleshoe; a brother, Don Bruns of Muleshoe; seven grandchildren; and a greatgranddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of Lubbock, P.O. Box 53276, Lubbock, TX 79453. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Oklahoma K. Lorene Burke GUYMON, Okla. - K. Lorene Burke, 83, formerly of Guymon, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, in Ashland, Mo. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Odie Nunley officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Mrs. Burke was born in Guymon and was a longtime resident. She was employed by Guarantee Abstract & Title Co. and the Texas County Treasurers office. She also owned and managed Burke's TV and Music Center with her husband. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and No Man's Land Senior Citizen's Center. She married Alton H. Burke in 1947 at Guymon. He died in 2000. Survivors include two daughters, Janice Otradovec of Columbia, Mo., and Vicki Collinsworth of Lees Summit, Mo.; a brother, Dr. Harold C. Reid of Liberal, Kan.; and two grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Elsewhere Willie Mae Beck OAKLAND, Calif. - Willie Mae Beck, 82, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001. Services were at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Progressive Baptist Church at Oakland. Burial was in Oakmont Cemetery by Fouche Hudson Funeral Home of Oakland. Mrs. Beck was born in Bonham, Texas. While living in Bonham, she served in the mission ministry and was lead soloist in the church choir. She married R.D. Harmon Sr. in 1953. She moved to Oakland in 1962 and married Monroe Beck. She was a member of the local, state, and national chapters of the American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind. She also was a member of the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, serving in the Deborah and Mamie Burton Circles of the women mission ministry and the senior adult ministry. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Richard D. Harmon of Los Angeles and Willie Lee Harmon of Amarillo; a sister, Leola Stull of Oakland; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 James C. Priest LITTLETON, Colo. - James C. Priest, 72, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2001. Services were at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with Bishop Kerry D. Ormson officiating. Cremation has taken place. Mr. Priest was born in Lawton, Okla. He served in the Army National Guard during the Korean War. He was in the restaurant management industry and a member of the Word of Life Christian Center in Littleton. He married Elizabeth Allison in 1951 at Fort Polk, La. She died in 1979. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Fussell of Conifer, Colo., and Glenna Kelln of Amarillo; a son, Jim Priest of Amarillo; two brothers, Ralph Priest of Geronimo, Okla., and Jerry Priest of Norman, Okla.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to James C. Priest memorial fund at Amarillo National Bank, 4501 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Paten L.W. Bowens FAIRFIELD - Paten L.W. Bowens, 60, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, in Waco. Services will be at noon Saturday in Jones Chapel United Methodist Church of Fairfield with the Rev. Darrell Houston officiating. Burial will be in Fairfield Cemetery by Angelic-Moore Funeral Home of Teague. Mr. Bowens was a former resident of Amarillo and a retired truck driver. Survivors include his wife, Callie Johnson Bowens; two sons, Michael Johnson of Houston and Markell Johnson of Dallas; three daughters, Cassandra Johnson Black of Carpentersville, Ill., Regina Johnson of Dallas and Beverly Johnson Hayes of Garland; three sisters, Betty Love of Amarillo and Betty Bowens and Vanessa Bowens, both of Baytown; five brothers, John Edward Crenshaw and Lester Eugene Crenshaw, both of Amarillo and Chester Bowens, Jimmy Bowens and Steve Bowens, all of Baytown; and six grandchildren. The family will receive visitors from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Cecil Holt Shelton VIDOR - Cecil Holt Shelton, 83, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. Services were at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Memorial Funeral Home Chapel at Vidor. Additional services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in North Amarillo Church of Christ with Glen Walton, minister, Dale Pearson and Curtis Camp officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery at Clarendon. Arrangements also by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mr. Shelton was born in Ladonia. He was a Church of Christ minister in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and Colorado. He had been a truck driver at Amarillo Hardware Co. Survivors include his wife, Polly Shelton; a son, James Marshall Shelton of Amarillo; a daughter, Derl Tucker of Sherman; a sister Betty Sandridge of Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Amarillo Martha Irene Murphy Martha Irene Polson Murphy, 85, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, in Glendale, Ariz. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Stan Coffey, pastor of San Jacinto Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Murphy was born in Kaw City, Okla. She married R.J. Polson in 1928 at Sayre, Okla. She later married F.L. Murphy in 1973 at Amarillo. Survivors include two sons, E.B. Polson and Richard "Dick" Polson; four daughters, Catherine Pugh, Jackie Mileer, Gwyn Sellers and Judy Spencer; 29 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Thelma B. Needham Thelma B. Flovin Needham, 85, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd. with the Rev. Alan Burkhalter, pastor of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Needham was born in Chatfield, Navarro County. She was raised in Plainview and graduated from Plainview High School. She moved to Amarillo in 1948, where she was a manicurist at Reeves Barber Shop. She was a member of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church. She married Rossie A. Needham in 1940 at Plainview. He died in 1998. Survivors include five nieces, Beverly Junnell and Becky Gooch of Amarillo, Virginia Barrow of Albuquerque, N.M., Rosemary Russell of Plainview, and Gaylene Cox of Granbury; five nephews, David Flovin of Weatherford, Elmer Flovin of Arizona and John Flovin, Jeff Flovin and Rick Flovin, all of California; 24 great nieces and nephews. The family suggest memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice or Chaparral Hills Baptist Church building fund. The family will be at 6501 Arroyo Vista Place. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Mary Ben Moody Mary Ben Moody, 73, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday in Reformed Episcopal Church with the Rev. Doug Sangster, rector, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Ms. Moody was born in Potter County. She was a longtime resident of Amarillo and worked as a salesperson. She had recently worked as a home health aide. No survivors. