Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 6 July 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 Publication Date: 07/06/03 Edward "Ed" H. Papay Sr. MORSE - Edward "Ed" H. Papay Sr., 81, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Martin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Lieb Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Papay was born March 14, 1922, on a farm near Optima, Okla., to Jim and Lucy Papay. He grew up around Optima, attended school there and high school in Guymon, Okla. He moved with his family to a farm near Elkhart, Kan., in 1938. He helped on the farm and attended one year of school in Elkhart. He entered the Navy on Sept. 18, 1942, and was a World War II veteran. He served in the Navy Air Corps as an aviation machinist mate third class. He served three years and three months, spending 22 months in the South Pacific as a mechanic on the PBY airplanes. Mr. Papay returned to Norman, Okla., as an instructor until he was discharged on Dec. 17, 1945. He was very athletic and participated in all sports in school and continued to play basketball and baseball after serving in World War II. He was extremely proud of being in the Navy and enjoyed talking about his life in the Navy as well as showing his pictures. Mr. Papay married Margaret "Marge" Lucille Hensley in Elkhart, Kan., on Dec. 29, 1946. Returning to Elkhart, he was produce manager at Ideal Food Store. In 1948, he was store manager of the Ideal Food Store in Texhoma, Okla., for six months, and he returned to Elkhart as a manager of the Coop Grocery Store. In 1951, he moved to Hitchland, Texas, to work as a farmer and rancher having worked for several farmers in and around Morse. Moving to Morse in 1969, he and Marge owned and operated the Morse Grocery Store in the 1970s. He and his sons started custom farming and he retired from farming in May 2002. Mr. Papay was a member of First Baptist Church in Morse, past member of the American Legion in Elkhart and life member of the Morse Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Tommie Fern; six brothers, Jamie Papay, Emit Papay, Guy Papay, Kenneth Papay, Gerald Papay and Neil Archer; and a son, Eddie in 2002. Survivors include his wife of 5612 years; a daughter, Milana Reiswig, and her husband, Travis, of Morse; a son Tony of Morse; a son, Gary and wife, Vicky, of Amarillo; two brothers, Ray Papay and his wife, Mary Ida, of Elkhart, and Larry Papay and his wife, Dale, of Greenfield, Okla; three sisters, Elizabeth Kern of Elkhart, Joy Foreman, and her husband, Johnie, of Guymon and Ann Papay of Ulysses, Kan.; two sisters-in-law, Lillian Papay of Great Bend, Kan., and Evelyn Papay of Guthrie, Okla.; 10 grandchildren, Cassondra Lauderdale and her husband, Paul, of Weatherford, Valorie Kohoutek and her husband, James, of Kansas City, Mo., Leslie Barnhart and her husband, Barney, of Lewisville, Roxanne Davis and her husband, Jay, of Hart, Mark Papay and his wife, Francesca, of Tucson, Ariz., John Papay of Amarillo, Shelby Reiswig and Rosio, of Dumas, Katherine Papay and Frank of Levelland, Mikala Reiswig of Morse and Elizabeth Papay of Amarillo; 11 great-grandchildren, Sarah, Bryan and Megan Lauderdale, Trenton Barnhart, Hunter Papay, Xavier and Rocky Reiswig, Zoe Kohoutek, John Luke Papay, Hayden Davis, Matthew Papay; a step-great-granddaughter, Gabriella Castillo, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family suggests memorials be to Lieb Cemetery, 11547 County Road 13, Stinnett, TX 79083; Hansford Hospice, 707 Roland, Spearman, TX 79081; or Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, in care of Maureen McCormick, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe News, July 6, 2003 Bernice Ellen Waits HEREFORD - Bernice Ellen Waits, 92, died Friday, July 4, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in West Park Cemetery with the Rev. Joe Schultz, chaplain of Kings Manor/Westgate Nursing Home, officiating. Arrangements are by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mrs. Waits was born June 24, 1911, in Clovis, N.M. