Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 29 April 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 Verna Sowell HEREFORD - Verna Sowell, 93, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Parkside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Darren Skinner and the Rev. Joe Shultz officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery. Mrs. Sowell was born Jan. 7, 1910, in Newport, the daughter of George and Emma Woods. She married Charlie Sowell on Feb. 12, 1929, in Amarillo. She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she was very active and taught Sunday school. She was active in the Hereford Rebecca's Lodge and worked for Littles' Dress Store for 20 years. She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister; and a granddaughter. Survivors include three daughters, Jeareen Frye and Sue Hodges, both of San Antonio, and Wynojene Sharp of Lakewood, N.M.; a brother, George Woods of Happy; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to The Kings Manor Retirement Center, 400 Ranger, Hereford, TX 79045. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 John Mark Stavlo PERRYTON - John Mark Stavlo, 53, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Victory Family Church with the Rev. Marlon Sparks officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Stavlo was a member of Victory Family Church. He was a member of Toastmasters of Guymon, Okla., and Perryton. He was a former member of Gideons International, worked at Wolf Creek Feeders and was a bus driver for Perryton schools. He was a former farmer and rancher of Hansford County. He was baptized in Oslo Lutheran Church of Gruver and graduated from Gruver High School in 1967. He attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls on a track scholarship from 1967 to 1969 and received his bachelors degree in mathematics in 1971 from Panhandle State College. He was preceded in death by his father, Joel Stavlo. Survivors include his wife, Kathie; six daughters, Heather Stavlo of Lubbock, Julia Welling, Becky Gipson, Tamara Russell, Sharelle Ward and Britanie Ward, all of Perryton; four sons, Noah Stavlo of College Station, Lance Cpl. Chris Ward of Okinawa, Japan; Thomas Gipson and Jessie Gipson, both of Perryton; his mother, Leona Stavlo of Gruver; three sisters, Mary Ann Anderson of Sioux Falls, S.D., Alice Satrum of Parker, Colo., and Amy Tebeest of Gruver; a brother, Paul Stavlo of Gruver; and three grandsons. The family suggests memorials be to Harrington Cancer Center, P.O. Box 51628, Amarillo, TX 79159; or to Hospice Volunteers, 3101 Garrett, Perryton, TX 79070; or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Clemencia Ortega STRATFORD - Clemencia Ortega, 65, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Stratford. Mass will be at noon Wednesday in the church. Burial will be in Stratford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mrs. Ortega was born in San Pablo, Mexico. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband, Pedro; five sons, Francisco Ortega of Stratford, Ernesto Ortega and Pedro Ortega Jr., both of Los Angeles, Abraham Ortega and Mario Ortega, both of Liberal, Kan.; six daughters, Carmen Camacho of Phoenix, Irma Moreno, Rosalva Ortega, Isabel Correa and Maria De La Luz Juarez, all of Mexico, and Maria Clemencia of Liberal, Kan.; four brothers, Raymondo Guevara, Alfredo Guevara, Juvenal Guevara and Pedro Guevara Jr., all of Mexico; three sisters, Amparo Sanchez of Mexico, Augistina Sanchez of Chillicothe and Sara Ortega of Stratford; 18 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Richard Lee Siler FRITCH - Richard Lee Siler, 70, died Saturday, April 26, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Cherokee Municipal Cemetery in Cherokee, Okla. Oklahoma arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home. Local arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Siler was the grounds maintenance supervisor for West Texas A&M University. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. He married Gertrude Ziller in Karlsrue, Germany. He was preceded in death by his wife on April 15, 2001. Survivors include two daughters, Inge Lower of Canyon and Rosella Siler of Fritch; two sons, Roger Siler of Fritch and Ricky Siler of Oklahoma City; a sister, Maxine Meeks; two brothers, Don Siler and Jim Siler; a grandchild; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Virginia Helen Edwards BORGER - Virginia Helen Edwards, 81, died Friday, April 25, 2003. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Hilda Cavazos, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens in Pampa by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Edwards was born on July 3, 1921, in Okmulgee, Okla. She was a secretary for Borger Independent School District. Survivors include her husband, Clyde Edwards; two daughters, Gladys Zajicek of Denver and Jo Ann Coupal of Salt Lake City; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Wesley United Methodist Church or BSA Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Hazel Simpson PERRYTON - Hazel Simpson, 90, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Dr. Jeff Knighton officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Simpson was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Simpson, on July 3, 1999; and her parents, David and Mary Fronk. Survivors include two sons, Don Simpson of Perryton and Byron Simpson of San Antonio; a daughter, Nancy Gayer of