Potter Co. TX - Obits: August 13, 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 Friday, August 13, 2004 Amarillo Hazel Kelley Wilson Hazel Kelley Wilson, 87, of Amarillo died Thursday, August 12, 2004. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard Batson, pastor, and Dr. Winfred Moore, pastor emeritus, officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Every once in awhile there exists an individual who gently reminds us of the passions of life. That individual empowers us to breathe deeply and remember, relive, appreciate and experience the greatness of everyday miracles. Hazel Kelley Wilson was such an individual. Beginning school in a little one-room schoolhouse outside of Amarillo, this distinguished Texas matriarch went on to be recognized as a member of the Amarillo High School Hall of Fame in 1988, attended classes at Amarillo College and West Texas State University, was awarded Amarillo Globe-News Woman of the Year in 1991, and received an honorary doctorate of philosophy in humanities from West Texas A&M University in 1994. Hazel was a lady so dynamic that it was impossible to stand in her company and not develop a sense of better character and faith. Hazel Kelley Wilson was born June 28, 1917, in Hunt County. When she was 18 months old, her family moved to Amarillo. In 1934, she graduated from Amarillo High School at 16, near the head of her class. Upon graduation, she went to work at S.H. Kress Five-and-Dime as a floor walker. In 1936, Hazel married Jack B. Kelley, her high school sweetheart. In 1946, they founded the Jack B. Kelley Co., which became the first privately owned company to transport helium. Under the guidance of Jack and Hazel, the Amarillo-based operation grew from a modest venture to a multi-million-dollar enterprise that serves as the largest carrier of cryogenic and compressed gases in the United States. Jack's business savvy was magnified by a dynamic and loving wife, Hazel. In 1980, Jack Kelley passed, leaving Hazel to continue their legacy of hard work and public service. Hazel Kelley, a small but determined woman, continued the progress and success with the family's business developments, insisting all the way that each venture be complete with only the utmost in quality, values and service. Today Jack B. Kelley Inc. has expanded to include eight additional supporting companies that have come to be known as the Kelley Family of Companies. While the proportions of growth of the family conglomerate are awe-inspiring, it is even more breathtaking to experience the foundation of integrity and service upon which each company is created. In 1984, Hazel married Ross Wilson and continued her crusade of business and philanthropy. Ross Wilson passed in 2002. Through the years, Hazel had been a member of the standing committee and the research committee of the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, a member of the board of regents of West Texas State University, and on the board of directors for the Amarillo Symphony, High Plains Baptist Hospital, American Heart Association, High Plains Food Bank, FirstBank Southwest, the March of Dimes, the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation and the Children's Learning Center. Prized among her awards is the Employees' Circle of Excellence Award she received in 1998 from her employees at Jack B. Kelley Inc. Employees of the company, a company that is now one of the leading trucking firms in the world, have always affectionately called Hazel "Momma K." To this chairwoman of the JBK Board, employees have always been a vital part of the extended Kelley family. Among the copious honors to come her way were being named Woman of the Year by the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in 1984. She also received a Golden Nail Award from the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce in 1984, the Women's Forum of Amarillo Distinguished Service Award in Business and Finance in 1990, the San Jacinto Masonic Lodge No. 1330 Community Builders Award in 1992, the Amarillo Symphony Board of Directors "Going the Extra Mile" Award in 1994, the Texas Plains Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives' Lifetime of Giving Award in 1994, and the Palo Duro High School Visionary Award in 1997. In 1998, the West Texas A&M University Alumni Association also renamed its refurbished banquet hall the Dr. Hazel Kelley Wilson Banquet Hall. As honorary chairman of the Panhandle of Texas "Race for the Cure" in 1998, she was there to start off and welcome the runners to the finish line. In 1999, she was named one of the 100 inductees into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame, the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas as a Texas Woman of the Century and in 2000 she was selected as one of 100 Panhandle Leaders of the 20th Century by