Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 11 September 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: 09/11/03 Amarillo Lahoma June Russell Cook Lahoma June Russell Cook, 79, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Lynn Garrett, minister to senior adults, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Cook was born in Tonkawa, Okla., to R.C. and Vera Russell. After graduating from White Deer High School she attended Fleming Business College in Amarillo and worked at Pampa Army Air Base during World War II. In her working career, Lahoma stood out. She ordered cooking supplies for the kitchen and commissary, "all by pencil and paper, we didn't have computers in those days." She was supervisor of the IBM Department for Commerical Insurance Co. in the 1960s. Later, she became supervisor of the new IBM Department for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Albuquerque, N.M., during the 1970s. Lahoma served as church secretary for River Road Baptist Church in Amarillo and South Crest Baptist Church in Lubbock. She returned to Amarillo in the 1980s where she continued to live. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She loved to cook. Many people in the singles and couples classes at her church enjoyed the fruits of her talent. Her pecan pies and cinnamon rolls are famous in Texas and New Mexico. She was a kind, loving, generous, fiercely independent woman. She loved her family and friends and was very loyal to them. Her Christian values were reflected in advocacy for any and all persons in need of help. She was honored for her work by being named a "Good Neighbor" by the Amarillo Extra in 1990. She was also awarded the Distinguished Member award by First Baptist Church in Albuquerque. She was preceded in death by three husbands, B. Doyle Bagwell, Bill Sartor and W.W. Cook. Survivors include a son, Paul Bagwell and wife, Dr. Beth Bagwell, of Amarillo; a daughter, K. Carol Hamilton and husband, Doyle, of Elgin; a sister, Imogene Russell of Los Lunas, N.M.; three brothers, Rex Russell of Odessa, Jim Russell of El Paso and Roscoe Russell of Los Lunas; grandchildren, Doyle Tillman and wife, Theresa, of Lakewood, Wash., Jeanne Borchardt and husband, David, of Marion, Dr. Paul W. Bagwell Jr. and wife, Melissa, of Las Vegas, N.M., Jason Bagwell and wife, Meredith, of Pampa, Kimberly Peet and husband, Tracy, of Pampa, Justin Bagwell, Kelli Bagwell and Zane Pratt, all of Amarillo, and Cassie Hicks of Odessa; great-grandchildren, Neil and Jeff Riggen, Jennifer and Phillip Tillman, Derek and Jessica Bitner, Megan and Heather Borchardt and Jackson Bagwell; and a great-great-grandchild, Jayden Riggen. The family will be at 4201 Roxton. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church Music Department, 13th and Tyler, Amarillo, TX 79101; or to Craig Methodist Retirement Center, 5509 W. Ninth, Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Kathy Robbins Kathy Robbins, 76, of Amarillo, formerly of Earth died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Broyles officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. (MDT) in Portales, N.M., by Parsons-Ellis Funeral Home of Earth. Mrs. Robbins was born Oct. 27, 1926, in Fort Payne, Ala. She married Jim Robbins in Portales on Nov. 23, 1946. Survivors include three sons, Wayne Robbins of Smyer, Jimmy Robbins of Pampa and Johnny Robbins of Amarillo; two daughters, Patti Ray of Pampa and Lynda Wright of Clovis, N.M.; and eight grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Shawn Brandon Askins Shawn Brandon Askins, 21, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in San Jacinto Baptist Church with Haun Kite, minister of North Amarillo Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Askins was a graduate of Palo Duro High School. He attended Amarillo College on his way to receiving his degree in radiology. He worked for Wal-Mart No. 822 on Grand Street for five years in the tire and lube department. He liked to play sports, football, softball and bowling. He won the city championship in bowling after only playing for two years. He was a member of North Amarillo Church of Christ. Survivors include his parents, Robert and Roxie Askins of Amarillo; a sister, Krystal Askins of Amarillo; two half-sisters, Jo Ann Porter and Kimberly Braswell, both of Amarillo; his grandparents, Windy and Evelyn Askins of New Deal and Martha Clever of Amarillo; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and a host of cousins and friends. The family suggests memorials be to Palo Duro ACE Program, Amarillo Area Foundation, 700 First National Plaza 1, 802 S. Fillmore St., Amarillo, TX 79101; or Amarillo Education Foundation, Angela Taylor, director, Amarillo ISD, 7200 W. Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 W.J. "Bill" Arnold W.J. "Bill" Arnold, 83, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Murray Gossett, associate pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Arnold was born in Smithville in 1920, to Dr. and Mrs. Matthew H. Arnold, a prominent Presbyterian minister in Central. Mr. Arnold, after finishing high school, entered Trinity University and completed his undergraduate studies at University of Texas at Austin, graduating with degrees in mathematics and physics. After his graduation, he taught meteorology at University of Texas for two years. He served in World War II in the European Theater. After his honorable discharge, he began his career with Amerada Petroleum. In 1952, he married Margaret Bishop Arnold. After his marriage, he started Acme Blind and Screen Co. in Amarillo, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1989. