Potter Co. TX - Obits: Amarillo Globe-News - May 31, 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 Monday, May 31, 2004 Amarillo Ruth Wagner Laing Ruth Wagner Laing, 87, of Amarillo died Friday, May 28, 2004. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, and Memory Gardens Crematory, McCormick Road and Interstate 27. Mrs. Laing was born in Lubbock to Dr. and Mrs. C.J. Wagner. She graduated from Lubbock High School in 1933 where she was selected All Westerner Girl during her senior year. She graduated from Monmouth College in Illinois in 1937. She was a member of Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority where she was president her senior year. She married her husband, Malcolm, on Aug. 30, 1938, in Lubbock. They lived in Urbana, Ill., and Decatur, Ill., from 1938 to 1943. They moved to Amarillo in 1946 where she was active in Parent Teacher Association, Cub Scouts (Den Mother) and PEO Chapter AN. She was a charter member with her husband of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday school, was the organist for 10 years and a deacon. She served on the Board of Directors for Presbyterian Children's Home was one of the original drivers for Meals on Wheels in Amarillo where she continued driving for 25 years. She was a member of the Philharmonic Music Club. She enjoyed supporting her children and grandchildren in their various activities throughout the years. She always enjoyed helping other people and was a very loving and caring wife, mother and person. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Charles W. Laing of Eagar, Ariz., J. Malcolm Laing, DM, of Encino, Calif., and David M. Laing of McAllen; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen Wagner Willey of Mount Kisco, N.Y. The family suggests memorials be to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice or to a favorite charity. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marty Hall Gallegly Marty Hall Gallegly, 68, of Amarillo died Friday, May 28, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with Dr. Howard K. Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Gallegly was born and raised in Pittsburg and lived most of her life in Amarillo and Canyon. She was a 1953 graduate of Amarillo High School. She married Jack Hall in 1953. She married Pat Gallegly in 1987 in Amarillo. She worked for the Texas Department of Public Safety for more than 27 years before retiring in 1998. She was an avid golfer and was proud of her hole-in- one on #1 (par three) at Palo Duro Creek on June 28, 1997. She was past president of the Palo Duro Creek Women's Golf Association and was currently serving as president of the Palo Duro Creek Membership Committee. She attended First Baptist Church for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Hall, in 1985. Survivors include her husband, Pat of Canyon; a son, David Hall of Amarillo; two daughters, Sherry Hall and Sandy Pike, both of Amarillo; her mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Gallegly of Dalhart; her grandchildren, Kari Trice, Ashly Pike and Brooke Adams, all of Amarillo; and her great- grandchildren, Jaksen Trice and Jayci Trice. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society or to Olivia's Angels, in care of Baptist-St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty Raye Gossett Betty Raye Gossett, 75, of Amarillo died Saturday, May 29, 2004. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, N.M., with Van McCormick officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis, N.M. Mrs. Gossett had been a longtime Clovis resident moving to Amarillo in 1992 to be close to family. She was a member of Bell Avenue Church of Christ. Survivors include a daughter, Alma Branum of Blytheville, Ark.; three sons, G.A. Gossett Jr. of Amarillo, Gayland Gossett of Lubbock and Virgil Gossett of Silverton; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Georgia Stone of Texas, Nora Alice Davis of Hereford, Dorothy Smith of Friona and Jessie Pate of Lovington, N.M. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- L. Glen Fleming L. Glen Fleming, 67, of Amarillo, died Friday May 28, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd, with his friend, John McMath, pastor of Bell Avenue Church of Christ, officiating. Committal service and burial will be in Pioneer. Mr. Fleming was born May 21, 1937, in Pioneer in the same house his dad was born in. He graduated from Cross Plains High School where he was class president and all-state in District A football. He attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood. He moved to Pampa in 1956 and married Charlotte Riley of Pampa in 1958. During the '70s, he owned and operated Fleming Appliance in Pampa. He moved to Amarillo in 1989 where he owned and operated a ranch until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Cherilyn Wiley and husband, Preston, of Pampa and Alecia Atchley and husband, Bret, of Pinedale, Wyo.; a son, Brian Fleming of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Greg and Heather Wiley, both of Pampa and Alan and Danielle Atchley, both of Pinedale; two brothers, Jim Fleming and Jerry Fleming, both of Cross Plains; and a sister, Jo Veda Watson of Brownwood. The family suggests memorials be to the Pioneer Cemetery, in care of Texas Heritage Bank, 101 N. Main St., Cross Plains, TX 76443. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Wayne Deshotel Bob Wayne Deshotel, 52, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 27, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Coulter Road Baptist Church with Dr. Larry Payne, Director of Spiritual Care at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital, and Jim Deshotel, of Sale Street Baptist Church in Lake Charles, La., officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Deshotel was born and raised in Louisiana. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and later served in the Navy Reserves. He had been a resident of Amarillo for 31 years. He worked for the Bureau of Land Management for more than 20 years. He was a member and deacon at Coulter Road Baptist Church. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Patti; two sons, Robert Deshotel of Amarillo and John Deshotel of Austin; his mother, Joy Fontenot of Welsh, La.; three brothers, Jim Deshotel and Gilbert Deshotel, both of Welsh and Steve Deshotel of Iowa, La.; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Veda Downs Veda Downs, 87, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 27, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Mike Nuthman officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Downs was born in Harmon County, Okla., on May 9, 1917. She married O.J. "Rusty" Downs in Sayre, Okla., in April of 1937. She was a lifelong night club business owner in Amarillo and was loved by all who knew her. She was a loving mother, grandmother and she loved her family dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1972; a granddaughter, DaLana Jean Westmoreland on April 7, 1998; two brothers; and two sisters. Survivors include two daughters, Jeanie Campbell and Sharollett Smith, both of Amarillo; a brother, Mose Hughes of Pampa; five grandchildren, Denise Campbell, Rusty Campbell and Randy Campbell, all of Amarillo, Tracy Campbell Bartley of Albuquerque, N.M., and Kelly Jasper Thompson of Las Vegas; and nine great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at 3410 Carlton Drive. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- W.R. "Bob" Keen W.R. "Bob" Keen, 81, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 28, 2004. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Keen was born in Willow, Okla. He graduated from Amarillo High School. He chartered and was active in Boy Scouts Troop 88 and was involved in volunteer work with Catholic Family Service. He worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. for 35 years. During World War II he served with the Navy on the New Orleans at the Pacific Theatre. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rae Nell Keen in June of 1998. Survivors include two daughters, Patsy Hassell and husband, Joe, of Lubbock and Myrle Ann Lemaire of Dallas; a son, Bill Keen Jr. and wife, Ann, of Seminole, Fla.; a brother, Harry Patterson of Amarillo; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a loving and faithful companion, Violet Bishop of Amarillo. The family requests memorial to Odyssey Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101 or Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Texas Panhandle, 720 S. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Gwen Robertson SHAMROCK - Gwen Robertson, 79, died Thursday, May 27, 2004, in Wheeler. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Church of Christ with Cottie Tarbet officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Goodlett Cemetery in Goodlett by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Robertson married Chandos W. Robertson Sr. on Feb. 12, 1946, in Bernalillo, N.M. She had worked in real estate most of her life. Survivors include a son, Chandos Ward Robertson of Albuquerque, N.M.; a daughter, Judith Kay Anderson of Rio Rancho, N.M.; three grandsons; and a great-grandson. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe A. Medina Sr. DUMAS - Joe A. Medina Sr., 59, died Friday, May 28, 2004. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. today in Liberty Ministries Church. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Liberty Ministries Church with the Rev. Pablo Carbajal, pastor, and the Rev. Richard De Leon, A/G of California, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mr. Medina was born June 5, 1944, in Colorado to Rufus and Martina Medina. Survivors include his wife, Mary; his mother of Amarillo; four sons, Joe Medina Jr., Timothy Medina, Rufus Medina and Moses Medina, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Audrey Solis of Oklahoma City; a brother, Sylvester Medina of Amarillo; eight sisters, Juanita Rocha, Nora Chavez and San Juana Hernandez, all of Amarillo, Toni Holten of Tulia, Guadalupe Medina of El Paso, Pauline Garcia of Ulysses, Kan., and Margaret Vigil and Martha Nevares, both of Albuquerque, N.M.; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Dumas Memorial Hospice, 209 S. Bliss, Dumas, TX 79029. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vaneta Kay Shipp * HEREFORD - Vaneta Kay Shipp, 46, died Friday, May 28, 2004. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in West Park Cemetery with Guy Walker, pastor, and Randy Bird, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Parkside Chapel Funeral Home. Mrs. Shipp was born July 30, 1957, in Hobbs, N.M., the daughter of Richard and Betty Whitson. She married Alvin Vinnie "Butch" Shipp Jr. on June 15, 1974, in Summerfield. She was a homemaker and was employed by Lowe's Corporation as an auditor. She was a member of the Barn Church in Hereford. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Melissa Field of Pampa and Becca Ricenbaw and Dominique Shipp, both of Hereford; two brothers, Clive Weaver of Amarillo and Leon Whitson of Hereford; three sisters, Claudine McElroy and Pam Whitson, both of Amarillo, and Donna Garton of Hollis, Okla.; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Ronald McDonald House in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leona Mae Harris GRUVER - Leona Mae Harris, 94, died Friday, May 28, 2004, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Scott Curry officiating. Burial will be in Gruver Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Home of Dumas. Mrs. Harris was born Oct. 7, 1909, in Vernon. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Gruver. She married Irwin Lenzie Harris on Dec. 29, 1928, in Clarendon. The family would like to send their heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful staff at Georgia Manor in Amarillo and to the staff at BSA Hospice. She was preceded in death by her husband in November of 1986; her parents, Walter and Bertie Alexander; two stepsons, Carroll Harris and Jerrell Harris; and a brother, Ray Alexander. Survivors include four sons, Bill Harris and wife, Devonna of Dumas, Irwin Harris Jr. and wife, Vaneece of Franktown, Colo., Jim Harris and wife, Rebecca of Las Vegas and Curtis Harris and wife, Pamela, of Irving; two daughters, Marie Gould of Amarillo and Alice Davis of Costa Mesa, Calif.; two sisters, Gladys Hale and Marguerite Silky, both of Tulsa, Okla.; 15 grandchildren, Allena Pilkinton, Cheryl Gross, Bonnie Hunt, Billy Harris, Wesley Harris, Cody Harris, Janna Harris, Jimmie Harris, Justin Harris, Cristin Harris, Hillary Zachry, David Pope, Brad Pope, Dan Pope and Annette Widener; several great- grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; three nieces; and several great-nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, Gruver, TX 79040. Visitation will be at 1005 Mills in Dumas. Amarillo Globe-News, May 31, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------