Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 12 October 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: 10/12/03 E. L. Ford Sr. BORGER - E.L. Ford Sr., 77, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Westlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. O.V. Keith, of South Fork, Colo., officiating. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Ford was born Sept. 30, 1926, in Garfield, Ark. He worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. as a supervisor for 40 years before retiring in 1985. Survivors include his wife, Bernice; a son, Efton L. Ford Jr. of Borger; two daughters, Mary Beasley of Borger and Janice Ford of Lubbock; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Lou Morrison FRIONA - Lou Morrison, 83, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Stovall, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home. Mrs. Morrison was a Friona resident since 1971, moving from Dumas. She was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army Medical Corps. Survivors include her husband, Charley; two daughters, Marie Saiz of Friona and Peggy Schmidt of Broken Bow, Neb. a sister, Dorothy Wells of Spokane, Wash.; and three grandchildren, Charley and Phillip Saiz and A. J. Schmidt. The family suggests memorials be to Prairie Acres Nursing Home of Friona. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Amarillo Curtis E. Upchurch Curtis E. Upchurch, 81, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Mr. Upchurch enlisted with the Army Infantry on Dec. 19, 1942, in Dallas. He served in the South Pacific where he received the following Asiatic Pacific medals: Purple Heart, Bronze Star medal with one cluster and the Combat Infantryman badge with five overseas bars. He married Juanita Moore on May 30, 1947. He retired from I.C.X. Motor Freight Lines after 29 years. They owned and operated Upchurch Ceramics from 1980 to 1985. He was preceded in death by a son, Ronnie Upchurch in 1999. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mary Head of Amarillo; a son, Keith Upchurch of Amarillo; a brother, Samuel L. Upchurch of Amarillo; a daughter-in-law, Linda Upchurch of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Martin G. Slagle Martin G. Slagle, 91, of Amarillo died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Panhandle Cemetery with Bill Fuller, pastor of First Baptist Church in Panhandle, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Mr. Slagle was born in Worth, Mo., on Feb. 21, 1912. He married Betty Jo Young on Nov. 21, 1934, and then moved to Amarillo. He was the maintenance manager for Polk Street United Methodist Church. He also farmed and worked at John Chandler Ford. During World War II, he worked in the ship-yards. Survivors include his wife; a son, Marlin Slagle of Amarillo; two daughters, Vera Taylor of Bigelow, Ark., and Sandra Kay Atwood of Cisco; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Tom Sao Ou Tom Sao Ou, 69, of Amarillo died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Ou had worked at IBP for several years in Amarillo before moving to California. Survivors include his wife, Pam; three daughters, Somchit Ouanmalay of Omaha, Neb., Angeleena Ou of Las Vegas, Nev., and Christal Ou of Nashville, Tenn.; two sons, Senh Ou of Tracy, Calif., and John Ou of Modesto, Calif.; two sisters, Va Ou and Yong Ou, both of Thailand; two brothers, Tune Ou of Thailand and Tony Phang of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Margie L. Ray Margie L. Ray, 76, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Southwest Church of Christ with Brent Adams officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Ray was born in Briscoe and married Maurice Ray Sr. in Austin on Aug. 2, 1945. They shared their lives and raised a loving family. She never met a stranger. She was a Christian, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She set a fine example in how she lived her life. She was a charter member of Southwest Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Moe Ray of Amarillo and Robert Ray of Lucas; a brother, James H. Green of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Phillip, Stanton and Priscilla; three great-grandchildren, Ty, Wade and Audra; and many friends. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Robert Davis Sr. Robert Davis Sr., 77, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Cox Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive with Dale Bigham, pastor of Arden Road Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Davis was born in Horn Lake, Miss., and was raised in Tennessee. He served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to Tennessee where he farmed for more than 25 years before moving to Amarillo in 1968. He married Louise Vanness on Oct. 17, 1945, in Marion, Ark. He was in grounds maintenance for Northwest Texas Hospital for more than 15 years. After retiring from the hospital, he operated Davis Lawn Service. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Ricky Adams in 1995. Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Shirley Simpson, Janie Lowlin, Cathy Adams, Debbie Head and Annette Chrostowski, all of Amarillo; two sons, Eddie Davis and Ray Davis, both of Amarillo; two sisters, Nellie Lovelady of Amarillo and Blanchie Haslip of Covington, Tenn.; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Wayne P. Sturdivant Wayne P. Sturdivant, 75, of Amarillo died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeff Conway officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Sturdivant, local attorney, died after a lengthy illness. He was born in Okmulgee, Okla., in 1928, son of Clarence and Ruby Sturdivant. He attended school in Oklahoma and graduated from high school in Independence, Kan. He enlisted in the Army and was a staff sergeant before being commissioned a second lieutenant. He served in the Army Reserves 15 years where he attained the rank of captain. He attended Independence Junior College where he earned letters in football and basketball and held a membership in Phi Theta Kappa, an honorary scholastic fraternity. He attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., and the University of Texas in Austin. After graduation, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ann Marden, in 1951. He enrolled at the University of Texas School of Law where he was editor of the Texas Law Review, Order of the Coif and Grand Chancellor. After graduation in 1954, he practiced law in