Potter Co. TX - Obits: April 10, 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, April 10, 2005 Amarillo J.W. Allen J.W. Allen, 80, of Amarillo died Thursday, April 7, 2005. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Bell Avenue Church of Christ with Glen Walton officiating. Mr. Allen's body will be donated to Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. Mr. Allen was born Dec. 2, 1924, in Mead, Okla. The family moved to Ralls in 1926 where Mr. Allen attended school. He joined the Army in March 1943 and served in the Battle of the Bulge with the 69th Division and later reached the Elbe River with the 29th Division. He married Minnie Lilian Clark in Morden Surrey, England, on Oct. 8, 1945. Following his discharge from the Army, Mr. Allen was employed by the Amarillo Fire Department for 38 years. He later worked as custodian for Bell Avenue Church of Christ for 17 years. Survivors include his wife; three sons, David and wife, Joan, of Berryville, Va., Neil and wife, Kim, of Amarillo and Paul and wife, Sandra, of Mesquite; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Thelma Jo Burchfield Harris of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 600 N. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79107. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- W.M. "Lefty" Langley W.M. "Lefty" Langley, 87, of Amarillo died Thursday, April 7, 2005. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Bob Schroeder officiating. Entombment will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Langley was born in Ladonia to Lester and Lona Langley. He married Jennie Hale on Oct. 5, 1937, in Hugo, Okla. They were married 67 years. He was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Mr. Langley loved the Lord and his family. He retired from Phillips Petroleum after 32 years of service. He was a lifetime member of Masonic Lodge No. 1355 Adobe Walls of Borger. The family wants to say a special thanks for Ken Carpenter of Hospice. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Albert Langley. Survivors include his wife; a son, Carroll Langley and wife, Elaine, of Pampa; three daughters, Judy Darrell and husband, Jim, of Sweeny, Shirley Simpson and husband, Nealby, of Katy and Jean Honaker and husband, Ken, of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Lawrence Langley, Bill Langley and Dan Langley; and two sisters, Lavelle Moore and Libby Johnson. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Rodriquez Mary Rodriquez, 80, of Amarillo died Wednesday April 6, 2005. Rosary will be said at 6 p.m. today in Rector Funeral Home Coulter Chapel, 8310 S. Coulter St. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Tony Neusch officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Rodriquez married Ramiro Rodriquez in Artesia, N.M., in 1950. They then settled in Amarillo in 1986. She attended Jan Warner Adult Day Care in Amarillo. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include two daughters, Aurora Kinkead and husband, Bill, and Oralia Alvarado, all of Amarillo; a son, Manuel M. Rodriquez of Lovington, N.M.; two brothers, Ignacio Martinez of Hobbs, N.M., and Tiofilo "Ted" Martinez of Odessa; a sister, Anita Nieto, of Artesia; six grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. Sign the online guest register at WWW.RECTORFUNERALHOME.COM. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Gerald Gray Paul Gerald Gray, 84, of Amarillo died Friday, April 8, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites by DAV Chapter 26. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Gray was born Aug. 19, 1920, in Amarillo to John and Nancy Gray. He was a lifelong resident of Amarillo, graduating from Amarillo High School in 1940. He married Louise Kuchenbauch on Nov. 28, 1942, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He was in the Army Air Corps and was a veteran of World War II. He was a coach/umpire for football and baseball with Kids Inc. and the YMCA. He worked for Pinkney Packing Co., Ponca Wholesale and Plains Sales. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son; a grandson; and three brothers. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Danny Gray and Jack Gray and wife, Mary, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Patricia Gidden and husband, David, of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rev. Evan Leon Tollett The Rev. Evan Leon Tollett, 76, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 8, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Kenneth Smith, the Rev. Amy Mallack and the Rev. Bill Meyerholtz officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. The Rev. Tollett was born in Wellington on Aug. 16, 1928. He had been a resident of Amarillo for the last 32 years. He was married to Gladys Marie Tollett, who passed away Jan. 5, 2002. He drove a truck for Cutrell Trucking and was a pastor for the last 35 years for Full Gospel Church Association. Survivors include two brothers, Kenneth D. Tollett and Harmon Dale Tollett; two sons, Dennis Leon Tollett of Holbert, Okla., and Robert "Bobby" Lee Tollett of Amarillo; a daughter, Patricia Arnarone Grizzle of Canyon; a stepdaughter, Tommie Tollett of Amarillo; 29 grandchildren; 56 great- grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loy Clark "Corky" Jones Jr. Loy Clark "Corky" Jones Jr., 63, of Amarillo died Friday, April 8, 2005. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Second Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne Griffin, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Jones was born Sept. 11, 1941, in Wichita, Kan. He married Gloria Bledsoe on Jan. 20, 1961, in Sweeny. He was employed as a safety representative with Phillips Pipeline for 38 years. He and his wife had been members of the Whirley Birds and Crazy A's square dance clubs. He was a member of Second Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Angie Viner and husband, James, of Borger; two sons, Tracy Jones and wife, Lisa, and Clark Jones and wife, Christine, all of Borger; a sister, Karon Watkins of Denver; a brother, Gaylen Jones of Clute; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Second Baptist Church, 419 N. Buchanan St., Amarillo, TX 79107 or to Muscular Dystrophy, ALS Division, North Texas Chapter, 3505 Olsen Blvd., Suite 120, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Jassenia Lyzette Altamirano WHEELER - Jassenia Lyzette Altamirano, two-month-old daughter of Juan Manuel Altamirano and Vanessa Michelle Mendoza of Mobeetie, died Thursday, April 7, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Wheeler Cemetery. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Directors. Jassenia Lyzette was born Feb. 5, 2005, in Pampa. Survivors include her parents and a sister, Brianna Ornelas of Mobeetie. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeraldine Fritts PAMPA - Jeraldine Fritts, 75, died Friday, April 8, 2005, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Carter Cemetery in Carter, Okla., with Roger Sellers officiating. Arrangements are by Whinery-Savage Funeral Home of Elk City, Okla. Mrs. Fritts was born Feb. 19, 1930, in Erick, Okla., to Ola M. and Marvin Bockmon. She married Wallace Riley Fritts on Nov. 9, 1947, in Wheeler. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Sandra Wailline Penney of Wylie and Kathy Diane Beck of Pampa; two sons, Jerry Don Fritts of Amarillo and Wallace Vance Fritts of Pampa; two sisters, Noveline Rippetoe of Pampa and Peggy Austain of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ina Mae Blansit CHILDRESS - Ina Mae Blansit, 75, died Friday, April 8, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Dreamland Cemetery in Turkey with the Rev. Roger Simmons officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Blansit was born March 22, 1930, to Orches and Letta Gatlin Beck. She married Buster Blansit of Carey. Survivors include a daughter, Letta Hinton of Childress and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to Central Christian Church House Fund. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Robert Eugene "Bob" Fyffe BORGER - Robert Eugene "Bob" Fyffe, 67, died Thursday, April 7, 2005. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with Bob Thomas, chaplain of Odyssey Health Care, and Bobby Nemoede of Amarillo officiating. Mr. Fyffe was born Feb. 28, 1938, in Newton, Kan. He was a retired pipefitter for Union Carbide. Survivors include his wife, Marlyn; a daughter, Lynn Marie Murphy of Canyon; a sister, Barbara Bales of Ponca City, Okla.; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eschol Benjamin Jackson PAMPA - Eschol Benjamin Jackson, 82, died Thursday, April 7, 2005, in Grand Junction, Colo. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Barry Loving, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Jackson was a veteran of the Army Air Corps, joining in March of 1943 and working as a glider mechanic. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., retiring after more than 40 years of service. Survivors include a son, Eschol Eugene Jackson of Amarillo; a daughter, Mollie Reeves of Grand Junction; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe McDade DUMAS - Joe McDade, 89, died Saturday, April 9, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Wagoner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. McDade gave himself to the family he loved, the land he farmed and the cattle he bred. Wide vistas and the bawl of new calves filled his life. He now stands straight and tall, hat in hand, brow cooled by heavenly winds. He was born Dec. 10, 1915, in Dumas and died April 9, 2005, in Dumas. His concern for family and country and the belief in community involvement led him to serve on the Dumas Cemetery Committee, the Electrical Board, REA Board, Chamber of Commerce, Soil Conservation, Hereford Breeders Association and the building committee for the Methodist Church. He was also a county commissioner of Union County, N.M., a founding member of the Saddle Tramps at Texas Tech University and loved his 10 a.m. coffee drinking at McDonald's. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sue and Noel McDade and a brother, Oliver "Cotton" McDade. Survivors include his wife, Alice F. McDade; five daughters, Sue Cherry and Sidney J. Hamer and husband, Bob, all of Hereford, Mary Ann Fruits of Albuquerque, N.M., Linda Houston and husband, Bill, of Grapeland and Kym Campbell and husband, Joe Pat, of The Woodlands; a son, Jody McDade and wife, Lidia, of Fort Worth; two sisters, Lou Ella Pitman of Amarillo and Jayne Giffin and husband, Tom, of Dumas; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson on the way. The family suggests memorials be to MNRC Activities Center or Everlasting Care Dumas Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard "Dick" Elliott Preston CHILDRESS - Richard "Dick" Elliott Preston, 77, died Friday, April 8, 2005. Services will be at 5 p.m. Monday in Central Christian Church with the Rev. Roger Simmons, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Preston was born March 31, 1928, to Tom R. and Nellie Agnes Jefferies Preston. He married Sylvia Podany in 1959 in Dallas. Survivors include his wife and two sons, John Preston and Cary Preston, both of Childress. The family suggests memorials be to Childress County Historical Museum or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edna Griffin PADUCAH - Edna Griffin, 93, died Friday, April 8, 2005. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Missionary Baptist of Paducah with Keith Prather, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories by Seigler Funeral Home. Mrs. Griffin was a resident of Cottle County for 85 years. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lois Richardson DUMAS - Lois Richardson, 66, died Friday, April 8, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Street Church of Christ with Art Lynch officiating and Willard Simmons, a longtime family friend, assisting. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Richardson was born Dec. 15, 1938, in Dustin, Okla. She had been a resident of Dumas for 46 years. She was a longtime member of First Street Church of Christ. She married Loyd Richardson on Sept. 23, 1958. He preceded her in death on Oct. 25, 2003. She was a homemaker. She was also preceded in death by three brothers. Survivors include three daughters, Anita Edwards and husband, Gary, of Denver, Darla Simmons and husband, Clint, of Dalhart and Randi Sangster and husband, Kevin, of Amarillo; two sons, Dale Richardson and wife, Debbie, and Karl Richardson and wife, Tonya, all of Dumas; a brother, Donald Ray McKay of Elk City, Okla.; four sisters, Ida Belle Trammell, Juanita Harvey and Wanda Ann McKay, all of Dumas, and Wanda Lee Latimer of Plains, Kan.; and 15 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. Second, Dumas, TX 79029 or New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, NM 88130. The family will be at 620 Binkley. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oneta Rudd HEREFORD - Oneta Rudd, 76, died Friday, April 8, 2005. Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Lamar Room of Kings Manor Methodist Retirement Home. Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Darren Skinner officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery by Parkside Chapel Funeral Home. Mrs. Rudd was born Jan. 19, 1929, in Fisher County, the daughter of Bud and Grace Sims. She married Kenneth Rudd on Aug. 19, 1948, in Goldsmith. He preceded her in death on April 3, 1995. Mrs. Rudd retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 30 years as a rural mail carrier and was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son; and a brother. Survivors include two sons, James Rudd of Hereford and Paul Rudd of Austin; three daughters, Jennifer Divine of Dallas, Jean Hood of Lubbock and Teresa Quillin of Dalhart; a brother, Neil Sims of Hobbs, N.M.; a sister-in-law and best friend, Alice Rudd of Hereford; a brother-in-law, Homer Rudd and wife, June, of Hereford; 16 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Kings Manor Methodist Retirement Home, 400 Ranger St., Hereford, TX 79045. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Lewis Robert "L.R." Mitts REEDS, MO. - Lewis Robert "L.R." Mitts, 91, died Friday, April 8, 2005, in Carthage. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Avilla United Methodist Church in Avilla. Burial will be in Avilla Cemetery by Weng Funeral Chapel of Jasper. Mr. Mitts was born Aug. 31, 1913, to George and Lucy Isenbark Mitts in Spearman, Texas. He married Effie Goodman on June 22, 1940, in Spearman. Survivors include three sons, Dr. Robert L. Mitts, DVM, of Holt, G.E. "Pete" Mitts of Savannah and Douglas Roy Mitts of Reeds; a sister, Grace Kirk of Spearman; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Avilla Cemetery Association or Avilla United Methodist Church. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eva Palacio Cruz SAN ANTONIO - Eva Palacio Cruz, 81, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, April 8, 2005. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Colonial Funeral Home in Universal City. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Mrs. Cruz was born Nov. 2, 1923, in Big Springs to Jose and Maria Palacio. She was married to Antonio Cruz for more than 57 years and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Gloria Chavez Willis. Survivors include her husband; six daughters, Ofelia Garcia, Evelyn Tamez and Thelma Dopheid, all of San Antonio, Gilda Moore of Mountain City, Lelia Green of Phoenix and Pauline Bargas of Los Angeles; three sons, Tony Cruz Jr. of Amarillo, Alfred Cruz of Littleton, Colo., and Charles Cruz of Reno, Nev.; three sisters, Lita Gonzales and Belen Flores, both of Amarillo and Yolanda Garcia, of Long Beach, Calif.; three brothers, Leon Palacio of Redondo Beach, Calif., Andrew Palacio of Amarillo and Ruben Palacio of Compton, Calif.; 24 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul S. McDonald MIDLAND - Paul S. McDonald, 48, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, April 8, 2005, in Midland. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Highland Park Cemetery in Borger with Bill Ratchford, pastor at Church of God in Borger, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd., in Amarillo. Mr. McDonald was born Sept. 17, 1956, in Borger to Lloyd and Helen McDonald. He had worked as a grocer. He loved music and sports. He was a member of St. Andrew's Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Odessa. He married Judy Oldham on April 15, 1990, in Springfield, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother. Survivors include his wife; a son, Paul S. McDonald Jr. of Dover, Ark.; a daughter, Aubrey McDonald of Dover; three stepsons, David Kinkaide of Dover, Cheyenne Heymer and wife, Wendy, of Bolivar, Mo., and Michel Heymer of Canyon; a stepdaughter, Denise Watts of Richland, N.C.; two sisters, Wilma Parker of Houston and Lorraine McDonald of Amarillo; a sister-in-law, Joan Bishop of Odessa; five grandchildren; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to the Huntington's Disease Society of America, 158 W. 29th St., Seventh floor, New York, NY 10001-5300. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home in Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2005 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------