Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 8 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 Area J.B. Buchanan SPEARMAN - J.B. Buchanan, 96, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Hansford Cemetery with the Rev. Ken Cole officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Buchanan was a member of First United Methodist Church of Spearman. He was a member of Hansford Lodge No. 1040 AF&AM. He was past worshipful master, 50-year Mason. He was a lover and collector of windmills. He donated two windmills to the Smithsonian Institution and the rest of his collection to the community of Spearman. He was Spearman Citizen of the Year in 1999. Survivors include his wife, Ila Mae; a son, Burl Buchanan of Spearman; four sisters, Louise Vaught, Edna Bassel and Virginia Cates, all of Amarillo, and Helen Fisher of Spearman; a granddaughter, Jana Buchanan of Amarillo; a grandson, Roger Buchanan of Spearman; and a great-great-nephew, Bryce Jarvis of Spearman. The family suggests memorials be to Southwestern Pioneer Windmill Association, P.O. Box 805, Spearman, TX 79081. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Lela Comer Fore PLAINVIEW - Lela Comer Fore, 88, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Garland Street Church of Christ with Karl King of Abilene and J.W. Hamby of Plainview officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Lemons Funeral Home. Mrs. Fore was born Oct. 15, 1914, in Ardmore, Okla. She married O.B. Fore on July 18, 1937, in Lockney. She graduated from Lockney High School and attended Wayland Baptist College for two years. She moved to Plainview in 1945. Mrs. Fore and her husband helped found the Teachers Credit Union. She retired from Plainview High School as food service manager after 27 years of service. She was preceded in death by her husband on March 11, 1992; and a sister, Oneta Barrett. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Shanks and husband, Howard, of Capitan, N.M.; two sons, Gordon Fore and wife, Virginia, of Pampa and Jim Fore and wife, Van, of Amarillo; two brothers, Leo Comer of Lubbock and Lon Comer of Plainview; her caregiver, Elida Garcia of Plainview; seven grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 12 step great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels in care of BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105-9975; or New Mexico Christian Children's Fund, 1356 New Mexico Highway 236, Portales, NM 88130. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Jan Ferguson CHILDRESS - Jan Ferguson, 55, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Norman Rushing officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Ferguson was born Jan. 8, 1947, in Wellington. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Robby Ferguson of Rowlett; a daughter, Tina Martin of Childress; a brother, Tommy Harwell of Gordonville; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Ruby Pauline Denney PAMPA - Ruby Pauline Denney, 94, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003. Private graveside services were Tuesday in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements were by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Denney was born Nov. 4, 1908. She had been a resident of Pampa for most of her life. Survivors include a nephew, Ed Caulder of Santa Fe, N.M.; and a great-niece, Marlena Caulder of Dallas. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, 203 N. West St., Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Wanda L. Bates HAPPY - Wanda L. Bates, 77, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in Amarillo. Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Calvary Baptist Church of Tulia with the Rev. Bob Miller, pastor of South Georgia Baptist Church of Amarillo, and the Rev. Paul Burwash, pastor of First Baptist Church of Happy, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulia by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mrs. Bates was born Nov. 15, 1925, in Tulia to William and Rosa Southern Moore. She moved to Happy in 1943. She married Adrian Bates in Clovis, N.M., on Nov. 2, 1950. She was employed by Sexton Grocery as a clerk and bookkeeper for 10 years. She was a Sunday school teacher and was involved with various church committees. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for 14 years and served five years on the board of directors of the Swisher County Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Happy. She was a loving wife, mother, ma-ma, great-grandmother and trusted friend. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Melissa Diane; three brothers; four sisters; three half-sisters; and a half-brother. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Peggy Jo Johnson and husband, Tom, of Alvord and Kathy Mahala Cumby and husband, Andrew, of Happy; a brother, Luther C. Moore and wife, Bernice, of Rockdale; two sisters-in-law, Naomi Finck of Tulia and Dorothy Moore of Portland, Ore.; four grandchildren, Julie Stewart of San Antonio, Andria Tucker of Fort Worth, Jaci McCarty of Canyon and Ben Johnson of Abilene; a great-grandson, Timothy Stewart; six nephews; and three nieces. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of Happy Building Fund, P.O. Box 95, Happy, TX 79042; or BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 David Sterling "D.S." Burelsmith TULIA - David Sterling "D.S." Burelsmith, 86, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rob Lindley, pastor, and the Rev. Tommy Ewing officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mr. Burelsmith was born July 1, 1916, in Wilbarger County. He grew up in Wilbarger County and attended schools there. He married Helen Simpkins on Dec. 19, 1939, in Vernon. He was a truck driver and farmed before he moved to Petersburg in 1948, where he farmed. He moved to Tulia in 1955 and farmed. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. He was a member of Tulia Masonic Lodge No. 733 for 50 years. He was a member of Tulia Wheat Growers Board for four years, Tule Creek Soil and Water Conservation board for 20 years, serving as president twice, Farm Bureau Board for 50 years, serving as president for four years, and Tulia Senior Citizens. He was preceded in death by his wife on Sept. 9, 1999. Survivors include a daughter, Sherry Malone and husband, Gary, of Tulia; a son, David Burelsmith and wife, Marilyn, of Mabank; a brother, Dean Burelsmith of Odessa; two sisters, Nora Faye Parish of Baton Rouge, La., and Margaret Burelsmith of Slaton; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 119 N. Briscoe St., Tulia, TX 79088; BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79106; or Tulia Senior Citizens, 619 S.E. Second St., Tulia, TX 79088. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Amarillo Lee Eric Weiss Lee Eric Weiss, 54, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. today in St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Judith Reedy officiating. Private family burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mr. Weiss married Ruby Reedy on April 24, 1976, in Sherman. He was owner of Comac Fixtures Inc. for 25 years. He was an avid golfer who competed in several local tournaments. He was also active in coaching North Randall County Baseball and various AAU basketball teams. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Hicks Weiss in 1963. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Corey Weiss of Lake Jackson and Casey Weiss of Amarillo; a daughter, Cristin Weiss of Amarillo; his parents, Louis and Jean Weiss of Augusta, Kan.; four brothers, Jay Weiss of Monroe, La., Jon Weiss of Cottonwood Falls, Kan., Kurt Weiss of Lincoln, Neb., and Steve Wisdom of Wichita, Kan.; and two sisters, Laurie Weiss of San Antonio and Cheryl Hill of Wichita. The family suggests memorials be to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Guadalupe Gonzales Guadalupe Gonzales, 53, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Laurence Cathedral with the Rev. Federico Hernandez officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Gonzales was born Dec. 10, 1949, in McAllen, to Apolonio and Bernardina Gonzales. He was a member of St. Laurence Cathedral Church in Amarillo. He was disabled for the past 28 years. He enjoyed working on his pickup truck. He was preceded in death by his father in 1997. Survivors include his mother; two sisters, Maria Martinez of Amarillo and Minnie Ortez of Florida; five brothers, Frank Gonzales of Arlington, Manual Gonzales, Apolonio "Paul" Gonzales Jr. and Joe Gonzales, all of Amarillo, and Johnny Gonzales of Lake Tanglewood. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo Catholic Family Service; or the Diocese of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Trini Allen Trini Allen, 59, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. Alfonso Mejia of Arden Road Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Allen was born in Raymondville, moving to Amarillo 13 years ago. She worked as a nurse's aide and was a member of Arden Road Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Edward Balderas of Amarillo; two daughters, Melissa Mathis and Paulia Balderas, both of Amarillo; three sisters, Estella Perez and Janie Covarrubrias, both of La Feria, and Lupita Coastillo of Itasca; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 James David "Jim" Allen James David "Jim" Allen, 74, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Memphis Cemetery in Memphis with the Rev. Cris Rawlinson of Gateway Baptist Church in Borger officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mr. Allen moved to Amarillo 20 years ago and had worked at the Amarillo Stockyards. He was a veteran and served in the Air Force. Survivors include two daughters, Donna Tedford of Justin and Vicky Wahlstrom of Windsor, Calif.; three sisters, Viola Reno and Margaret Wiley, both of California, and Lettie Billington of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Ella Blanche Westerby Farmer Ella Blanche Westerby Farmer, 78, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Meredith Knepp Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Farmer was born Jan. 17, 1924, in Holly, Mich., one of seven children born to Wilson and Irva Wortman Westerby. She moved to Amarillo in 1946 and was a private duty nurse. She was a member of Grand Street Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; two brothers, Wilson Westerby and George Westerby; and a sister, Nellie Westerby. Survivors include three daughters, Charlene Forguson of Amarillo, Dolly Farmer of Hooks and Erma Jasper of Lubbock; a stepson, Kenneth Farmer of Amarillo; two brothers, Charles Westerby of Amarillo and Harvey Westerby of Lake Isabella, Weidman, Mich.; a sister, Dollie Mass of Howell, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice. The family will be at 3508 Hawthorne St. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Lena Sheppard Lena Sheppard, 94, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Dan Powers of Northside Assembly of God Church officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park in Borger. Mrs. Sheppard was born in Tennessee and moved to Amarillo in 1950. She married Otis Sheppard in Clovis, N.M., on Dec. 18, 1945. Mrs. Sheppard was a member of Rebekah Lodge, Order of the Easter Star and Rainbow Rebekah Lodge No. 193, in Amarillo. She was a member of Northside Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1978. Survivors include her extended family, Mel and Sharon Goforth of Amarillo; a nephew, James E. Simpson and wife, Myra, of Birmingham, Ala.; and a cousin, Charles Damron of Fayetteville, Tenn. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Richard "Pat" Patterson Richard "Pat" Patterson, 75, of Amarillo died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Panhandle Cemetery in Panhandle with the Rev. Robert E. Field officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Patterson was born in Glastonbury, Conn. He served in the Navy. He married Glenda Campbell in Borger on Aug. 17, 1951. They had been married for 51 years. He worked for Phillips for 33 years as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in 1984. The family then moved to Clarendon in 1986, where they raised cattle for the next 15 years. In 2000, he and Glenda moved to Amarillo. Mr. Patterson was a member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Clarendon. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Cindy Seymour and Joy Howard, both of Fritch; a son, Richard Patterson Jr. of Houston; a sister, Frances Phelps of Hartford, Conn. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Vera Franks Vera Franks, 84, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dr. Chester Beavers officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Franks was born Sept. 13, 1918, in Childress, to Seth and Liddia McFather. She married Thomas Earl Franks in 1936 at Carey. She was a seamstress for Hollywood Dress Shop for more than 20 years at the time of her retirement. She was a member of River Road Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002; a daughter, Shirley Walker in 2002; a sister, Arlene Efaw in 2002; and a grandson, Kenneth Walker in 1988. Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Franks and Danny Franks, both of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Jack Gregory Hargis Jack Gregory Hargis, 40, of Houston, formerly of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in Amarillo. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Polk Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Garrett, senior pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Hargis was born in Arlington and grew up in Borger, where he was active in youth football and baseball. He also played football and baseball at Borger High School where he graduated in 1980. He received a degree in geology from Texas Tech University in 1985. Greg was an avid hunter and fisherman. He would have never considered a job that conflicted with his hunting and fishing. After graduation from Texas Tech, he relocated to Houston where he entered the natural gas trading business with Columbia Gulf. Later he worked at Neste Oy before his present job at Idacorp. Survivors include his parents, Les and Deanna Hargis of Amarillo; a sister, Whitney Schmitto and husband, Kip, and their children, Matthew and Nicholas; a brother, Barry Hargis and wife, Sandra, and their children, Branden and Brett; and the love of his life, Melissa Reese of Houston. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 New Mexico Lillian Katherine Turner TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Lillian Katherine Turner, 89, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, in Albuquerque. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Center Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Scott Seymour, minister, and the Rev. Gene Richardson, Methodist minister, officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home. Mrs. Turner was born June 28, 1913, in Hugo, Okla. Survivors include two sons, Frank K. Turner of Birmingham, Ala., and Terry Turner of Albuquerque; a brother, Virge Kile of Houston; three grandchildren; and triplet great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Center Street United Methodist Church. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 Elsewhere Jerry Mignon Elsheimer AUSTIN - Jerry Mignon Elsheimer, 61, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, in Taylor. Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa with Dr. Randy White, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pampa, officiating. Arrangements were by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Miss Elsheimer had been a resident of Austin from 1946 until moving to Taylor in 2001. She was a Baptist. Survivors include her father and stepmother, Gerald "Jerry" and Elma Elsheimer of Pampa; two brothers, Richard Elsheimer of Oklahoma City and Mike Savine of Pinole, Calif.; and a sister, Linda Keahey of Pampa. The family suggests memorials be to Lone Star Hospice, 1212 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, TX 78664. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 8, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/010803/obi_ob010803-19.shtml