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons, William Waits of Surprise, Ariz., and Gene Waits of Edmond, Okla.; two brothers, Carl Andrew of Amarillo and Leonard "Tag" Johnson of Hereford; six grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Alice Nicholson WHITE DEER - Alice Nicholson, 76, died Friday, July 4, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Dorn, pastor of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Borger, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. Nicholson was born Sept. 26, 1926, in Missouri. She had lived in White Deer for 57 years. She married Don Nicholson on Oct. 22, 1946, in Pampa. She was co-founder of White Deer Senior Citizens. She farmed in the White Deer area for 25 years. She was owner and operator of Green Punkin Restaurant for 15 years, co-owner of Honest Don's for 10 years and was a member of United Methodist Church of White Deer. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Nicki Maples of Amarillo; a son, Brent Nicholson of Dallas; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to White Deer Senior Citizens, 319 Main St., White Deer, TX 79097. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Mary Frances O'Hara PAMPA - Mary Frances O'Hara, 70, died Friday, July 4, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Lynn Hancock, pastor of Briarwood Full Gospel Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. O'Hara was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Gerty, Okla. She was a resident of Pampa for 40 years. Survivors include her husband, Fred; two daughters, Jody Farriell of Pampa and Patricia Weaver of Plano; three sisters, Doris Puckett and Liz Upton, both of Pampa, and Geraldine Moore of Salt Lake City; a brother, Marland Hays of Amarillo; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Thomas Gary Barnhill CLARENDON - Thomas Gary Barnhill, 84, died Friday, July 4, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Robertson Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, with the Rev. Ned Creswell, Episcopal minister of Amarillo, officiating. Masonic graveside services and burial will be in Citizens Cemetery. Mr. Barnhill was born June 19, 1919, in Crockett. He married Nell Williams in 1939. He served in the Army infantry in World War II at Camp Fannin in Tyler and with the Allied Military Government in Korea. After his military service, he and Nell owned and operated the Farmer's Supply in Turkey. In 1955, they moved to Clarendon and built the Sandell Drive In Theater. He later purchased the Mulkey Theater and operated both movie venues for more than 30 years. In 1968, he opened Barney's Marine and operated it until May 2003. He was a member of Clarendon Masonic Lodge No. 700 and was a past master and past district deputy grand master. Gary, or "Barney", as he was affectionately called, was a friend and mentor to countless people. He was a dear, beloved husband, father and grandfather to his family. He loved his family and friends and will be sorely missed by all. He loved Clarendon and always said "Clarendon's been good to us." Survivors include his wife of 64 years; two daughters, Sandi Barnhill-Harris and husband of Amarillo, and Adele Barnhill-Lee and husband of Arlington, Wash.; a sister, Jeanette Case; sisters-in-law, Lois Grupe Warrenburg and Mary Barnhill; a brother-in-law, Jack Williams and wife; grandchildren, Tami Logsdon of Amarillo, Darin Davis and wife, Brenda, of Green Bay, Wis., Gary Sherr and wife, Tamara, and Tripp Sherr, all of Arlington, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Hope and Kristin Logsdon; great-great-grandchildren, Hannah Logsdon and Lexi and Dakota Sherr; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Citizens Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 7, Clarendon, TX 79226; or to Clarendon College Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 968, Clarendon, TX 79226. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Michael "Mick" A. Atherton WHEELER - Michael "Mick" A. Atherton, 51, died Friday, July 4, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Stiles, pastor of Allison Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery by Wright Funeral Home. Mr. Atherton was born May 20, 1952, in Zybach to Darville and Sammie Dougherty Atherton. He was raised in Briscoe and attended Briscoe schools. He moved back to Wheeler in 1990 and was a rancher and oil field worker. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arville Dean and Lee Atherton. Survivors include his wife, Shelley; a daughter, Niki Atherton of Ferris; a son, Michael Atherton Jr.; a stepdaughter, Jenefier Allen of Ferris; his parents; a brother, Rusty Atherton of Wheeler; two stepchildren, Kristofer Anaya of Borger and Karrie Lay of Norfolk, Va.; four grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Robert O. Cochran SPEARMAN - Robert O. Cochran, 73, died Thursday, July 3, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Church of Christ with Leonard Harper and Lance Mays officiating. Burial will be in Hansford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mr. Cochran was born in Kenton, Okla., on Dec. 30, 1929, and lived in Spearman for 45 years. He married Nordeen Davis on Oct. 31, 1954, in Boise City, Okla. He was a field technician for Northern Natural Gas Co., for 35 years and retired in 1993. Mr. Cochran was a member of the Church of Christ and was a house parent at Spearman Children's Home for six years. He was a member of Spearman Volunteer Fire Department for several years. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bob Cochran, of Amarillo; two daughters, Sheila Chappell of Perryton, and Tina Mays of Heber Springs, Ark.; a foster daughter, Linda Liss of Los Angeles; four brothers, William Cochran of Livingston, Calvin Cochran of Booker, John Cochran of Perryton, Tommy Cochran of Keyes, Okla.; two sisters, Winnie Collins and Elsie Sellers both of Boise City, Okla.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Spearman Children's Home, Box 475, Spearman, TX, 79081, or Hansford Hospice, 707 Roland, Spearman, TX, 79081. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Amarillo Mary Louise Chaparro Mary Louise Chaparro, 50, of Amarillo died Wednesday, July 2, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with Jay Roberson, pastor of Tascosa Road Fellowship, officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Miss Chaparro enjoyed crafts, collecting angels and taking care of her bird, Dexter. She was a member of the Amarillo Bowling Association. She also volunteered at Maryland Club House and the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center. She was preceded in death by her mother, Aurora Leija, and a brother-in-law, Joe Molina. Survivors include her father, Wistermundo G. Chaparro Sr. of Amarillo; three brothers, Wistermundo Chaparro, and wife, Lori, and David Chaparro and wife, Kim, all of Amarillo, and Daniel Chaparro of New Boston; two sisters, Dolores Molina, of Clovis, N.M., and Frances Kinikin and husband, Victor, of Panhandle; numerous nieces and nephews and a special great-niece Andrea Kinikin. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association, Box 15186, Austin, TX, 78761. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Margurette E. Kirby Margurette E. Kirby, 91, of Amarillo died Friday, July 4, 2003. Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Bunavista Baptist Church with the Rev. Philip Hilton and the Rev. David Langen officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Kirby was born in Roberta, Okla., and was a resident of Borger since 1947 before moving to Amarillo. She was a homemaker and member of Bunavista Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Kirby in 1967; two sisters, Louise Barnes and Gwen Barnes; and two brothers, R.P. Williams Jr. and Bill Williams. Survivors include a son, Jerry William Kirby of Winnsboro; a daughter, Barbara Earnest of Amarillo; two brothers, Gene Williams and Don Williams, both of Borger; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will be at 316 Bois D'Arc St. in Borger. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Rose Rivera Rose Rivera, 70, of Amarillo died Thursday, July 3, 2003. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses with James Haynes and Ed Regal officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Rivera was one of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Parkway Congregation. Survivors include her husband, Pete; three sons, Jimmy Rivera, Pete Rivera Jr. and Tony Ray Rivera, all of Amarillo; two daughters, Marissa Rivera and Mercedies Rivera, both of Amarillo; a sister, Tina Gerhardt of Hale Center; six brothers, Rejino Gerhardt and Louis Gerhardt, both of Hale Center, Dennis Gerhardt of Fort Worth, George Gerhardt of Rupert, Idaho, Artie Gerhardt of Lamesa and Adolfo Gerhardt of Fort Collins, Colo.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Don Weser Don Weser, 77, of Amarillo died Friday, July 4, 2003. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 15th Avenue and Martin Road. Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in St. Laurence Cathedral with L.T. Matthiesen, bishop, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Weser moved to Amarillo in 1952 from Minnesota. He retired from Pioneer Natural Gas Co. after 35 years. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the YMCA Men's Club and Palo Duro Good Sam Club. He was a volunteer for BSA Hospice and married Mary Kathryn Smith in 1951 in Amarillo. He was a member of St. Laurence Cathedral Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Linda McCommon and husband, Edd, and Patricia Maxey and husband, Gary, all of Amarillo; a son, Thomas Weser and wife, Brenda, of Amarillo; three brothers, Harold Weser of Anchorage, Alaska, Arthur Weser of St. Paul, Minn., and Vernon Weser of Cookville, Tenn.; a sister, Mercedes Nelson of St. Paul, Minn.; six grandchildren, Stephanie Stultz, Suzanne McCommon, Jonathan McCommon, Chad Maxey and Juli Dawn Weser, all of Amarillo, and Zach Maxey of Benton, Ark.; and six great-grandchildren, David, Rhonda, Cole, Sadie, Cody and Ashley. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Rema Vonell Wilkins Rema Vonell Wilkins, 88, of Amarillo died Friday, July 4, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in San Jacinto Baptist Church with Dr. Stan Coffey, pastor, officiating. Private family burial will be in Hollis, Okla., by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Wilkins was born and raised in Gould, Okla. She was a graduate of Gould High School. She moved to Amarillo in 1944 from Wichita Falls. She was a nurse in Amarillo for many years working in nursing home care most of her career. She was a longtime member of San Jacinto Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James G. Wilkins in 1978. Survivors include two sons, Bobby Wilkins and Jim Wilkins, both of Amarillo; two sisters, Loraine White of Hollis, Okla., and Martha Doughten of Inglewood, Colo.; and her grandsons, Lyle, Jeremy, Leighton and Dustin. The family will be at 602 Sunset Terrace. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Oklahoma Mildred Vivian Bush BEAVER, Okla. - Mildred Vivian Bush, 92, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Beaver United Methodist Church with J. Torrey Curtis officiating. Burial will be in Pioneer Cemetery by Clark Funeral Service. Mrs. Bush was born July 22, 1910. She married Everett Bush on June 1, 1937. Survivors include a son, Charles Bush of Elizabeth, Ky.; two daughters, Mary Frances Moore of Elk City, Okla., and Phyllis Geneva Dona of Dike, Texas; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Roger Brunson GARLAND, Okla. - Roger Brunson, 51, died Thursday, July 3, 2003. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Resthaven Cemetery of Quitaque, Texas, with the Rev. Melvin Clinton officiating. Arrangements are by Williams Funeral Directors. Mr. Brunson was born Feb. 27, 1952. He was a member of the Eagles Club and served in the Navy. He was preceded in death by his son, Jody Brunson; and his parents. Survivors include his wife, Brenda; two sons, Tim Brunson and wife, Janet, and Chad Brunson and wife, Brandi; two brothers; two sisters; and grandchildren, Kasey, Lindsey, Seth and Matt. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 New Mexico Terry Gene Johnson LAS CRUCES, N.M.- Terry Gene Johnson, 49, formerly of Amarillo, died Thursday, July 3, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Chad Horton, Terry's niece's son, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. Mr. Johnson was born in Amarillo on July 1, 1954, to Evelyn and Allen Johnson. He attended Amarillo High School, West Texas State University and Texas Tech University. He met Diane Hess, a registered nurse from Muenster, Texas, who became his wife in 1982. He served as administrator for several hospitals throughout the United States and later became the vice president of Behavioral Health Services Inc. Terry was close to Diane's family from Muenster including her mother, sisters, brothers and their families. His many friends and family will miss him greatly. Survivors include his wife; his mother, Evelyn Johnson of Amarillo; a sister, Charlotte Smith and husband, Sam, of Amarillo; a brother, Tom Johnson of Dallas; and their beloved dog, Meghan. Amarillo Globe-News, July 6, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/070603/obi_allobitstextonly.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online