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister. Survivors include his wife; a son, Steven Arnold and wife, Rosalie, of Austin; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 John Will Nichols TULIA - John Will Nichols, 80, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Central Church of Christ with Trey Morgan officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mr. Nichols was a long-time resident of Tulia and Dimmitt. He made a quiet transition at his home in Tulia after a lengthy battle with colon cancer. John Will Nichols was born on March 24, 1923, in El Paso to Thomas Manning and Geneva Willson Nichols. The family lived a short time in Hatchita, N.M., before moving to Silverton where Tom was the manager of the local Willson & Son Lumber Co. In 1935, the Nichols family moved to Tulia where John and his older brother, Jim Tom, attended Tulia public schools. John Will was encouraged to play the clarinet by Professor D. O. Riley, director of the Texas Tech band. He went on to win several tri-state music contests. John Will was salutatorian of the Class of 1941 and was awarded the Balfour Award. He was offered music scholarships to Drake University and the University of New Mexico. He attended Oklahoma University and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the Sooner band. He taught clarinet in the music department. In 1943, John Will entered the Army and on Aug. 7, 1943, married Floye Dell Carlile in Austin. Shortly after, he left with the 206th Combat Engineer Battalion, which was part of the 3rd Army under General George S. Patton. He trained under the then famous bridge builder, Guy Bailey, and built floating pontoon bridges used by the Allied forces to cross rivers while under heavy fire in their march across Eurpoe. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. John Will and Flo moved to Dimmitt in 1946. They had two sons, Jack and Tom. He was the owner and manager of Willson & Nichols Lumber Co. and built many of the homes in Dimmitt. He was a member of Dimmitt Lions Club and a Bible Class teacher at Bedford Street Church of Christ. He and Flo were very active in the band and athletic booster clubs. John Will and Flo moved back to Tulia in 1967 where they both worked at First National Bank for the next 21 years, retiring in 1988. During this time, John Will was president of Tulia Toastmasters Club, Tulia Rotary Club, Tulia Industrial Foundation and Tulia Day Nursery. He was vice-chairman of Swisher County Library and parliamentarian for the Swisher County Historical Society. Unknown to most, he personally kept the Tulia Royale theater open for years. During his presidency of the Tulia Rotary Club, the largest Interact Club in the world was formed. John Will held all offices in the Tulia Toastmasters Club and was District 44 Governor. He started six Toastmaster Clubs, was awarded the Presidential Citation and was a Distinguished Toastmaster. John Will was a graduate of Fortune School of Training and was a Master Trainer. He presented seminars to government agencies, corporations and schools on executive telephone manners, effective business letter writing, writing the job resume, effective meetings, public relations and speech preparation without notes. John Will was district and regional coordinator for SCORE. He was a member of Capital Resource Conversation and Development Council, which was selected from all SCORE organizations to staff the rural areas in the Baton Rouge area. He was preceded in death by his brother, James Thomas. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jack of San Jose, Calif., and Tom of Lubbock; four grandchildren; eight neices; a nephew; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Alzheimer's Association. To make a donation by phone, please call 800-272-3900. To make a donation by mail, send a check to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601-7633. Donations may be made online at www.alz.org. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Anna Bee Robinson HAPPY - Anna Bee Robinson, 84, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Curtis House, pastor, and Mike Kuhlman officiating. Burial will be in Happy Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mrs. Robinson was born Dec. 17, 1918, in Swisher County to Bee and Alpha Huckabee. She married Dr. Glen Robinson in Happy. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Happy, where she served on numerous committees and taught Sunday School. She was a community leader and helped raise funds for charities. She also served as den mother for the Cub Scouts. She was a longtime columnist for the Tulia Herald. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974. Survivors include a son, Dr. Bob Robinson and wife, Cleo, of Canyon; a brother-in-law, Ed Vornsand of Rosenburg; and a niece, Paulette Maehara of Chevy Chase, Md. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church of Happy, 114 N.W. Floyd St., Happy, TX 79042. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Willa Deane Gates STINNETT - Willa Deane Gates, 80, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in Spearman. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Lieb Cemetery, five miles north of Pringle. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Gates was born in Pringle on Sept. 16, 1922. She attended Baylor University in Waco for two years. She was a member of Eastern Star Goose Creek Chapter No. 798. She was a church librarian. She was a member of the Baptist Church. She began work with the GA's (girl's auxiliary) in 1946. This led to her being young people's director of the mission organizations of the church and later of Women's Missionary Union of San Jacinto Baptist Association and District 4. She was president of the WMU of Memorial Baptist Church three times and twice of San Jacinto Baptist Association. She served on the administrative council of San Jacinto Baptist Association several years, and assisted in writing the "History of the San Jacinto Baptist Association." She served as media director for San Jacinto Baptist Association and was president of San Jacinto Baptist Library organization and then vice-president and Southeast Texas regional director of the Texas Baptist Library convention. During that time, she and her husband, Charles, were members of First