Amarillo for 45 years and was senior managing partner in the Gibson Law Firm. He was president of the Amarillo Bar Association, a director of the Texas Bar, president of Texas Association of Defense Council, member of American College of Trial Lawyers, Texas Bar Foundation and International Association of Insurance Council. He was a Knight Templar of the Amarillo Commandery No. 48 and member of the Khiva Shrine and Jesters. In 1982, he was campaign chairman of the United Way, a director of the chamber of commerce, and board member of the Children's Home and Girl Scouts. He was chairman of the Amarillo ad hock committee for the location of Northwest Texas Hospital at the Medical Center. He was president of the Amarillo Club and served on the board of directors of First National Bank. He was a member of the Rotary Club where he served as president and District Governor Rotary International, District 573. He was a historian whose passion was the Civil War. He loved his family, his law practice, reading history, golfing and hunting. He will be dearly missed by those whose lives he touched. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Dr. Stephen Sturdivant and wife, Jan, of Arkansas and Michael Sturdivant and wife, Maria, of Austin; three daughters, Susan Sturdivant Walston and husband, Bill, of Austin, Karan McKenzie and husband, Roger, of Dallas and Stacey Barber and husband, David, of Lubbock; a sister, Sue Williams and husband, Bud, of Oklahoma; a nephew, Andy Williams of New York; and 10 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to The Children's Home, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, TX 79109; or to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 James "J.O." Koontz James "J.O." Koontz, 74, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Trinity Baptist Church with Dr. David Evans officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Koontz was raised in Stratford and played on the 1945 state basketball championship team. He graduated from Amarillo High in 1948 where he was the heavyweight wrestling champion. He received an associate degree from Amarillo College. He retired from Mason & Hanger at Pantex Plant after 25 years of service in 1993. He sang in the Gloryland Quartet and also sang barber shop with Funtiersman Quartet. He was a member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. national association of barber shop quartet singers. He was music director and deacon at Summitt Baptist Church for many years. Also, he was most recently a deacon at Trinity Baptist Church. He served 12 years in the Navy reserves. He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed life and traveling, but most enjoyed being with his family, whom he loved above everything, especially his grandchildren. He will be missed by his loving family, all his friends and Mannatech family, especially Carolyn McPherson, who he teased and called wife No. 2. He will be remembered for his joking manner and his generosity. He married Yvonne Blackwell on Aug. 19, 1949, in Amarillo. They recently celebrated 54 years of marriage. Survivors inlcude his wife; two sons, David Koontz and wife, Rita, and Jim Koontz and wife, Karla, all of Amarillo; three sisters, Nan Ferguson, Peggy Bosley and husband, Ken, of Amarillo, and Pat Renfro and husband, Bob, of Lubbock; a brother, T.J. Koontz and wife, Cherie, of Amarillo; grandchildren, Valerie Koontz of Dallas, Eric Koontz and wife, Charessa, of Carrollton, Littny-Anne Davis and husband, David, of Amarillo and Ryan Koontz of Golden, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Mannarelief, P.O. Box 540669, Grapevine, TX 75054; or to Trinity Baptist Church building fund. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 James H. Williams James H. Williams, 68, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements by Rector Funeral Home 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Williams was born in Booneville, Miss. He moved to Amarillo in 1978. He had worked for the City of Amarillo and Southwest Prestressed Concrete until his retirement. Survivors include two sons, J.L. Williams and Eddie Williams, both of Arkansas; a sister, Thelma Beeler of Strawberry, Ark.; a brother, Marvin Owens of Booneville; four nieces, Ethel Braddock, Barbara Helton, Kristi Anderson and Judy Spain; and two nephews, Max Braddock and Jerry Braddock. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Wm."Don"Dollar Wm. "Don" Dollar, 71, of Amarillo, died Friday Oct. 10, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Lifeway Fellowship Baptist Church with Randy Davis, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Rector Funeral Home 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Dollar was born in raised in Quail. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He lived in Amarillo most of his adult life. Mr. Dollar owned and operated a service station on Olsen Boulevard for several years before being employed by the U.S. Postal Service. He retired in 1999. He married Phyllis Blotner in 1977 at Eagle Nest, N.M. He served as a deacon at Lifeway Fellowship Baptist Church for several years. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Ruby Patterson in 2002. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Betty Dollar of Charlotte, N.C.; and two brothers, Cliff Dollar of Denver, and Winfred Dollar of Amarillo. The family will be at 5203 Plaza. The family suggests memorials be to Lifeway Fellowship Baptist Church, 3315 Hancock, Amarillo, TX 79106. Sign our online guestbook at www.rectorfuneralhome.com. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 New Mexico Pearl Frances Holbrook CLOVIS, N.M. - Pearl Frances Holbrook, 89, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Sunset Terrace of Farwell, Texas, with Dr. Joseph Vest officiating. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. Holbrook married Lloyd W. Vaughan when she was 15 and was a wonderful mother to their three children. During her life she was a restaurant owner, motel owner and farmer. Survivors include two daughters, Wilma Fulgham of Clovis and Frances Elnora Borden of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a son, Doyle Ray Vaughan of Jackson, Wyo.; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Mesa Redondo Cowboy Camp Meetings in her name, P.O. Box 1845, Clovis, NM 88102; or to a charity of choice. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/101203/obi_allobits.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online