Potter Co. TX - Obits: Amarillo Globe-News - June 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 Tuesday, June 15, 2004 Amarillo Jack Dodson Jack Dodson, 79, of Amarillo died Sunday, June 13, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Cox Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Dodson was born in Sudan and was a lifetime resident of Amarillo. He attended Amarillo High School. He served in the Marines during World War II, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a carpet layer for many years and had a booth at the T-Anchor Flea Market. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda in 2000. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Hartman of Amarillo; a brother; three sisters; two grandchilden; and a great-grandson. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- G.M. "Arkie" Walls G.M. "Arkie" Walls, 91, of Amarillo, formerly of Pampa, died Saturday, June 12, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church in Pampa with John Curry and the Rev. Scott Penrod, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa with military rites accorded by the Marine Corps. Mr. Walls was born June 23, 1912, in Crossett, Ark. He came to the Pampa area in 1931 where he resided until moving to Amarillo in 1999. He married Frances Bowers on Oct. 1, 1939, in Elk City, Okla. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps, serving during World War II. He farmed and ranched in Roberts and Gray counties and had oil and gas interests in the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. He was a partner in several family oil and gas companies. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Pampa and was a member of the Miami VFW Post. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his wife on Feb. 12, 2003. Survivors include three sons, G.M. Walls Jr. and wife, Diana, of Pampa, Wilbur Walls and wife, Judy, of Lake Tanglewood and Stephen Walls and wife, Diane, of Hurst; four brothers, James Wall and Carroll Wall, both of Crossett, Roy Wall of Ruston, La., and Bill Wall of Aurora, Colo.; four sisters, Gladys Duncan of Phoenix, Pauline Sullivan of Little Rock, Ark., Jimmie Ann Robbins of Houston and Catherine Ford of Hot Springs, Ark.; seven grandchildren, Autumn Smith and husband, J.T., and Trae Walls, all of Pampa, Alicia Walls of Amarillo, Jordan Walls and Chad Tennyson, both of Hurst, and David Philips and Andrea Morris and husband, Justin, all of Amarillo; and two great-grandchildren, Maddie Smith and Ian Smith, both of Pampa. The family suggests memorials be to the VA Nursing Home, 6010 Amarillo Blvd. West, Amarillo, TX 79106. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bobbye Jean Griffith Bobbye Jean Griffith, 73, of Amarillo died Sunday, June 13, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Cox Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive, with the Rev. Randy Davis, pastor of Lifeway Fellowship Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Griffith was born and raised in Amarillo. She began her career with Southwestern Public Service as a home demonstration agent in 1954. She married Don Griffith of Clovis, N.M., on Jan. 25, 1957, and was employed by Zales Jewelers through a move to Roswell, N.M. She launched her bookkeeping career when the couple moved to Amarillo in 1969. She retired as office manager of Burnett Corp. after 19 years with the company. She was a member of Washington Avenue Christian Church and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was preceded in death by her husband; her mother, Era Warren; and a brother, Tom McWilliams. Survivors include a daughter, Karron Mazur of Beulah, Colo.; a sister, Betty Jo Reese of Amarillo; a brother, John Moore of Thurso, Scotland; a sister-in- law, Charlotte McWiliams; a granddaughter, Melissa Mazur; two grandsons, Keith Mazur of Pueblo, Colo., and Jeffery Mazur of Thornton, Colo.; a niece, Martha Percell Dickson of Arlington; four nephews, Thomas McWilliams, Mark McWilliams and Laine McWilliams, all of Amarillo, and Les Reese of Lubbock; a great- niece, Andrea Percell of Fort Worth; and her great-great-nephew, the light of her life, Dawson Percell of Fort Worth. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russell Glenn Larson Russell Glenn Larson, 84, of Amarillo died Friday, June 12, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Philip Lester, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Larson was born May 29, 1920, in Watertown, S.D., the oldest of four children to Richard and Lilly Larson. Richard Larson was a banker and after the stock market crash of 1929, the family moved to Deadwood, S.D. Richard opened a radiator shop in Deadwood and Russell grew up around automobiles. Russell quit his job as a mechanic at a Buick dealership in Deadwood and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Jan. 1, 1942. He served as an electrical systems instructor, a crew chief on a B-17 and flew the "Hump" in the China- Burma-India Theater in World War II. While stationed in Amarillo, he met Mildred King and they were married on March 1, 1943. Russell and Mille's union in marriage produced two sons, Marcus, in April 1944 and Glenn in July 1948. After the war, they moved to Deadwood and Russell opened a Packard dealership. Due to a shortage of new cars, Russell and Mille moved back to Amarillo in 1947. Russell was heavily involved in auto racing and worked as a mechanic at various car dealerships in Amarillo in the late 1940s and early 1950s. In 1955, he went into sales at Plains Chevrolet and later managed the used car department at Hedgecoke Dodge. Mr. Larson opened Larson Motor Co. in the late 1960s and was joined in the business by his son Glenn in 1978. After his retirement from Larson Motor Co. in 1985, Russell stayed busy restoring classic cars and building street rods. Russell was a life member of VFW, Disabled American Veterans and The Antique Automobile Club of America. Russell was well known for his distinctive manner of speech and his extensive knowledge of automobiles. He was preceded in death by a brother; two sisters; a son, Marcus in 2000; and his wife in 2004. Survivors include a son, Col. Glenn Larson and wife, Linda Kay, of Amarillo; a daughter-in-law, Jeaneen Larson of El Paso; six grandchildren, Mychele George and husband, Phillip, and Brandi Clark and husband, Bill, all of Canyon, Dennis Larson of Phoenix, and Donnie Larson, Jamie Tomberlin and husband, Kris, and Brad Haley and wife, Rene, all of Amarillo; 11 great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Barry King of Dallas. Visitation will be at the family home, 4709 Mesa Circle. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joyce Ferril Joyce Ferril, 60, of Amarillo died Monday, June 14, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Southlawn Assembly of God with Jarred Middaugh officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mrs. Ferril was born in Shamrock and grew up in Twitty. She married Lonnie Ferril in 1960, and they moved to Amarillo in 1961 from Shamrock. She had owned Cherry Avenue Auto Salvage since 1963, T-Miller Wrecker Service since 1965 and Amarillo Auto Crushing since 1998. She was the current president of Crime Stoppers for two years and a former member of the board of Tascosa Country Club. She was also a member of Tascosa Country Club's Women's Golf Association. She was preceded in death by a son, William David Lee Ferril II. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Lonnie Ferril Jr. and wife, Jeni, and Byron Ferril and wife, Laverna, both of Amarillo; two brothers, Jody Barrett of Muleshoe and Donald Wheeler of Lubbock; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crime Stoppers, P.O. Box 1843, Amarillo, TX 79105. Sign our online guest book at www.rectorfuneralhome.com. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dennis E. Nix Dennis E. Nix, 81, of Amarillo, formerly of Lamesa, died Friday, June 11, 2004. Memorial services were at 2 p.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church in Lamesa. Arrangements were by Branon Funeral Home. Mr. Nix was born March 31, 1923, in Lamesa to Olin and Irene Nix. He married Adren Holder on Dec. 6, 1946. Mr. Nix owned Nix Motor Co. for 22 years. Afterward, he farmed and ranched in Gaines County. During World War II, he served as a Merchant Marine. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by two brothers, J.D. Nix of Lamesa and Olin Nix of Sudan. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Denise Hampton of Amarillo and Barbara Cargill of Tulsa, Okla.; two granddaughters, Claire and Ann Hampton; two grandsons, Kevin and Christopher Cargill; two sisters, Hazel Braswell of Lamesa and Ernestine Carmichael of Andrews; and a brother, Garland Nix of Lamesa. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Verna Meek White DUMAS - Verna Meek White, 87, died Sunday, June 13, 2004, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddie Tubbs, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. White was born March 27, 1917, in Foss, Okla. She moved to Booker in a covered wagon when she was 6 months old, then moved to Moore County in 1931. She graduated from Dumas High School. She married Dale White in 1936. She was a rural route mail carrier for 28 years and was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband on July 31, 1975; and two brothers, Leo Meek and Orville Meek. Survivors include a son, Gene White and wife, Bert, of Wichita, Kan.; two daughters, Patsy Todd and husband, Frank, of Sunray and Anna Wooten and husband, John, of Cleburne; her grandchildren, Terri and Ed Evenson of Nashville, Misty and Mike Monroe of Fort Worth, Dale White and Justin and Dana White, all of Wichita, and Mandy Wooten of Cleburne; and two great- grandchildren, Taylor Monroe and Lauren Monroe, both of Fort Worth. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, Dumas, TX 79029; or BSA Hospice, 600 N. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79107. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ellen Carter HEREFORD - Ellen Carter, 87, died Monday, June 14, 2004. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in West Park Cemetery with the Rev. Lamuel G. Salik, pastor of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mrs. Carter was born March 2, 1917. She was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Survivors include a sister, Laura Almedia Hall of Shreveport, La.; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ervin Wright GRUVER - Ervin Wright, 79, died Sunday, June 13, 2004, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Gruver Cemetery with the Rev. George Price officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mr. Wright was a member of Tripp's Harley Owners Group of Amarillo. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two daughters, Tammy Wright of Gruver and Eilene Wright of Tulsa, Okla.; a brother, Alvin Wright of Medicine Lodge, Kan.; and a sister, Helen Rathke of Dodge City, Kan. The family suggests memorials be to Toys for Tots in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edith "Toots" Barlow Whiteley EARTH - Edith "Toots" Barlow Whiteley, 80, died Sunday, June 13, 2004, in Olton. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Huckebey officiating. Burial will be in Earth Memorial Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe. Mrs. Whiteley was born June 3, 1924, in Tampico. She moved to Olton in January. Survivors include two sons, Darrell Barlow of Friona and Tommy Barlow of Lubbock; a daughter, Barbara Nance of Sherman; a stepson, Jerry Whiteley of Fort Worth; a stepdaughter, Glenda Kay Westbrook of Granbury; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Runningwater Draw Care Center, 800 W. 13th St., Olton, TX 79064. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Buddie Lovin CLAYTON, N.M. - Buddie Lovin, 89, died Saturday, June 12, 2004, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Mr. Lovin was born April 24, 1915, in Vinson, Okla., He married Wanda Smith on Aug. 25, 1939, in Clayton. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Keith Lovin of St. Louis, Kenneth Lovin of Colorado Springs, and Dale Lovin of Evergreen, Colo.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Willie Mae Davis of Albuquerque. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Lester Scott Van Deburgh BEAVER, Okla. - Lester Scott Van Deburgh, 68, died Friday, June 11, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Beaver United Christian Church with Rick Main and Chuck Lightfoot officiating. Burial will be in Pioneer Cemetery by Clark Funeral Service. Mr. Van Deburgh was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Beaver. He was a farmer and rancher in Beaver County all of his life. Survivors include three sons, Steve Van Deburgh of Balko, Craig Van Deburgh of Medofrd and Douglas Van Deburgh of Oak Harbour, Wash.; a sister, Emma Lou Lightfoot of Alva; a brother, Dewey Don Van Deburgh of Ponca City; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thelma Doris Garland OKLAHOMA CITY - Thelma Doris Garland, 75, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, June 11, 2004. Memorial services will be Friday in Vondel L. Smith and Son Funeral Home. Burial will be in City of Lubbock Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas. Mrs. Garland was born Feb. 23, 1929, near Wolfe City, Texas. She came to Amarillo in January 1945 with her widowed mother, Evelyn, and her siblings from Lubbock. Doris and her sister, Frances, were accomplished waitresses at the Herring Hotel. Her