Potter Co. TX - Obits: Amarillo Globe-News - April 15, 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 Thursday, April 15, 2004 Amarillo William Clayton Mann William Clayton Mann, 94, of Amarillo died Tuesday, April 13, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. G.A. Roach officiating. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Mann was born on a ranch in Gaines County near Seminole on March 29, 1910. He attended public schools in Seminole, Amarillo and Lubbock, graduating from Lubbock High School in 1928. After high school he ventured west to California and attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles with a major in electrical engineering. At that time, he roomed with a young man who was a stunt pilot for the movie studios (and the brother of the western actor Lash LaRue) who taught him how to fly. He maintained an active pilot's license into the 1970s. In the 1930s, he returned to Texas to work for an electrical contracting firm. While working on a contract in Amarillo, he met and married Bennie Mae Long. They were married 50 years. Shortly after, they moved to Bakersfield, Calif., where for many years he owned and operated his own electrical business. During Wworld War II, much to his chagrin, his work and his operation of it was deemed necessary, so he was denied entry into the armed forces. He did, however, head up a coastal security unit, as well as his electrical business. Bill Mann went to work for North American Aviation as an electrical engineer in the mid-1950s. He did pioneer work on the armament systems on the North American F-86 Sabre jet and, later, on the Saturn-II stage of the Apollo project for which he received a letter of commendation in 1965 signed by all of the astronauts up to that date (Neil Armstrong, Scott Carpenter, Buzz Aldrin, Gus Grisson, Alan Shepard Jr., et al). Mr. Mann then went to work for Bechtel Engineering, where he worked on the construction and maintenance of both nuclear and coal-fired power plants. After retiring from Bechtel, the Manns returned, once again, to Amarillo, where Bill continued as a consultant to Bechtel on their ASARCO project. Idleness never did set well with Bill, so when he was perceived as "too old" for engineering work he became a security guard with a company serving local banks. When he was deemed "too old" for security work, he became a school crossing guard and later, yet, a substitute school crossing guard, finally retiring in the early part of this year. Mr. Mann was a lifelong shooting enthusiast and a longtime member of the NRA. He was still target shooting and hunting coyotes until a couple of months before his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Billie Lawrence in 1988. He was preceded in death by his first wife in 1984; and his second wife in March 2001. Survivors include a nephew, Hack Long of Amarillo; and four nieces, Wandalee Fontaine of Amarillo, Mary Stroben of Pasco, Wash., Patricia Bruce of Richland, Wash., and Betty Jenkins of Apple Valley, Calif.; and many great- nieces and great-nephews, all of whom loved and regarded "Uncle" Bill as they would a father and grandfather. Mr. Mann spent his long productive life doing so much for his extended family and others, that the family considers it fitting that any remembrances reflect this same principle and they suggest memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101; or a favorite charity. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lee Easley Robert Lee Easley, 50, of Amarillo died Monday, April 12, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Easley was a lifelong resident of Amarillo. He worked as a tile setter for the Zanchettin family for 25 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Buddy Lee Easley, Edna Florine Thompson and Harry Lee Thompson Sr.; and a sister, Sharon Rodriguez. Survivors include his wife, Nikki of Houston; two sons, Jeremy Easley and Joshua Easley, both of Houston; four sisters, DeeAnna Hernandez of Amarillo, Vicki Spydell of San Angelo, Evelyn Hackett of State Center, Iowa, and Carrie Yearwood of West Lafayette, Ind.; a brother, Harry Lee Thompson Jr. of Guymon; and 16 nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pauline "Polly" Laningham Pauline "Polly" Laningham, 74, of Amarillo died Wednesday, April 14, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Childress Cemetery in Childress. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Laningham was born in Childress. She worked for 16 years for the Childress Index. She moved to Amarillo in 1965 and went to work at the Amarillo Globe-News in composing. She was preceded in death by her mother, Zelma Martinez in September 1992; and a sister, Mary Gregory in April 1994. Survivors include a brother, Lynn Laningham and wife, Pat, of Amarillo; a nephew, Michael Evans of Austin; two nieces, Eydie Walker of Austin and Kay Huddleston of Richardson; a special friend, Kevin Sides of Amarillo; numerous cousins; and her loving cats, Spooky and Benny. The family suggests memorials be to Salvation Army, 400 S. Harrison St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grace Howard Grace Howard, 96, of Amarillo died Tuesday, April 13, 2004. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Roy Wheeler officiating. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Howard was born and raised in Amarillo and lived here all of her life. She married Horace J. Howard on Jan. 26, 1928, in Amarillo. She worked as a telephone operator and a night auditor for the Herring Hotel. She was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1973. Survivors include two daughters, Ramona Slover and husband, Ron, of Amarillo and Jeannene Van Druff of Tomball; a son, David Howard and wife, Mary Ellen, of Fort Worth; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great- great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, 600 W. 11th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101; or BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nannie Grace Harmond Nannie Grace Harmond, 82, of Amarillo died Wednesday, April 7, 2004. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Davey officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mrs. Harmond grew up in and around Hansford County and was a graduate of Spearman High School. She married Rodney Harmond on Dec. 25, 1939. Her loves in life were family, traveling and bridge. Nannie was the ultimate homemaker. For the majority of her married life, she lived in Texas around Sweeney and Wharton. She had lived short periods in Mexico, Norway and England. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Jo Chambers; her parents, Claud and Nannie Archer Sheets; two sisters, Alice Johnson and Zola Mitchell; and four brothers, Leroy, Floyd, Martin and Daniel Sheets. Survivors include her husband of Katy; her children, Zola Marie Lander and husband, John, of Sugar Land and Ronald Earl Harmond and wife, Mary Jane, of Katy; a son-in-law, Douglas Chambers of Amarillo; her grandchildren, Donn Chambers and wife, Kathleen, of Austin, Darla Caldwell and husband, Darrell, of Amarillo, Eric Lander, Bethany Lander, Richard Harmond and wife, Cassandra, all of Katy, Gary Harmond and wife, Cynthia, of Lake Jackson and Rhonda Harmond of Alpine; her great-grandchildren, Kyle Caldwell, Krista Caldwell, Scott Harmond, Keith Harmond, Jennifer Harmond and Grace Harmond; a sister, Frances Cudd and husband, Gene; and four brothers, Branch Sheets, Claude Sheets and wife, Jo Nell, SB Sheets and Willis Sheets and wife, Nelda. The family suggests memorials be to Dorothy Chambers Memorial Scholarship Fund, Amarillo College Foundation, P.O. Box 447, Amarillo, TX 79178. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jackie Grays Jackie Grays, 41, of Amarillo died Sunday, April 11, 2004. Memorial services will be at 5:07 p.m. today in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Murray Gossett officiating. Private entombment will be in Llano Mausoleum. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Grays graduated from Jarvis Christian College with a bachelor of science degree in math studies and a minor in English literature. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She married Keith Grays on Aug. 3, 1985. Jackie's love for children surpassed any area of concern during her lifetime. Jackie first developed a love for volunteering while assisting Mrs. Billie Taylor in a clothing bank for needy children. She spent three consecutive summers working in the clothing bank and personally delivered clothes to children who always greatly appreciated her thoughtfulness. Jackie was the first African-American woman in Amarillo accepted into the Amarillo Junior League. After completing her provisional classes in Junior League and taking on active membership, her placement duties were manifold. She volunteered with the Domestic Violence Shelter for Women, was the Teen Court coordinator/advisor and Camp Cactus director/coordinator. She loved Funfest and always worked to get tickets sold for Best of Texas. Jackie served a three-year term on West Texas A&M Foundation Board of Directors, Marsh Minority Scholarship Steering Committee and Potter Court Grand Jury Commission. Mrs. Grays was a math teacher at Horace Mann Middle School for 20 years. During her tenure at Mann Middle School she coordinated several projects. She served as coordinator for Service Learning, a project to introduce students to various job descriptions in corporate America, Best Friends coordinator, Drug Prevention coordinator, Red Ribbon Rally Campaign and organized numerous sleep overs and weekend activities for students. She chaired the Ushers Committee for Baptist Hospital Health Care Lyceum with Gen. Colin Powell as guest speaker. She and Keith chose students from all the local high schools to assist with this project. Students were awed at the fact that they had been asked to participate in this endeavor with the general. She traveled to workshops throughout her tenure and served on a statewide committee to compose the mathematical Texas Assessment of Academic Skills exams for the State of Texas. She worked diligently to assist her husband, Keith, in the promotion and capital campaigns for several projects. They were instrumental in securing the contract to bring Mrs. Rosa Parks to Amarillo, Oprah Winfrey and staff to Mount Zion Baptist Church and hosted Grammy Award Winning Artists Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker and Yolanda Adams. Along with her husband, Jackie campaigned for support to build a greenhouse for her Service Learning students and raised $20,000 during the campaign. This project is to be located on the Horace Mann campus. Jackie retired from her career and was presented her 20-year pin and a scrumptious chocolate cake covered with her favorite pink roses and green leaves. She loved to read and travel and spend time with family. Rarely did she miss a family trip or gathering. She was a quiet strength and a brave spirit, loved by all who knew her. Jackie leaves a legacy for generations to come and a smile that will keep our hearts warm forever. Words cannot express the gratitude she and her family have for the staff of BSA Hospice and a very special thanks to Dr. William Robinson and staff. She was preceded in death by her mother, Arena Peters. Survivors include her husband; two sisters, Latricia Peters and Paula Peters, both of Mesquite; eight brothers, Don Peters, Clarence Peters and Curtis Peters, all of Atlanta, Windland Peters of Flint, Mich., James Peters and David Peters, both of Mesquite, Lyndon Peters of Jacksonville, Fla., and Freeman Peters of Arkadelphia, Ark.; her father, Wallace Peters of Atlanta; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The family suggests memorials be to Camp Cactus/Teen Court, in care of Junior League of Amarillo, 1700 S. Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79102. Flowers can be sent to the Grays' home at 2326 N.W. 11th Ave., and family members can be reached at (806) 374-6365 or (806) 374-7374. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gracie Rene Deputy Gracie Rene Deputy, infant daughter of Tonya and Kurt Deputy of Amarillo, died Monday, April 12, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Curtis House, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Gracie was preceded in death by a sister, Mikinzie Rene Deputy in 2001. Survivors include her parents; a sister, Jordan Gresham of Amarillo; two brothers, Joshua Tobias and Jacob Tobias, both of Amarillo; her grandparents, Lanora Kay Deputy and Sidney Earl Deputy of Amarillo and Ray and Peggy Derryberry of Arlington; and her great-grandmothers, Katheryn Toombs and Omega Stansell, both of Amarillo, and Mae Derryberry of Sparks, Okla. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Montie E. Davis BORGER - Montie E. Davis, 72, died Saturday, April 10, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Keeler Baptist Church with Dr. Paul Anderson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Davis was born March 15, 1932, in Mineral Wells. He was owner of Davis Home Center. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two sons, J.D. Hebert of Borger and Michael Glenn Davis of Frederick, Okla.; and two grandchildren, Justin and Ashley Hebert. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner St., Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paula Joan Good PERRYTON - Paula Joan Good, 59, of Edmond, Okla., died Tuesday, April 13, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Monsignor Joe Bixenman officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Good owned a hearing aid business for more than 25 years. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Perryton. Survivors include her husband, Ron of Graford; a son, Tim Good of Edmond; a daughter, Lisa Gannon of Plano; two brothers, Jim Reiswig of Perryton and Stan Reiswig of Spearman; four sisters, Eleanor Wright, Sandra Kerl, Vicky Lilly and Nita Carter, all of Perryton; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Alzheimer's Association towards research at www.alz.org. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.L. "Cap" Eddington PERRYTON - A.L. "Cap" Eddington, 87, died Monday, April 12, 2004, in Elk City, Okla. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Ochiltree Cemetery with the Rev. Kendall Hamilton of Elk City officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Eddington retired as chief engineer for Ochiltree General Hospital. He was a member of VFW and American Legion. Survivors include five daughters, Ramona Clenney of Elk City, Evelyn Thomas of Burleson, Doris Potter and Barbara Cassidy, both of Goldwaite, and Nita McFadden of Granbury; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Kidney Foundation, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Melvin Ray Knighton ALTUS, Okla. - Melvin Ray Knighton, 25, died Sunday, April 11, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Johns Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Bostic and the Rev. Thomas Hanes officiating. Burial will be in Altus City Cemetery by Lowell-Tims Funeral Home. Mr. Knighton was born Jan. 19, 1979, in Oklahoma City. His parents were Charles and Alberta Knighton of Altus. Melvin attended Altus public schools until ninth grade. He then moved to Amarillo, Texas, to attend high school at Boys Ranch High School. He played on the starting basketball team during all three years of high school. He graduated in 1997. He then attended West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas. He worked the the State of Texas with the Forestry Department. He was also a retail clerk for Blockbuster in Amarillo. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include Sarah Forrest of Amarillo; their children, Kendra, Kayla and Brandon Charles, all of Amarillo; three sisters, Angel Ford of Spencer, Theresa Calvin of Dallas and Tameisha Bruner; three brothers, Troy Combs and Dewayne Bruner, both of Oklahoma City, and Anthony Bruner of Germany; an aunt, Ollie Hart of Altus; and a cousin, Rosalyn Hall of Altus. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Jean Dolores Knebusch CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jean Dolores Knebusch, 85, died Monday, April 12, 2004. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in McEwen Funeral Home Pineville Chapel. Mrs. Knebusch was born Dec. 17, 1918, in Detroit to the late Thomas and Marcella Bittner Morris. Mrs. Knebusch was a homemaker and a member of Pineville United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Stephen Ministry. Survivors include her husband, Lt. Col. Donald Elmer; two sons, Donald Michael Knebusch and wife, Linda Elizabeth, of Charlotte and William Elliott Knebusch and wife, Jan Patricia, of Amarillo; six grandchildren, Kenneth Michael Knebusch and wife, Susan Schroeder, Patrick Scott Knebusch, Christopher Carl Knebusch, Misty Michelle Hodson and husband, King, Levi Brett Knebusch and wife, Shannon Nicole, and Leila Shea Knebusch; and seven great-grandchildren, Emma Marie Knebusch, Madison Taylor Knebusch, Londen Chase Knebusch, Britton Cain Knebusch, Gracyn Reyn Knebusch, Roman Tyler Hodson and Noah Michael Hodson. The family suggests memorials be to Pineville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3, Pineville, NC 28134. Amarillo Globe-News, April 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------