Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Globe-News - Dec. 14, 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 =================================================================== Obituaries Amarillo Globe-News Dec. 14, 2003 Area Walter Reese CLARENDON - Walter Reese, 73, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in True Church of God in Christ with E.L. Demerson, superintendent, and Jeff Riles, elder, officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors. Mr. Reese was born April 29, 1930, in Corsicana to Robert and Etta Forney Reese. He attended Dallas schools and had been a Clarendon resident most of his adult life. He married Bobbie Jean Gardner on Aug. 25, 1950, in Clarendon. He worked for Fort Worth & Denver/Burlington Northern Railroad for more than 30 years before his retirement. He was preceded in death by his wife, and a son, Keith Reese. Survivors include three sons, Walter Reese Jr. of Clarendon, Bennie Reese of Waxahachie and Kenneth Reese of Dallas; a daughter, Margaret Jackson of Mississippi; two sisters, Erma Lee Scott of California and Lou Ethel Wilson of Illinois; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Katie Griffin Peery CHILDRESS - Katie Griffin Peery, 75, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Fairview Church of Christ with Rob Hix officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Peery was born Oct. 15, 1928, in Childress. She married Bill Peery on March 20, 1956, in Highpoint. Survivors include her husband; a sister, Lurlene Bearden of Childress; and a brother, Cecil Preston Griffin of Lubbock. The family suggests memorials be to Childress Hospice, P.O. Box 1030, Childress, TX 79201; or Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1073, Childress, TX 79201. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rev. Lemy Pike CHILDRESS - The Rev. Lemy Pike, 84, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Clyde Fulfer, pastor, the Rev. Jimmy Lakey, pastor of Pointe Church in Boulder, Colo., officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock by Johnson Funeral Home. The Rev. Pike was born Aug. 6, 1919, in Lela. He married Hazel Vick on Jan. 3, 1943, in River Rogue, Mich. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Linda Lakey of Grand Prairie and Donna Charlene Pool of Childress; a sister, Lois Haws of Shamrock; two brothers, Lonnie Pike of Dublin and Paul Pike of Groesbeck; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maynard Kotara WHITE DEER - Maynard Kotara, 65, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, in Amarillo. Vigil services will be at 6 p.m. Monday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Monsignor Kevin Hand, rector, officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Mr. Kotara was born Sept. 15, 1938, in Pampa. He married Nancy Ensey on March 25, 1975, at White Deer. Survivors include his wife; a son, Rick Kotara of Canyon; two daughters, Rhonda Reed and Kathy Davis, both of Bowie; his mother, Theresa Kotara of White Deer; one brother, John Kotara of White Deer; four sisters, Joy Grange of White Deer, Marilyn Voyles of Corpus Christi, Gay Blaylock of San Antonio and Debbie Huff of Grand Prairie; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The family suggests memorials to the V.A. Health Care System, 6010 W. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106, or the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Miller HEREFORD - Mike Miller, 76, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Gililland-Watson Funeral Home Rose Chapel with the Rev. Milford Grisham, pastor of Christian Assembly, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo. Mr. Miller was born Aug. 18, 1927, in Kansas City, Mo. He married Joy Sullivan on March 7, 1956, in Clayton, N.M. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Phillip Miller and Michael Miller, both of Hereford; a daughter, Gina Parker of Los Angeles; a sister, Anna Fatheringham of Kansas City; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hereford Ambucks. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sammy G. Rascoe CHILDRESS - Sammy G. Rascoe, 57, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, in Michigan. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Carey Baptist Church in Carey with the Rev. Cavin Oakley of Mescalero Baptist Church of Amarillo officiating. Burial will be in Carey Baptist Cemetery in Carey by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Rascoe was born July 27, 1946, in Childress. He served in the military for seven years. Survivors include his mother, Odell Rascoe Bible of Amarillo; a son, Lance Rascoe of Amarillo; a daughter, Tiffany Rascoe of Colorado; three sisters, Barbara Davis and Anna Autry, both of Burleson, and Cathy Denton of Mesa, Ariz.; and two brothers, C.D. Rascoe and Joe Rascoe, both of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Howard Leon "Mo" Mohon PANHANDLE - Howard Leon "Mo" Mohon, 87, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Ted Welch, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Mohon was born July 6, 1916, in Denton County. He served in the Navy during World War II and was owner of an antique store. Survivors include his wife, Dolores; two sons, Purvis Mohon of Dimmitt and Jerre Don Mohon of Arlington; three stepsons, Jimmy Lee Wilson of Mount Juliet, Tenn., Kenneth Ray Wilson of Kyle and Thomas Edward Wilson of Wichita, Kan.; a daughter, Cynthia Mohon of Irvine, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Carol Sue Adame of Panhandle and Sherryl Simon of Wichita; a brother, Howard Irick of Aubrey; a sister, Hazel Molmen of Denton; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101 or to First Christian Church of Panhandle. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Francisca Galvan HEREFORD -ÊFrancisca Galvan, 76, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Parkside Chapel Funeral Home. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery. Mrs. Galvan was born March 30, 1927, in Seguin, the daughter of Rufino and Nicholosa Landin. She married Santos Galvan in 1966 at Seguin and was a homemaker. Survivors include five sons, Manuel Galvan, Buddy Galvan and Frank Galvan, all of Hereford, Ramon Galvan of Bridgeport and Charlie Almonzon of Dallas; four daughters, Juanita Galvan, Mary Benavidez and Francis Galvan, all of Hereford, and Rose Townsend of New Braunfels; a brother, Domingo Landin of Lubbock; a sister, Maria Landin of Amarillo; 17 grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lois Goin Rains BOOKER - Lois Goin Rains, 92, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Perryton with the Rev. Richard Laverty officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Mrs. Rains worked for Sears in Amarillo until 1967 and in San Antonio until 1971. She was an outstanding basketball player in high school at Hedley. She was preceded in death by her parents, C.L. and Letha Goin; and a daughter, Sara Rains Everett. Survivors include a sister, Murine Flather of Perryton; a niece, Barbara Williams of Des Moines, Iowa; a nephew, Neal Flathers of Perryton; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. The family suggests memorials to Twin Oaks Manor, P.O. Box 369, Booker, TX 79005 or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Orvil Lee Thorton CHILDRESS - Orvil Lee Thornton, 87, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Richardson. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with Mike Davidson officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Thornton was born Dec. 11, 1916, in Childress. He married Daisy Mae Thurman on Oct. 3, 1936, in Childress. Survivors include a son, John Thornton of Richardson; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Cynthia Anne Krause Petty RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Cynthia Anne Krause Petty, 61, formerly of Amarillo, Texas, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003. Services will be at 9 a.m. Monday in Riverside Baptist Church. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. in National Cemetery in Riverside. Mrs. Petty was born in Oklahoma City, on July 31, 1942. She was raised in Amarillo and graduated from Tascosa High School in 1960. She was a hair stylist and worked for more than 20 years in both Amarillo and Dallas before retiring from J.C. Penney Beauty Salon in Amarillo. She was a member of Riverside First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir. She was also a member of the National Angel Club and a member of Red Hatters Club. While living in Amarillo, she was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church and San Jacinto Methodist Church. Mrs. Petty courageously fought multiple sclerosis for more than 20 years. She donated her organs to science in hope that a cure can be found for this debilitating disease. She loved the Lord and her family. She was an angel on earth and we know she is now in heaven singing praises. She was a wonderful artist and talented in so many ways. She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Krause, and her mother, Maxine Krause Mosier. Survivors include her husband, Charles; two sons, John Lockwood of Richmond, Va., and James Lockwood of Los Angeles; a daughter, April Lockwood Phelps of San Antonio, Texas; a brother, Billy Krause of Amarillo; a sister, Linda Krause Zaretsky of Los Angeles; two aunts, Emma Barham of Amarillo and Polly Wyrick of Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren; and seven stepgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Amarillo Chapter. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amarillo Eula Mae Lincecum Eula Mae Lincecum, 87, of Amarillo died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with Bob Crass, senior minister at Central Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Miss Lincecum was born Oct. 21, 1916, to Lisander Lee and Artie Lla (Johnson) Lincecum. She retired from the Amarillo Independent School District in 1978. She taught home economics at Amarillo High School prior to the opening of Palo Duro High School, where she taught until her retirement. She was a member of Central Church of Christ and a past member of Texas Retired Teachers Association. She was preceded in death by her father in 1967 and mother in 1980. The family suggests memorials be to Central Church of Christ, 1401 S. Monroe St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christine P. Davis Christine P. Davis, 70, of Amarillo died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. Max Beggs officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Davis was born in Clarksville. She married Brian M. Davis in Lubbock in 1967. She retired from the telephone company after 33 years of employment as an operator. She was preceded in death by her husband; three