Minneapolis; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Twin Oaks Manor, 112 N. Pioneer, Booker, TX 79005; Ochiltree Hospice Volunteers, 3101 Garrett, Perryton, TX 79070; First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1244, Perryton, TX 79070; or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Bernice Johnston BORGER - Bernice Johnston, 75, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Riverview Baptist Church with Bud Kidwell, pastor, of Quanah officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors. Mrs. Johnston was a housewife and volunteer at Golden Plains Community Hospital. She was a member of Central Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Tina Taylor of Borger; two brothers, Claude Ausbrooks of Lubbock and Donald Ausbrooks of Corpus Christi; two sisters, Juanita Stark of Borger and Donna Ball of Shidler, Okla.; three grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Olean Thomas SUNRAY - Olean Thomas, 78, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Sunray Baptist Church with the Rev. Philip Hilton, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will be in Lane Memorial Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Thomas was born Aug. 24, 1924, in Hardeman County. She was a Moore County resident since 1947. She married Ruben Thomas on Dec. 25, 1941, in Glen Rose. She was a member of Sunray Baptist Church since 1947. She was a member of the 20th Century Study Club. She was a 1941 graduate of Glen Rose High School. She retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 33 years and was a longtime postal employee at the Sunray Post Office. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Rose Barclay; three sisters, Lola Barclay in 1903, Flora Barclay in 1911 and LaVerne Reeveas in 2001; and three brothers, J.B. Barclay in 1966, Earl Barclay in 1984 and T.S. Barclay in 1999. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Mickey Lackey of Dumas and Mary Joyce Ward of Boys Ranch; a sister, Fannie Mae Busbee of Arlington; three grandchildren, Lee Ann Lackey of Fort Worth, Kristina Henderson of Plains, Kan., and Jared Wade Ward of Boys Ranch; two stepgrandchildren, Jamie Ward of Manhattan, Kan., and Erin Ward of Topeka, Kan.; and two great-grandchildren, Stormy and Seth. The family will be at the ranch east of Dumas. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Budd J. Gunter PLAINVIEW - Budd J. Gunter, 72, died Friday, April 25, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Plainview Cemetery with Mark Gunter of Olton officiating. Arrangements are by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mr. Gunter was born March 27, 1931, in Canyon. He graduated from Plainview High School and Wayland Baptist University. He had attended West Texas A&M University and was a farmer in the Valley View Community near Edmondson. Survivors include a daughter, Leanne Gunter Weiner of Gilmanton, N.H.; two sons, Mark Gunter of Olton and Wes Gunter of Amarillo; two sisters, Orlene Baldwin of Amarillo and Carol Lantz of Dimmitt; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Gabrielle Dominguez CHILDRESS - Gabrielle Dominguez, 2, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Holy Angels Catholic Church with the Rev. Hector Madrigal of the church officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. She was born July 14, 2000, in Childress. Survivors include her mother, Guadalupe Longoria of Childress; her brother, Luise Rey Dominguez of Childress; and grandparents, David and Circa Dominguez of Childress and Reynaldo and Rosa Longoria of El Paso. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 John C. Cline DIMMITT - John C. Cline, 67, died Monday, April 28, 2003. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Howard Rhodes, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Cline grew up in Plainview. He served in the Army. Survivors include his wife, Peggy; a daughter, Natalie Bright of Canyon; his mother, Nannie Lou Ables of Fort Worth; two brothers, Virgil Cline of Amarillo and Milas Cline of Dimmitt; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Amarillo Leslie Jean Schulz Leslie Jean Schulz, 45, of Amarillo died Saturday, April 26, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in River Road Fellowship Church with the Rev. Faye Roberts officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Directors, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Schulz was preceded in death by her father, Harold Eugene Peters. Survivors include her husband, John; a daughter, Christina Schulz of Amarillo; a son, Binz Schulz of Amarillo; a stepson, John Schulz of Homeland, Calif.; her mother, Imogene Peters of Amarillo; two sisters, Sharon Hamilton and Brenda Nichol, both of Amarillo; two brothers, Chris Morpis of Austin and Bobby Peters of Colorado; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Curtis William James Curtis William "Arkie" James, 75, of Amarillo died Saturday, April 26, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Cornerstone Baptist Church with Coy Wylie, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. James was born in Ozark, Ark., on May 6, 1927. He married Dora Mae Overton in June, 1954, in Borger. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for 31 years as a lineman and installer in Amarillo. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church. He was also a member of Southwestern Bell Pioneers. He loved his church, family, friends and community. He never met a stranger. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Dora Mae; a sister, Jasmine Helmert of Altus, Ark.; two sons, Jeffery of Lubbock and Dennis of Amarillo; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX 79114-7403. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Marion June McCartt Marion June McCartt, 51, of Amarillo died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Jo Mann, associate rector, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. McCartt was born July 2, 1951, in San Angelo to Floyd A. and Claudia Nunley. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1969. She married Joe Bob McCartt on April 22, 1994, at the Quarterman Conference Center in Amarillo. She was president of Tascosa Country Club Women's Golf Association, where she was a member, former board member of Women's West Texas Golf Association, member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, a volunteer for the Amarillo Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and a volunteer for the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Courtney Nickles and Abby Nickles, both of Amarillo; two stepsons, J. McCartt of Austin and Collin McCartt of Amarillo; her mother, Claudia Nunley of Amarillo; three sisters, Pat Quillin, Linda Madison and Mona Higgins and husband, David, all of Amarillo; two granddaughters, Suz McCartt and Elle McCartt, both of Austin; a grandson, Will McCartt of Amarillo; three nieces; a nephew; two grandnieces and a grandnephew. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to service time Wednesday in Parish Hall at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 803 S. Rusk St., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Doris Kimbell Crump Doris Kimbell Crump, 81, of Amarillo died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Plainview Memorial Park with Gordon Cox, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Canyon, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mrs. Crump was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed reading her bible daily. She married Aaron Benton Crump in Clovis, N.M., on April 20, 1946, and was married for 30 years. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Plainview and also was a member of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 16, 1976; her parents, Sterling and Leola Kimbell; a sister; and two brothers. Survivors include a son, Bobby Crump and wife, Debra, of Amarillo; and a granddaughter, Kari Crump of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Association of the Texas Panhandle, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Jerry Glenn Steward Jerry Glenn Steward, 45, of Amarillo died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Ricky Allen officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Steward and his identical twin brother were born June 6, 1957, in Amarillo at Northwest Texas Hospital to E.B. (Barn) and Mary Estell Steward. He passed away at the Texas Motorsport Race Track in Ennis. He and his brother, Terry, had been involved in the car racing community since the age of 15. They built and raced cars and dragsters in every genre of the sport. At the time of his death they were competing in the Super Stock series of the NHRA. He graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1975 and was partners with his brother, Terry, in Steward Brothers Construction Company. He was a good man with high standards and was loyal and true to his friends and family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his identical twin brother, Terry Lynn Steward; his mother, Mary Steward; two sisters, Carolyn Thompson and Judy Steward, both of Amarillo; a brother, Lonnie Steward and wife, Karen, of Weatherford; nine nieces and nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles; a host of other wonderful friends; and his beloved Boston terrier, Eddie. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Oklahoma Lewis Leonard Stokes GUYMON, Okla. - Lewis Leonard "L.L." Stokes, 90, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Assembly of God with the Rev. Billy Martin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mr. Stokes was born Sept. 26, 1912, in Jester. He was a member of the Assembly of God church in Guymon. Survivors include four daughters, Johnnie Faye Stokes and Kathy Brieger, both of Alexandria, La., Sharlene Wale and Phyllis Renee Stokes, both of Guymon; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to the Assembly of God and will be accepted at the church or Henson-Novak Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Adela Katherin Webb GUYMON, Okla. - Adela Katherin Webb, 90, died Saturday, April 26, 2003. Cremation and arrangements were by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mrs. Webb was born May 30, 1912, in Chicago. She moved to Guymon in 2001 from Lake Isabella, Calif. Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl H. Marr of Guymon; a son, Carter B. Franck of Santa Ana, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Judith K. Woods of Oklahoma City; two stepsons, Robert Woods of Norman and Dennis Woods of Phelan, Calif.; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to the Adela Webb Memorial established for the Amarillo Animal Rescue Shelter, 12500 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX 79118 or in care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Elsewhere Gerald Francis "Jerry" Smith WINCHESTER, Va. - Gerald Francis "Jerry" Smith, 64, died Friday, April 25, 2003. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with the Rev. Stanley J. Krempa and the Rev. Michael C. Kelly, Homilist, officiating. Private rosary will be Thursday at Mr. Smith's home. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery by Omps Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born March 26, 1939, in New Oxford, Adams County, Pa., the son of Clyde A. and Grace M. Noel Smith. He died after a one-year battle with cancer. He was chairman of the board of directors of Valley Proteins. He relocated to Winchester in 1952 with his family shortly after his father founded Winchester Rendering Company, Inc. that later became Valley Proteins, Inc. In 1968 he became president of Valley Proteins, Inc. upon the death of his father. Over his 51-year career, the business grew from a single location in Winchester in 1968 to one of the four largest noncaptive recyclers of animal byproducts in the United States with facilities located in 10 states. He was also a former chairman of the board of directors and director of the National Renderers Association, Inc. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and a member and former Grand Knight of the Valley Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a 1958 graduate of James Wood High School and served as treasurer of the James Wood High School 50's Alumni. A strong advocate for higher education, he endowed a scholarship at Lord Fairfax Community College and served on its educational foundation board. Lord Fairfax Community College awarded him an honorary degree in Humane Letters in 1997. He also served on the board of trustees of Shenandoah University that named him the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997. In 1994 he formed the Gerald F. Smith Scholarship Foundation that awards scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors whose parents or guardians are employees of Valley Proteins, Inc. He was also very committed to the development of youth. He had been an assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 45 and served for many years on the executive board of the Shenandoah Area Council, B.S.A., which honored him with its Distinguished Citizen Award in 1999. He was also committed to the Evans Home for Children as well as the Youth Development Center, which, in May 1999, presented him with its Outstanding Contributions to Youth Award. He had many varied hobbies and interests. He was a dirt track stock car racer in the 1970s and 1980s and later studied the piano. He collected Corvettes and other older automobiles and was an accomplished pilot holding ratings in helicopters as well as two different jet aircraft. He married Marilyn Swartz Whitmore on Oct. 14, 1989, in Middleway, W. Va., He was previously married to Dolores A. Snyder, the mother of his sons, on May 2, 1959, in Martinsburg, W. Va. Pallbearers will be Chuck Brannon, Doug Brown, Kirby Brown, Bert Readyhough, Michael Reiser and Ken Wymer. Honorary pallbearers will be Al Smith, Robert Kendall, William Breeden, Neil Stuckey, Ted Hall and Hobie Halterman. He was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne P. Smith. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gerald F. "J.J." Smith Jr. and wife, Kaye, and children, Evan, Emily and Elise, Michael A. Smith and wife, Debbie, and children, Victoria and Mitchell, all of Winchester; two stepdaughters, M. Renee Whitmore Davis of Corpus Christi, Texas, and sons, Aaron and Spencer Sine, both of Bellevue, Neb., and Kegan Davis of Corpus Christi, Shannon D. Thompson and husband, Steve, and daughters, Lauren and Brooke of Boonsboro, Md.; and a stepson, Bret Whitmore and wife, Barbara, and stepdaughter, Brianna, of Chesapeake Beach, Md.; two brothers, Robert J. Smith and Leo J. Smith, both of Winchester; and three sisters, Vivian S. Royston and Loretta S. Minghini, both of Winchester, and Myrna S. Grove of Martinsburg, W. Va. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. The family suggests memorials be to Sacred Heart Academy Building Fund, in care of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 130 Keating Dr., Winchester, VA 22601; or to the Evans Home for Children, 330 E. Leicester St., Winchester, VA 22601. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 Jimmy "Gabby" Carey ABILENE - Jimmy "Gabby" Carey, 60, died Saturday, April 26, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Merkel First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Starbuck Funeral Home of Merkel. Mr. Carey was born April 12, 1943, in Merkel to Truman and R.V. "Bee" Dickerson Carey. He attended school at Trent and Markel. He was a member of Merkel First Baptist Church. He helped his brother, Buddy, service and deliver televisions. He was a truck driver for over 40 years and a woodworker. He made toys for his grandchildren and for the public. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Buddy Carey. Survivors include his wife, Comella "Sis" Williams: two sons, Truman Carey and wife, Cyndy, of Merkel and Chris Carey and wife, Elizabeth, of Friona; three sisters, Elvee Brooks and husband, Carlton, of Abilene, Margie Mount and husband, Malcolm, of Odessa and Shirley O'Dell and husband, Johnnie, of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Chase, Caitlin, Tyler and Cassidy; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, April 29, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/042903/obi_allobits.shtml