Potter Co. TX - Obits: Amarillo Globe-News - February 24, 2004 =================================================================== 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 =================================================================== Amarillo Globe-News Obituaries Tuesday, February 24, 2004 Area Charlie Fern Bailey QUITAQUE - Charlie Fern Bailey, 90, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, in Amarillo. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Anthony Sisemore and the Rev. Jeff Addison officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Mrs. Bailey was a longtime Quitaque resident. She married James "Bud" Bailey on Feb. 1, 1943, in Riverside, Calif. Charlie was a homemaker and a devoted wife and mother, who loved and served her Lord Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband on Feb. 9, 1989; her parents, T.J. and Mae Reeves; and two brothers, Alex and Morgan Reeves. Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Wassom and Janet Bailey, both of Amarillo, and Charlene Rothwell and husband, Gordon, of Plainview; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Irene Purcell of Granbury and Ann Kessinger of Grenola, Kan. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Curtis W. Murphree FRIONA - Curtis W. Murphree, 82, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church in Friona with the Rev. Mark Stovall, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Friona Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home of Friona. Mr. Murphree was born Oct. 5, 1921, to William C. and Ethel (Parson) Murphree in Zephyr. He married Gertrude Short on Aug. 30, 1945, in Friona. A resident of the Friona area since 1941, he moved here from Comanche. He was a farmer and a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He served two terms as trustee at Wayland Baptist University, the last two as chairman. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carolyn Wiseman of Friona; three sons, Danny Murphree of Plainview, and Joe Murphree and Jim Murphree, both of Friona; two sisters, Lois Brooks of Carlsbad, N.M., and Bobbie Curtis of Lubbock; four brothers, Ray Murphree and Roger Murphree, both of Comanche, Billy Murphree of Monohans and Pat Murphree of Decatur; 14 grandchildren; and a great- grandchild. The family suggests memorials to memorial fund of First Baptist Church, 404 W. Fifth Ave., Friona, TX 79035. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Esta V. Pratt DARROUZETT - Esta V. Pratt, 81, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Darrouzett First Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary McDonald officiating. Burial will be in Darrouzett Cemetery by Johnson Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Booker. Mrs. Pratt was born Dec. 2, 1922, in Strong City, Okla. She married George H. Pratt on June 12, 1941, in Arnett, Okla. Survivors include three sons, Ronald Pratt of Bremerton, Wash., and Donald Pratt and Lewis Pratt, both of Amarillo; a daughter, Carol Imke of Follett; a sister, Betty Dyke of Sun City, Kan.; seven grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church in Darrouzett or Twin Oaks Manor in Booker. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hector Manuel Velasquez Jr. DIMMITT - Hector Manuel Velasquez Jr., 18, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Castro Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Franklin E. Pantoja officiating. Arrangements are by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Velasquez was born Oct. 19, 1985, in Mexico. He was a 2003 graduate of Dimmitt High School. Survivors include his parents, Hector Sr. and Mari Carmen Velasquez of Dimmitt; three sisters, Alejandra Velasquez, Azeneth Velasquez and Erika Velasquez, all of Dimmitt; and his grandparents, Jose and Maria Velasquez and Juan and Maria Rosas, all of Mexico. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty Ruth Dilbeck Littlefield MCLEAN - Betty Ruth Dilbeck Littlefield, 59, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Thacker Haynes officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery by Bailey-Ware Funeral Home. Mrs. Littlefield was a loving, caring mother and grandmother, who enjoyed her family and friends. She was employed at the safety rest area westbound on Interstate 40. Survivors include a son, Jim Bob Adams of McLean; a daughter, Peggy Adams of Midwest City, Okla.; two sisters, Mary Hicks of California and Tina Hergenrother of Midwest City; two brothers, Ray Dilbeck of Lubbock and Tommy Dilbeck of California; three stepchildren, Roxy McMordie of McLean, Russell Littlefield of Sonora and Chris Littlefield of Oklahoma; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to McLean EMS, McLean, TX 79057. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lorena Scruggs DUMAS - Lorena Scruggs, 92, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Mark Wallis, pastor of Life Tabernacle in Dumas, and Travis Evans, her nephew and lay minister of the Church of the Nazarene in California, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens in Dumas. Mrs. Scruggs was born Jan. 6, 1912, in Ravia, Okla. She was a Dumas resident for the past two years, moving from Pampa. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Pampa. She married Edward Scruggs on Sept. 30, 1944, in California. She was an office clerk at Electrolux. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1950. Survivors include a stepson, Charles Scruggs of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; a nephew, J.A. George and wife, Louise, of Dumas; and many other wonderful nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. Second St., Dumas, TX 79029. The family will be at 513 Cedar St. in Dumas. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Addie Lucille Orr CANADIAN - Addie Lucille Orr, 95, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with Jerry Golden, pastor, and Dinzel Leonard officiating. Private family services and burial will be in Phoenix. Local arrangements are by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors. Mrs. Orr was born Oct. 25, 1908, in Gatesville to James and Jennie Dobbins. She had lived in Canadian since 1917. She married G.L. Orr on Nov. 18, 1925, in Mobeetie. Mrs. Orr was very involved in knitting, quilting and crocheting. She was a caregiver and always doing for others. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Canadian. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1969; five sisters; and three brothers. Survivors include a son, James Orr of Canadian; a daughter, Juanita "Nita" McCabe of Sun City West, Ariz.; a sister, Josephine Gilstrap of Ranger; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; 10 nieces; and five nephews. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesse E. Wright PAMPA - Jesse E. Wright, 85, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with Dr. Claude Cone, executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Wright was a veteran of the Navy, serving during World War II. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; a son, Richard Wright of Albuquerque, N.M.; two daughters, Jana Sanders of Booker and Debbie Kraaier of Campo, Colo.; a brother, Jack Wright of Aztec, N.M.; five sisters, Katherine Bybee and Lorene Cook, both of Farmington, N.M., and Pearl Sisson and Florene Ensor, both of Aztec, and Lula Gates of Fontana, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, 600 W. 11th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101; or Pampa VFW Post 1657, 105 S. Cuyler St., Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Donzel F. Wilson PERRYTON - Donzel F. Wilson, 79, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Victory Family Church with the Rev. Marlon Sparks, Jeff Henshaw, pastor, and Buck Lawley, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Wilson worked for Texaco Camerick Plant as an accountant until his retirement in 1983. He was a member of Victory Family Church. He served in the Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; a son, Patrick Wilson of Perryton; three daughters, Michele Cupp, Yvette Estes and Veronica Wray, all of Perryton; two sisters, Dolores Irvin of Austin and Donna Garrett of Houston; eight grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and a great-grandson. The family suggests memorials be to Ochiltree Hospice Volunteers, 3101 Garrett St., Perryton, TX 79070; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josefina Espinoza DIMMITT - Josefina Espinoza, 57, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Franklin E. Pantoja officiating. Arrangements are by Foskey-Lilley- McGill Funeral Home. Ms. Espinoza was born Nov. 15, 1946, in Corpus Christi. Survivors include two brothers, Abel Espinosa of Hereford and Johnny Espinosa of San Antonio; and a sister, Alicia Galvan of Dimmitt. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Juanita Crownover STRATFORD - Juanita Crownover, 80, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Genoa Goad, pastor of Howardwick Baptist Church, and Larry Dan Melton, a family member, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrsion Funeral Directors. Mrs. Crownover was born Nov. 2, 1923, in Claude. She was a homemaker and had lived in Sherman County since 1959. She married Lloyd Crownover on Feb. 10, 1944, in Claude. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Stratford. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Johnny Crownover and wife, Kay, and Donald Crownover and wife, Nita, all of Dumas; a daughter, Evelyn Wilson and husband, Tim, of Amarillo; a brother, Elmo Barrett of Amarillo; a sister, Anita Anderson of Sun City, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandsons. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. The family will be at their home at 5418 F.M. 297 in Stratford. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Virgie Mae Koszarek HARDESTY, OKLA. - Virgie Mae Koszarek, 70, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Guymon with the Rev. Donnie Scheuerman officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery in Guymon. Mrs. Koszarek was a longtime resident of the Oklahoma Panhandle. Many Guymon area families had employed her as an in-home caregiver for their loved ones. Survivors include her husband, Leo; a sister, Clodell Olsen of Georgetown, Texas; two sons, Sam Backus of Bremerton, Wash., and Churck Backus of Oklahoma City; three daughters, Cindy Morgan of Borger, Texas, and Carolyn Hollis and Sherrie Shaffer, both of Hardesty; 13 grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Leo O. Rogers WICHITA FALLS - Leo O. Rogers, 84, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home Chapel with Charlie Thomason and Bill Harmon officiating. Burial will be in Crestview Memorial Park. Mr. Rogers was born Aug. 24, 1919, in New Bern, N.C. He was an avid outdoorsman, golfer and a devout Christian. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine; two sons, James F. Rogers and L. Scot Rogers; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of Wichita Falls. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon Alice Loue Ritter Alice Loue Ritter, 82, of Canyon died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Dreamland Cemetery with the Rev. Don Stribling, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Lamesa, officiating. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church of Canyon with the Rev. Dr. Don McDonald, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mrs. Ritter was born March 23, 1921, in Joplin, Mo., to Denver and Mildred James Leonard. She married George Ritter in Joplin on Jan. 31, 1942. She began working as a secretary at Warren-LaGrone Funeral Home, which later became Schooler-Gordon Funeral Home. She continued working as a secretary, retiring from Brooks Funeral Directors in 1999. She served as secretary-treasurer on the board of Dreamland Cemetery, American Cancer Society and National Secretary's Association. She had been a member of First Presbyterian Church of Canyon since 1957 and served as a deacon and elder. She had fun with the Birthday Girls, Sewing Club and Bridge groups. Survivors include her husband, George; a son, William D. Ritter and wife, Joyce, of Canyon; a daughter, Janet Hand and husband, Bob, of Canyon; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Hand of Minneapolis, Misty Hand Miller and husband, Will, of Amarillo, Timothy Ritter of Canyon and Jeremy Ritter and wife, Amanda, of Tucson, Ariz.; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176; or American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Fred Bogard CLOVIS, N.M. - Fred Bogard, 74, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in The Chapel with the Rev. Hugh Wallis and the Rev. Kenneth Broad officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Bogard married Goldie Hodge on Aug. 26, 1950, in Tucumcari. He owned Southwest Motors in Tucumcari, Fred Bogard's Ford in Portales and Car City in Clovis. Survivors include his wife; a son, Pete Bogard of Dallas; two daughters, Kathy Segura of Clovis and Carol Riddle of Ruidoso; a brother, Bob Bogard of Farmington; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1856, Clovis, NM 88102. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amarillo Jesus "Jesse" Martinez Jesus "Jesse" Martinez, 62, of Amarillo died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004. Rosary was said at 7 p.m. Monday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the chapel with Monsignor Rex Nicholl of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Martinez was born in Coahuila, Mexico. He had been a resident of Amarillo for 37 years. He married Lucy Kennedy in Amarillo in 1993. He retired from Pantex after 31 years of service. He was an avid bowler and loved to write and play music on his guitar. He was preceded in by his twin brother, Guillermo Martinez, in 1986 and a sister, Elisa Zamora in 1994. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Jesse Martinez Jr. and partner, Steve Winnett, of Houston, Willie Martinez and wife, Pat, and Dickie Martinez and wife, Debbie, all of Brownwood and Mark Martinez and wife, Amanda, of Haskell; two daughters, Darcy Neill and husband, Rusty, and Sara Kennedy, all of Amarillo; two sisters, Elinda Martinez of Amarillo and Eudelia Armendariz of Snyder; two brothers, Noe Martinez of Plainview and Enrique Martinez of Cresthill, Ill.; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yvonne Audrey Clason Yvonne Audrey Clason, 76, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with Brock Lovett, Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, officiating. Mrs. Clason married Chester C. Clason in Honolulu in 1952. She moved to Amarillo in 1976. Survivors include her husband; a son, Richard Lee Clason and wife, Tanya K., of Panhandle; a daughter, Karen S. Evenson and husband, Duane, of Amarillo; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Winnifred Roland Winnifred Roland, 80, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in San Jacinto Baptist Church with Trent Sisemore and Dr. Stan Coffey officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Roland was a longtime member and secretary of Amarillo Rebekah Lodge No. 222. She was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church, where she participated in the choir. Survivors include her husband, Jay; a son, Wayne Edwards of Amarillo; a daughter, Nancy Edwards of Salt Lake City; seven grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amarillo Roy Edward Matlock Roy Edward Matlock, 93, of Amarillo died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Comanche Trail Church of Christ with Cecil Burch, Loran Harper and Jerry Klein officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Matlock was born Dec. 1, 1911, near Minco, Okla., to Andrew Jackson and Mattie Ethel Herron Matlock. He attended school through the seventh grade, where he ended his formal education to help with the farming. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and built roads and hiking trails in Colorado parks. In January 1941, the military called him to combat training at Fort Sill, Okla., and he completed training in October 1941. On Nov. 29, 1941, he married his sweetheart, Kathryn Wallace. Then came Dec. 7 and Mr. Matlock was soon sent a greeting from Uncle Sam to report to active duty. He was assigned to the 45th Division 179th Infantry Regiment and was involved in the invasions of Africa, Sicily and Italy. He was awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit and Italian Cross of Gallantry. Mr. Matlock then returned home to his wife and the son he had waiting for him. In 1945, he was working as a fireman at the air base in Dalhart. After an illness he moved his wife, son and now a daughter back to Oklahoma to be near family. Then in 1956 he became a fireman at the Air Force base in Amarillo. He worked at the Air Force base until its closure. But even after retirement, he continued to work. He and a good friend, Noel Wells, along with his brother-in- law, Joe Wallace, began building cabinets and doing remodeling work. Mr. Matlock was also an avid gardener. He grew watermelon and vegetables and gave away much of what he grew. Mr. Matlock was baptized into Christ in 1951 during a gospel meeting at Sweetwater Church of Christ. He served as an elder at East Amarillo Church of Christ for 41 years, resigning only because of his failing health. But even then his faith and devotion to the Lord and the church did not waver. He and Kathryn, his wife of 62 years, placed their membership at Comanche Trail Church of Christ in September 2003. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Judy Coomer of Amarillo; a son, Jim Matlock and wife, Lois, of Watauga; five granddaughters, Tracey Coomer, Debbie Morrison and husband, Joe, and Margie Gunnels and husband, Brent, all of Amarillo, Angela Keller and husband, Eldon, of Fort Worth and Kathy Strickland and husband, Vern, of Haltom City; a grandson, Ed Matlock of Fort Worth; three great-granddaughters, Kathryn Morrison, Mattie Gunnels and Grace Strickland; five great-grandsons, David Matlock, Andrew Keller, Daniel Keller, Nathan Strickland and Nicholas Gunnels; two brothers, Orville Matlock of Amarillo and Thomas Matlock of Ardmore, Okla.; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Jim Matlock Liver Transplant Fund in care of Comanche Trail Church of Christ, P.O. Box, 30516, Amarillo, TX 79120. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Willie R. "Bill" Hiltbrunner Willie R. "Bill" Hiltbrunner, 77, of Amarillo died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Leon Green of Bolton Street Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Hiltbrunner was born in Shamrock. He married Vivian Clements in Clayton, N.M., on June 21, 1955. He retired from Affiliated Foods after 20 years. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Sharon Clark of Fritch, Debora Hardway and Frances Greeson, both of Amarillo, and Elizabeth and Karen, both of Oklahoma; a son, Willie Dale Hiltbrunner of Amarillo; a brother, Leon Hiltbrunner of Amarillo; and seven grandchildren. The family will be at 2710 S. Fairfield St. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lois Lynch Lois Lynch, 93, of Amarillo died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Garden of Memories Cemetery in El Campo. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Lynch was born in Eddy and attended high school there. She married Conrad Allen Lynch in Eddy in 1932, and became a homemaker. She moved to Amarillo in 1966, where she was a longtime member of Paramount Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1964, and seven brothers and sisters. Survivors include a son, Homer A. Lynch and wife, Sherry, of Amarillo; two sisters, Mae Pearl Crane of Bastrop and Marzee Arrington of Corpus Christi; a granddaughter, Jamie Rekdal; a grandson, Christopher Lynch; and three great- grandchildren, Coltin Lynch, Riley Rekdal and Calli Lynch, all of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roy B. McBride Roy B. McBride, 82, of Amarillo died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Washington Avenue Christian Church with Jim Shelburne, senior pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. A longtime resident of Amarillo, Mr. McBride was born in 1921 in the "White House" on the XIT Ranch at Texline, where his father was the foreman of the Buffalo Springs Division. He married Tressie Wilson on March 7, 1944, and they spent the next 60 years together. Roy began his half-century career in the bus industry at Continental Panhandle Bus Lines in Amarillo, where he worked for more than 30 years. He was superintendant of operations. He later retired as a factory representative for Eagle International Bus Manufacturing and was known throughout the U.S. as "Mr. Eagle" for his expertise as a trouble shooter for the company. Roy was a member of Washington Avenue Christian Church for more than 50 years. He was a former deacon and a regular attendee of Thee Fellowship Sunday school class. He was a Mason and a member of Khiva Shrine, where he participated in the clown unit as "Wheelie," the skating clown. He was also a member of Eastern Star. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jackie Ivana Bourgeois. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bill McBride and wife, Geraldine, of Amarillo; and four grandchildren, Michael McBride, Megan McBride, Beverly Bermudez and Joseph Bourgeois; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Washington Avenue Christian Church. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weldon Wilson Arden Welson Wilson Arden, 86, of Amarillo died Monday, Feb. 23, 2004. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Perry Hunsaker, associate pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Arden was born July 16, 1917, to James Curry Arden and George Willie Clough Arden, the youngest male of eight children. His father died in the flu epidemic in 1919. His mother and siblings moved to Amarillo in February of 1927. It was the family's Methodist Minister, moving from Seymour to San Jacinto Methodist Church in Amarillo, that found work for his mother, Willie Arden, and the older brothers. Upon reaching Clarendon, during the drive to Amarillo each of the children had to empty their pockets in search of pennies to buy gas to reach Amarillo. During the depression, the family fared well, as each family member, regardless of age was responsible for some part of the household expenses. Each contributed to the well being of the whole family, hence Wilson's life revolved around his church and family. During Wilson's teen years, he was an active leader in the district's Flora Forman youth program and was awarded the Bones Hooks White Rose Award in the late 1930's. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1935 and married Mable Kathryn "Bo" Stephenson on March 29, 1940. Wilson worked for Furr Food Stores, Kerr Paper Company, Russell's Stationery and during World War II at the Helium Plant. Wilson and his father-in-law, Ira Stephenson, were winning defendants in determining the right to work law in the State of Texas. He moved houses with a family owned house-moving company and managed Eagle Paint Company prior to starting his own business, Arden's of Amarillo. A lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, He was chairman of the Board of San Jacinto Methodist Church, and began ,teaching an adult Sunday school class at San Jacinto and was a charter member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He continued teaching adult Sunday school in the Christian Workers Class, teaching a total of approximately 60 years. Following his selection as District Lay leader in 1950, Wilson spoke throughout the Panhandle in many of the district churches. In 1952, the Wilson Arden family was nominated to represent the Amarillo District in Chicago as the Methodist family of the year. District Superintendent Dr. Earl G. Hamlet asked Bo and Wilson to become active in the soon to be, new church in West Amarillo. He was active in the beginnings of St. Paul Methodist Church, and it was always a great deal of pride for him to have been one of the first half dozen or so families to become a part of St. Paul Methodist Church, and to have served 50 years of the church's history along with brothers, Ancel and Dudley, and sister Alice, whose memorial services have been held previously in the church. Wilson was very active in many civic projects and organizations. He was instrumental in the establishment of Top of Texas Alcoholics Anonymous in Amarillo. He was a member of the founding board of Samaritan Counseling Center and Amarillo Children's Cottage. He was a founding member of Amarillo Executive Club and President of South Kiwanis Club and President of Knife and Fork Club and Lions Club and was a Mason. He and Bo were tour guides for Trailways Tours for three years, following their retirement from Arden's of Amarillo, he was also a member of St. Anthony's Auxiliary. Wilson had two lifetime passions, both extensions of growing up in a single parent home during the depression: his love of his church and family. Survivors include his wife; three children, Steve Arden and wife, Dorinda, of College Station, Elaine Cannon of Amarillo and Tony Arden and wife, Beatrice, of Amarillo; six grandchildren, Paige Jackson of Amarillo, Steve Cannon and wife, Brigitta, of Austin, Chandler Arden and Johnna of Bryan, Celeste Riley and husband, Hayden, of Denton and Curry and Ephraim Arden of Amarillo; six great-grandchildren, Candace and Cameron Jackson, both of Amarillo, Chris and Jessica Arden, both of Bryan, Liv Arden of Austin and Corbin Riley of Denton. The family suggests memorials be to Carillon Bell Fund, in care of St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4317 W Interstate 40, Amarilo, TX 79106; Amarillo Children's Cottage; or a favorite charity The family asks that friends join them Wednesday at 6311 Gainsborough. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 24, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------