Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 1 December 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 New Mexico Ethel Pauline "Polly" Flint TUCUMCARI, N.M - Ethel Pauline "Polly" Flint, 68, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 in San Jon. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. in San Jon United Methodist Church with the Rev. Amy Jordan, minister, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot of Tucumcari Memorial Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home. Mrs. Flint was born Feb. 10, 1935, in Lordsburg, N.M. Survivors include her husband, Richard Flint; a son, Curtis of Port Orchard, Wash.; two daughters, Belinda and Billie Joe, both of San Jon; a sister Kathy Shew of Abilene, Texas; a brother, Dewayne Smith of Tonasket, Wash.; nine grandchildren, a great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Tucumcari Helping Hands Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Amarillo Alfred Lee "A.L." Wallis Alfred Lee "A.L." Wallis, 79, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. Robert E. Field officiating. Private buial will be in Llano Pantheon Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in the funeral home. Mr. Wallis was born May 24, 1924, in Texas County, Oklahoma, to William and Inez Wallis. He was the first of three children. The family moved to Guymon, Okla., in 1930 where he graduated from Guymon High School. He served in the Navy at Pearl Harbor from 1943 to 1945. He married Desda Vee Wyant in 1946. He married Velma Nelson in 1985. He had been a resident of Amarillo since 1953. He was president of Kirby Sales and Service Inc. from 1953 until the buisness sold in 1999. He was owner of D&W Properties, Inc, a Lake Palestine lake developoment until 1980. He was also engaged in farming. While in the Kirby business, he reached all achievements the company offered and was ranked No. 3 distributor in the world. He was instrumental in helping many, many others to attain their goals in the business. Mr. Wallis was a member of San Jacinto Masonic Lodge, American Business Club, BPOE Elks, VFW and was a Shriner Khiva Klown. He never met a stranger and helped many people down on their luck. He loved people, family and friends. He will be greatly missed by family and friends for all the great love, smiles and all the fun. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 1980; a brother, Dewayne Wallis; a stepson, Joe Smiddy; and a stepgrandson, Tyson Coleman. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Karen Nabors and husband, Cliff, of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Linda Coleman of Amarillo; a stepson, Roger Smiddy of Amarillo; a sister, Letha Judd Mathis of Hooker, Okla.; a granddaughter, Kari Kim York of Lubbock; a grandson, Lance Lee Nabors of Amarillo; six greatgrandchildren, Allison and Kaytlin York of Lubbock; Evan and Colton Nabors and Journey Coleman, all of Amarillo, and Alexa Coleman of Denver City. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-001; or American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Louise Daniel Louise Daniel, 72, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Polk Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Garrett and the Rev. Marty Hamrick officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. A reception will follow in the social hall of the church. Ms. Daniel began her teaching career at Avondale Elementary in 1953. She moved to Olsen Park Elementary after six years. She was a teachers' advocate, pushing for better pay and better working conditions. She was always ready to help, from offering her home to Chinese exchange students to serving as a volunteer for civic organizations. She brought her skills as parliamentarian to every board on which she served. She served for 10 years as the chair of the advisory committee for the Community Development Block Grant Program, was a member of committees for the Texas State Teachers Association, director of Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, chair of Pantex Citizens Advisory Committee and member of the Oversight Committee for Tyler Street Resource Center. In 1996, she was elected to the Amarillo College Board of Regents. She was re-elected to a six-year term, where she served as chair in 2002, but resigned in January due to complications with ALS. Ms. Daniel received the 2003 AC Distiguished Alumna Award at a ceremony in April. Amarillo College was part of her life since her family moved across the street when she was 5 years old. The photography department provided her with an enjoyable hobby, a new career and many friends. She was a lifelong member of Polk Street United Methodist Church. Survivors include a sister, Shirley Raye Cooper and husband, R.J., of St. Louis; a brother, Harold Daniel and wife, Barbara, of Lelia Lake; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family requests memorials be to Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk, Amarillo, TX 79101; Amarillo College Foundation, P.O. Box 447, Amarillo, TX 79178; Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, 2301 N. Soncy, Amarillo, TX 79124 or Planned Parenthood, 1501 S. Tyler, Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Julian Cortez Sr. Julian Cortez Sr., 65, of Amarillo died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Cortez was born in Seguin. He was a construction worker. Survivors include three sons, Julian Cortez Jr., Julio Cortez and Jose Romero, all of Amarillo; two daughters, Yolanda Romero and Cynthia Smith, both of Amarillo; his mother, Virginia Cortez of Hereford; two brothers, Frank Avila of Amarillo and Celestino Cortez of Clovis, N.M.; two sisters, Lucia Hill of Hereford and Alberta Montoya of Floresville; and 10 grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Vernon Brian Mitchell Vernon Brian Mitchell, 78, of Amarillo died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Marty Loberg and the Rev. Jeff Conway officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Mitchell was born in Denver, but had lived in Amarillo since he was a few months old. He grew up at an address on South Fillmore, which was taken by the Canyon E-way. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and Korea and a past master of Palo Duro Masonic Lodge No. 1239. He was a past Worthy Patron of Bonita Chapter O.E.S. He spent his working life in residential construction and retail service. Before and after retirement in 1985, he was an active grandfather to all his grandchildren and saw to neighbors' yards and well-being. The last few years he spent keeping up with local and world events and by looking after Peanut, the family dog. He left Amarillo High School at 17 to enlist in the Navy. He served in the Admiralty Islands during the Pacific campaign and was on active duty a total of 32 months, from August 1943 to March 1946. His reserve unit was re-activated in 1950 and he served on the DD-752 USS Cunningham. At one point, ship and crew spent 45 continuous days bombarding and receiving return fire from North Korean shore batteries. Upon his return from the Pacific in 1946, he obtained his high school diploma and married the former Jeanne Clark, also of Amarillo. They recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Orlando Mitchell and mother, Corrine "Babe" Mitchell; a brother, Don; and a beloved son, Keith. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Janet Hodge and husband, Bill, of Amarillo; a son, Larry Mitchell and wife, Carmen, of Denton; five grandchildren, Marine Sgt. Cody Hodge of Beaufort, S.C., Casey Hodge and Brandon Hodge and wife, Holly, all of Amarillo, Patricia E. Mitchell of Richardson and Ruthanna Mitchell Curry of Houston; four great-grandchildren, Sofia Marie Mira of Richardson, Ava Camille Curry of Houston and Shealee and Grady Hodge of Amarillo. The family will be at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. today. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176; or Presbyterian Children's Home, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Alta "Frances" Lester Alta "Frances" Lester, 70, of Amarillo died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Travis Shannon, of Grace Oakdale Fellowship Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 15th Avenue and Martin Road. Mrs. Lester was born in Vernon to Era and William Calaway Roberts. She was raised in Plainview and moved to Amarillo in 1959. She married Melvin Lester in April 1975 in Amarillo. She worked for 16 years for Northwest Texas Hospital as supervisor of housekeeping. She was a member of Golden Pathways Church. She was preceded in death by two sons, Frankie Lynn Hurst and Donnie Ray Hurst. Survivors include her husband; five sons, Eddie Cox and James Lester, both of Amarillo, Jerry Don Lester of North Richland Hills, Greg Lester of McAlister, Okla., and Johnny Lester of Bentonville, Ark.; two daughters, Teresa Headding and Frieda Braddock, both of Dalhart; four sisters, Jean Clark, Bert Rickman and Sue Price, all of Amarillo, and Jo Dysert of Claude; three brothers, L.D. Burney of Borger, Wayne Roberts and Ray Roberts, both of Amarillo; 38 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Area Glenna Beryl Matheu PAMPA - Glenna Beryl Matheu, 81, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, in Panhandle. Vigil services will be at 6 p.m. today in Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel. Mass will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. David Contreras officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Ms. Matheu was called home to the loving and forgiving embrace of our Lord on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003. She was born Oct. 23., 1922, in Mobeetie and was a 1941 graduate of Mobeetie High School. She attended Blackwood Business College and graduated from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in 1950. She enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Germany from 1954 to 1956 as a registered nurse. She was discharged as a first lieutenant. After the Air Force, she settled in Pennsylvania with the father of her three children, returning to Pampa in 1969. She was a registered nurse at Highland General Hospital unitl 1974. She was director of nursing at Collingsworth General Hospital from 1974 to 1977. She married Prisco Matheu in 1975 in Wellington. She retired from nursing in 1982. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998, her parents, Frank and Lola Haynes and two special friends, Elizabeth Houdashell and Rita "Ippy" Kubichek. Survivors include two sons, David Inghram of Amarillo and Craig Inghram of Newnan, Ga.; a daughter, Annetta Tewes of Gun Barrel City; two sisters Wauline Reynolds and Glorice Jones, both of Pampa; two brothers, Walden Haynes and Dale Haynes, both of Pampa; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Estelle Orr MOBEETIE - Estelle Orr, 100, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003 in McLean. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa with the Rev. Tom Stribling, pastor of Hunt Memorial United Methodist Church in Dumas, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa. Mrs. Orr was born Aug. 23, 1903, in Tishomingo, Indian Territory, Okla. She married Rupert Henry Orr on Nov. 2 1930, in Mobeetie. She had been a resident of Mobeetie since 1979. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Pampa. She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 20, 1983. Survivors include a daughter, Louise Hogan and husband, Chuck, of Mobeetie; a grandson, Robert Hogan Jr. of Blytheville, Ark.; two great-grandsons, Joe Farrell and Mike Farrell, both of Elk City, Okla.; and four great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79065 or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 John Dodgen CHILDRESS - John Dodgen, 75, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Childress Church of Christ with Trey Morgan officiating. Burial will be in Kirkland Cemetery. Mr. Dodgen retired from the postal service after 31 years. He was a veteran of World War II Army Air Corps. Survivors include his wife, Helen Irene Dodgen; three daughters, Kathryn Morton of Ponca City, Okla., Jo Ann DelBossque of Dumas and Mary Craig of Terrell; a stepson, Mike Donathan of Childress; three brothers, Cal Dodgen of Lakeway, Weldon Dodgen of Austin and Jack Dodgen of Florida; three sisters, Kay Perry of Rowlett, Frances Blagia of Austin and Bobbie Wier of Georgetown; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Heart Association. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Julia B. "Judy" Landers BORGER - Julia B. "Judy" Landers, 80, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Central Baptist Church with John Denton, retired minister, and the Rev. Chris Riley, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Judy was a native of Atoka, Okla. She married Horace Landers on Dec. 30, 1939, in Borger. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Fred of Borger and Bobby of Granite, Okla.; a daughter, Phyllis Busby of Fritch; seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Elsewhere Ruby Nell Odom Hrabal CLARKSVILLE - Ruby Nell Odom Hrabal, 85, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Westlawn Memorial Park in Dimmitt. Arrangements are by Clarksville Funeral Home and Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home in Dimmitt. She was born Oct. 15, 1918, in Paris. She was a member of Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, J.W. Hrabal of Amarillo and Don Hrabal of Tyler; a daugther, Wanda Nelson of Dimmitt; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 1, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillo.com/stories/120103/obi_allobits.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online