Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 24 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: 08/24/03 Lucille Benger Latta FRIONA - Lucille Benger Latta, 90, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Friona United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Patterson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home. Mrs. Latta was a Friona resident since 1928. She was a graduate of Friona High School and West Texas Normal College. She married Guy Latta on Aug. 24, 1946, in Clovis, N.M. She was a member of Friona United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 15, 1991; a sister, Dorthea Green; and three brothers, Johnnie, Noel and Ira Benger. Survivors include a niece, Wanette Burrow of Stillwater, Okla.; three nephews, Hubert D. Green of Arvada, Colo., Richard Green of Mobile, Ala., and N. Edward Benger of Fremont, Calif. The family suggests memorials be to Prairie Acres, 201 E. 15th, Friona, TX 79035. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Myrble Bettie Petty BORGER - Myrble Bettie Petty, 78, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Bunavista Baptist Church with David Langen, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Petty was born June 18, 1925, in Golden Bluff, Okla. She was a cafeteria worker for Borger Independent School District. Survivors include three daughters, Sammye Jean Johnson of Fritch and Lenna Louise Norton and Glenda June Petty, both of Borger; a sister, Margie Smith of Borger; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Juanita D. Fisher PAMPA - Juanita D. Fisher, 61, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel, with Philip Elsheimer, pastor of Calvary Assembly of God Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Fisher was a 1960 graduate of Lefors High School. She was a member of Calvary Assembly of God Church. Survivors include three sons, Andy Fisher of Enterprise, Ala., and Tim Fisher and Bryan Fisher, both of Pampa; a sister, Georgie-Jean Melson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two brothers, R.J. Wooten of Lake Jackson and Wesley Wooten of Houston; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Willie James Acy PLAINVIEW - Willie James Acy, 64, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Emanuel Church of God in Christ with the Rev. Willie Ansley officiating. Arrangements are by Bartley-Silva Funeral Home. Mr. Acy was born April 19, 1939, in Lindell. He married Nona Harris on Dec. 6, 1991, in Plainview. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kelly Acy of Oklahoma and Willie Acy Jr. of Clovis, N.M.; two stepsons, Curtis Thomas of Plainview and Qurran Thomas of Kenney; eight daughters, Dorothy Acy of Clovis, Rosemary Acy of Pennsylvania, Mary Acy, Kathy Acy and Sharie Acy, all of Lubbock, Vela Mae Acy of Floydada, Gracie Acy of Amarillo and Kacy Acy of Plainview; two stepdaughters, Veronica Thomas of Lockney and Curtlynn Hart of Plainview; and a brother, Artic Calip of Lubbock. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 New Mexico Leo Joseph Kohrman CLAYTON, N.M. - Leo Joseph Kohrman, 95, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Deacon P. Louis Montoya officiating. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the church with the Rev. James McGowen officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Mr. Kohrman was born Feb. 1, 1908, in Bartelso, Ill., to August Kohrman and Margaret Baker Kohrman. He was a resident of Texline, Texas, from 1922 until 1991. Survivors include five grandsons; two granddaughters; and 10 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Oklahoma David Allen Rhodes MUSKOGEE, Okla. - David Allen Rhodes, 62, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Everett Lerch officiating. Mr. Rhodes was born Feb. 5, 1941, in Sand Springs, the son of L.Z. Rhodes and Zula Gentry Rhodes. He married Martha Morton on Nov. 6, 1992, in Fayettville, Ark. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Okmulgee. He was a retired OG&E Auxiliary operator and chemist. He was preceded in death by his father, L.Z. Rhodes. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Robert Allen Rhodes of Broken Arrow, William Michael Brown of Muskogee and William Delso of Oklahoma City; a daughter, Teresa Ann Harrelson of Okemah; his mother, Zula Rhodes of Midland, Texas; a brother, Ron Rhodes of Amarillo, Texas; a sister, Judi Coleman of Odessa, Texas; seven grandchildren, Phillip Layne Brown of Muskogee, Elijah Cale Harrelson of Okemah, Caleb Harrelson of Henryetta, Jessica Sparkman of Okmulgee, Joshua Harrelson of Henryetta, and Brian Rhodes and Ashley Rhodes, both of Broken Arrow; and other loving family and friends who cherish his memory and celebrate his life. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Carol Joann "Jo" Reddick BEAVER, Okla. - Carol Joann "Jo" Reddick, 58, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Beaver United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Clark Funeral Service. Survivors include her husband, Mike; two sons, Curtis Reddick of Dallas and Michael Reddick of Albuquerque, N.M.; a daughter, Mitzi Hoover of Albuquerque; two brothers, Don Neufeld of Shafter, Calif., and Leo Neufeld of Stillwater; two sisters, Norma Janzen of Shafter and Norena Cramer of Oklahoma City; and seven grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Elsewhere Bobbie Rose Chavarria CEDAR CITY, Utah - Bobbie Rose Chavarria, 17, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel, in Pampa, Texas, with the Rev. John Valdez, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Pampa, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Miss Chavarria attended Baker Elementary School in Pampa before moving to Cedar City in 1991. She attended Canyon View High School where she was a member of the band, the photography club and the yearbook committee. Survivors include her father, Robert Chavarria of Pampa; her mother, Rose Castillo of Cedar City; her grandmother, Hortensia Vasquez of Pampa; four sisters, Olivia Matthis of Lake Charles, La., Crystal Medina of Castroville, Texas, Amandaa Chavarria and Amber Chavarria, both of Pampa; and three brothers, Robert Chavarria Jr., and Joe Chavarria, both of Detroit, and Ruben Castillo of Cedar City. The family suggests memorials be to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Leslie Wayne Martin LUBBOCK - Leslie Wayne Martin, 64, died Thursday, August 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Monterey Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Brown officiating. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Dreamland Cemetery of Canyon by Sanders Funeral Home. Mr. Martin was born in San Angelo on Nov. 25, 1938. He married Dorris Swift on Feb. 1, 1964, in Andrews. He was a member of Monterey Baptist Church. He retired from Texas Department of Agriculture in February after 40 years of service. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Terry of Lubbock, and Tommy and wife, Lori, of Amarillo; a sister, Beth Flynn of Luling; and a family friend, Phade Vader. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Monterey Baptist Church, Joe Arrington Cancer Center or Hospice of Lubbock. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Ann Lee Harris Ann Lee Harris, 85, formerly of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003. Memorial services will be in Amarillo at a later date. According to her wishes, Mrs. Harris' ashes will be scattered from horseback over the plains of Texas. Arrangements are by Messinger Indian School Mortuary of Scottsdale, Ariz. Mrs. Harris died at her home days after celebrating her 85th birthday at her Phoenix restaurant with friends and family. Her death, 11 days later, was unexpected. Yet, the timing was the perfect completion to her compelling life story. A former Broadway actress turned rancher turned award-winning restaurateur, Mrs. Harris leaves behind a legacy of entrepreneurship, professionalism and friendship that stretches from coast to coast. Born Aug. 8, 1918, she spent her childhood on the High Plains of Texas, alternating time between her town life in Amarillo and her ranch life near the Canadian River in the Texas Panhandle. Her rich childhood experiences were made possible by devoted parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Lee, who ensured that their only child's life included not only a horse but also exposure to the performing arts. At the age of 16, she left Texas to study theater at Northwestern University in Chicago. After graduation, she swiftly launched a successful Broadway career that spanned the 1940s and included roles in "Lady in the Dark" and "O Mistress Mine." After her share of time in the footlights, she founded a professional theater in Santa Fe, N.M., to which she rode her saddle horse for matinee performances. In 1949, she brought professional theater to Arizona with the opening in Phoenix of the Sombrero Playhouse, offering outstanding plays that featured top stars of the screen and stage. In 1959, she married Jack Harris, a well-known rancher and agricultural pioneer, who played a leading role in the formation and development of the California agriculture industry. The Harrises enjoyed time at their homes at the Coalinga, Calif., ranch and in Phoenix where Mrs. Harris took an active role as a civic leader. Branching out from theater, Mrs. Harris entered a new chapter of producing and directing as she helped lead the initial fundraising for the Phoenix Zoo. As the first president of the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary, she helped make possible many of the early zoo exhibits and programs. In the late 1970s, she conceived and oversaw production of her first restaurant project, Harris Ranch Restaurant, adjacent to the new Interstate 5 at midpoint between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The project was a stunning success, serving a steady stream of motorists, as well as private plane passengers who utilized the private landing strip onsite. After Mr. Harris's sudden death in 1981, Mrs. Harris honored his achievements by writing his biography. She then turned her energy and attention to the restaurant business. In 1984, she daringly gutted and renovated a San Francisco building to launch Harris' of San Francisco. Success in San Francisco led to the opening of Harris' in Phoenix as well as Cacti in Novato, Calif. With Mrs. Harris' dedication to what she termed "the basics," fine food and fine service, the Harris restaurants have garnered a bouquet of awards, including honors from Wine Spectator, Gourmet and Fortune. With an engaging personality to complement her business sense, Mrs. Harris inspired great loyalty among her associates and employees. Mrs. Harris' final appearance was grand. Surrounded by her close circle of friends and family at Harris' in Phoenix, dressed in white with her blonde hair in her trademark chignon, Mrs. Harris expressed her appreciation for her life, experiences and loved ones. The stage was set with champagne toasts and music, and the program was complete with lively conversation and, of course, excellent food. As for her restaurants, in Mrs. Harris' own words: The show must go on. Curtain will continue to go up at the Harris restaurants as usual. Condolences and remembrances will be accepted at Harris' Restaurant, 3101 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Amarillo Marilyn Kay Lundberg Marilyn Kay Lundberg, 66, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Harold Waldow officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home 2800 S. Osage St. Mrs. Lundberg was born in Rapid City S.D., to Peter and Marie Appelhof on June 26, 1937. When she was 4 years old she moved to Goodwin, S.D. She married her loving husband, Walter Lundberg on Feb. 11, 1956, in Minneapolis. They moved to Texas in January of 1958. Marilyn was an LVN for 30 years. She worked for St. Anthony's Hospital and for Dr. Hegedus until his retirement. She was the office nurse for Dr. Leslie Reese at Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic for 23 years until her retirement in June of 1999. She was a loving friend to her many patients and friends. She was a kind and loving mother, sister, friend and aunt. She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Marie Appelhof. