Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Globe-News - December 24, 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 Wednesday, December 24, 2003 Amarillo Forrest H. Ezzell Forrest H. Ezzell, 88, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Paramount Baptist Church with the Rev. Harry Babbitt officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Ezzell was born Sept. 15, 1915, to Emery Ezzell and Willie Mae Ezzell in Union County, N.M. Due to Forrest's ill health in Union County, his parents packed all of their belongings into a covered wagon, and the family of three moved to Jack County in 1920. In 1929, he moved with his parents to Collingsworth County, where he attended Samnorwood and Wellington high schools. He worked for the U.S. Park Service in the Grand Canyon in Arizona in 1935. Mr. Ezzell served six and a half years in the Marine Corps, and spent 27 months aboard the USS Oklahoma as a member of the Headquarters Battalion 5th Amphibious Corps in the South Pacific area during World War II. He advanced quickly and attained the rank of sergeant major at a young age. Mr. Ezzell received the Authorized Asiatic Pacific Area Bar and Purple Heart. While in the military, he educated himself and received the equivalent of a degree in engineering. After receiving a medical discharge from the Marine Corps, he returned to Collingsworth County, where he farmed for a number of years in the Dozier area. He served as a county committeeman for Farmers Home Administration. In 1951, he moved to Amarillo where he was associated with Shelton Equipment Co. He then started his own business, C&E Compressor Service, selling and servicing oil and gas compressors throughout Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas for more than 12 years. He sold his business and retired in 1980. On Feb. 7, 1958, Mr. Ezzell married Virginia Evans in Amarillo at First Baptist Church. Mr. Ezzell was a loving and devoted husband and father throughout his life. Mr. Ezzell was a "born again" Christian and a member of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo. He was a past Master Mason of the Masonic Lodge, having received certificate and 50-year service pin in 2002. He was an avid hunter and loved boating and all kinds of water sports. But most of all, he loved his family and fellow man, and believed in doing unto others as he would have to do unto him. He embodied this philosophy and celebrated life each day through his integrity, kindness, generosity and wonderful sense of humor. He is now in the loving arms of Jesus, his Savior and Lord, where he had no more pain and suffering. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Emilie Kaye Green and husband, David, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Connie Schultz and husband, Garret, of Amarillo and Karen Mills of Ruidoso, N.M.; a granddaughter, Candice Fuller and husband, Sam, of Houston; and a grandson, Dylan Horner of Arlington. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo VA Healthcare System or BSA Hospice. The family will be at 5502 Alvarado St. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joyce Ann Burcham Joyce Ann Burcham, 58, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock with Jessie Stafford of Eleventh Street Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Bailey-Ware Funeral Home of McLean. Mrs. Burcham was born May 3, 1945, in Sayre, Okla. She graduated from Shamrock High School in 1963. Survivors include her parents, Roy and LaVeda Burcham; and her siblings, Delvin Royse and Cindy Malone, both of Amarillo, and Paul Royse of Canadian. The family suggests memorials be to Eleventh Street Baptist Church building fund in Shamrock. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pamela Ann Lawrence Rutledge Pamela Ann Lawrence Rutledge, 50, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. Earl N. Blair, retired Methodist minister, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Rutledge was born in Amarillo on Dec. 14, 1953. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1972. In her senior year, she was the state champion twirler. She twirled for more than 13 years and was awarded medals as well as scholarships. She attended West Texas State University and Texas Southern University. She earned a degree in dental hygiene. At the time of her death, she was employed with Insurance Management Services, where she worked as a dental claims analyst. Mrs. Rutledge was a member of Kingwood United Methodist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Kyndall Breann Rutledge of Amarillo; a son, Justin P. Rutledge of Amarillo; her parents, Bill and Patsy Lawrence of Amarillo; two brothers, Larry Lawrence and Kenney Stump Lawrence, both of Amarillo; two nieces, Angie Myers and Julie White, both of Amarillo; two nephews, Jacob and Joseph Lawrence of Amarillo; two great-nieces; a great- nephew; and cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kennie Latham Kennie Latham, 79, of Amarillo died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dr. Chester Beavers officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Latham was born April 11, 1924, in Howell County, Mo. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a son, Charles Pendergrass in 1973. Survivors include her husband, Carroll; two sons, Bill Pendergrass and wife, Joyce, of Rogers, Ark., and John Pendergrass and wife, Helen, of Amarillo; two sisters, Freda England and Fay Armstead, both of Mammoth Springs, Ark.; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Franklin Douglas "Dave" Norton Franklin Douglas "Dave" Norton, 64, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003. No services are planned. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Survivors include his wife, Patsy; two sons, Ray Mabra of Houston and David Mabra of Iowa Park; two sisters, Kay Inman and June Sanders, both of Amarillo; a brother, Richard "Cowboy" Kingsland of Amarillo; and two grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today at 1603 S. Buchanan St. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Curtis O'deal Williams PERRYTON - Curtis O'deal Williams, 77, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. Private family memorial services will be Friday, Jan. 9, 2004. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Williams was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Neshoba, Miss., to Jarrett and Ola India Williams. He attended school in Arlington, Miss. He served in the Army at Fort Hood. He worked in the oil field, as a truck driver and on river barges on the Mississippi River. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Martha; two daughters, Carol Breedlove of Dusseldorf, Germany, and Pam Chesney of Philadelphia, Miss.; a son, Curt Williams of Pamplona, Spain; two stepsons, Kenneth Donahue of Perryton and Ross Donahue of Spearman; a stepdaughter, Tammy Pugh of Beaver, Okla.; two sisters, Myrtle Richardson and Mary Fox, both of Philadelphia; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Beaver County Nursing Home, P.O. Box 220, Beaver, OK 73932; Frank Phillips College in Perryton, 9 S.W. Second St., Perryton, TX 79070; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dwayne Ford WELLINGTON - Dwayne Ford, 54, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in North Fariview Cemetery with the Rev. Al Mixon, pastor of Dodson Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home. Mr. Ford was born Aug. 10, 1949, to Raymond and Virginia Williams Ford in Wellington. He graduated from Wellington High School in 1967 and received his degree in mechanical engineering from Universtiy of Texas at Arlington. Survivors include two daughters, Mauri Hayden Ford of College Station and Kelsey Anne Ford of Wellington; his mother; a sister, Ramona Hightower of Dodson; and a brother, Dan Ford of Overland Park, Kan. The family suggests memorials be to Wellington Cemetery Association. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.J. Ledford PAMPA - A.J. Ledford, 72, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Barry Owens, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Ledford was born Dec. 25, 1930, in Seminole County, Okla. He had been a resident of the Pampa area since 1942. He retired from Pampa Concrete as a field supervisor in 1991. He was a veteran of the Army, serving during the Korean conflict. He was a devoted and loving father, grandfather and great- grandfather. Survivors include four daughters, Karen Williams and husband, Walt, and Brenda Madden and husband, Bruce, all of Pampa, Patty Smith and husband, Gearry, of White Deer and Marcy Ruth and husband, Randy, of Skellytown; two sons, Michael Ledford and wife, Chris, of Skellytown and Wendell Ledford and wife, Nellie, of Jonesboro, Ark.; two brothers, Franklin Ledford of Jasper and Wayne Ledford and wife, Betty, of Pampa; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marie Oden BORGER - Marie Oden, 84, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003. Services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Highland Park Cemetery with the Rev. Clayton E. Moorman officiating. Burial was in Highland Park Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Oden was born Nov. 18, 1919, in Hollis, Okla. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Moorman of Elkton, Md., and Kathy Steadman of Borger; two brothers, Kenneth Duane Box and Loel Denzil Box, both of Pampa; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner St., Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Dale Smith LOCKNEY - Joe Dale Smith, 68, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church of Lockney. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Mena, Ariz. Arrangements are by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home of Plainview. Mr. Smith was born March 16, 1935, in Lockney. He served in the Army and was a member of Yocana Baptist Church in Mena, Ark. Survivors include two sons, Rodney Smith of Lockney and J.D. Smith of Petersburg; a daughter, Kim Perry of Plainview; two brothers, Lynn Ray Smith of Lockney and Ernest Smith of San Antonio; nine grandchildren; and a great- grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Everett Little SPEARMAN - Charles Everett Little, 68, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003, in Oklahoma City. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ken Cole officiating. Burial will be in Stinnett Cemetery in Stinnett by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Little was born to Everett and Louise Little on Feb. 28, 1935, in Okmulgee, Okla. He married Maxine Riggs in 1954. They lived in Stinnett for 20 years before moving to Spearman in 1974. He graduated from Dumas High School and was a member of the 1953 state semi- finalist basketball team. He was employed by Natural Gas Pipeline for 37 years and was a field supervisor, retiring in 1990. Since that time, he had been employed by Prairie Motors in Spearman. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Spearman, Homebuilders Sunday School Class, Hansford County Golf Association and Hansford Masonic Lodge No. 1040. His joy in life was his family and friends. He loved following his grandchildren and watching them rodeo and play basketball. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dale Little of Calumet, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Sabrina Kathy Beebe and husband, Danny, of Yukon, Okla.; three grandchildren, Tanner, Trevor and Kaitlyn Beebe of Yukon; and sister, Barbara Eads and husband, Jerry, of Dumas. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity; prayer ministry of First United Methodist Church, 407 S. Haney St., Spearman, TX 79081; or Stationmasters House Museum of Spearman, 30 S. Townsend St., Spearman, TX 79081. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Dee Perschbacher CLAYTON, N.M. - Dee Perschbacher, 52, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, in Hayden. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church in Clayton with Lynn Clay officiating. Burial will be in God's Acre Cemetery on the Perschbacher Ranch in Hayden by Hass Funeral Directors. Mr. Perschbacher was born June 15, 1951, in Clayton to Edward Hank "Kelly" Perschbacher and Ida Mae (Deinken) Perschbacher. Dee was a 1969 graduate of Amistad High School and received his bachelor's degree from Sul Ross State University in Alpine in 1973. He married Patsy Kirk on July 22, 1972, in Crystal City. They had lived, farmed and ranched in Hayden since 1973. Dee served on the board of Farmers and Stockmans Bank for several years and for the past 20 years had served on the board of Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative. Horses and rodeos were an important part of Dee's life. He was a member of New Mexico Rodeo Association, High Plains Breeders Association, Hayden Cowboy Club and Amistad Fire Department. Survivors include his wife; a son, Ryon Perschbacher and wife, Brena, of Clayton; two daughters, Dee Ann Perschbacher of Canyon, Texas, and Erin Mathis and husband, Marty, of Amistad; a granddaughter, Kate Lyn Perschbacher of Clayton; his mother of Hayden; a brother, Roy Perschbacher and wife, Cheryl, of Hayden; and a sister, Blanche Hudson and husband, Mike, of Canyon. Amarillo Globe-News, Dec. 24, 2003 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------