the Amarillo Globe- News. Hazel Kelley Wilson continued to add more items to her list of honors. She was named the 2002 Friend of Young Children at the annual Amarillo Mayor's Breakfast. The Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras awarded her the Award of Excellence/Volunteer in April 2002, and she was selected by the Texas Tech Medical Center symposium steering committee as one of three women to be honored at the symposium luncheon for "Making a Difference" in health care in the Texas Panhandle. Under her guidance, the Kelley family has made considerable contributions by funding the Grand Room of the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church in Amarillo. Other highly visible gifts are the first computer gift to the Harrington Cancer Center, the JBK Student Center at West Texas A&M University, the Grand Atrium, a centerpiece of the Student Life Center of Baylor University, the Administration Building's foyer at Wayland Baptist University, a hospice room at the BSA Hospital and the Kelley Wing at the Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo. The Hazel and Ross Wilson Women's Center, located on the third floor of Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital, to benefit women and newborn babies, was named for them not only for their financial backing, but also because of their dedication and concern for women's health. Her passion for children is reflected in her 1993 gift of an infant center to the Children's Learning Center that is now known as the Hazel Kelley Wilson Infant Center. Twice the special honoree at the center's annual Poinsettia Luncheon, Hazel found pure joy in contributing to the lives of children. Less visible but ever important, were her "behind the scenes" contributions and efforts. Every year, Hazel sent poinsettias and Kelley Family Christmas cards to the 300-plus Meals on Wheels recipients. In addition, she also sent Valentines, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Thanksgiving greetings to her "special friends." Then there are the numerous students who have been able to get an education at West Texas A&M University or Amarillo College because of her and the various special needs groups she participated in-with the warmest of smiles she stated that her support and contributions were "investing in the future and making a difference where it counts." Hazel's most current activities included participation on the board of directors of the Children's Learning Center, BSA Foundation, Symphony Board and Baptist Community Services. While the list is of admirable qualities is endlessly extensive, the most amazing aspect of Hazel Kelley Wilson was her ability to create life-changing motivation in the lives of all who had the honor of knowing her. Her life will forever be a miracle and point of inspiration. She was preceded in death by both husbands. Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Oeschger and husband, Larry, of Amarillo and Judy Morgan and husband, Jim, of Texarkana; a son, Ken Kelley and wife, Sherry, of Amarillo; seven grandchildren, Kristin Oeschger, Bryson Oeschger and wife, Deanna, Shelby Morgan, Haven Morgan, Ryan Morgan, Bryan Kelley and Taylor Kelley; and two great-grandchildren Harley Harris and Bryce Oeschger. The family asks that memorials be to Children's Learning Center, 1006 S. Jackson St., Amarillo 79101; Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive, Amarillo 79106; WT Foundation, WTAMU Box 60766, Canyon 79016; BSA Foundation, 200 N.W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo 79107; Olivia's Angels, c/o BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950 Amarillo 79176; First Baptist Church, 1208 S. Tyler St. Amarillo 79101; Opportunities, Inc., Att: Melanie Daniels, 3101 N. Stateline Ave. Texarkana, Texas 75033. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Mama" Grace Hawkins "Mama" Grace Hawkins, 92, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Robert Field and Fred Riley, of East Amarillo Church, officiating. Mrs. Hawkins was born Nov. 30, 1911, to Frank and Margaret Smith. She married Claude Hawkins on Jan. 8, 1928, in Memphis. She was of the Methodist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1980; and two sons- in-law, John Sorrell and Glenn Howard. Survivors include three daughters, Lou Howard of Amarillo, Martha Sorrell of Wichita, Kan., and Angie Gordon and husband, Gary, of West Plains, Mo.; a son, Bob Hawkins and wife, Judy, of Odessa; a sister, Margaret Jane Jourdan of Ardmore, Okla.; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; and special friends, Betty Paschall of West Plains, and Debbie Brown, Mary Goodwin, Debbie Shelton and Barbara Kruckman, all of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to the Glenn A. Howard Scholarship Fund, AISD Athletic Dept., 7200 W. I-40, Amarillo, TX 79106 in honor of Mama Grace. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mickey Don Lawhon Mickey Don Lawhon, 61, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with Marty Loberg, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, officiating. Survivors include his mother, Dorothy L. Lawhon of Amarillo; a sister, Judy L. Smith and husband, Barry, of Amarillo; two nieces; a nephew; and five cousins. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, in care of Olivia's Angels, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001, the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106 or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- John H. Ballard Jr. John H. Ballard Jr., 43, of Amarillo died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, in Lubbock. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. James Mims, pastor, and Judith Walker officiating. Arrangements are by Golden Gate Mortuary, 1416 N. Hughes St. Mr. Ballard attended Hamlet Elementary, Travis Middle School and Palo Duro High School. He worked for Greyhound Bus Service as well as Bekon. He resided in Colorado for 20 years. He moved back to Amarillo in 2001. Survivors include his father, John H. Ballard Sr. of Fairfield, Calif.; six sisters, Barbara Williams of Magnolia, N.C., Judith Walker of Las Vegas, Sonia Arenas of San Antonio and Loan Ballard, Phuong Ballard and Huong Ballard, all of Fairfield; and two brothers, Michael Ballard of Amarillo and Christopher Ballard of Conyers, Ga. The body will not be available for viewing. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. today at 1808 S. Austin St. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert "Bob" Davenport Robert "Bob" Davenport, 89, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Trinity Fellowship Church Chapel with Phil Mercado, of Grace Fellowship Church in Los Lunas, N.M., officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Davenport married Billie Jo Thomas on May 19, 1951, in Vernon. He worked in civil service. He was a manager in the automotive industry for many years. He was owner and operator of Davenport Used Cars and Inspection Station from 1975 to 1981 and the Health Haven. He was a charter member of Wesley Methodist Church. He was president of the Vaughn Selby Class for one year at Polk Street Methodist Church. He was very active at the Bethesda Outreach Center and a member of Trinity Fellowship Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Solomon and Nola Davenport; four brothers; two sisters; and a son, Robert Eugene Davenport. Survivors include his wife; three sons, James Mark Davenport and wife, Denise, of Amarillo, Joel Thomas Davenport and wife, Cindy, of Kemp and Dan Davenport and wife, Sherry, of Groveland, Calif.; a daughter, Carol Konrath of Florida; a sister, Lozelle Brackeen of Seymour; a brother, Vernon Davenport and wife, Clemmie, of Shamrock; 20 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Trinity Fellowship Building Fund. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eugene "Jack" Royal Jr. Eugene "Jack" Royal Jr., 83, of Amarillo died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Paul White, minister at Olsen Park Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park East Mausoleum with military rites by DAV Chapter 26. Mr. Royal was born June 3, 1921, in Hollis, Okla. He graduated from Amarillo High School and married Mary Whiddon on Nov. 1, 1947, in Amarillo. He belonged to the Brick Layers Union and was a member of Olsen Park Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Jackie Bowers and husband, Dean, and Nancy Ward and husband, Michael, all of Amarillo and Michelle Behm and husband, Rich, of Keller; a son, Donald Royal and wife, Judy, of Alvin; a sister, Faye Wilson of Plainview; and seven grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Murel Blanscet Murel Blanscet, 79, of Amarillo died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004. Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in South Georgia Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Miller officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mr. Blanscet was born Feb. 18, 1925, in Sayre, Okla., to Joseph William and Ruby Mae Blanscet. He married Billie "Jerry" Ramey in Wheeler on July 5, 1947. He graduated from Sayre High School and served in the Navy during World War II. Murel was employed as a division manager in sales for Sears. He was a member of the Pioneer Club and First Baptist Church of Delhi, Okla. He was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Don Blanscet; his parents; and a brother, Delbert Blanscet. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Trudy Upton and husband, Brad, and Carolyn Deckard and husband, Tom, all of Amarillo; a sister, Betty Cost White of Amarillo; eight grandchildren, Kara, Kent, Mandi, Brett, Jason, Sandi, Mesha and Ricki; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Animal Rescue Shelter, 12500 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX 79118 or to the American Heart Association, 6605 W. I-40, Building A-6, Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virgil Carpenter Virgil Carpenter, 89, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Ray M. Guy, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Carpenter was born in Kingfisher, Okla. He worked for the Texas Department of Highways for about 30 years as a mechanic and shop foreman. He was a member of West Amarillo Christian Church. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing with family and friends. He and his wife, Olledene, were married 69 years. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Sondra Milton and husband, J.T., of Amarillo; two sons, Jerry Carpenter and wife, Donna, and Robert Carpenter and wife, Brenda, all of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Iva Jane Files DALHART - Iva Jane Files, 93, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Christian Church with Barry Walker, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Horizon Funeral Home. Mrs. Files married William "Bill" G. Files on Oct. 2, 1926, in Granite, Okla. She was an active member of First Christian Church. Survivors include two daughters, Karen Griggs of Dalhart and Verna Williams of Amarillo; two sons, Don Files of Canyon Lake and Bill Files of Waco; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Christian Church in Dalhart. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Rae Webb EULESS - Rae Webb, 93, formerly of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in North Richland Hills Church with Bob Neely officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery in Amarillo. Local arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd., in Amarillo. Mrs. Webb was born May 11, 1911, in Amarillo to George C. and Molly Hall. She had worked as a night auditor in the hotel/motel industry. Survivors include a son, Mike Webb of Euless; a grandchild; and two great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kathy Laura Ownbey CROWELL - Kathy Laura Ownbey, 45, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, in Vernon. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ken Rowland, senior pastor, officiating and the Rev. Terry Tamplen, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Odessa, assisting. Burial will be in Crowell Cemetery by Womack-Manard Funeral Home. Mrs. Ownbey was a lifetime resident of Crowell. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Danny; two sons, Heath Ownbey and Joshua Ownbey, both of Crowell; her mother, Jody Ostrander of Crowell; her father, Jesse Whitfield of Crowell; and three sisters, Julia Lagunas of Burkburnett, Betty Linda Whitfield of Amarillo and Sandy Burkett of Guthrie. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy J. Jackson NEW BRAUNFELS - Billy J. Jackson, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home with the Rev. Regan Miller officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. Mr. Jackson was born Sept. 13, 1923, to J.N. and Ellen James Jackson in Bomarton and grew up in the Texas Panhandle. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. During World War II, he was stationed in Grafton-Underwood, England, assigned to the 384th Bombing Group as a staff sergeant. He flew 25 missions as a ball-turret gunner, then flew another 33 missions as a flight engineer with the 486th Bombing Group as a tech sergeant. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart, four Oak Leaf Clusters and two Air Medals. Upon his discharge from the service, he married Jean Walker in Hereford. His career encompassed everything from farm hand to controller of the Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic, from which he retired in 1976. He began a second career in New Braunfels, restoring the Faust Hotel, and he and his wife were owners of Reflections Antiques. Mr. Jackson was a member of First Baptist Church, DAV and VFW No. 7710. He is remembered as a kind, generous man who was known for his integrity and wry, intelligent sense of humor. Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years; a son, Steven Alan Jackson and wife, Diana, of Rio Rancho, N.M.; two sisters, Joy Randall and Modene Davis, both of Amarillo; his mother-in-law, Everald Walker; three brothers-in-law, A.J. Walker Jr., Gary Walker and David Walker; two sisters-in-law, Florine Ladd and Ettie Crutchfield and husband, Tommy; and several nephews and nieces. Visitation will be from 8 to 10 a.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Hope Hospice in New Braunfels. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 13, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------