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 William Howard William "Bill" Howard, 51, of Amarillo, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Church Alive, 1819 Canadian St., with Jim Patillo, pastor, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Howard was born in Marked Tree, Poinsett County, Ark., and was a longtime resident of Amarillo. He attended Amarillo College. He was a medical aide in nursing homes and was working at Amarillo Nursing Center. He also volunteered at the Craig Methodist Retirement Center. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of the American Legion while living in Arizona. Mr. Howard married Betty McAnally in December at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, including, Edie Howard of Scott City, Kan.; a son, Rocky Howard of Scott City; two stepdaughters, April Guthrie and Loretta Davis, both of Amarillo; a stepson, Jason McNally of Lawton, Okla.; three sisters, Elizabeth Swift of Mineral Wells, Ruby Richard of Lubbock and Betty Pruitt of Scott City; three brothers, Jerry Howard of White City, Ore., and Billy Howard of Amarillo and Roy Howard of Scott City; 10 grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Richard Edward Ellis Richard Edward Ellis, 72, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with Paul Sneed, of Central Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Ellis was born in Hedley. He was a television technician and a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include two daughters, Gayla Hulen and Shirley Ellis, both of Amarillo; two brothers, James Ellis of Guymon, Okla., and Paul Ellis of Hart; two sisters, Edith Reed of Sudan and Mary Schwab of Lovettsville, Va.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice or Olivia's Angels. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Canyon Robert J. Dimel Robert J. Dimel, 67, of Canyon, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Abbotsford, Wis. Cremation and arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mr. Dimel was born in Beaver Dam, Wis. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. In 1982, he moved from Dubuque, Iowa, to Canyon, where he was a laboratory director at Palo Duro Hospital. He also worked part time as security guard at Lake Tanglewood. Mr. Dimel married Donna Miller in 1956 at Abbotsford. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Tessie Downs of Kieler, Wis., Julie Turner of Euless and Kari Fulce of Dallas; three sons, Matthew Dimel of Chicago and Richard Dimel and Thomas Dimel, both of Canyon; a sister, Patricia Porten of Horicon, Wis.; and 11 grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 New Mexico Stella Maez TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Stella Maez, 83, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. today in St. Anne's Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at noon Saturday in the church by the Rev. John C. Daniel. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home. Mrs. Maez was born in Garita. She was a rancher, operating the family ranch near Conchas Dam. She drove a school bus for the West Las Vegas School District. She lived in Tucumcari at the time of her death. She was preceded in death by her husband, Domingo; and by a son, Abe Maez. Survivors include two sons, Carlos Maez of Delavan, Wis., and Albert Maez of Las Vegas; five daughters, Cora Lee Solano and Anna Mae Montano, both of Santa Fe, Lorinda Maez of Washington, D.C., Celina Tandy of Juneau, Alaska, and Agnes Morano of Tucumcari; a brother, Adan Griego of Fort Sumner; and three sisters, Vera Lucero and Helen Hendren, both of Tucumcari, and Viva Gutierrez of Santa Rosa. The body will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the church. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 James A. Knight TUCUMCARI, N.M. - James A. Knight, 60, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Dunn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Scott Seymour, minister of the Center Street United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. A Navy veteran, Mr. Knight moved to San Jon, where he worked for Knight Seed Co. He later moved to Tucumcari, working for Tommy Thomas's Electrical Shop. He had served as sheriff and undersheriff for Quay County. He was a member of the Tucumcari Elks Lodge No. 1172. Mr. Knight was preceded in death by his first wife, Patsy, in 1975. Survivors include his wife, Gail; a daughter, Kari Knight of Albuquerque; four brothers, Aubrey Knight of Melrose, Donald Knight of Olton, Texas, Tom Knight of Seattle, and Ron Knight of Alamogordo; a sister, Dallene Douglas of Alexandria, La.; and a grandson. The body will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Joseph P. Smith Sr. SAN JON, N.M. - Joseph P. Smith Sr., 68, formerly of San Jon, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, in Roswell. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in San Jon Cemetery with the Rev. Randy Reeves, minister of the West Washington Avenue Baptist Church of Roswell, officiating. Rites will be provided by the Masonic Lodge No. 27 of Tucumcari and by the Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard. Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mr. Smith was born in Smith, Ky. He had been an employee of the New Mexico Port of Entry and also worked at Kmart. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was airman third class. He was a member of the AF&AM Masonic Lodge No. 27 of Tucumcari, Past Patron of Naomi Chapter No. 62 of the Order of the Eastern Star in San Jon, and Lake Arthur Masonic Lodge No. 24 of Hagerman. He also was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, Ricky Smith. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Smith of Roswell; two sons, Joseph P. Smith Jr. of Roswell and Robert G. Smith of Dexter; a brother, David Smith of South Lebanon, Ohio; five grandchildren; and one grandchild. The body will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 26, 2001 Phillip M. Latham TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Phillip M. Latham, 52, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. Rosary was recited Thursday in Dunn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today in St. Anne's Catholic Church by the Rev. John C. Daniel, of the church. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Latham was born in Fort Collins, Colo. A longtime resident of Tucumcari, he graduated from the Tucumcari school system and was a dry wall worker. He was a Vietnam War veteran and a member of the Catholic church. Survivors include his wife, Eloysa Latham; three sons, Danny Romero and Phillip Latham Jr., both of Tucumcari, and Jason Choat of Bell Ranch; three daughters, Shonna Atwood and Melanie Hileski, both of Gruver, Texas and Donna Jaramillo of Tucumcari; two brothers, Jerry Latham of El Paso, Texas, and Glen Latham of Tacoma, Wash.; two sisters, Lisa Latham of Amarillo and Tina Garcia of Okmulgee, Okla.; and 14 grandchildren.