Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 27 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 Mable Konkler QUANAH - Mable Konkler, 86, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Fred Weaver, pastor, and the Rev. Jason Stidham officiating. Burial will be in Quanah Memorial Park by Smith Funeral Home. Mrs. Konkler was born Aug. 10, 1916, in Quanah, daughter of the late Dave and Cora Gooding Choat. She was a lifetime resident of Quanah. Survivors include a son, Johnny Konkler of Fairfield Bay, Ark.; two sisters, Vivian Jones and Jewel Trolinder, both of Quanah; a brother, Robert Choat of Quanah; a sister-in-law, Glenna Mae Choat of Quanah; and a grandson. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Harold Holt QUANAH - Harold Holt, 62, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Jason Stidham officiating. Burial will be in Quanah Memorial Park. Mr. Holt was born June 29, 1940, in Foreman, Ark., son of the late Albert James Holt and Esther Mae Hope Holt. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his mother of Wolfe City; five sisters, Nora Landers of Wolfe City, Mary Lou Dunlap of Houston, Martha Louise Stover of Arizona, Barbara Cooper of Belton and Rebecca Wilson of Princeton; and three brothers, Charles Lee Holt of Arizona, Sylvester Dale Holt of Garland and James Paul Holt of Okemah, Okla. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Walter C. Davis QUANAH - Walter C. Davis, 87, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. today in Quanah Memorial Park with the Rev. Jesse Dea, of Quanah, officiating. Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home. Mr. Davis was born Aug. 25, 1915, in Hardeman County, son of the late A.L. and Ava Milligan Davis. He married Patsy Risinger on Sept. 27, 1999, in Quanah. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Bertha Davis Hatfield of Dallas; and two brothers, James Davis of Quanah and Lyndel Davis of Hurst. The family suggests memorials be to Quanah Senior Citizens. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Linda Joy Crabtree LEFORS - Linda Joy "Crabby" Crabtree, 58, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa, Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Lewis Ellis, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Fairlawn Cemetery of Elk City, Okla. Miss Crabtree was born March 18, 1944, in Elk City, Okla., and had lived in Lefors most of her life. She was a 1962 graduate of Lefors High School and graduated from Frank Phillips College in Borger in 1964. She worked as an emergency room nurse at Highland General Hospital, Coronado Community Hospital and Pampa Regional Medical Center for 38 years. She was a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Sybil Gowdy Crabtree. Survivors include two aunts and an uncle, Verle and Leslie Vaught and Irene Crabtree, all of Elk City; five cousins, Bobby Gene Gowdy of Elk City, Susie Klausner of LaPalma, Calif., Jerry Gowdy of South Carolina, Brenda Jackson and husband, Travis, and Lesle Jackson, all of Arlington; and special friends, Leta Padgett of Lefors and Cody and Malinda Padgett of Brownwood. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Rae Jean Baland PAMPA - Rae Jean Baland, 67, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Edwin Cooley, pastor, officiating. Private burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Baland was born Sept. 26, 1935, in Amarillo where she lived most of her life. She moved to Pampa in 1993 where she was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a son, Nelson Baland of Lubbock; a sister, Jane Potts of Pampa; a brother, Bill Cheyne of Austin; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Book of Remembrance at First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Gray, Pampa, TX 79065; or Meals on Wheels, 201 E. Foster, Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Bob T. Baker STRATFORD - Bob T. Baker, 76, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First Assembly of God in Sunray with Larry Brace, pastor of Pentecostal Church of God in Texhoma, Okla., and the Rev. Roy Harris of Kerrick officiating. Burial will be in Lane Memorial Cemetery of Sunray by Morrison Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mr. Baker was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Mannford, Okla., and lived in the Panhandle area since 1965. He married Berlene Ashburn on Aug. 8, 1950, in Oilton, Okla. He was the son of James and Margaret Baker. He was one of 12 children, six girls and six boys. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Lessie Rich, Lillie Connors and Juanita "Sis" Poole; and three brothers, Bennie, R.T. and Jim Baker. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Laquita Clemmons of Texhoma and Rita Faye Ramirez of Stratford; three sons, Michael Baker of Guymon, Okla., Bobby Baker of Dalhart and Leon Baker of Elkhart, Kan.; three sisters, Alice Watkins of Yale, Okla., Jewel Baker of Oilton and Mary Huff of Ripley, Okla.; two brothers, Melvin Baker of Sunray and Vernon Baker of Oilton; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family will be at 304 Ave. K in Sunray. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Juanita Stevenson Bell SHAMROCK - Juanita Stevenson Bell, 93, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church with Joe G. Jernigan, pastor of Calvary Christian Church, and the Rev. John Westman, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Bell was born Oct. 4, 1909, in Cyril, Okla., to William H. Stone and Minnie Bell Johnson. Her first husband, Don Stevenson, preceded her in death. She then married Glynn Bell on March 1, 1949, in Wheeler. Glynn preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 2000. During her lifetime she served as a telephone operator, bus line owner, homemaker and hosted many civic events in her home. She was a worthy matron of the Eastern Star. Survivors include three stepdaughters, JoAn Seago of Borger, Doris Taylor of Lubbock, Barbara Burkhalter of Plano; one sister, Esther May of Elgin, Okla.; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three nieces; and a nephew. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Betty Jo Lester BORGER - Betty Jo Lester, 71, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, with Chaplain Bob Thomas of Crown of Texas Hospice officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Lester was a Borger resident since 1948 and a native of Miami. She was a member of First Christian Church of Miami. Survivors include her husband, Harold; sons, Edgar Lester of Cypress and Barry Lester of Cleveland, Okla.; a daughter, Donna Drake of Borger; a brother, Leo Graham of Amarillo; a sister, Marie McCook of Beaumont; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Virginia Kay Shull BORGER - Virginia Kay Shull, 60, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Highland Park Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Rawlinson, pastor of Gateway Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Shull was a native of Rotan and a Borger resident since 1943. She was an LVN and worked at several hospitals. Survivors include two sons, Tommy Cook of Dallas and T.J. Cook of Ocean Springs, Miss.; parents, June and Maurine Rhoton of Borger; a brother, James R. Rhoton of Borger; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo Nursing Center, 4033 W. 51st Ave., Amarillo, TX 79109; or to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Amarillo Clides A. "Clyde" Mullins Clides A. "Clyde" Mullins, 81, of Amarillo died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Christian Heritage Church with the Rev. Ronnie Mullins, of the church, officiating. Private burial will be in Hedrick, Okla., at a later date. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 15th Avenue and Martin Road. Mr. Mullins was born June 28, 1921, in Commerce. He served in the Army during World War II in Normandy Beach, France. He was a member of Christian Heritage Church. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Audie H. and Luella Mullins; and a brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Barbara Mullins. Survivors include five sons, Audie Mullins, Patric Mullins and Sammy, all of Oklahoma City, George Mullins of Amarillo and Justin Mullins of Disney, Okla.; four daughters, Loretta and Clydann Mullins, both of Amarillo, Ruby Dempsey of Altus, Okla., and Rose Gann of Salina, Okla.; two brothers, James D. Mullins and wife, Ernestine, and Ronald Lee Mullins and wife, Kathy, all of Amarillo; 27 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four nephews; and four nieces. The family suggests memorials be to City of Refuge for the Homeless. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Erwin E. Russell Jr. Erwin E. Russell Jr., 77, of Amarillo died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Charles Jones, of Second Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Russell was born in Meridian, Miss. He served in the Army during World War II. He graduated with a BBA from "Ole Mississippi" University. He married Bee Campbell in Oxford, Miss., on Nov. 7, 1948. He had been a longtime resident and businessman of Amarillo. He owned Russell Buick Auto Dealership for more than 22 years until his retirement in 1989. He was an instrument rated pilot and loved to fly. He was a member of Kappa Sigma and in 1980 he served as president of the Amarillo New Car Dealers Association. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rustine Russell Thomas. Survivors include his wife; a son, Trey Russell of Amarillo; a sister, Mary Ann Gibson of San Antonio; three grandchildren, Robert Russell and Teresa Russell, both of Amarillo, and C'Anne Weldishofer of San Antonio; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Lung Association of Texas, P.O. Box 26460, Austin, TX 78755-0460; or to the Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Gene L. "Mutt" Cates Gene L. "Mutt" Cates, 81, of Amarillo died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery with Jerry Coffman, associate pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Cates was born Dec. 28, 1921, in Hollis, Okla. He served a little over three years in the Coast Guard aboard the USS Wakefield. On May 21, 1950, he married Mary Lou Covey. He retired from Affiliated Foods. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Mike Cates and Sammy Cates; a daughter, Cathy Cates Cochran; two brothers, Johnny Cates and Frank Cates; five sisters, Iona Givens, Martha Junell, Helen Harper, Mary Lou Freeman and Laverne Elliott; six grandchildren, Mike Cates II, Chris Cates, Dennis Cates, Jennifer Cochran, Jessica Herrera and Amanda Canales; and four great-grandchildren, Mike Cates III, Jordan Cates, Josh Herrera and McKayla Canales. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Rose Sartain Rose Sartain, 93, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 24, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Howard Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Sartain was born in Weatherford on Aug. 10, 1909. The family later moved to Strong City, Okla., near Cheyenne. She moved to Amarillo in the 1940s. She worked for Levine's Department store on Polk Street for many years. She will always be remembered as a cheerful, fun-loving person. She loved to dance the two-step and won numerous waltz contests. She was a longtime resident of Country Club Manor. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Roy Palmer; and in later years, her second husband, Ed Sartain; two stepchildren; four brothers; and three sisters. Survivors include three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Ron Arlington Ron Arlington, 64, of Amarillo died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with Dr. David Evans, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Arlington was born and lived in San Francisco until moving to Amarillo. He was a dental technician and owner of Amarillo Dental Lab for 23 years. He was greatly admired and respected by the dentists he worked with. His passion was working with his hands whether at the dental lab or on one of his many projects. His hobby was fishing. Survivors include his wife, best friend and co-worker, Shirley; a daughter, Glenda Chadwell and husband, Kenny, of Amarillo; a son, Marty Leet of Kansas; an aunt, Myrna Girard of Amarillo; four grandsons, Sean Strickland of Hayward, Calif., Matthew Leet, Colton Leet and Logan Leet, all of Kansas; a great-granddaughter, Morgan Rackley of Waco; and numerous lifelong friends throughout the United States. The family will be at 1528 S. Virginia St. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 B.F. Thigpen B.F. Thigpen, 82, of Amarillo died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Dr. Jim Garrett, of Polk Street United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Thigpen attended school in Graham and came to Amarillo after graduation from high school. He entered military service in 1941 and returned to Amarillo in 1945. He married Colleen Coble on Aug. 9, 1946, in Amarillo. He went to work for Amarillo Gas Co. in 1946 where he worked his entire career until he retired as a vice president of Pioneer Nuclear Energy in 1979. He was a member of South Amarillo Kiwanis Club and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church. He was an usher and drove a church van. He was a board member and committee member. He was also a member of the 50/50 Sunday School Class. For many years he was active as a Boy Scouts of America leader and board member in Amarillo. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Thomas and Mary Nancy Thigpen; three brothers; a grandson, Kyle Pace; and a granddaughter, Aimee Pace. Survivors include his wife; a son, Royse Thigpen and wife, Marti, of Dallas; two daughters, Sharon Kay Pace and husband, John, and Carol Cobb and husband, Ken, all of Amarillo; a sister, Mary Lou Thornton of New Braunfels; two sisters-in-law, Zelma Thigpen of Norman, Okla., and Alice P. Chistiansen of Amarillo; seven grandchildren, Matt Thigpen and wife, Kristie, of San Antonio, Holly Thigpen of Dallas, Jason Pace, Ryan Pace and wife, Angela, Keith Pace, Andy Cobb and Randy Cobb, all of Amarillo; and two great-grandchildren, Jasmine Pace and Kyler Pace, both of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Polk Street United Methodist Church Music Ministry. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Luther "Luke" Earl Vandagriff Luther "Luke" Earl Vandagriff, 67, of Amarillo died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, with the Rev. Robert E. Field officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Family and friends of Luke will celebrate their memories of him during the memorial service. Mr. Vandagriff embarked from his home in Amarillo to enter the next phase of his eternal journey. He entered this world as the son of Everett and Ruby Vandagriff on Nov. 15, 1935, in Norman, Okla. He pursued his career as a plumber/pipe fitter for more than 40 years. He was a loving husband, father and friend, known by all for his willingness to help others with his mechanical skills and knowledge. He loved traveling to new and exciting places such as when he worked in Saudi Arabia for two years. He also loved fishing by a quiet stream. He was a member of San Jacinto Homebound for the past 11 years. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynn; a son, David; his parents, Everett Vandagriff and Ruby Johnson; and a brother, Norris Vandagriff. Survivors include his wife, Peggy; two daughters, Sherry Wright and husband, Brad, of Las Cruces, N.M., and Tonja Vandagriff of Chicago; a son, James Vandagriff of Amarillo; three sisters, Aline Frank of San Antonio, Wanda Jean Lamb and Roya Lazar, both of Houston; three brothers, Bob Vandagriff of Toledo Bend, Richard Vandagriff and Charles Vandagriff, both of Houston; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will be at 7900 W. 81st Ave., No. 140 in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Elsewhere Jo Davies LONGMONT, Colo. - Jo Davies, 67, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Longs Peak United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Creel officiating. Arrangements are by Crist Mortuary of Boulder. Mrs. Davies was born May 30, 1935, in Amarillo, Texas. She had lived in Amarillo during her young adult years and attended Amarillo College. Survivors include her husband, Don; a daughter, Donna Bishop of Longmont; a sister, Lynda Tripp of Amarillo; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 New Mexico Robert Alex Martinez CLOVIS, N.M. - Robert Alex Martinez, 41, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the church with Sotero Sena officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Martinez was a lifetime resident of Clovis. He worked for Gore Mills and as a self-employed sandblaster. Survivors include his companion, Yolanda Martinez of Clovis; a daughter, Talisa Deja Grace Martinez of Clovis; a son, Robert Martinez Jr. of Clovis; his parents, Fortunato Martinez of Clovis and Grace Martinez of Los Angeles; eight sisters; and three brothers. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to the Robert Martinez Fund in care of Bank of America in Clovis. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 Oklahoma Joe Austin Jones GATE, Okla. - Joe Austin Jones, 61, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Gate Friends Church with Leah Jones and Lyle Whiteman officiating. Burial will be in Knowles Cemetery of Knowles by Clark Funeral Service of Beaver. Mr. Jones was born July 17, 1941, in Beaver to Vernon Oakland and Mildred Erma Canady Jones. He was a member of Church of the Nazarene. Survivors include his wife, Judy; sons, Brad Christiansen of Albuquerque, N.M., and Jeff Christiansen of Denver; three brothers, Alfred Jones of North Edwards, Calif., Vernon Jones of Knowles and Donald Jones of Hot Springs, Ark.; two sisters, Olive Jackson of Bernice and Darlene Herbstreit of Ridgecrest, Calif.; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 27, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/012703/obi_ob012703-21.shtml