Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 17 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: 09/17/03 Geneva Tucker PAMPA - Geneva Tucker, 81, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in St. Mark's CME Church with the Rev. Raymond McKever, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Tucker was born Dec. 5, 1921, in Mart. She was a member of St. Mark's CME Church. Survivors include a son, David Wortham of Pampa; a sister, Bessie Johnson of Bryan; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Ralph Shirley FRIONA - Ralph Shirley, 76, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. today in St. Teresa's Catholic Church with the Rev. Ed Sweeney, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery in Hereford by Blackwell Funeral Home. Mr. Shirley was born March 18, 1927, in Ponitoc County, Okla. He married Stella Grace Guggemos on Aug. 7, 1949, in Hereford. He moved to Friona in 1951 from Hereford. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army. He was manager of Pioneer Natural Gas in the Friona office, which became Energas and now is Atmos Energy. He was a member of Friona Volunteer Fire Department for more than 50 years and served as fire chief for 30 years. He taught at Texas A&M fire school in College Station for 31 years. He was active in the Friona Little League and Boy Scouts for many years. He was a member of Friona VFW and American Legion. He was a member and past president of Friona Chamber of Commerce and Friona Evening Lions Club. He was a member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Friona. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jan Shirley on Aug. 13, 1966. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gary F. Shirley of Houston and Richard R. Shirley of Katy; a sister, Rhoda Stevens of Discovey Bay, Calif.; and two grandchildren, James and Matthew Shirley. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Angie Lopez Medina HEREFORD - Angie Lopez Medina died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Jose Catholic Church in Hereford. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Medina married Ramona Medina Sr. in Mexico, and they were married for 50 years. They came to the United States in 1963, moving to Hereford in 1969. Mrs. Medina was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed. Survivors include three daughters, Lucy of Amarillo, and Mary Lou and Olga, both of Hereford; two sons, Ramon Jr. of Hereford and Jorge of the Dallas/Fort Worth area; six brothers, Roberto and Lorenzo, both of California, Reyes of El Paso, Manuel of Hobbs, N.M., and Juanito and Camilo, both of Mexico; a sister, Maria De Jesus of Mexico; 22 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Aldine Price Lawrence PAMPA - Aldine Price Lawrence, 81, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Pearson, youth minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Lawrence was born Nov. 9, 1921, in Strawberry, Ark. She married Carl Lawrence on Aug. 8, 1973, in Norman, Okla. Survivors include a daughter, Nelda McGinnis Clements of Pampa; two sons, Gary Price of Albuquerque, N.M., and Larry Price of Pampa; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Gideons International, Pampa Camp, P. O. Box, 2222, Pampa, TX 79066. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Amarillo Cleon Ligon Cleon Ligon, 84, of Amarillo died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard K. Batson and the Rev. Lynn Garrett officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Ligon was born and raised in Altus, Okla. He graduated from Oklahoma A&M and earned two master's from Texas Tech. He married Wilma Willis in Pampa on Aug. 31, 1941. Mr. Ligon moved to Amarillo from Borger in 1949. Mr. Ligon worked as an engineer for Southwestern Public Service for 38 years and retired in 1983. He was an active member, usher, and worked with audio visual at First Baptist Church for more than 50 years. He was active with Gideons until his illness in December. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Wilma Carileen Bollinger of Jacksonville, Fla.; a son, Tracy Cleon Ligon of Fort Worth; a sister, LaVeta Ligon of Johnson City, Tenn.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Gideons International, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Lou Elleen McKenzie Lou Elleen McKenzie, 75, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Davis Funeral Home Chapel in Henrietta with Larry McKenzie, Church of Christ minister, officiating. Burial will be in Byers Cemetery in Byers. Local arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. McKenzie was born in Petrolia on April 23, 1928. She attended Petrolia High School, graduating in 1945. She then attended North Texas State University and graduated in 1950. She taught first grade in Byers for three years. After moving to Amarillo in 1957, she sold real estate and later taught as a homebound teacher for 19 years. She was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. She married Lenn McKenzie on March 16, 1951, in Wichita Falls. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Lyon Wright; her father, George Carl Wright; and a sister, Nelda Agnes Wright. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Michael McKenzie and Scott McKenzie; a daughter, Kathy Heitmeyer; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Clay County Historical Society, P. O. Box 483, Henrietta, TX 76365. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Paul Reynosa Carrasco Sr. Paul Reynosa Carrasco Sr., 69, of Amarillo died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, in Lubbock. Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. today in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Monsignor Rex Nicholl, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Carrasco was born in Amarillo. He was self-employed as a contractor, and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Survivors include a son, Paul Carrasco Jr.; two daughters, Paula Luna and Sonya Wilson; a brother, Rito Carrasco; two sisters, Patricia Mendoza and Margaret Gomez, all of Amarillo; and seven grandchildren. The family will be at 1000 E. 24th Ave. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Doris Eleanor Nelson Doris Eleanor Nelson, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Pat Clark officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Nelson was born and raised in Amarillo, graduating from Amarillo High School in 1949. She attended Amarillo College and graduated from University of Texas with a degree in fashion merchandising. She married Lee Edward Nelson on July 3, 1960. She was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, where she had served in various capacities, including reader. She was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and enjoyed history and genealogical research. She was preceded in death by her husband on Aug. 30, 1990, and her mother, Lillian F. Neely on Oct. 14, 2002. Survivors include a daughter, Leigh Reynolds of Atlanta; two grandchildren, Olivia and Ethan Reynolds; and two brothers, Dan Neely and Ben Neely, both of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Barbara D. Thykeson Barabra D. Thykeson, 71, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 S. Bell St., with the Rev. Perry Hunsaker of St. Paul United Methodist Church officiating. Mrs. Thykeson was born May 13, 1932, in Amarillo to Reg Dwight and Nina Merle Lively. Survivors include a daughter, Regie Thykeson of Dallas; a son, Steve Thykeson of Alaska; a brother, Jerry Dwight of Dallas; and a sister, Cindy Barclay of Amarillo. The family will be at 3530 Barclay St. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Daniel Ray Rutherford Daniel Ray Rutherford, 43, of Amarillo died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Robert E. Field, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Rutherford was born in Flint, Mich. He worked as a carpenter. He was preceded in death by a son, Brandon Rutherford. Survivors include two sons, Timothy Rutherford and Jeremiah Rutherford, both of Abilene; his parents, Opal and Charles Rutherford of Michigan; four brothers, Gerald Rutherford of Tennessee, and Fred Rutherford, Clyde Rutherford and Ernie Rutherford, all of Michigan; two sisters, Diane Wilson and Debbie Rutherford, both of Michigan; his mother-in-law, Patsy McCandless of Amarillo; and his former wife, Ginger Rutherford Voight of Abilene. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Ricky L. Monroe Ricky L. Monroe, 44, of Amarillo died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Central Church of Christ with W.L. Scott officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Monroe was born Nov. 11, 1958, in Amarillo. He was a graduate of Caprock High School and a veteran of the Army. He was employed with BNSF for eight years. He was then employed by Amarillo National Bank for 11 years, where he met, fell in love and married Jacque Mason in 1985. They were married for 19 years. They were blessed with two wonderful boys. He was a member of North Heights Church of Christ. Ricky's hobby was making people smile. He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Monroe Jr. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kyler Monroe and Kelton Monroe, both of Amarillo; a daughter, Taylor Sullivan of Canyon; his mother, Margaret Monroe of Amarillo; three brothers, Lloyd Monroe, Perry Walker and Carl Tillmon, all of Amarillo; four sisters, Connie Monroe and Loretta Johnson, both of Amarillo, and Doris Wells and Shirley Huff Padmore, both of Houston; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Clara S. Avara Clara S. Avara, 97, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 S. Bell St., with Dr. Terry Bratton of Hamby Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Avara was born June 14, 1906, in Canyon. She was a homemaker, a member of First Baptist Church and active in Eastern Star. Clara married Everett Avara Sr. on Nov. 27, 1930, in Amarillo. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1968; a son, Everett M. Avara Jr. in 1969; five sisters; and a brother. Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Wright of Jacksonville, Ill.; two grandsons, Ev Avara and John Avara, both of Amarillo; a niece, Ginger Jones and husband, Al, of Amarillo; a great-great-grandchild, Kacie Avara of Lubbock; and numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Estelle Fariss Marsh Estelle Fariss Marsh, 90, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Jim Bankhead and Dr. Murray Gossett officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Marsh died at her home in Amarillo, 3010 Travis St. She moved to Amarillo after her marriage to Stanley Marsh Jr. in 1936. Mr. Marsh was an independent natural gas producer, active in the development of the Panhandle and Hugoton gas fields. The Marshes raised three sons in Amarillo, Stanley 3, Tom and Michael. Mr. Marsh died in 1967. Mrs. Marsh married Maj. Gen. Thomas Watlington in 1969. He pre-deceased her in 1990. Estelle Fariss was born Feb. 25, 1913, in Oklahoma City. She grew up in Ardmore, Okla., and attended Sweetbrier College in Virginia and University of Oklahoma. Mrs. Marsh was known in Amarillo for her gardens, her lighted Christmas tree on Travis Street and her support for many philanthropic organizations, including Habitat for Humanity in the Rio Grande Valley, the Marsh Foundation Milk Fund and Opportunity Schools. She was also the sole financial backer of the fashion designer Halston. Survivors include three sons, Stanley 3, Tom and Michael; her daughters-in-law, Wendy, Charlene and Yvonne; her grandchildren, Stan, Kathrine, Elizabeth, William, Tim, Estee, Charles, C.C., Sarah, William, Justin, Nicole and Fariss Jane; and three great-grandchildren, C.C., Coley and Tom Kellogg. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Muriel G. Cummings Muriel G. Cummings, formerly of Amarillo died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, in Yukon, Okla. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Glen Walton offiiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Cummings lived in Amarillo from 1963 to 2002, and moved to Yukon to be closer to her children. She was called home to be with the Lord Jesus on Sunday in Yukon. Muriel was a member of Amarillo Board of Realtors and enjoyed her real estate career for more than 30 years. She was involved in numerous community organizations including the Make America Beautiful Campaign, Christian Children's Home Fund Raising Campaign, Texans Against Child Abuse Foundation, Ladies VFW Auxiliary, and a member of North Amarillo Church of Christ, where she had taught Sunday school in earlier years. She will be dearly missed but always in our hearts. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Paulett Cummings in 1958, and a sister, Cleta Milner in 1999. Survivors include a son, Kenneth Earls and wife, Rita, of Yukon; a daughter, Linda Roush and husband, Michael, of Yukon; a brother, Royce McIntyre and wife, Betty, of Mustang, Okla.; a sister, Barbara Yancey of Amarillo; four grandsons, Mark Earls, Jason Ince, Adam Ince and Brent Earls; two granddaughters, Karen Earls and Jamie Brinkley; a great-grandson, Harley Brinkley; and two nephews, Randy Kizer and Billy McIntrye. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of Oklahoma County, Foundation Department, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Oklahoma Jack Sprague SHATTUCK, Okla. - Jack Sprague, 63, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Shattuck Memorial Cemetery by Johnson's Good Samaritan Funeral Service. Mr. Sprague was born Dec. 6, 1939, in Beaver County. In 1976, he began Sprague Oil Co. in Shattuck, which he continued to operate. Survivors include his companion, Noma; two sons, Clinton Sprague of Yukon and Ben Sprague of Shattuck; a daughter, Rita d'Ombrain of Oklahoma City; five granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Dale Sprague of Shattuck; and a sister, Alta Mae Getz of Beaver. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 New Mexico Barbara June McGahey RIO RANCHO, N.M. - Barbara June McGahey, 87, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2003. Memorial services will be at noon today in St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. Arrangements are by Vista Verde Mortuary. Mrs. McGahey was born one of six children to Clifford and Ada Day, in Plainview, Texas, March 10, 1916. She was a longtime resident of the Texas Panhandle. She recently moved to Albuquerque. Barbara received her undergraduate degree in paleontology from West Texas State University in the late 1930s, and a master's in education. She married David E. McGahey in 1955, and taught science in McLean, Texas, and Pampa, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Fred Day of Las Cruces and Charles Day of Livingston, Texas. Survivors include a son, James R. Story and wife, Annette, of Houston; a daughter, Cheryl Kurzawa and husband, Joel, of Albuquerque; a sister, Jean Horne of Coleman, Texas; two brothers, Bill of Comanche, Texas, and Ben of San Antonio; and a granddaughter, Juliana Minnick of Chicago. The family suggests memorials be sent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2021 Girard Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Elsewhere Mamie Lucille Watson FORT WORTH - Mamie Lucille Watson, 94, died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003. Services will be Thursday in Greenwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Fort Worth. Mrs. Watson was born Nov. 28, 1908. She grew up in Fort Worth and spent most of her life in Amarillo. She moved to Terrell in 1995. In Amarillo she was a volunteer instructor for the American National Red Cross, a founding member of Trinity Baptist Church, a member of A.E. Shirley Order of Eastern Star Chapter 986, and Amarillo Senior Citizens RSVP program. She performed as "Sweetie Pie" as a member of the Texas Clowns of America. Until the age of 88, she volunteered for the American Heart Association Panhandle Region. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Watson; a son, Charles Watson; and a daughter, Betty Holman. Survivors include a sister, Lillian Pope of Midwest City, Okla.; three daughters, Arrelene Lorenzo of Fort Worth, Jackie Dukes of Lakeside Village, and Candy Slocum of Terrell; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association Panhandle Region, 6605 W. Interstate 40, Bldg. A6, Amarillo, TX 76106. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Larry Neal Franklin FORT WORTH - Larry Neal Franklin, 59, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. today in Grace Fellowship Church in Borger with Ricky Griffin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery in Borger by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Franklin was born in Honeygrove on Dec. 24, 1943, and attended Phillips High School. He had a bachelor's degree and an associate's degree in Biblical Studies from Wesleyan College in Bartlesville, Okla. He was in the Navy and served in Vietnam for six years. He married Carolyn McElroy on Jan. 5, 1966, and she preceded him in death in October 1998. He married Carolyn Jo Roberts on Feb. 14, 1999. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Crystle Johnson of Dewey, Okla., Cheryl Milum of Austin and Carie Franklin of Borger; a stepson, Cameron Roberts of Keller; two brothers, Delbert Franklin of Fritch and Ronnie Franklin of Stinnett; a sister, Sue Mitchell of Borger; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Grace Fellowship Church, P. O. Box 248, Borger, TX 79007. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Mary Elizabeth McSwain BRYAN - Mary Elizabeth McSwain, 74, died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003. Private services will be today. Arrangements are by Callaway-Jones Funeral Home. Mrs. McSwain was born Feb. 21, 1929, in Middletown, Ohio. She had lived in Bryan for nine years and was a former resident of Amarillo. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bryan. Survivors include her husband, Arlan; two sons, Michael McSwain and wife, Linda, and Guy McSwain and wife, Leigh, all of Houston; a daughter, April Allen and husband, Chris, of Austin; three brothers, Woodie Powers of Ohio, Don Powers of St. Cloud, Fla., and Ron Powers of Phoenix; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society, 3207 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, TX 77802. Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 17, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/091703/obi_allobits.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online