Potter Co. TX - Obits: February 27, 2005 ============================================================== 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, February 27, 2005 Amarillo D.B. Barker D.B. Barker, 84, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Roy S. Wheeler and the Rev. Mark Zimmerman of Paramount Terrace Christian Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Barker was born Jan. 17, 1921, in Tucumcari, N.M. He graduated from Olton High School in May 1940 and moved to Amarillo to enter the Apprentice Boilermaker School for Santa Fe Railroad. In 1941 he entered the Marine Corps, where he served until 1946. He fought in the Pacific and was involved in the Midway and Philippine theaters. Mr. Barker was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1946 and resumed his career with Santa Fe Railroad. He worked for Santa Fe until 1980. He had accumulated 37 years and 10 months of service at Santa Fe. He took a disability retirement in 1980. Mr. Barker met Joeline Maples when he first moved to Amarillo in 1940. They were married on Dec. 22, 1944, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2004. Until his medical conditions forced him to retire from Santa Fe, Mr. Barker had been very active in church activities. He served as a deacon, elder, trustee and Sunday school teacher for sixth-grade boys, as well as various board positions. He had been a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church since 1967. After his retirement, Mr. Barker developed an interest in photography and genealogy. He was a devoted husband, father and friend. Survivors include his wife; a son, Larry Barker and wife, Katie, of Grand Prairie; three grandchildren, Nicole Cartagena and husband, Angel, of Winston- Salem, N.C., Aaron Barker of Carrollton and Tiffany Hillner and husband, Dan, of Arlington; two great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Carlene Mann of Idalou. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Farris O. Johnson Farris O. Johnson, 91, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Pioneer Chapel. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Johnson was born in San Angelo and raised in Wichita Falls. He married Lorita Davis on Oct. 21, 1934. They moved to Amarillo in 1952 from Wichita Falls. Mr. Johnson retired from Sears, Roebuck and Co. in 1976 after 18 years of employment. He was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church and the Sears Pioneer Club. Mr. Johnson was a kind and gentle spirit who loved his family, pets and the mountains. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1993. Survivors include a daughter, Janice Brown and husband, Robert, of Amarillo; a son, Allen Johnson and wife, Lupe, of Austin; five grandchildren, Steven Mark Brown and wife, Megan, of Amarillo, Douglas Dean Brown and wife, Karin, of Abilene, Michael Scott Johnson and wife, Mia, of Castro Valley, Calif., Russell Lance Johnson and wife, Amy, of San Francisco, and Jacob Juarez of Austin; and three great grandsons, Sam Johnson of Castro Valley, Alex Johnson of San Francisco and James Brown of Providence, R.I. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lowell Wayne Thurston Lowell Wayne Thurston, 75, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Entombment will be in Memorial Park East Mausoleum. Mr. Thurston retired from the Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by Juanita Thurston in 1996. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Thurston; four sons, David Thurston and Bill Thurston, both of Canyon, Gary Wayne Thurston of Rushville, Ind., and Fred Bane of Amarillo; six daughters, Donna McKee and Linda Layman, both of Amarillo, Kathy Ann Cerros of Richmond, Ky., Tina Dudgeon of Carthage, Ind., Joyce Golden of Georgetown, Ky., and Terry Schlichter of Orland, Ind.; 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Clotile Purcell Mary Clotile Purcell, 94, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in United Methodist Church of Higgins. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia. St. Mrs. Purcell was born Dec. 12, 1910, in Wichita Falls to Amanda E. and Charles E. Belew. She survived three sisters and one brother born to this union. She graduated from Mobeetie High School in 1930. In 1931, she moved to Higgins to help care for her father and the youngest children after the death of her mother. She married Cecil M. Purcell in Cheyenne, Okla., in 1940. She followed her husband to Portland, Mass., where he was stationed during World War II. She returned to Higgins in September 1943 to await the birth of their daughter, Mary Ann. After the war, she and the family moved to Hutchinson, Kan., and on to Denver area. She also resided in Elizabeth, Colo., and Kiowa, Colo., for a total of 45 years. She again returned to Higgins to be close to her daughter. At the time of her death, Mrs. Purcell was a resident of Kirkland Court Health and Rehabilitation Center in Amarillo, where her daughter was employed. She had many hardships in her life but retained a lively sense of humor throughout her life. As you read this, you may rest assured that laughter is ringing down the halls of heaven. Those Belew and Purcell folks are having the biggest family reunion of all. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three sisters, Lucille Myers of Hart, Ruth Price of Higgins and Agnes Ertz of Davis, Okla; a brother, Earl Belew of Blackwell, Okla.; and a daughter, Polly. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann Arnall and husband, Dwayne, of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Shelly Gibson of Littleton, Colo., Anna Tousley of Denver, Chris Heesch of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Jacob Heesch of Lubbock; three great-grandchildren, Nick and Amy Gibson and Jordan Heesch; five nieces; one nephew; and a host of lifetime friends. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delores Blackwell Delores Blackwell, 47, of Amarillo died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Celebration Ministries with Anthony Pennington, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Ms. Blackwell was a wonderful daughter, mother and sister. Survivors include a daughter, Christie Dawn Talbert of Amarillo; two sons, Shannon Don Talbert and Johnny Wayne Talbert, both of Amarillo; her mother, Margaret Harris of Amarillo; a sister, Emily Mitchum of Amarillo; and four grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy "Mike" Wheeler Jimmy "Mike" Wheeler, 57, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Pleasant Valley Baptist Church with Dr. Dana Moore and the Rev. Rob Blum officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Wheeler was born April 30, 1947, in Amarillo to James and Odell Wheeler. He graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1965. He served in the Army Reserves from 1966 to 1972 and coached ASA soccer for eight years. After serving as a Bell Helicopter service technician, Mike joined the Amarillo Police Department in 1973. He served as a patrol officer, juvenile investigations officer, motorcycle officer and as police department liaison to the 47th District Attorney. Mr. Wheeler retired from the Amarillo Police Department in May 2003 with 30 years of service. He married Linda Kay Denny in 1996. He was a longtime member of the Tascosa Lions Club and was serving as the 2005 president. He was an avid fisherman and RVer. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church for 40 years, and enjoyed singing with the Solid Gold Singers. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Wheeler. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Robyn Tramontina of Amarillo; three sons, Chris Wheeler, Shane Wheeler and Bret Wheeler, all of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Cindy Clemens of Vega; a stepson, Rob Denny of Hereford, Ariz.; his parents; a sister Cookie Rutherford of Rowlett; a brother, Russell Wheeler of Amarillo; and four grandchildren, Shady, Spencer, Jodi and Shay. The family suggests memorials be to the Lions International Crippled Children's Camp, in care of Tascosa Lions Club, 7900 W. 81st Ave. #60, Amarillo, TX 79119. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louella Kinney Louella Kinney, 95, of Amarillo died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel, 1702 Fifth Ave. in Canyon, with Jeff Messer officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Mrs. Kinney will be lovingly laid to rest beside her childhood sweetheart, Frederick Melvin Kinney, who died before her on July 14, 1979. Mrs. Kinney was born Aug. 7, 1909, in Winfield to George Washington and Laura Garner. She was married to Frederick Melvin Kinney on December 18, 1926, in Ralls. She was one of 10 children. Survivors include a sister, Nina Jordan of Azle; her four children, Sue Ann Henry and Faye Wooldridge of Amarillo, Laura Hooker of Friendswood and Marvin Kinney of Tooele, Utah; eight grandchildren, Leigh Ann Burn, Gene Wooldridge, Paul Compton, Sandra Jenkins, Steve McCune, Mike Kinney, Richard Kinney and Jerry Kinney; and a host of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to be to BSA Hospice. The family will be at 3620 Nebraska St. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Frances E. Brown Bryan BORGER - Frances E. Brown Bryan, 83, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Westlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Lance Keeling, pastor of Abundant Life Fellowship, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Bryan was born April 25, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo. She was a sales clerk for C.R. Anthony's Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Jean Majors of Borger; a sister, Betty Jean Palmer of Yuma, Ariz.; and two granddaughters. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Judy Kay Green BORGER - Judy Kay Green, 61, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Church of Christ with Stan Mitchell, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Green was born May 8, 1943, in Cordell, Okla. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Connie; three sons, John McCarty and Jackie McCarty, both of Borger, and Paul Green of Amarillo; two daughters, Janice McCarty and Terri Green, both of Borger; a brother, Jimmy Harbin of Amarillo; a sister, Pat Kessler of Edmond, Oka.; 11 grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank Hill CHILDRESS - Frank Hill, 80, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Harold Moore, pastor of Tell South Side Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Tell Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Hill was born Jan. 28, 1925, in Childress to William Franklin and Emily Sue Hamner Hill. He was a farmer and a lifetime Childress community resident. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Wilkerson Hill of Childress; four sons, David Franklin Hill and Leonard Hill, both of Childress, Donald Ray Hill of Tulsa, Okla., and Glenn Dale Hill of Baxter Springs, Kan.; a daugther, Patricia Ann Moore of Brownwood; two sisters, Ruby Dell Jones of Childress and Florence Smith of Memphis; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Childress Hospice, P.O. Box 1030, Childress, TX 79201. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Moore DALHART - James Moore, 47, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Rusty Hancock, pastor of Lincoln Street Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Horizon Funeral Home. Mr. Moore was born June 19, 1957, in Dumas to Bonnie J. "Buddy" and Velma E. Hubbard Moore. He was raised in Dalhart and graduated from Dalhart High School in 1975. Survivors include his mother; three sisters, Zerelda Biffle of Dalhart, Jeannie White of Moriarity, N.M., and Juanita Woods of Loveland, Colo.; and four brothers, Rick Moore of Amarillo and Dicky Moore, Ronnie Moore and Jeff Moore, all of Dalhart. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lawrence A. "Larry" Whelchel BORGER - Lawrence A. "Larry" Whelchel, 69, died Friday, February 25, 2005. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Stinnett Cemetery with the Rev. Richard Hollowary and the Rev. Hilda Cavazos officiating. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Whelchel was a lineman for the Hutchinson County Airport. He served in the Army, where he spent a tour in Japan. Survivors include his wife, Elaine; a brother, Lonnie Whelchel of Maui, Hawaii; two sisters, Rhonda Williams of Lefors and Geraldine Goodwin of Stinnett. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Etta E. Smith WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA. - Etta E. Smith, 85, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, in Newton. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church of Morrisville with the Rev. Gary Taylor, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Newton Cemetery by J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel. Born in White Flat, Texas, Mrs. Smith was a resident of Amarillo, Texas, for more than 40 years before moving to Washington Crossing eight years ago. She retired in 1975 as owner and operator of the Style and Beauty Mart in Texas, which she had operated for more than 15 years. She was also a member of The Church at Quail Creek San Jacinto Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, H. Victor Smith, and her parents, Earnest and Alice Spray Elmore. Survivors include two sons, Lowell D. Smith and wife, Linda M., of Washington Crossing and Ronald D. Smith of Austin, Texas; two brothers, James Elmore of Roswell, N.M., and Fred Elmore of Van Horn, Texas; two sisters, Florence Calaway of Austin and Mozelle Cartwright of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Dana Garnier and Jason, Steven and Sean Smith; and two great-grandchildren, Austin and Tyler Garnier. The family suggests memorials be to Chandler Hall Hospice, Buck Road and Barclay Street, Newtown, PA 18940, or The Church at Quail Creek San Jacinto Baptist, 801 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124. Visitation will be between 5 and 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clyde Melson Dickinson NASHVILLE, TENN. - Clyde Melson Dickinson, 92, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Harpeth Hills Funeral Home. Mr. Dickinson was born June 28, 1912, in Valley Mills, Texas. He was mayor, chairman of the county commission and active in local businesses in Tucumcari, N.M. He was a longtime Methodist and Lions Club member and active outdoorsman. Survivors include his wife, Ola Maude; three children, Gene Dickinson, Johnny Dickinson and Dolores Dickinson; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joyce Jo Harlan. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kansas Janet Sue Weeks ELKHART, KAN. - Janet Sue Weeks, 51, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. Services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Patrick Mulholland of Pleasant Valley Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Weeks was born July 5, 1953, in Amarillo to R.W. and Gene Moyers. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, who spent her time caring for her family. She will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched. Mrs. Weeks was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Amanda Kennedy. Survivors include her husband, Mark Weeks; a son, Shane Weeks and wife, Jennifer, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a daughter, Misty Kennedy of Lubbock; a brother, Steve Moyers and wife, Doris, of Lubbock; a sister, Saundra Moyers and partner, Mikki Rogers, of Tijeras, N.M.; two stepbrothers, Jerry Hill and Lonnie Hill and wife, Lynette, all of Lubbock; and four grandchildren, Justin Kennedy and Kayla Kennedy of Amarillo and Jacob Weeks and Benjamin Weeks of Colorado Springs. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. The family will receive friends between 2 and 4 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW MEXICO David Arellano TUCUMCARI, N.M. - David Arellano, 48, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Dunn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Anne's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Arellano was born Dec. 20, 1956, in Tucumcari to Bernabe and Rose Arellano. Survivors include his mother; a brother, Patrick Arellano; two sisters, Rosealee Arellano and Carolee Arellano; and a grandmother, Romona Maestas. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 27, 2005 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------