Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 22 February 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 Oklahoma Myrtle Marie Pugh Riggs BALKO, Okla. - Myrtle Marie Pugh Riggs, 88, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, in Shattuck. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Balko Apostolic Church with Joe Day and Edwin Waterbury officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery by Clark Funeral Service of Beaver. Mrs. Riggs was born Nov. 4, 1914, in Beaver County. She was a member of the Apostolic Church. Survivors include two sons, Don L. Pugh of Yukon and J. Wayne Pugh of Shattuck; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Alpha Mae Collins Fortenberry FLOYDADA - Alpha Mae Collins Fortenberry, 66, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, in Lockney. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Trinity Assembly of God with the Rev. Ricky Lawrence and the Rev. Vance Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in Lockney Cemetery by Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home. Mrs. Fortenberry moved to Floyd County in 1979. She was an LVN for hospice and was a member of Trinity Assembly of God. Survivors include her husband, Durrell; three sons, Micheal Hill of Dimmitt, Carl Hill of Floydada and Eddie Hill of Melrose, N.M.; four stepsons, Donnie Fortenberry, Michael Fortenberry, Brian Fortenberry and John Fortenberry; six daughters, Alicia Shaw of Jacksonville, Terrie Hill of Ralls, Shirley Nichols of Akron, Ohio, Karen Holmes of Knox City, Pamela Hill of Floydada and Sharlene Fedor of Tyler; a brother, Charlie Gunnels of San Antonio; a sister, Frankie Posey of Knox City; 34 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice Hands of West Texas, P.O. Box 1118, Lockney, TX 79241. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Eva Perez TULIA - Eva Perez, 67, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Church of the Holy Spirit with the Rev. Scott Raef officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Perez was born March 6, 1935, in Mercedes. She married Henry Perez on Aug. 31, 1957, in Tulia. Survivors include a daughter, Thelma Perez of San Antonio; a son, Henry Perez Jr. of Amarillo; four brothers, Paz Gonzales Jr., Ramiro Gonzales and Ruben Gonzales, all of Tulia, and Tino Gonzales of Big Spring; six sisters, Guadalupe Casanova, Emma Castillo, Edna Garza, Mary Lou Chapa and Oralia Huron, all of Tulia, and Martha Isaguirre of Hart; a granddaughter; and a grandson. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Bruce Hackler OLTON - Bruce Hackler, 71, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Kyle Streun, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Olton Cemetery by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Hackler was born April 22, 1931, in Cloud Chief, Okla. He married Betty Buckner on Oct. 9, 1954, in Sunnyside. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Pat Murcheski of Lubbock, Jeanettia Dudley of Levelland and Debra Hackler of Littlefield; three brothers, Curtis Hackler of Charlotte, N.C., J.W. Hackler of Amarillo and Ed Hackler of Grand Junction, Colo.; two sisters, Reta McClenney of Olton and Greta Davis of Hart; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to V.A. Hospitality House of Amarillo; or Vista Care Hospice of Plainview. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 J.A. Loflin FRIONA - J.A. Loflin, 90, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Friona United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sam Patterson, pastor, and the Rev. Bill Boyd of Roswell, N.M., officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home. Mr. Loflin had been a resident of Parmer County since 1929, moving from Apache, Okla. He was a retired self-employed painter. Survivors include two sons, Jerry Loflin of Friona and Larry Loflin of Oklahoma City; two daughters, Patsy Meil of Rockwall and Norma Randall of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Velma Jones of Friona and Dorothy Tate of Clovis, N.M.; a brother, Carroll Loflin of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Prairie Acres Nursing Home, 201 E. 15th St., Friona, TX 79035. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Amarillo Wilma Ann Mellinger Wilma Ann Mellinger, 71, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Mellinger was born Jan. 10, 1932, in La Rose, Ill., and graduated from high school in Dallas City, Ill. Wilma worked for Mason and Hanger for more than 34 years. She started with the company in 1951 at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington, Iowa, and transferred to Pantex Plant in Amarillo in December 1973. She held many positions with the company and retired in 1990 as a line supervisor. After retirement, she went to work for Goodcare Home Health Services. She was a loving mother and a great friend to all who knew her. She was known at Pantex as "Mom" due to her caring ways, listening ear and delicious cooking. She was always ready for a game of bridge or "42." She will be missed by all who loved and knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Esther "Dode" Van Dusen. Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Graham and husband, Jerry, of Amarillo; two sisters, Kathryn Blackman of Manhattan, Ill., and Mary Van Dusen of Atalissa, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Paramount Terrace Christian Church, building fund, 4000 Mays St., Amarillo, TX 79109. The family will be at 6110 Ridgewood Drive. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Mary Amolene "Ann" Taylor Mary Amolene "Ann" Taylor, 81, of Amarillo died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Memorial graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Jerry Davey, pastor of Pleasant Valley Christian Church in Amarillo, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mrs. Taylor was born Oct. 15, 1921, in Gasoline. She lived most of her early life in Hedley and Clarendon before her family moved to Amarillo in 1951. She married Ernest B. Taylor on Jan. 7, 1938, in Clarendon. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2001; a daughter, Mary Ernestine Taylor in 1983; three sisters; and two brothers. Survivors include two sons, Ronald W. Taylor and wife, Linda, and Tony Taylor and wife, Gloria, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Joyce McDonald and husband, Bob, of Billings, Mont.; 16 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 2801 Dunaway St. in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Kevin Marc Davitt Kevin Marc Davitt, 50, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today in Grace Church with Bill Gehm, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Davitt was a student at Amarillo College and a member of Grace Church. He enjoyed gardening, reading and baseball. Survivors include a sister, Vicki Thomas of Billings, Mont.; and a son, Jason Cody Davitt. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 R.P. "Bob" Wilson R.P. "Bob" Wilson, 80, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in San Jacinto Baptist Church with the Rev. Dale Moreland, minister of education, and Mike Kuhlman, minister of Arena Church of Happy, officiating. Private family burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Wilson was born March 7, 1922, in Ranger. He was a graduate of Amarillo High School. He married Roberta Chisholm in 1941 in Clovis, N.M. She died in 1997. Mr. Wilson served in the 365th Hell Hawks Fighter Group in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was one of the youngest master sergeants to serve in-theater in the Air Corps. His group operated in England, Italy, France and Belgium. Upon his return from the Army Air Corps, Mr. Wilson operated a Holstein dairy operation with his brother, Bill Wilson, outside of Canyon. Shortly thereafter, Bob served in law enforcement with Randall County Sheriff's force. In 1954, Mr. Wilson founded Western Specialty, became a partner in Weatherall Specialty, and then owned and operated R.P. Wilson Advertising since 1962. Mr. Wilson was the grandson of Panhandle pioneer wildcatter "Daddy" Bill McSpadden and was also the managing partner for McSpadden Oil Co. into the mid-nineties. At the time the company was sold, it was one of the oldest independent family-owned oil producing companies in the Panhandle oil fields. Mr. Wilson served as president of Tascosa Country Club in 1963 and was president of Amarillo Executive Association in 1971. Bob had the gift of a sharp wit coupled with a great sense of humor, and always lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing, golf, travel and especially the frequent trips to Las Vegas and ship cruises with his beloved wife, Roberta. His family, his kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his many, many friends were always his first concern, and he will be greatly missed. Survivors include a daughter, Ronda Wilson Gwyn and husband, Chuck, of Amarillo; two sons, Rik T. Wilson and wife, Mary, of Amarillo and Robert P. Wilson II and wife, Connie, of Tulsa, Okla.; five grandchildren, Cody, Dylan, Carrie, Robert III and Rhoda; and three great-grandchildren, Morgan, Chandler and Zachary. The family suggests memorials be to Veteran's Memorial. The family will be at 1604 S. Austin St. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 New Mexico Antonio Gabriel Apodaca TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Antonio Gabriel Apodaca, 19, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Sunday in St. Anne's Catholic Church. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the church with the Rev. Leo Padget officiating. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home. Mr. Apodaca was born July 20, 1984, in Tucumcari. He was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church. Survivors include his parents, Joey and Teresa Apodaca of Tucumcari; two brothers, Anders Apodaca and Adelaido Apodaca, both of Tucumcari; two sisters, Amanda Apodaca and Adrianne Apodaca, both of Tucumcari; and his grandparents, Martha Mendez and Joe and Rose Apodaca, all of Tucumcari. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Lizzie Mae Williams CLOVIS, N.M. - Lizzie Mae Williams, 91, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in St. John's Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Callahan officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. Williams married the Rev. Fred Williams in 1934. She was a member of St. John's Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband; a son, Charles Brooks of Dallas; a brother, Caleb Baker of Oklahoma; and two sisters, Gussie Baker and Blanch Adkins, both of California. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Flossie L. Miller BROADVIEW, N.M. - Flossie L. Miller, 86, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, in Clovis. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in The Chapel with Ken Jaquess officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery in Flint, Ind., by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. Miller married Robert T. Miller on Aug. 27, 1937, in Newport, Ky. She eventually settled in Curry County in 1986. Survivors include a daughter, Janet Pate of Broadview; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 Elsewhere Tony Lee Denton BALTIMORE - Tony Lee Denton, 41, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church in Goree, Texas. Arrangements are by Eline Funeral Home of Reisterstown, Md. Mr. Denton was born Feb. 4, 1962, in Rochester, N.Y. He was a resident of Baltimore and was a bricklayer. Survivors include his fiancee, Debbie Raver of Baltimore; his parents, Royce and Nola Denton of Goree; five sisters, Janie Denton Cooper of Amarillo, Texas, Joni Denton Whiting of Owensboro, Ky., Jeni Denton Oehler of Frankfort, Ill., Patty Hayes of Camp LeJeune, N.C., and Barbara Denton of Eugene, Ore.; four brothers, Bill Denton of Charlotte, N.C., Danny Denton of Burlington, Colo., Ronnie Denton of Temple and Drew Denton of Goree; and his grandmother, Margaret Ennen of Munday, Texas. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of Goree youth group; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 22, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/022203/obi_allobits.shtml