sisters; and three brothers. Survivors include a sister, Marie Powell of Amarillo; a brother, Joe Pace of Tahlequah, Okla.; an aunt, Myrtis Provence of Amarillo; and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to "Olivia's Angels" in care of BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank J. Cheek Frank J. Cheek, 84, of Amarillo died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Pleasant Valley Church with Dr. Dana Moore officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Cheek was born in Battiest, Okla. to Cody Frank and Eunice Cheek. He attended the Old Tascosa School which was located on the present Boys Ranch grounds. He served in the Navy "Sea Beas" during World War II in the South Pacific for 44 months. Eight months before entering into the Navy, he married Frances M. Denman at Channing on June 25, 1941. They enjoyed 62 years of married life together. Following Mr. Cheek's military career, he worked at the C.M. Williams Hardware store which later became the Cosmopolitan Furniture and Appliance Store. The business then became known as Consolidated Appliance. Mr. Cheek worked for Consolidated Appliance Inc. until his retirement. Mr. Cheek was an active member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher for the men of the church until he became too ill. He also served as a church deacon and was involved with the hospital ministry team. Survivors include his wife; two sisters, Pauline Chisum of Kemp and Louise Smedley of Mena, Ark.; three brothers, Dale Cheek of Scottville, Va., Clinton Cheek of Tulsa, Okla., and William Cheek of St. Johns, Ariz.; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to the Media Center of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 555 E. Hastings, Amarillo, TX 79108. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Montana Andrew "Critter" Knight Montana Andrew "Critter" Knight, infant son of Laci Medders and Chris Knight of Amarillo, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Ron Kohler officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Montana was born Aug. 20, 2003, in Amarillo. Survivors include his parents; his grandparents, Tonya Holder of Heavener, Okla., Dayne Medders of Battiest, Okla., and David and Mike Kantner of Amarillo; his great-grandparents, Wilma Hilburn of Red Oak, Okla., Saly Murray of Boulder, Colo., Tina Kantner of Amarillo and Everette Medders of Battiest; his great-great-grandmothers, Fayola Hilburn of Red Oak, Grace Medders of Palamino, Okla., and Marvel Patton of Longmont, Colo.; his great-great-great- grandmother, Lotta "Nan" West of Red Oak; his special cousins, Gracie Montgomery and Kodey Gwaltney; and an aunt, Penny Dyer. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amarillo Sarah Beth Russell Sarah Beth Russell, 83, of Amarillo died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Jim Bankhead, senior pastor, and Dr. Murray Gossett, associate pastor, officiating. Entombment will be in Llano Cemetery Mausoleum by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Russell was born May 21, 1920, in Corsicana to Elizabeth Murchison Knox and Christopher Johnson Knox. She graduated from the University of Texas, cum laude and taught English. In later years, she proved herself to be a capable businesswoman, successfully managing the family business for 15 years. She was a former president of Junior League of Amarillo and a member of JUG (Just Us Girls) Club. Mrs. Russell was the mother of two sons, Frank J. Storm III, who was born Aug. 19, 1945, and died in January 1964 and Christopher K. Storm who was born March 7, 1951. She married Frank J. Storm in 1944 and they moved to Amarillo in 1945. He preceded her in death in September 1963. She married Hollis T. Russell in 1971 and he preceded her in death in 1995. Survivors include a son, Christopher J. Storm and wife, Marguerite Delacroix; six grandchildren, Christopher K. Storm Jr., 23, George M. Storm, 21, Andrew M. Storm, 20, Felician Poncelet, 26, and wife, Claire, Remi Poncelet, 24, and Tessa Poncelet, 22; two great-grandchildren, William, 9, and Marc, 2; her stepchildren, Ann Castleberry of Plainview and Hollis Russell Jr. of Sarasota, Fla.; her stepgrandchildren, Josh Russell, Hugh Russell Jr., Susan Feasel, Brittney T. Russell, Thomas Exum Russell; and five step great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Kidney Foundation, 7205 W. Interstate 40, Suite C, Amarillo, TX 79106; or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, 600 W. 11th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calvin Eugene Spears Calvin Eugene Spears, 45, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Spears was born in Amarillo. He had been a truck driver and an avid fisherman. Survivors include a sister, Carolyn Powell and husband, David, of Amarillo; a nephew, Chris Spears of Amarillo; and a niece, Crystal Powell of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ola Mae Taylor Ola Mae Taylor, 95, of Amarillo died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington with Rev. Steve Hinton, pastor of Rockwood Christian Church in Fort Worth, officiating. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Taylor was born in Buffalo Springs and raised in Henrietta. She was the youngest of eight children. She married Albert Taylor on Dec. 5, 1930, in Waurika, Okla. He preceded her in death in 1978. Mrs. Taylor lived in Fort Worth from 1942 until 1995 when she moved to Amarillo. She was an active member of the Rockwood Christian Church for 50 years and she shared her love of handmade quilts and crocheted doilies with her family and friends. She enjoyed family reunions and she said her 95th birthday party was the best one ever. She loved to play all kinds of cards and board games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cooked the best lattice work peach cobbler ever. Survivors include two daughters, Neva Wilson of Amarillo and Rita Nieswiadomy of Euless; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great-great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Margaret Kathryn Unsell Margaret Kathryn Unsell, 83, of Amarillo died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Chester O'Brien officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Unsell was born in Cheyenne, Wyo., and was a lifetime resident of Amarillo. She attended River Road schools and was a 1938 graduate of Amarillo High School. She was a home economics major at West Texas State University. She married Glenn H. Unsell in 1940 in Amarillo. They were member of First Baptist Church, where she taught 4- and 5-year-old children for more than 40 years and served as superintendent for that department. As her children were growing up, she was active with the PTA and served as president of Alice Landergin PTA. She was president of Amarillo Area PTA Council. She was also a Cub Scout den mother, Brownies leader and Girl Scout leader. Mrs. Unsell was a past president of South Amarillo Garden Club, past president of Amarillo Botanical Garden and South Amarillo Garden spots. She was an active member of the National Garden Centers of America and had hosted parties and backyard picnics at her home. She was active in the therapy program with Amarillo Botanical Gardens. Mrs. Unsell hosted Christmas parties for the residents of Elizabeth Jane Bivins Nursing Home. She read stories to the young children at Hagy Day Care Center and was a member of the dancing unit of Daughters of the Nile. She was active with the Pilot Club in Amarillo for many years. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Cynthia Womack and husband, Bill, of Amarillo; three sons, Glenn H. Unsell III and wife, Pam, of Fort Worth, Travis D. Unsell of North Dakota and Timmothy E. Unsell and wife, Randye, of Nutley, N.J.; her grandchildren, Tina Auten, Glenn H. Unsell IV, Tamara Gatza, Dede Fischer, Ginny Yeatts, Lisa O'Driscoll, Kathryn Seale and Hayden Atkinson; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Janice Carroll Abrahamson Janice Carroll Abrahamson, 57, of Amarillo died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. in St. Stephen United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Smith, senior pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Abrahamson was born in Amarillo on July 7, 1946, to Wiley William and Lera Pearl Phillips. She met George W. Abrahamson on April 14, 1982, and they married July 7, 1996, in Amarillo. She was a certified professional landman since 1989 and in 1993 also became an environmental site assessor, both by examination. She worked for several law firms and oil and gas companies throughout her 40-year career, including Santa Fe Energy Co., Argonaut Energy Corp., The Harlow Corp., Mesa Limited Partnership, Seagull Midcon Inc., Crescendo/BP Amoco and operated her own business as Phoenix Land Services. She graduated at Amarillo College in 1995 with an associate in general science degree and at West Texas A&M University in 2001 with a bachelor of business administration degree in management, cum laude, at which time she was named to the university President's List. Janice was past president of Panhandle Natural Gas Society and past president of Panhandle Association of Petroleum Landmen. She was a member of Panhandle Geological Society, Natural Gas Association of Oklahoma, Permian Basin Landmen's Association, Oklahoma City Association of Petroleum Landmen and American Association of Petroleum Landmen. She attended Bykota Baptist Church for more than 35 years. She and her husband joined St. Stephen United Methodist Church in 1996. She was finance chairman in 1993 for the American Cancer Society's annual Cattle Baron's Ball and organized and chaired many oil and gas industry Christmas parties. She was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and organized and promoted the 2000-2001 Amarillo West Rotary fellowship activities. She wrote and published "Morning Prayer" in April 2003 copyrighted by the U. S. Library of Congress. Survivors include her husband; her mother, Lera Pearl Phillips of Amarillo; a daughter, Joie Lynn Hulse and husband, Terry, of Honey Brook, Pa., two grandchildren, Amanda Calhoun and Joshua Calhoun, both of Honey Brook; three sisters, Janell Dearen Glazner and husband, Bob, and Judy Ray and husband, Richard, all of Farmington, N.M., and Nancy Renfro of Amarillo; two aunts, Lexadine "Pepper" Porter and husband, Bob, of Amarillo and Jeannie Talcott of Santa Ana, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends across the United States. The family suggests memorials be to ALS Association North Texas Chapter, 2100 N. Highway 360, Suite 1900, Grand Prairie, TX 75050, for Lou Gehrig's disease. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Walter C. Watkins Dr. Walter C. Watkins, 85, of Amarillo died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. Graveside services will be at noon Tuesday in Llano East Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Jim Bankhead officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Dr. Watkins was born in McLean to Everett and Lucille Watkins. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1935. He then earned his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1939. During that time he was very active in the University of Texas Longhorn Band, a source of pleasure to him for the remainder of his life. For as long as he could recall, he knew that his primary calling was to render to the health of those in need. In 1940, while performing volunteer service as a laboratory technician at St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, he realized that surgery was the profession through which he could most effectively serve patients. He was accepted to Cornell University Medical School, New York City, where he earned an M.D. degree with honors in 1943. He completed his surgical internship at Bellevue Hospital, Cornell Service, New York City. Upon completing his internship, he enlisted in the Army to serve during World War II, and was assigned as a surgeon to the hospital ship, USS Marigold. This was a dangerous and very demanding duty. The Marigold was the first ship to land in Japan at the end of the War. For his actions and service he was awarded the Purple Heart and promoted to Major. Following his military duty, Dr. Watkins completed his surgical residency at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. In 1950, he returned home to Amarillo where he began his surgical practice and completed the requirements for board certification by the American Board of Surgery. Completing this process was a milestone in that in doing so, he became Amarillo's first board certified general surgeon to establish a solo practice, and only the second surgeon to be board certified in the State of Texas. Dr. Watkins was a long-term, active member of the surgical staff at Northwest Texas Hospital, St. Anthony's Hospital and High Plains Baptist Hospital, filling a variety of key leadership roles in those organizations over many years of service. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, Potter- Randall County Medical Society, Texas Surgical Society and the Southern Society of Clinical Surgeons. Beyond his commitments to health care in the Panhandle, Dr. Watkins lead or contributed to a number of major educational and philanthropic activities that served Amarillo and the region. He was one of 11 founding directors of The Amarillo College Foundation, formed in 1962, subsequently endowing the Everett and Lucille Watkins Memorial Scholarship Fund (1973), and the Walter Watkins, M.D. Scholarship Fund (1975) for that institution. In 1964 Dr. Watkins served as President of The Hundred Club of Amarillo, Inc. created to raise and disburse funds for the benefit of widows and families of Amarillo policemen and firemen who died in service to the community, and later oversaw its timely conversion to a scholarship fund of that name managed through the Amarillo College Corp. Anyone who met Dr. Watkins was immediately and forever impressed by the intensity and discipline that he applied to all aspects of his life- professional, social, personal and recreational. He was naturally curious, well read, and possessed a gift of remarkable memory for detail. He had a keen sense of humor, which rarely, if ever, left him without an opinion on a wide range of topics. He enjoyed a number of interests, but allowed himself to engage in them only after his primary responsibilities to patients, friends and family were dispatched. Beyond medicine, perhaps his most sustained interest reflected his strong family tradition in farming and ranching. He was a member of the Angus Cattle Association, taking great pride in his contributions toward improving the breed over many years of dedication. He had many friends in the Texas Surgical Society and the Southern Society of Clinical Surgeons with whom he met on at least an annual basis and thoroughly enjoyed each reunion. He was a legendary host to his family and friends, particularly during his favorite events surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. He had a passion for fishing, particularly at his beloved cabin at Pearl Lakes, Colorado, and became an avid golfer. He loved spectator sports, particularly college football and basketball. He took great enjoyment in marching and playing his 1935 vintage trumpet during the halftime show of a University of Texas football game as part of an annual Longhorn Alumni Band Association weekend in Austin. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Alice Watkins; and two brothers, Charles Arthur "C.A." and Harold C. Watkins. Survivors include a brother, Donald O. Watkins of Amarillo; three sons, Dr. Walter David Watkins of Pittsburgh, Pa., Joe Charles Watkins of Claude and Dr. Dan Lear Watkins of Weatherford; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; an uncle, Courtney B. Kingsland of Lakeside, Calif.; and nine nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to The Everett and Lucille Watkins or the Walter C. Watkins M.D. Scholarship Fund in care of Amarillo College Foundation, P.O. Box 447, Amarillo, TX 79178. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 14, 2003 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------