Baptist Church in Baytown where she served as president of their WMU for two terms. She was also active in her Eastern Star Chapter, where she served as an officer. She served two terms as regent of John Lewis Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a member of Daughters of 1812, United Daughters of the Confederacy and 39, Study Club, a federated Study club. She was preceded in death by her husband, on April 7, 1989. Survivors include a brother, Curtis Marable and wife, Jean, of Stinnett; a sister-in-law, Jewell Garner of Temple; a nephew, Kenneth Gates of Moody; four nieces, Deana Richards of Burkburnett, Ann Pipkin of Spearman, Vermel Bland of Rockdale and Bobbie Jean Nelson of China Spring. The family suggests memorials be to Ida Parks Thompson Memorial Scholarship, Texas Tech University Foundation, College of Human Science, P. O. Box, 41162, Lubbock, TX 79409-1162; or Alzheimer's Association, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. The body will be available for viewing until service time Thursday at the funeral home in Stinnett. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 William J. "Joe" Woetovech NAZARETH - William J. "Joe" Woetovech, 74, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. today in Holy Family CCD Building. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Holy Family Catholic Church with the Rev. John Hickey as celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Family Catholic Family Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home of Amarillo, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Woetovech passed away after a lengthy illness. He spent four years in the Navy, and married Rita Birkenfeld Kleman in Nazareth on Oct. 6, 1973. He was owner of J&R Hardware in Tulia and was past president of Tulia Chamber of Commerce. He was in the building, lumber and hardware business throughout his life. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Glenn Kleman and wife, Neal, of Sudan and Rodney Kleman and wife, Jen, of Shamrock; a sister, Vera Logie of Carson City, Nev.; a brother, Sam Zimniak of Grand Forks, N.D.; two grandchildren, Bryce Kleman and Preston Kleman; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P. O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Billy George Clements PAMPA - Billy George Clements, 76, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors, Colonial Chapel, with Dr. Edwin Cooley, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Clements was employed in commercial and residential real estate for 30 years in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He was a veteran of the Navy, serving as a pharmacist's mate during World War II. Survivors include a son, Rob Clements of Carlsbad, N.M.; a sister, Bobbye Downs of Pampa; and twin granddaughters. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Bobby Gene Rockholt QUANAH - Bobby Gene Rockholt, 47, died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Smith Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Clinton Young, minister of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Quanah Memorial Park by Smith Funeral Home. Mr. Rockholt was born July 2, 1956, in Quanah. He was an auto technician and enjoyed cars, motorcycles and antique cars. Survivors include his mother, Ruth Rockholt Forrester; a sister, Sharon Kay Scofield of Lubbock; and a grandmother, Dora Ida Osborne of Quanah. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Louise Jones PAMPA - Louise Jones, 68, died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Heights Cemetery of Lefors with the Rev. Chris Webb, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lefors, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Jones was born Nov. 28, 1934, in Winslow, Ark. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include three daughters, Debbie DeHart of Colorado, Barbara Perry of Pampa and Carol Perry of Mulberry, Ark.; a son, Tommy Perry of Lefors; three brothers, Lee Barker and Verlin Barker, both of Oklahoma, and Raymond Barker of Amarillo; five sisters, Betty Littleton, Florence Smith and Dorothy Patterson, all of Oklahoma, and Gladys Emmerson and Wilma Brown, both of Arkansas; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Elsewhere Una M. Simpson NORTHFIELD - Una M. Simpson, 96, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Northfield Cemetery with S.W. Keeton of Lubbock officiating. Arrangements are by Seigler Funeral Home of Matador. Mrs. Simpson was born Feb. 1, 1907, in Oklahoma and had been a resident of Northfield since 1920. Survivors include two daughters, Yvonna Bentz of Poteet and Ida Sims of Lubbock; a son, Andrew B. Simpson Jr. of Dallas; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Vista Care Hospice, 5815 Callathan Road, Suite 102, San Antonio, TX 78228; or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 James Stewart DODSON - James Stewart, 76, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Dodson Nazarene Church with the Rev. Al Mixon, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Dodson Cemetery by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington. Mr. Stewart was born Oct. 16, 1926, in Okeemah, Okla., to Issac H. Stewart and Lottie Greggory Stewart. He married Juanita Juarez on May 15, 1970, in Dodson. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Dale Stewart of Olustee, Okla., and Carrol Stewart of Dill City, Okla.; five daughters, Vinita Parks of Olustee, Emma Talley of Hollis, Okla., Lisa Harkins of Erick, Okla., Laura Scott of Minco, Okla., and Linda Kay Hendricks of Dodson; two brothers, L.D. Stewart of Dodson and Johnny Stewart of Elk City; two sisters, Tina Hall of Borger and Alma Wilhelm of Dodson; 23 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Dodson Cemetery Association. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 11, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/091103/obi_allobits.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online