Potter Co. TX - Obits: Amarillo Globe-News - May 23, 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 Sunday, May 23, 2004 Amarillo Dan R. Neely Dan R. Neely, 71, of Amarillo died Saturday, May 22, 2004. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Jim Bankhead, pastor, officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Neely was born Feb. 5, 1933, in Amarillo. He graduated from Amarillo High School and attended Texas A&M University. He worked as an oil jobber for Chevron Oil Co. After selling his business, he became a counselor for TPMHMR. He served on many civic boards including the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Board. He served with the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He served as an elder and deacon at First Presbyterian Church and served with the Stephens Ministry. He married Jean Thomas at First Presbyterian Church on Aug. 17, 1957. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Neely; a sister, Doris Nelson; and a son-in-law, Rick Husband. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Evelyn Husband of Houston; two grandchildren, Laura and Matthew Husband; a brother, R. Ben Neely and wife, Elizabeth, of Amarillo; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 S. Harrison St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnny Gilbert Griego Sr. Johnny Gilbert Griego Sr., 55, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 20, 2004. Rosary will be said at 6 p.m. today in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, with the Monsignor Rex Nicholl officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Griego was born in Clovis, N.M., and moved to Amarillo in 1958. He worked in construction for more than 30 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Mr. Griego was preceded in death by his father, Flavio Griego, and a sister, Patsy Griego. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; one daughter, Debra Jennings and husband, Terry, of Amarillo; three sons, Johnny Griego Jr. and wife, Sheree, Julian Griego and wife, Andi, and Ulysses Griego, all of Amarillo; his mother, Susa Griego of Amarillo; a sister, Janice Griego of Amarillo; six brothers, Floyd Griego Jr., Julian Griego, Cipe Griego, Phillip Griego and Rodney Griego, all of Amarillo, and Ernest Cantu of San Angelo; seven grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. Please sign our online guest registry book at www.rector funeralhome.com. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Piehl Bill Piehl, 70, of Amarillo died Wednesday, May 19, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Stephen United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rusty Sieck officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Piehl was born in Dumas to Ellen Jane and William Piehl. He attended Middlewell Community School and Dumas schools, graduating in 1951. He attended West Texas State University, receiving a degree in agriculture and economics in 1960, after serving in the Army in France during the Korean wartime. He married Helen Hayes in 1956 in Happy. He lived in Amarillo until 1970 when he moved to Canyon where he lived until 1998. He served on the Canyon Planning and Zoning Commission before moving to Bushland in 1998. He received many awards in Moore County as a 4-H member and continued to support the program as a leader and contributor in Moore, Potter and Randall counties, as well as state 4-H programs. He was a member of Potter County Buyer's Club and Potter County Junior Livestock Association. He served on the board of Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation from 1990 to 2002. He received recognition as trustee emeritus on July 16, 2002. He was a life member of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and American Quarter Horse Association. He was awarded the 4-H distinguished Alumni Award in 1990. He was a member of WTAMU Silver Phoenix Club, Buffalo Club, Old Main Society, WTAMU Foundation and President's Circle. He received the WTAMU Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2002. He contributed scholarships in music and athletics. He founded Western Sales and Testing of Amarillo in 1963, followed by businesses in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Durham, N.C., all serving the compressed gas industry, along with Western Valve Inc., a manufacturer of specialty valves and fittings for the industry. He was a member of Compressed Gas Association since 1965, serving as chairman of the Cylinder Specification Committee from 1974 to 1980. He was a member of International Oxygen Manufacturer's Association since 1978. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Plug Piehl and Puff Niegos and husband, Phil; five grandchildren, Kendra, Katie and Dillon Quackenbush and Matthew and Sydney Niegos; two sisters, Mary Louise Ellis of Colorado City and Lois Sanders of Albuquerque, N.M. The family suggests memorials be to Bill Piehl Leadership Scholarship, TAMU, P.O. Box 2473, College Station, TX 77843; or Bill Piehl Presidential Scholarship, WTAMU Box, 60766, Canyon, TX 79016. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Herschel Lester "H.L." Allison Herschel Lester "H.L." Allison, 86, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 20, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Second Baptist Church with the Rev. Clyde R. Thompson, his son-in-law, of Riverton Wyo., officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Allison was born in Amarillo on Jan 22, 1918, to Harry and Leslie Allison. He married Marita Pearl Wilcox in Fort Smith, Ark., on July 24, 1937. They were married 65 years. They owned and operated Allison Blacksmith and Welding from 1938 to 1977. He was the second of four generations in the family-owned business, which was started in 1929 by his father. The business was owned by his son, Bud Allison, from 1977 to 1999. His grandson, Jim Wyatt Allen, currently owns and operates Allison Welding Inc. at 202 N. Buchanan St. He spent his adult life serving the Lord. He and his wife served as missionaries to Argentina and Paraguay, where he assisted in the construction of churches and Bible schools. His heart was forever changed by this experience and his love for the people never died. Mr. Allison was a long-time member of Second Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Texas Panhandle Model A Club and North Amarillo Kiwanis Club. Since his retirement, he enjoyed raising cattle. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Bud and Phyllis Allison for the loving care they provided our Daddy and "Pappa" in their home over the last two years of his life. A special note of gratitude is expressed to Odyssey Hospice of Amarillo for the wonderful care given to him during his last days. He was preceded in death by his wife on Aug. 14, 2002; an infant son, Charles Ray in 1944; and a sister, Mozelle Weidner. Survivors include three daughters, Glenda Smyth and husband, Danny, and Claudia Price and husband, Tony, all of Amarillo, and Shirley Thompson and husband, Clyde, of Riverton; two sons, David "Bud" Allison and wife, Phyllis, of Amarillo, and Leland "Shorty" Allison and wife, Isabel, of Tucson, Ariz.; 17 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at 4854 Buck Dr. The family suggests memorials be to Second Baptist Church or to Northside Assembly of God. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lola Pearl Jones Lola Pearl Jones, 92, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in Houston. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Charles Jones, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Jones was born in Oklahoma and raised in the Texas Panhandle. She married Cecil L. Jones in 1933 in Clayton, N.M. She was a member of Second Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996. Survivors include two sons, Cecil L. Jones Jr of Ruidoso, N.M., and Terry W. Jones of Houston; a daughter, Rose Chestnut of Graham; a brother, Roy Hoeffliger of Dalhart; a sister, Opal Bass of Dalhart; eight grandchildren; and 17 great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roy W. Beckner Roy W. Beckner, 79, of Amarillo died Friday, May 21, 2004. A celebration of life will be at 4 p.m. today in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. Richard Jones, of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, officiating. Private burial will be Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Beckner was born in Olton on Sept. 21, 1924, to Albert J. and Mae Sue Bryant Beckner. He retired from Santa Fe Railway in 1984. He served his country in the Navy in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; a sister, Farrah E. Eades, of Fulton, Mo.; two brothers, Clayton E. Beckner of Fort Worth and Jack L. Beckner of Dillon, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leta Gaines Leta Gaines, 81, of Amarillo died Tuesday, May 18, 2004. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. James Cobb, pastor of First Christian Church, officiating. Mrs. Gaines was born in Odell. She was a secretary with Santa Fe Railway. Survivors include a daughter, Celia Gaines of Amarillo; a sister, Barbara Priddy of Amarillo; a sister-at-heart, Jean Stewart of Amarillo; her nieces and nephews, Rebecca Gladstone, Cindra Foutz, Cara Priddy, David Denny, Richard Denny, Jenny Burnett, Pat Gruner, Mike McDougal, Maura McDougal and Scott McDougal. The family suggests memorials be to City Church, 205 S. Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101 or to Faith City Mission, 401 SE Second Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim O. Jenkins Jr. Jim O. Jenkins Jr., 85, of Amarillo died Friday, May 21, 2004. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard K. Batson officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Jenkins was born in and was a lifetime resident of Amarillo. He operated Jim's Mail Service in Amarillo for many years. He was a graduate of San Marcos Baptist Academy. He was a longtime member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church where he was a member of the Henry Brown Memorial Sunday School class. He was the grandson of the Rev. Robert F. Jenkins who was the pastor of First Baptist Church from 1907 to 1915. He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma Jenkins in 1984; and his daughter, Marsha. Survivors include special friends, Royce and Roberta Grant of Tulsa, Okla.; and three cousins, Matt Tucker of Dallas, Valerie Tucker Goodman of Pagosa Springs, Colo., and Patricia Masterman of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Randal F. Weidner Randal F. Weidner, 52, of Amarillo died Wednesday, May 19, 2004, in Flagstaff, Ariz. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Mason Funeral Home Chapel in Shattuck, Okla., with Gene Land, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Follett. Mr. Weidner loved his church, being a Sunday school teacher and riding his motorcycle. Survivors include his wife, Rhonda, of Glendale, Ariz.; his parents Robert and Laveta Appel Weidner of Amarillo; three sisters, Lori Matthews of Topeka, Kan., and Pamela Randall and Cindy Smith, both of Amarillo; two sons, Brian Weidner and Jeremy Weidner; a daughter, Michelle Garcia; two grandchildren; and two stepsons, Allan and Paul Merrill of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ronnie C. Pruitt Ronnie C. Pruitt, 60, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 20, 2004. The family will hold private services. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Pruitt was born Feb. 26, 1944, in Abilene to E.C. and Marguerite Pruitt. He had last worked for the railroad. Survivors include his mother of Odessa; four sisters, Linda Green of Garland, Sharon Pack of Dumas, Judy Ward of Odessa and Jane Tharp of Kingwood; two brothers, Gary Pruitt of The Woodlands and Mark Pruitt of Houston; and long time buddy, Billy Frye of Dumas. The family suggests memorials be to Odyssey Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Elsie Ida Pugh BALKO, Okla. -- Elsie Ida Pugh, 94, died Thursday, May 20, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Balko Apostolic Church with Jack Cornell and Fred Huff officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery by Clark Funeral Service of Beaver. Mrs. Pugh was born Nov. 21, 1909 in Ireton. She married Senator Alexander Pugh on Dec. 18, 1928 in Perryton, Texas. Survivors include a daughter, Erlene Weeks of Balko; a brother, Kenneth Garner of Elmira, Ore.; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four great- great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Trinity Elisabeth Oden ROCKWALL - Trinity Elisabeth Oden, infant daughter of J.T. and Becky Oden, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004. Memorial services were held Saturday, May 15 in Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas. Arrangements were by Rest Haven Funeral Home. Trinity was born on May 11, 2004, at 48 minutes after 3 p.m. She weighed three pounds and seven ounces. Trinity left this world for paradise four minutes later, in the arms and grace of God. Survivors include her parents; a brother, Isaac Bex Oden; her grandparents, Ted and Sandy Friesland and Jon and Tomme Oden; her aunts and uncles, Craig and Misti Friesland, J.R. Oden, Logan and Barbra Craft and JoAnn and Charles Bowles; her great-grandmothers, Louise Cockrell and Gearleen Friesland; and many cousins and loving friends. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere William "Bill" R. Bechler CHETEK, Wis. - William "Bill" R. Bechler, 85, formerly of Amarillo, Texas, died Saturday, May 15, 2004. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Illinois. Arrangements are by Burnham-Ours Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Mr. Bechler was born Sept. 29, 1918, in Chicago. He served on the Destroyer USS Hunt in the Pacific during World War II in the Navy and attained the rank of metalsmith 2nd Class. Survivors include a daughter, Kathryn Nakashima of Chicago; a stepdaughter, Dawn Willis-Martin of Colorado; a stepson, Peter Willis of Texas; three grandchildren; a stepgrandchild; eight great-grandchildren; a stepgreat- grandchild; and a brother, Russell Bechler of Minnesota. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon Robert Lee "Bob" Willoughby Robert Lee "Bob" Willoughby, 70, of Canyon died Friday, May 21, 2004. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Henson-Novak Funeral Home Chapel in Guymon, Okla., with the Rev. Terry Neel, pastor of First Christian Church, officiating. Internment will be in Elmhurst Cemetery in Guymon. The son of Mary Frances Everett and Hugh Lamont Willoughby, Mr. Willoughby was born Dec. 20, 1933, in Lamar, Colo. The Willoughby family made their home in Guymon, where he attended Guymon schools and graduated from Guymon High School with the class of 1951. He attended Columbia University in New York and then enlisted in the Army. He served in Vietnam and the Far East as a linguist during his 20+ years in the Army. While in Japan, he met and married Ayako Nara on Aug. 8, 1966, in Sapporo, Japan. After retiring as a chief warrant officer, they returned to the states and lived in San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1983; his father; his mother; his stepfather, Robert E. Jackson; and a sister, Mary Jane Munkres. Survivors include three nieces, Kim M. Bradford and Shawna L. Brown, both of Longview, and Misty K. Sander of Jackson, Tenn., and their families; a brother- in-law, Doyle Munkres and wife, Peggy, of Wheeler and Elk City, Okla.; two aunts, Louie Remmel of Guymon and Pauline Groendyke of Enid, Okla.; and many cousins, including Mary Frances Farnworth of Juniper, Fla. The family suggests memorials be to New Life Pentecostal Church of God, Shady Shores, Denton, TX in care of Henson-Novak Funeral Home, Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Georgia Mathews CLAUDE - Georgia Mathews, 92, died Saturday, May 22, 2004. Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church in Claude with R.A. Tindall, elder, officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St., in Amarillo. Mrs. Mathews was born in Glen Rose. She graduated from Shamrock High School in 1929, where she was a star basketball player. She and her husband, D.B. Mathews, farmed and ranched in Armstrong County for many years. She also owned and operated the Tri-State Grocery for more than 20 years. She was a longtime member of Primitive Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1981. Survivors include a daughter, Joyce Smith and husband, James, of Coalgate, Okla.; a brother, R.T. Wood of Amarillo; two grandchildren, Connie Guffy and husband, Ted, of Canyon and Larry Bell of Amarillo; three great-grandchildren, Clint, Lindi, and Larry Paul; and a special great-great-grandchild, Colton. The family suggests memorials be to Primitive Baptist Church, 914 W. Colorado Ave., Amarillo, TX 79108. Viewing will be today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Claude. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lodema Barham Mitchell PAMPA - Lodema Barham Mitchell, 81, died Friday, May 21, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Carl Novian, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Mitchell served as chief deputy with the Gray County Treasurer's Office for 16 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Johnlyn Mitchell of Dallas. The family suggests memorials be to the Kenneth P. Walters Scholarship Fund, in care of Lynn Harwood, 2236 N. Sumner St., Pampa, TX 79065 or to the PTSA Scholarship Fund, in care of Hillcrest High School, 9924 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas TX 75230. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Mendoza HEREFORD - James Mendoza, 13, died Friday, May 21, 2004, in Amarillo. Prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. today and Monday in Rix Funeral Directors Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Anthony's Catholic Church with the Rev. John Valdez, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery. James was born May 29, 1990, in Hereford to Debby Mendoza. He had attended schools in Hereford and was a Catholic. Survivors include his mother of Stratford; his stepfather, Ronald Lucero of Stratford; two sisters, Heather Mendoza and Samantha Mendoza, both of Hereford; a brother, Ryan Lucero of Stratford; and his grandparents, Geronimo and Juana Mendoza of Hereford. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neta Inet Evans WHEELER - Neta Inet Evans, 90, died Friday, May 21, 2004, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ricky Carstensen, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Mobeetie Cemetery in Mobeetie by Wright Funeral Home. Mrs. Evans was born June 7, 1913, in Roberta, Okla., to Tom and Lela Hall. She had lived in the Gageby Community since 1929. She married Forace B. Evans in 1975. She was a member of the Home Demonstration Club for 50 years. She had been FHA mother, homeroom mother and was an avid sports fan. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Doyle Standler in January 1967 and her husband, Forace B. Evans in 1997. Survivors include three daughters, Lela Inez Erwin of Amarillo, Betty Jo Zybach of Sayre, Okla., and Martha Ann Helton of Wheeler; a stepson, Larry Don Evans; a stepdaughter, Betty Jean Arron; a sister, Nadine Compton of Coterville, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Amarillo Globe-News, May 23, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------