brother, Grady, was a busboy at Silver Grill and for many years with Bob Dowell at several of his restaurants. Doris even played basketball on Bob Dowell's basketball team. During this time, she married Robert "Bob" Kelly and they were blessed with a daughter, Elizabeth Mary, on May 15, 1948. In 1958, Doris married T.G. Garland and the family lived in Florida, southern Texas, Memphis, Tenn., and Oklahoma City. In 1966, they returned to Amarillo to start B&W Freight Lines. After selling their business here, they settled on Cedar Creek Reservoir southeast of Dallas, and subsequently established Aquarian Freight Lines with a move to Oklahoma City in 1984. She brought love and caring to every place she went and to everyone whose life she touched. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her father, Horace Bob Swindell in 1943; her mother, Evelyn Workman Swindell in 1956; her youngest sister, Sandra Sue Ashby in 1970; and her second husband in 1995. Survivors include a daughter, Beth Devilbiss and husband, Virgil, of rural Blanchard; her grandsons, Virgil Smith and wife, Stacia, of Stillwater, Kelly Devilbiss of rural Blanchard; a great-granddaughter, Kaitlin Smith of Stillwater; two sisters, Frances Baker and husband, Bob, of Forney, Texas, and Frankie Welch of Jacksonville, Fla.; three brothers, Grady Swindell and Harold "Chuck" Swindell and wife, Mary, all of Amarillo, and Jack Swindell of Slidell, La.; her nieces, Terry Reynolds and husband, Stuart, of Cedar Park, Texas, Ramona Swindell of Lubbock, Texas, Trina Dixon and husband, Mark, of Irving, Texas, Vicky Swindell of New Orleans, Debbie Jackson and husband, Randy, of Williamsburg, Va., Donna Hutson and husband, Mike, of Dry Forke, Va., and Lynda Smith and husband, John Kay, of Tulsa; her nephews, Chuck Barnes and wife, Lois, of St. Louis, Mike Barnes of Fort Worth, Texas, Pat Swindell and wife, Roni, and Kenny Ashby, all of Amarillo, Todd Swindell and wife, Tracee, Steve Baker and wife, Carol, and Ralph Baker, all of Dallas, and Brad Baker and wife, Holly, of Sunnyvale; her former sisters-in-law, Lee Swindell of Lubbock and Sharon Newby Murray of Slidell, La.; and many near and dear friends, particularly those in her retirement community in Oklahoma City. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- L.D. Wilcox NEWALLA, Okla. - L.D. Wilcox, 67, died Sunday, June 13, 2004. Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Primrose Funeral Service Chapel in Norman, with Don Erskine officiating. Mr. Wilcox was born Dec. 14, 1936, in Hollis. He worked for Yellow Freight Systems for 23 years until his retirement six years ago. Survivors include his mother, Vera Wilcox of Amarillo Texas; a sister, Raylene Robinson of Canyon, Texas; a son, Lewis D. Wilcox, Jr. of Happy, Texas; two daughters, Linda James of Amarillo and Mary Wilcox of Constableville, N.Y.; a stepdaughter, Sherri Frey of Newalla; his wife, Carol; 17 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon Aurila B. Currie Aurila B. Currie, 77, of Canyon died Sunday, June 13, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with Doug DuBois of Second Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Currie was born in Jericho. She was an Amarillo resident for 27 years before moving to Canyon 30 years ago. She was a member of Potter County Home Extension and active in various garden clubs and the garden center. She was district PTA president and served on the state PTA board. She was also a member of Mother-In-Laws Association and was active with the Children's Assistance Fund through the Amarillo Independent School District. She had also served on the boards of the cancer center and lung association. She was a member of Second Baptist Church and was active in the Baptist association and many youth activities at her church. She was instrumental in setting up the Farmers Market and served as its first president. She was also a member of West Texas SAMS. She married Claude Currie on June 20, 1947, in Memphis. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Lynette Seaton of Amarillo; a son, Roger Dale Currie of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters, Brutone Potas of Arlington Heights, Ill., and Minnie Thibodeau of Benbrook; two brothers, Wade Rice of Jasper, Ala., and Carl Rice of Amarillo; a god-child; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Children's Assistance Fund in care of AISD, 7200 W. Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, June 15, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------