Potter Co. TX - Obits: Amarillo Globe-News - June 22, 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 22, 2004 Amarillo Gwen Baker Gwen Baker, 84, of Amarillo died Sunday, June 20, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. Perry Hunsaker of St. Paul United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Baker retired after 33 years with the Bureau of Reclamation and Amarillo Air Force Base. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Ladies Sewing Club. She was married to her husband, E.L. Baker for 64 years. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ferne Kiker; and two brothers, Harold and Wayne Byars. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Jo Carol Boyles and Elaine Baker, both of Amarillo, and Lee Ann Bowers and husband, Tom, of Tulsa, Okla.; a sister, Jean Bellchambers of Santa Maria, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry C. Burgtorf Jerry C. Burgtorf, 65, of Amarillo died Sunday, June 20, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Westview Christian Church with Charles Waugh, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Burgtorf was a lifetime resident of Texas. He graduated from Dumas High School, where he was a football and track letterman for three years. After high school, he was a Lubbock police officer for five years before attending the DPS Academy. He was a DPS trooper from 1968 until his retirement in 1993. After retirement he went back to work for the drivers license department for five years. Mr. Burgtorf received an associate's degree from Texas A&M University. He married Sandy Barker in 1998. He was a Mason and was a member of Rock Island Lodge No. 869 in Dalhart and Khiva Shrine, where he was past president of the mini-vettes. His hobbies included flying and chili cookoffs. Survivors include his wife; a son, Jimmy Burgtorf and wife, Christine, of Amarillo; a daughter, Jerrie Coffey and husband, Roger, of Amarillo; two stepsons, Frank Barker and wife, Rebecca, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Matt Barker of Lubbock; a brother, James "Jim" Burgtorf and wife, Donna, of Graham; and 15 grandchildren, Kevin Coffey, Kristen Coffey, Erric Apeland, Aaron Apeland, Whitney Burgtorf, Tessia Burgtorf, Chelsea Burgtorf, Jessi Clair Burgtorf, Mark Wilkerson, Chris Wilkerson, Shawn Wilkerson, Drew Barker, Ashley Barker, Brandon Barker and Christopher Barker. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice; or Shriners Children's Hospital. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jessie Margarette Smith Jessie Margarette Smith, 84, of Amarillo died Friday, June 18, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Laurance Blackstock of Christ Chapel in Brownwood officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born in Roger Mills, Okla., on Jan. 8, 1920, to the late Charles Veloris Sanford and Susan Roxsilla Laney Sanford. She married Harry Lee Smith Sr. on May 4, 1940. They were residents of Amarillo for 35 years. Mrs. Smith was a member of the United Pentecostal Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1999; and a daughter, Mozelle Kirkland in 1975. Survivors include two daughters, Mildred Skelton and husband, Glendon, of Gordo, Ala., and Glenna Smith of Las Vegas; a son, Harry Lee Smith Jr. and wife, Brenda, of Winslow, Ariz.; two sisters, Grace Henson of Amarillo and Pearl Harrison of Allison; two brothers, Elmer Lee Sanford and wife, Peggy, of Stinnett and Hershel Sanford of Higgins; 11 grandchildren; 11 great- grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Irene "Renie" Willis King Irene "Renie" Willis King, 79, of Amarillo died Sunday, June 20, 2004. Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Jim Bankhead officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. King was born Oct. 5, 1924, in Springfield, Mass. She was a volunteer at Northwest Texas Hospital, Channel 2 and was a member of the Docents. She was a member of First Prebyterian Church. Survivors include two sons, Clay A. Willis and wife, Betty, of Tacoma, Wash., and Mark R. Willis Sr. and wife, Lisa, of Fritch; a sister, Jenny Jamroz of Florida; six grandchildren, Amie Marie, Castle, Mandi Jo, Joshua, Nikki and Mark Jr.; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society or a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marsh Wayne Bryan Marsh Wayne Bryan, 76, of Amarillo died Saturday, June 19, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Melvin Suttle of San Jacinto Assembly of God officiating. Mr. Bryan was a retired warehouse foreman and truck driver. He was also a self-employed tool salesman. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Marie Bryan; and four brothers, Dow Bryan, Wilbert Bryan, Albert Bryan and Robert Bryan. Survivors include his wife, Dora Faye; a son, Randle and wife, LaLana, of Amarillo; a daughter, Lavanda Burgess and husband, Clois, of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Stacy Kirton and husband, Wesley, and Kyle Burgess, all of Amarillo, and Stephanie Mullins and husband, Josh, of Gilbert, Ariz.; three brothers, Herbert Bryan, Delbert Bryan and George Bryan; two sisters, Annie Belle Atha and Doris Faye Miller; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nell Stallings Nell Stallings, 79, of Amarillo died Sunday, June 20, 2004. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with Dr. Chester Beavers officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mrs. Stallings was born Oct. 17, 1924, in Roaring Springs to Julia Ann Ballard and Thomas Orval McLaughlin. She was a graduate of Hedley High School and was employed at Southwestern Bell for 37 years. Nell loved sports of any kind, especially bowling and baseball. Survivors include two sisters, Ruby Hulen and husband, Don, of Amarillo and Della Linville of Hedley; two nieces; and three nephews. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Ruth L. Holcomb CLAUDE - Ruth L. Holcomb, 84, died Sunday, June 20, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Claude Cemetery with R.A. Tindall, pastor of Primitive Baptist Church in Amarillo, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors. Mrs. Holcomb was born July 26, 1919, in Alliance, Ohio, to A.L. and Pearl Miller Chambrey. She was a resident of Pennsylvania her entire life until moving to Claude four years ago. She was a homemaker and a member of Friedans Lutheran Church in Liberty, Pa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Halleck Holcomb in 1986. Survivors include a son, Ken Holcomb and wife, Celita, of Amarillo; a stepson, O.L. Holcomb and wife, Virginia, of Liberty; three grandchildren, Katie Holcomb of Atlanta, Bobby and Sandy Holcomb of Canyon, and Tim Holcomb of Denver; and a great-granddaughter, Morgan Holcomb of Canyon. The body will be available for viewing today and Wednesday in Claude. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Eleanor Bordner Cramer HEREFORD - Mary Eleanor Bordner Cramer, 90, died Friday, June 18, 2004. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Gililland-Watson Funeral Home Rose Chapel with the Rev. Joe Valdez of St. Anthony's Catholic Church officiating. Mrs. Cramer was born April 26, 1914, in Wichita, Kan. She worked for Cramer Interiors for 54 years. Survivors include two sons, Robert Nelson Cramer and Jimmie Ray Cramer, both of Hereford; and two sisters, Ira Jean Schroeter of Amarillo and Mary Margaret Brinkman of Hereford. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arturo Salazar GRUVER - Arturo Salazar, 39, died Sunday, June 20, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Gruver United Methodist Church with the Rev. Guillermo Morales and Jim Brown, deacon, officiating. Burial will be in Gruver Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Salazar was born in Durango, Mexico, on Aug. 10, 1964. He had lived in the area since 1980, moving from Mexico. He married Leticia Vela on May 23, 1987, in Spearman. He was a farmer and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Spearman, where he was a youth and CCD teacher. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus, where he served as secretary for six years. He served on the Gruver Elementary Campus Improvement Team and Gruver District Education Improvement Committee. He was a youth basketball coach and a member of Texas Association of Sports Officials and Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. In 2004, he received the Greyhound Booster of the Year Award. He was also a beloved friend to many in Hansford County. He graduated from school in Durango with an electrician's certificate. He became a citizen of the United States on May 25, 2000. He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Salazar; and his grandparents, Vincente Salazar and Jose and Guadalupe Vasquez. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Stephen Salazar and Matt Salazar, both of Gruver; his parents, Luis and Elena Salazar of Gruver; his grandmother, Margarita Salazar of Durango; four brothers, Adan Salazar of Gruver, Adrian Salazar of Plainview, and Fabian Salazar and wife, Michelle, and Steven Salazar and wife, Monica, all of San Angelo; two sisters, Mercedes Salazar of Richardson and Susie Miranda and husband, Jamie, of Grand Prairie; 11 nieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends. The family suggests memorials be to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, P.O. Box 127, Spearman, TX 79081; or Hansford Hospice, 707 S. Roland St., Spearman, TX 79081. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eva Lois Sosebee BORGER - Eva Lois Sosebee, 92, died Sunday, June 20, 2004. Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Highland Park Cemetery with Richard Kasko, minister of Fritch Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Sosebee was born Oct. 15, 1911, in Harmony, Ark. She was a cafeteria worker for Borger Independent School District. Survivors include a niece, Juanita Faulkner of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Fred M. Finch TEMPLE - Fred M. Finch, 94, died Saturday, June 19, 2004. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. today in Salado Cemetery in Salado with Dr. Jack Riley officiating. Arrangements are by Harper-Talasek Funeral Home. Mr. Finch was born July 28, 1909, in Memphis. He was a charter member of The National Cattleman's Association. Survivors include a daughter, Amy Finch of Hays, Kan.; a stepson, Grover L. Alexander of Austin; a sister, Ruth Harrison of Lewisville; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Peaceable Kingdom Children's Retreat, P.O. Box 844, Temple, TX 76503; or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, 79174. Amarillo Globe-News, June 22, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------