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Kathy and Lisa, both of Amarillo; a son Walter D. of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren; two great-grandsons; two great-granddaughters; a sister; four brothers; nine nieces; and four nephews. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice. 700 N.W. Seventh Ave., or to the charity of your choice. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Amarillo Donald Luke Bagwell Donald Luke Bagwell, 71, of Amarillo died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in San Jacinto Baptist Church with Dr. Stan Coffey, pastor, and the Rev. Don Travis officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. in Claude Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Parmamount Blvd. Mr. Bagwell was born Oct. 25, 1931, in Claude. He was the youngest of nine children born to Robert Luke and Bertie Weeks Bagwell. He was a graduate of Claude High School and Texas Tech University. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He married Inelle Cox in Clarendon on Feb. 15, 1957. He became co-owner and manager of Weeks and Bagwell Grain Elevator, which was founded in 1911 by his father and uncle, Elliot Weeks. He was also a farmer and rancher and was a partner in B&B Farms for 30 years. He was an active oil and gas investor for many years and was a member of the Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association. He lived in Claude for 56 years and served the community in many capacities. He was mayor of Claude in the late 1950s, was on the board of the First National Bank of Claude and was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. Don sold Weeks and Bagwell in 1987 and moved to Amarillo. He married Kathy Collins Burgan on Nov. 4, 1989. He enjoyed golf and had been a member of the Panhandle, Clarendon, Tascosa and Amarillo country clubs. He was well respected by both friends and customers. He always strived to be honest and fair and his concern and love for family and friends will be missed by many. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gary Bagwell and wife, Shawna, of Amarillo and Kyle Bagwell of New Rochelle, N.Y.; a daughter, Linda Wofford and husband, Will, of Austin; three stepdaughters, Kira Luttrell and husband, John, of Panhandle, Tina Fortner and husband, John, and Lisa Burgan, all of Dallas; a stepson, John Burgan of Amarillo; two sisters, Imogene Bagwell of Amarillo and Janice Beach of Phoenix; 10 grandchildren, Luke and Levi Bagwell of Amarillo, Reid Bagwell of New York, Sara and Nathan Wofford of Austin, December and Dillon Luttrell of Panhandle and John Marq, Gracie and Isabella Fortner, all of Dallas; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gene and Maxine Collins of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Claude Independent School District Memorial Scholarship Fund or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Peggie Young Hawley Peggie Young Hawley, 48, of Amarillo, formerly of Pampa, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Central Baptist Church of Pampa with the Rev. Bill Austin, interim pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Ms. Hawley was born in Floydada and was a 1973 graduate of Wellington High School. She was a Baptist and member of the Golden Spread Emmaus Community. She was preceded in death by her father, Jay Young in 2000. Survivors include her mother, Dorene Young of Pampa; two sisters, Sandra Minatrea and husband, Kenneth, of Princeton and Patricia Wright and husband, Charles, of Amarillo; and nieces, nephews and other family and friends far and near. The family suggests memorials be to the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79105; BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001; or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Cora Mae Jordan Cora Mae Jordan, 78, of Amarillo died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in St. Stephen United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Smith officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Jordan graduated from McLean High School. She married Joe B. Jordan in Amarillo on Aug. 19, 1949. She retired from Amarillo College in 1982. She was a member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, the Bridge Builders Sunday School class and a former member of MEGS Group. She was preceded in death by her husband on Nov. 14, 1988; and a brother, Clyde L. Blocker of Dumas. Survivors include a daughter, Tina Davis of Dumas; a son, Roger Jordan of Glendale, Calif.; a sister, Idella Crum of Dumas; a brother, Claude R. Blocker of Amarillo; and two grandchildren, Brandon Davis of Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and David Davis of Dalhart. The family will receive visitors from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 4600 S. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Frank Echols Frank Echols, 57, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Pentecostal Church of God in Christ with the Rev. E.B. Demerson officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes. Mr. Echols was born in Mexia. He was a former employee of the city of Amarillo and was an Army veteran. He was a member of Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. Survivors include his wife, JoAnn; three daughters, Jackie Gilbreath, Javonda Westmoreland and Christal Echols, all of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Carla Cofer of Amarillo; a son, Greg Tiggs of Dalhart; a stepson, Chad Campbell of Denton; 10 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 24, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/082403/obi_allobits.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online