Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 20 August 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: 08/20/03 Area Lt. Col. Anthony U. Steiert TULIA - Lt. Col. Anthony U. Steiert, 87, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the CCD Building in Nazareth. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Holy Family Catholic Church with the Rev. John Kodankandath, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery in Nazareth by Wallace Funeral Home. Mr. Steiert married Myrtle Littlejohn on Aug. 25, 1975. He worked for the Army Communications Electronic Command in Fort Monmouth, N.J. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Anne Baumhardt of Amarillo; and a brother, Peter Steiert of Hart. The family suggests memorials be to Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 600, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Maria A. Barraza BOVINA - Maria A. Barraza, 88, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Bovina Cemetery with Cecil Bunch, Church of Christ minister of Clovis, N.M., officiating. Arrangements are by Blackwell Funeral Home. Mrs. Barraza had been a Bovina resident since 1968. She was preceded in death by her husband, Antonio on Dec. 23, 1973. Survivors include two sons, Moses Barraza of Big Spring and Raul Barraza of Bovina; a daughter, Antonia Barraza of Amarillo; two sisters, Socorro Barraza of Garland and Rosalia Barraza of Ackerly; four grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Zane T. Ross FRITCH - Zane T. Ross, 47, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003, in San Felipe. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Westlawn Memorial Park with Jane Sheplor and Herb Hays officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Ross graduated from Fritch High School. He married Valery McNeese on Feb. 14, 1998, in Galveston. Survivors include his wife; a son, Shane McNeese of Marana; six daughters, Heather Beck of Arlington, Holly Ross and Heidi Ross, both of Hurst, Haley Ross and Deborah Ross, both of Aspermont, and Lyndee McNeese of Austin; his father, Floyd Ross of Fritch; two sisters, Glenda Ross of Big Pine Key, Fla., and Debra Burritt of Fritch; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Harrington Cancer Center in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Jackqueline Belcher QUANAH - Jackqueline Belcher, 61, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003. No services are scheduled. Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home. Mrs. Belcher was born Jan. 3, 1942, in Georgia. She married Larry E. Belcher on Oct. 26, 1977, in Wichita Falls. Survivors include her husband; and three brothers. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Amarillo Richard Eugene Mote Richard Eugene Mote, 75, of Amarillo died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dr. Chester Beavers officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Mote was born Nov. 11, 1927, in Cushing, Okla. He married Maria Perez in August 1956 in Harlingen. Richard was retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service, serving during the Cold War. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 129 in Stillwater, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Maria Mote and Nita Mote, both of Amarillo; a sister, Rachel Whitted of Lodi, Calif.; a brother, Russell Mote of California; and five granddaughters. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Kevin Shawn Walden Kevin Shawn Walden, 32, of Amarillo died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Grace Community Church with Scott Davey officiating. Burial will be private by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Walden was very soft hearted and loved life. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include his father, Michael and Roma Walden of Amarillo; his mother, Carol and Allen Rovner of Skellytown; three brothers, Michael Walden and Mark Walden, both of Amarillo, and James Walden of Fort Bragg, N.C.; and two sisters, Dona Whetstone of Amarillo and Stephanie Walden of Fort Worth. The family suggests memorials be to Grace Community Church, 5511 W. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Dorothy Clutter Herring Dorothy Clutter Herring, 80, of Amarillo died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Herring was born Dorothy Bell Clutter in Dalhart on Oct. 6, 1922. She was the daughter of America Howze and Herman William Clutter. She moved to Amarillo at age 3, where she lived most of her life. She married Jack E. Herring during World War II. While Jack was away in the Pacific with the Army Air Corps, she worked as a dental assistant at the air force base in Amarillo. She completed her BA degree in sociology at West Texas State and took up social work for a time after the death of her husband in 1965. Dorothy passed on peacefully in the presence of her three children, to whom she had been a uniquely dedicated and loving mother. Dorothy was a lifelong avid reader of a wide variety of literatures and keenly followed the stock market. She enjoyed bridge and tennis and especially appreciated fabrics and the design and making of clothes. She loved Palo Duro Canyon and the ocean. A master storyteller, she cherished and celebrated the intricate details of the lives of the many people with whom she became acquainted. Survivors include two sons, Ronnie and wife, Valerie Bunce, of Ithaca, N.Y., and their son, Nicholas Bunce-Herring; and Roger and his son, Jason Herring of Amarillo; and a daughter, Janet Ruple and husband, Vaughan, and son, Wesley, of San Antonio. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels, P. O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 James Robert "Bob" Conner James Robert "Bob" Conner, 76, of Amarillo died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Clark Williams, pastor of First United methodist Church of Canyon, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery Garden Mausoleum by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Conner was born in Floyd County and was a graduate of Floydada High School. He graduated from West Texas Teachers College in Canyon. He married Gwen Anderson in 1968 in Miami, Okla. After College, Mr. Conner taught school on the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay, Wash., as well as taught the ranch kids at Plemons School. After moving to Amarillo, Mr. Conner worked as a bookkeeper and interior decorator for Goen's of Amarillo. He then worked for Graham Plow Co. as an accountant for 18 years. He worked for Cooper & Woodruff Construction Co. (now Amarillo Road) as an accountant for 15 years before going to work for L.A. Fuller and Sons as a comptroller in 1980. He retired in 1997. After retirement, he enjoyed landscaping, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Master Gardeners Club and a member of Grace Community Church. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter in 1972, and a brother, W.T. Conner in 1973. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Amanda Taylor and Holly Nipper, both of Amarillo; three brothers, R. Fred Conner of Amarillo, Dr. Stanley Conner of Houston and Roger Conner of Irving; a sister, Mrs. Margaret Fourt of Phoenix; and four grandchildren, Joshua Nipper, Emily Nipper, Breanna Taylor and Jensen Taylor, all of Amarillo. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Albert A. Rytter Albert A. Rytter, 79, of Amarillo died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003. No services are planned. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Rytter was a resident of Amarillo for 25 years. Survivors include a daughter, Debra Jean Maxey of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; two sons, Charles William Rytter III of Channing and Michael Anderson Rytter of Amarillo; a sister, Evelyn Howlett; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Eugene Weeks Eugene Weeks, 78, of Amarillo died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Litkey McIntosh officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. After graduating from Oklahoma A&M with a bachelor's degree, Mr. Weeks began his career as a schoolteacher, first in Shallowater, then New Deal, then Bledsoe. While at Bledsoe, Eugene became principal while still teaching. The desire to be a school administrator led him to West Texas State University to earn his master of education degree. He then became superintendent of Pringle Elementary School for 13 years and was also the tax assessor at Pringle-Morse School. He then became superintendent of Spring Creek School, where he served until his retirement in 1985. Eugene touched many, many lives as an educator, friend and colleague, always urging the importance of learning. As a father, he was a shining example of truth, friendship, dedication, motivation and generosity, all imparted while being the spiritual head of his home. Mr. Weeks was a member of Paramount Baptist Church and a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a lifetime member of Texas Parent-Teacher Association, a member of Texas Association of School Administrators and a member of Texas Tax-Collector Association. Survivors include his wife, Peggy; a son, Jay Weston Weeks and wife, Debbie, of Amarillo; a daughter, Leigh Ann Thornton and husband, Joey, of Borger; a sister, Mary Edna Cox of McAlester, Okla.; two brothers, Vernon Weeks and Hollis Weeks, both of Canadian, Okla.; and two grandchildren, Madeline Leigh Alling and Joshua Rogers. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Elsewhere Bobbie Lee Barnes GODLEY - Bobbie Lee Barnes, 68, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003, in Fort Worth. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Greenacres Memorial Park in Cleburne with Woodrow Yates officiating. Arrangements are by Crosier-Pearson-Mayfield Funeral Home of Cleburne. Mrs. Barnes was born Feb. 1, 1935. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Barnes on Sept. 14, 2001, and two great-grandsons in December 2002. Survivors include three daughters, Debra Breece of Amarillo, Gina Graham of Eastman, Ga., and Connie Bandy of Godley; a son, Michael Barnes of Godley; six sisters, Marie McPherson of New Boston, Johnnie Heiman of DeQueen, Ark., Jean Williams of Broken Bow, Okla., Patsy Adcock and Linda Pritchard, both of Mount Pleasant, and Sumi Roady of Houston; three brothers, Horace Merworth of DeQueen, Floyd Merworth Jr. of Houston and Donnie Merworth of Mount Pleasant; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Ruth H. Jones Hatchett HERSHEY, Pa. - Ruth H. Jones Hatchett, 96, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003. Memorial services will be at 7 p.m. today Colonial Park Community Baptist Church in Harrisburg. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley, Texas, by Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory. Mrs. Hatchett was born July 17, 1907, in Sunnyside, Kan. She was the daughter of the late Lester and Flora (Norton) Bridenstine. She was a homemaker and had worked for Sears Robuck in Salina, Kan., and Oklahoma City. She was a memebr of Colonial Park Community Baptist Church in Harrisburg, and the Portland Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. She was avery active in the Good Samaritan Club at Country Meadows of Hershey. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Walter Jones and Roy Hatchett; a son, Roy Jones; a daughter, Janice Witt; and two grandsons. Survivors include a daughter, Juanita Barley of Hershey; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Good Samaritan Club, in care of Country Meadows of Hershey, 451 Sand Hill Road, Hershey, PA 17033. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Lena J. Jones EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. - Lena J. Jones, 94, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Polley Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be Thursday in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Mrs. Jones was born April 1, 1909, in Winston. She lived in Roswell, N.M., and Amarillo, Texas, before moving back to Missouri in 1983. Survivors include a niece, Iva Dehn of Excelsior Springs; and a sister-in-law, Jean Johnson. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Melvin "Mel" Wolper ARLINGTON - Melvin "Mel" Wolper, 86, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, in Denton. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in New World United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Moore Memorial Gardens by Moore Funeral Home. Mr. Wolper was a Brooklyn, N.Y., native. Mel was born July 28, 1917. He graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School in 1936 and served in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. Upon discharge from the military, he went to live in Amarillo, where he opened his own building materials business in 1947. That business, the Mel Wolper Co. continued until 1963, when he sold it to accept an offer to become a sales representative for one of his suppliers. He moved to Arlington in 1969. For 22 years, until his retirement in 1985, he worked as a sales representative for Pascagoula Veneer Co. of Mississippi and Pluswood Inc. of Oshkosh, Wis. In recent years, Mel served three times a president and was still a member of the board for Arlington Downs Townhouse Corp. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jane Roddy Wolper in 2001. Survivors include a son, Roddy Wolper of Denton; a daughter, Jill Mashiach; two sisters-in-law, Lynn McManus of Grand Prairie and Peggy Roddy of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association, 2401 Scott Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76103. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Canyon Royal L. Brantley Royal L. Brantley, 80, of Canyon died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Dreamland Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in First Presbyterian Church of Canyon with the Rev. Dr. Don McDonald, pastor, the Rev. Terry Lowe, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Shamrock, Gerry Lewis, pastor of Eagle Mountain Baptist Church of Fort Worth, and Kathleen Jones, lay minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mr. Brantley was born Aug. 22, 1922, in Yorktown. He attended several small Texas public schools, graduating from Harlandale High School in San Antonio in 1940. Mr Brantley served as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, piloting B-24 bombers in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Mr. Brantley completed a bachelor of music education degree in 1947 at Southwest Texas State University, and in 1949, he received the first master of music in vocal performance ever awarded by the University of Texas-Austin. As a graduate assistant, Mr. Brantley taught vocal music at UT for two years and was head of the Vocal Music Department and director of choirs at Tarleton State for four years. Mr. Brantley came to Canyon and West Texas State University in 1953, where he served as associate professor of vocal music and head of the vocal music department until 1984. He continued as a part-time instructor for four years teaching voice and music composition. Mr. Brantley, "Mr. B" to his students, introduced musical theater and opera to the High Plains through his directorship of the WTSU Opera Workshop. From 1953 to 1979, Mr. Brantley directed, composed, conducted, produced, and/or performed in 54 opera and musical theater productions at WT. His original opera "Samuel" was produced in the Branding Iron Theatre in 1978. During his tenure as director of opera workshop, the opera and musical theater productions drew sell-out crowds from all over the Panhandle and were a primary tool for recruiting music and theater students for WTSU. Mr. Brantley was the original music director for the musical drama "TEXAS" (1966-1979), adapting, arranging and adding to the score over the course of 18 years, and he followed original artistic director and fellow founder William A. Moore as the second artistic director of "TEXAS" (1980-1984). Mr. Brantley is also remembered as an accomplished performer for his professional portrayal of the King in the "King and I" (1959), Tony in "The Most Happy Fella" (1968), Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" (1972), and Don Quixote in "Man of La Mancha" (1975). Mr. Brantley made his last appearence on the stage of the Branding Iron Theatre with a cameo role as Erronius in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" in 1990. During his career, Mr. Brantley's many accomplishments were recognized with honors and awards. These include the WTAMU Alumni Association Phoenix Award for Teaching Excellence in 1978, his induction into the WTAMU Branding Iron Theatre Hall of Fame in 1990, Professor Emeritus of Music - West Texas A&M University in 1987, and the nationally recognized Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Orpheus Award in 1999. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Abbey in 1997, and a son, Dr. John Stuart Brantley in 1984. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Rugel Brantley; two daughters, Susan Brantley Milligan of Cincinnati and Julie Brantley Petruccione and husband, Nicholas, of Canyon; a daughter-in-law, Sally N. Brantley of Canyon; a son, Royal R. Brantley and wife, Karen, of Amarillo; four sisters, Mrs. June Hughes, Mrs. Lucille Whitmill, Mrs. Glenna Isham and husband, Woodrow, all of Seguin, and Mrs. Kathleen Jones of Austin; a brother, David Brantley and wife, Janet, of San Antonio; three granddaughters, Julie Kathleen Milligan of Austin, Susan Brantley of Dallas and Charlotte Erin Gregg of Canyon; eight grandsons, Dr. Sean Milligan and wife, Katie, of Dallas, John Nester Brantley and wife, Tiffany, of Austin, Bobby Paul Gregg of Canyon, Charles Brantley and wife, Krissy, of Dallas, Anthony Pertuccione of Lubbock, and Ryan Brantley, Evan Brantley and Landon Brantley, all of Amarillo; a great-grandson, George Maxwell Milligan; and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Royal L. Brantley Scholarship Fund at West Texas A&M University, P. O. Box 60766, Canyon, TX 79016. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 20, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/082003/obi_allobits.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online