Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 1 January 2003 Thanks to http://www.amarillonet.com/ for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved. Amarillo Globe-News http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------ All Obits - Text Only Daniel "Pinky" Sheets SPEARMAN - Daniel "Pinky" Sheets, 91, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Church of Christ with Leonard Harper officiating. Burial will be in Holt Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Sheets was born at Jeffery, in the Holt Community on June 11, 1911. He was the second of 13 children born to Claud and Nannie Archer Sheets. In 1938, he married May Jean Jaggers of Mount Vernon in Amarillo. He was a man of many talents. At various times in his life he was a teacher, postmaster, farmer, rancher, business owner, county commissioner, school board member, bank director, horse trader, fisherman, prospector, oil wildcatter and inventor. During World War II, he oversaw the ration program for war necessary businesses in Hutchinson County. During his youth, he was well known for his roping and bronc riding abilities. Many of his friends thought he could talk to animals. Actually, his understanding was so great that they just seemed to do what he wanted. He enjoyed telling his grandchildren of the old days and they loved listening to his stories. His farming and ranching activities ranged from Quanah to Sofia, N.M. He was happiest when working at the Turkey Track Ranch, where he was in partnership with cousins and worked in different companies for 60 years. At one time Adobe Walls Cattle Co. ran cattle on 90,000 acres of land. He was known for his honesty and integrity. During his life he conducted most of his business deals with a handshake and an oral agreement. This was as sacred to him as a written contract. He was a visionary who was instrumental in the development and use of several timesaving work devices we now take for granted. This included the use of grain augers, wire rollers, hay loading machines and portable dipping vats. He and his cousins were probably some of the first to use the helicopter to check remote water, cattle and fences. He was involved in many other innovations in the Panhandle. After retirement from the Adobe Walls Cattle Co., he and Jean traveled extensively and spent 23 winters in South Texas. He had many friends in this travel circle and some of them traveled together. He visited every state in the United States and on a trip to Alaska, flew north of the Arctic Circle. Their 50th wedding anniversary was spent in the Yucatan where a jungle party was thrown in their honor. He still receives Christmas cards from all over the North America area. Even though his health had deteriorated, he amazed family and friends in his last few years with his stamina and his continued interest in new adventures. He was blessed with an active mind and common sense. One of his latest projects was a test plot of a special grass never established this far north in Texas to see if it would adapt to Panhandle weather. His last invention took place in the nursing home. Because nobody would bring him baling wire, he used plastic bags to tie a walker to his wheelchair so the he had a machine that allowed him to walk, sit or ride. He was preceded in death by his wife in August 2000. Survivors include two sons, Jerry of Spearman and Perry of San Antonio; five grandchildren, Tommy, Jeri Ann, Carolyne, Lee and Jeff; eight great-grandchildren, Joshua, Hannah, Mike, Sandy, Jackie, Kim, David and Julie; two sisters, Grace Harmon of Wharton and Francis Cudd of Spearman; and four brothers, Branch, S.B. and Claude, all of Spearman, and Willis of Round Rock. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Maxie Heck CLAUDE - Maxie Heck, 70, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Claude Cemetery with the Rev. Glenn McCathern of Coulter Road Baptist Church of Amarillo officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Claude Chapel. Mrs. Heck was born in Canadian and was a longtime resident of Claude. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Mat; three sons, John Heck of Panhandle, Gary Heck of Amarillo and Ronnie Heck of Claude; a daughter, Vicki Heck of Claude; a brother, Jau Don McCathern of Hereford; 14 grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Claude High School Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of First National Bank, P.O. Box 730, Claude, TX 79019; or a favorite charity. The body will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in Claude. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Edith McLaughlin MOBEETIE - Edith McLaughlin, 86, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church of Mobeetie with the Rev. Robert Miller, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Mobeetie Cemetery by Rector Funeral Home of Amarillo, 2800 S. Osage St. Mrs. McLaughlin was born in Wheeler County. She married Brooks McLaughlin in 1936 at Miami. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1985; and a son, Keith McLaughlin in 1990. Survivors include three grandsons, Kent McLaughlin of Mobeetie, Mike Kelsey of Pampa and Jimmy McDaniel of Whitewright; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels in care of BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. The body will be available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the church. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Helena Elizabeth Catoe CLARENDON - Helena Elizabeth Catoe, 80, formerly of Clarendon, of Amarillo, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with the Rev. Marty Hamrick of Amarillo and the Rev. James Ivey Edwards, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors. Mrs. Catoe was born Feb. 21, 1922, in Ashtola, Donley County. She was a longtime resident of El Paso, and then a resident of Clarendon for several years before moving to Amarillo recently. She was a foster care parent for many years in El Paso. She was a public school math teacher for 28 years before her retirement. After retirement, she was an active volunteer in the Methodist Church in El Paso, Donley County Senior Citizens Association in Clarendon and in the activities of First United Methodist Church in Clarendon. She was recently named Amarillo Globe-News Volunteer of the Day for her work at Park Place Towers. She was a member of Polk Street Methodist Church in Amarillo. She was preceded in death by an infant son; a brother; and five sisters. Survivors include a son, Leslie Catoe of Odessa; three grandchildren, Ivy, Daniel and Bryan; a sister, Willa Cook of Amarillo; 11 nieces and nephews, Joe Lovell of Claude, Jim Lovell and David Butler, both of Dumas, Jan Chandler, Lea Reynolds and Dean Cook, all of Amarillo, Elaine Poovey of Stinnett, Bob Poovey of Yoder, Colo., Kenneth Butler of Quanah, Bill Ramsay of Borger and Patsy Robertson of Clarendon; numerous great-nieces and nephews; several great-great-nieces and nephews; many great-great-great-nieces and nephews; and many special friends. Casket bearers will be Sam Lowry, Don Williams, Jim Shelton, Paul Bivens, Ted Shaller, Doug Lowe, Jack Moreman and Willard Skelton. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Johnny Claborn HEREFORD - Johnny Claborn, 54, formerly of Friona died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in Clovis, N.M. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church of Friona with the Rev. Steve Patterson officiating. Burial will be in Friona Memorial Park Cemetery by Parkside Chapel Funeral Home. Mr. Claborn was born Aug. 27, 1948, in Groom, the son of J.C. "Jay" and Odie Claborn. He had lived in Dallas the past several years where he was an air freight contractor with Graf Industries. Survivors include his father and stepmother, J.C. "Jay" and Jonell Claborn of Friona; a daughter, Amy Claborn of Arvada, Colo.; and a brother, Dr. Jobey Claborn of Muleshoe. The body will be available for viewing at Blackwell Funeral Home in Friona until service time. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Mary Helen Jarrell Givens QUANAH - Mary Helen Jarrell Givens, 93, of Pampa, formerly of Quanah died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in Pampa. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Quanah Memorial Park with the Rev. Clinton Young, minister of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home. Mrs. Givens was born March 27, 1909, daughter of W.R. and Alice Louise Jerrell. She married Edward Galen "Bill" Givens on Nov. 29, 1928. Survivors include a grandson, Edward Givens of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two granddaughters, Cathrine Doyle of Greensboro, N.C., and Diane Cox of Mount Carmel, Tenn.; and 11 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Amarillo Jorge H. Sarabia Sr. Jorge H. Sarabia Sr., 51, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Francisco Perez officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Francisco Perez officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Survivors include his wife, Norma Patricia; two sons, Jorge H. Sarabia and Ivan Sarabia, both of Amarillo; two sisters, Julia Sarabia and Nelva Sarabia, both of Mexico; and two brothers, Miguel Sarabia and Luis Sarabia, both of Mexico. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Pedro De Leon Pedro De Leon, 93, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Services will be at noon Thursday in Llano Mausoleum Chapel. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. De Leon was born in Durango, Mexico. He had been an Amarillo resident since 1982. Survivors include his wife, Bertha; five sons, Jose De Leon, Pedro De Leon, Daniel De Leon, Samuel De Leon and Alex De Leon, all of Amarillo; four daughters, Carmen De Leon, Vicky De Leon, Mague De Leon and Angelica De Leon, all of Amarillo; 22 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Lura Lea Schooler Lura Lea Schooler, 94, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002. Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Polk Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Garrett officiating. Private family burial will precede the service at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Schooler was born in Blanchard, Iowa, on Aug. 11, 1908. She attended Maryville College in Maryville, Mo. She married Dale K. Schooler in Fairfax, Mo., on Feb. 14, 1931. She moved to Amarillo in 1946 from Fairfax. She was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church, where she was a member of Gleaners/Friendship Sunday school class. She was also a member of McDowell Music Club and Women's Federated Group. She was an active artist under the direction of George McSpadden, and studied oil painting. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1979; and a son, Phil Schooler in 1992. Survivors include two sons, Ronald D. Schooler and Maurice Schooler and wife, Mary, all of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Kelly, Jim, Lori, Suzanne and Tom; and eight great-grandchildren, Ryan, Austin, Tim, Krystin, Macy, Erin, Koehler and Gus. The family suggests memorials be to Polk Street United Methodist, Television Ministry, 1401 S. Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101. The family will be at No. 20 Edgewater Drive. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Allen Joseph Dudding Jr. Allen Joseph Dudding Jr., 35, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Church of Christ at the Colonies with Dick Marcear officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Dudding was born in Fremont, Neb., on Aug. 18, 1967. He graduated from Hereford High School in 1986. He attended West Texas State University for three years. He married Sunny Bowers in Amarillo on Nov. 7, 1991. He was co-owner of Amarillo Roofing. He was a member of Church of Christ at the Colonies. He was preceded in death by his father, Allen "Jack" Dudding on Jan. 2, 1999; and his grandmother, Oda Dudding. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Kelsey Jean Dudding of Amarillo; a son, Clay Patrick Dudding of Amarillo; his mother, Phyllis Dudding of Amarillo; four brothers, Michael J. Dudding, James A. Dudding and David J. Dudding, all of Amarillo, and John F. Dudding of Lubbock; and his grandmother, Elsie Wertjes of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to the memorial trust fund for Clay and Kelsey Dudding in care of Amarillo National Bank. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Doyce H. Longbine Doyce H. Longbine, 79, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with Dr. G.A. Roach of Northwest Texas Healthcare System officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery with military rites by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26. Mr. Longbine was born in Estelline. He moved to Amarillo in 1954 from Estelline. He served in the Army during World War II and Korea. He worked for Buck's Garage for several years. He married Margaret Mendez in 1950 at Childress. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carol Wilkinson and husband, Lloyd, of Duncanville; a son, Bobby Longbine and wife, Gloria, of Amarillo; two sisters, Margaret Mendez of Amarillo and Katie Rogers of Childress; two brothers, Frank Longbine of Estelline and Leslie Longbine of California; four grandchildren, Jennifer Longbine, James Longbine, John Wilkinson and Cheryl Wilkinson; and two great-granddaughters, Marissa Longbine and Hanna Longbine. The family suggests memorials be to Palo Duro Care Center. Amarillo Globe-News. Jan. 1, 2003 Lloyd D. Taylor Lloyd D. Taylor, 81, of Amarillo died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in Fort Worth. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Langston Memorial Church of God in Christ with the Rev. Tom E. Jones Jr., pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Taylor was a native of Navasota. He was an Amarillo resident for 62 years and was the oldest deacon of Langston Memorial Church of God in Christ. Survivors include a daughter, Delois Parker and husband, Donald, of Fort Worth; four sisters, Esther Smith of Dallas, Mary Lou Durham of Fort Worth, Joyce Maxwell of Wichita Falls and Ruth Ella Taylor of Clovis, N.M.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Helen Hooker Helen Hooker, 87, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Temple Baptist Church with Troy Richards and Richard Dickerson officiating. Private family burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Hooker was born in Quanah and graduated from Childress High School. She attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, where she met E.L. Hooker. They married in Plainview in 1935. She was a member of JC Penny Retirement Group and an active member of Temple Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1993. Survivors include a daughter, Jo Ann Byrd and husband, Johny, of Amarillo; a son, Charles Hooker and wife, Phyllis, of West Lake Village, Calif.; a brother, George Daniel of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 4506 Aberdeen Drive in the Colonies. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Gabriel Guerrero Gabriel Guerrero, infant son of Ruben and Jessica Guerrero of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. Graveside services were at 3 p.m. Tuesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Hereford with John Cloud, deacon, officiating. Arrangements are by Holley Funeral Home of Canyon. Gabriel was born Dec. 29, to Ruben and Jessica Guerrero in Amarillo. Survivors include his parents; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Benito Guerrero of Olton and Mr. and Mrs. Toby Liscano of Hereford. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice of Amarillo; or Wayside Emergency Service of Wayside. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Amarillo Andrew Serna Jr. Andrew Serna Jr., 65, of Amarillo died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Rosendo DeLosSantos, pastor of Bethel Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Serna was born in Fort Sumner, N.M., moving to Amarillo in 1969. He married Juliana Martinez on Sept. 16, 1969, in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Joe Martinez of Amarillo and Andy Serna of Austin; a stepson, Gilbert Martinez of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Mary Medina of Amarillo; four sisters, Rose Barnette, Mollie Serna, Katherine S. Sikes and Yolanda S. Perez, all of Amarillo; two brothers, Gilbert Serna and Ricky Vasquez, both of Amarillo; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Bennie Joe Brogdon Bennie Joe Brogdon, 73, of Amarillo died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Tommy Ewing of 10th Avenue United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Brogdon was born in Byars, Okla., and graduated from Rosedale High School in Rosedale, Okla. He joined the Army in 1951 and served in the Korean conflict and was discharged in 1956. He married Doris Mitchell in 1953 at Clovis, N.M. Mr. Brogdon worked in the cattle feeding industry for more than 40 years in the Texas Panhandle. He was a past member of Texas Cattle Feeders Association and a member of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Bennie W. Brogdon, Randy Brogdon and Michael Brogdon, all of Amarillo, and Don Brogdon of Bushland; two daughters, Donna Ryder of Amarillo and Tina Mitchell of Lewisville; four brothers, John Brogdon of Amarillo, Glen Brogdon and Homer Brogdon, both of Fort Worth, and David Brogdon of Springfield, Mo.; four sisters, Lee Woods and Thelma Levassar, both of Amarillo, Daisy Slaughter of Lufkin and Alice Frye of Dallas; and 18 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Nolan Dale Buchanan Nolan Dale Buchanan, 71, of Amarillo died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with Gordon Cox, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Buchanan moved to Canyon in 1990 from Amarillo. He worked for JC Penney and retired from Western Auto as auto service manager in 1993. Mr. Buchanan had served in the Korean War. He married Shirley Grant of Nov. 14, 1984, in Amarillo. Mr. Buchanan was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Canyon. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Peggy Forsythe of Canyon; a son, James Buchanan of San Angelo; two grandchildren; a great-grandson; three stepchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; and six step great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association, 2404 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 New Mexico H.L. Plyler CLOVIS, N.M. - H.L. Plyler, 71, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, in Lubbock, Texas. Graveside services were at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Mission Garden of Memories with Buster Kittrell officiating. Arrangements were by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Plyler came to Clovis in 1998 from Paint Rock, Texas. He was a carpenter and owned Plyler Construction for 45 years. Survivors include three sons, Steve Plyler and Scott Plyler, both of Clovis, and Ray Plyler of Florida; a daughter, Joan Pippin of Clovis; three brothers, L.D. Plyler of Port Orchard, Wash., J.C. Plyler of Paint Rock and Frank Plyler of Fort Worth, Texas; a sister, Wanda I. Kittrell of Muleshoe, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Oklahoma Fontaine LeRoy "F.L." Cooley GUYMON, Okla. - Fontaine LeRoy "F.L." Cooley, 78, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Derek Cox and the Rev. Jim Maynard officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Bunch-Roberts Funeral Directors. Mr. Cooley was a World War II Army veteran. He was Guymon Fire Department Chief for several years, retiring in 1985. Survivors include his wife, Sherri; five sons, Dallas Cooley of Milledgeville, Ga., John Cooley of Lakin, Kan., James Cooley of Lexington, Gary Cooley of Bogota, Columbia, and Chester Cooley of San Antonio; a daughter, Jaquelynn Preslar of Odessa, Texas; six stepchildren, Kathy Gose of Littleton, Colo., John Fahrney of Grottoes, Va., and Michael Duncan of Mesa, Ariz., Tandi Hawkins of Guymon, Ty Holland of Gore and Tanna Holland of Vici. The family suggests memorials be to Oklahoma Fallen Firefighters and may be sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 Marie Lilly GAGE, Okla. - Marie Lilly, 76, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, in Enid. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church of Gage. Burial will be in Gage Memorial Cemetery by Johnson's Good Samaritan Funeral Service. Mrs. Lilly was born Sept. 13, 1926, in Ratcliff, Ark. She owned and operated Lilly Beauty Shop in Gage for many years. Survivors include a sister, Adell Nelson of Lake Conroe, Texas; a nephew; and three great-nieces. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/010103/obi_allobits.shtml