Potter Co. TX - Obits: May 14, 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 Saturday, May 14, 2005 Amarillo William "Bill" James Kester William "Bill" James Kester, 66, of Amarillo died Wednesday, May 11, 2005. Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. Sunday in Plum Creek Fellowship with Randall Ator, pastor, and friend Rick Lopez officiating. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Kester was born and raised in Hereford. He graduated from Hereford High School and served four years with the Army in the NATO forces in Germany. He graduated from West Texas State University in 1971 with a degree in computer science, business and marketing. He joined his father in the family business, Kester's Jewelry in Hereford, and he owned Kustom Motor Cars. He built sports cars and some were used in the movie industry. He also built giant scale remote control airplanes for people across the country. He currently worked for A to D Mortuary Services of Amarillo. Bill never met a stranger and was always the first to lend a helping hand. He loved people and had a servant's heart. He was a member of Plum Creek Fellowship, where he was the Facilities Coordinator and taught children's classes with his wife, Claire. He and Claire were married 10 years. He was a member of the Yellow Rose RV Club, the Amarillo Remote Control Society and Emmaus Community, and he was a Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Katherine Kester, and a nephew Mickey Walls. Survivors include his wife; a son Michael and his daughter-in-law Heather; four grandchildren; two sisters; two brothers-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Plum Creek Fellowship Building Fund, 600 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124. Viewing will from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesus Maria Suarez Jesus Maria Suarez, 24, of Amarillo died Wednesday, May 4, 2005. Rosary was said at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mass was at 2 p.m. Friday, May 6, in St. Laurence Cathedral with the Rev. Jose Gomez officiating. Burial was in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Suarez was born Nov. 22, 1980, at Los Angeles. He moved to Amarillo in 1993 and attended Amarillo schools. Survivors include his wife, Crissy; a son, Andrew Suarez of Amarillo; two daughters, Analyss and Amree, both of Amarillo; his parents, Ubaldo and Eloisa Suarez of Seaguin; a brother, Ubaldo Suarez Jr. of Amarillo; two sisters, Sonia Rojas of McQueeney and Teresa Suarez of Seaguin; his grandparents, Amparo Mayorga and Josefa Raygoza, both of Amarillo; and nieces, nephews and friends. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patsy Marie Hill Patsy Marie Hill, 65, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 12, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Valleyview Church of the Nazarene with Larry Dunlap, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Hill was born in Plainview and raised in Amarillo. She married Ray Hill on Dec. 21, 1956, in Amarillo. Mrs. Hill worked as a Realtor in Amarillo from 1975 to 1979. She lived in Oklahoma City and worked for AT&T and Lucent Technologies from 1983 to 1997. She moved to Prosper in 1997 and back to Amarillo in 2004. She was a Baptist. Mrs. Hill loved her family and loved being Nana to her grandchildren. The family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff in the Coronary Care Unit at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Pete Peters, who raised her, and her father, Jack Hill. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Barry Hill and wife, Teresa, of Amarillo and Allen Hill and wife, DiAnn of Frisco; a sister, Nadine Crafton of Amarillo; a brother, Leon Hill of Amarillo; her mother, Alice Peters, of Amarillo; two half sisters, Tina Maples of Farmington, N.M., and Marsha Wood of Plainview, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Patrick and wife, Hannah, Erin, Danny and Katie; and special friends, Andrea "Tucky" Eason and husband, Don, of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association, 6605 W. Interstate 40, Building A-6, Amarillo, TX 79106. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon Orlena Devin Allen Orlena Devin Allen, 92, of Canyon died Wednesday, May 11, 2005, in Amarillo. Friends and family will celebrate memories of her at 10:30 a.m. today in First United Methodist Church of Dimmitt with the Rev. Donna Johnston, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church of Canyon, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Ms. Allen was born Oct. 10, 1912, in Swisher County. After graduating from Tulia High School in 1931, she attended West Texas State University. In 1940, she married Louis Allen of Dimmitt, where they shared 40 years of life until his death in 1981. They were members of First United Methodist Church. Ms. Allen later lived at Palo Duro Village Cooperative in Canyon and was nurtured in her final months by Hudson House Assisted Living in Canyon. She was preceded in death by her husband; two sisters, Mattie Devin and Catherine Sprawls; and five brothers, Robert Devin, Lloyd Devin, Clayton Devin, Edward Devin and Albert Devin. Survivors include a daughter, Tommie Almond and husband, Robert, of Wilmington, Del.; two granddaughters, Aundrea Almond-Wallace and husband, Rodney, of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Alyssa Almond of Wilmington; a brother, Delbert Devin and wife, Betty, of Tulia; and four sisters-in-law, Mildred Devin of Reno, Nev., Margaret Devin of Canyon and Virginia Devin and Pat Devin, both of Tulia. The family suggests memorials be to Meals on Wheels, 2616 13th Ave., Canyon, TX 79015. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Rita Hedrick ESTELLINE - Rita Hedrick, 70, died Thursday, May 12, 2005. Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Marlin Felts officiating. Burial will be in Hulver Cemetery by Hughs Funeral Home of Memphis. Mrs. Hedrick was born Sept. 18, 1934, in Buffalo Flat to the late Carl Hill and Lena McGlocklin Hill. She grew up in Parnell and graduated from Turkey High School in 1952. She married Frank Hedrick on Sept. 25, 1950, in Clovis, N.M. She worked previously as a nurse at the Memphis Hospital. Mrs. Hedrick had lived in Estelline since moving there from Turkey in 1963. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Estelline. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Amanda Proffitt and husband, Gary, of Amarillo and Shane Collins of Lakewood, Colo.; five grandchildren, Jason and Justin Proffitt and Joe Barton, all of Amarillo, Cody Collins of Lakewood and Dylan Collins of Follett; and two great-grandchildren, Lathan and Sadie, both of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to the Animal Rescue Shelter Inc., 12500 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX 79118. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- August Hesse Jr. DALHART - August Hesse Jr., 87, died Friday, May 13, 2005. Prayer vigil will be at 6 p.m. Sunday in St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the church with the Rev. Robert Busch, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Horizon Funeral Home. Mr. Hesse was born June 28, 1917, in Dalhart to August Sr. and Violotte Hennard Hesse. He married the love of his life, Cheniel Hawkins, on Oct. 7, 1938, and they were married 65 years. Survivors include two sons, August Hesse III and Jason Hesse, both of Canyon; a daughter, Becky Mitchell of Dalhart; seven grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to St. Anthony's Catholic School Trust or to Memorial Hospice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roland McCormick MULESHOE - Roland McCormick, 78, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Muleshoe Church of Christ with Barry Wiseman officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. McCormick was an avid outdoorsman. He owned and operated McCormick Seed Co. Survivors include his wife, Martha; a son, Tim McCormick of Muleshoe; a daughter, Cathy Branscum of Muleshoe; four sisters; two brothers; six grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to New Mexico Christian Childrens Home, 1356 New Mexico Highway 236, Portales, NM 88130-9411. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ardis Evelyn Vallance MEMPHIS - Ardis Evelyn Vallance, 86, died Friday, May 13, 2005, in Clarendon. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Darrell Burton, pastor of Martin Baptist Church in Clarendon, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mrs. Vallance was born Oct. 31, 1918, in Roberts County and had lived in Clarendon and Memphis most of her life. She married Richard "Dick" Vallance on Jan. 12, 1935, at Childress. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church in Memphis. She was preceded in death by her husband on April 16, 1999; her parents, Louis and Carrie Foster Dennis; and a brother, Benny Dennis. Survivors include three daughters, Cherrye Howard of Memphis, Dolfia Hearn of Montgomery and Linda Tomlinson of Denton; a son, Richard Vallance of Amarillo; a brother, W.C. Dennis of Memphis; a sister-in-law, Fleta Hunt of Fort Worth; a nephew, Eddie Dennis of Dallas; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvin Miles WHEELER - Elvin Miles, 73, died Monday, May 9, 2005, in Shamrock. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dennis Williams, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Columbus, Miss., at a later date. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home. Mr. Miles was born Dec. 31, 1931, to Newton Bradford Miles and Alma Elizabeth Miles in New Orleans. He married Ida Nell Henderson on Nov. 8, 1986, at Columbus. Mr. Miles had worked for Community Credit Loan Co. as a loan officer for 30 years before retiring. He and his wife, Ida, have lived in Wheeler since 1997. He was a member of the Baptist church. Survivors include his wife; a brother, Eldridge Miles of San Diego; a daughter, Tammie Mathewson and husband, Byron, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four grandchildren, Elise, Mari, Kristyn and Bobby Mathewson; and children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Mississippi. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maud Roy Sowder MULESHOE - Maud Roy Sowder, 91, died Thursday, May 12, 2005, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with Curtis Shelburne officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Sowder had lived in Canyon since 2000, moving from Muleshoe. Survivors include a son, Thomas Sowder of Pleasantville, Utah; four daughters, Evelyn Peat of Oro Valley, Ariz., Betty Veronikas of Canyon, Mary Long of Leesville, S.C., and Norma Williams of Amarillo; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 600 N. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79107. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Della May Clark CLOVIS, N.M. - Della May Clark, 75, died Thursday, May 12, 2005. Memorial services will be held at a later date with inurnment in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, Calif. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. Clark was born Sept. 15, 1929, to Kenneth A. and Mary Margaret Janckycki Miller in Mishawaka, Ind. She married Leonard Clark on Dec. 22, 1951, in Yuma, Ariz. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Kenneth Baker of Lakewood, Calif., Leonard S. Clark of Manassas, Va., and Frederick S. Clark of Concord, Calif.; a daughter, Mary Ann Scudamore of Martinez, Calif.; a sister, Audrey Joan Warren of Scottsboro, Ala.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Benjamin Thomas "Benny" Hardisty Jr. CLOVIS, N.M. - Benjamin Thomas "Benny" Hardisty Jr., 80, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Sandia Baptist Church with the Rev. Hoyt Welch and the Rev. Jason Swoops officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Hardisty was born Sept. 22, 1924, to Benjamin Thomas Hardisty and Dolly Preuit Hardisty in Lamesa, Texas. He married Nadine Scroggins on Sept. 16, 1955, in Portales. Survivors include his wife; a son, Chuck Hardisty of Clovis; a daughter, Kathy Franson of Clovis; two brothers, Jerry Hardisty of Marble Falls, Texas, and Dan Hardisty of Ruidosa Downs; three sisters, Lucy Harrison of Clovis, Helen Mercer of Albuquerque and Carolyn Hardisty Ruiz of Nogalas, Ariz.; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Gideon Bible Group or to a favorite charity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harlan "Roger" Rehorn CLOVIS, N.M. - Harlan "Roger" Rehorn, 61, died Thursday, April 21, 2005, in Lubbock, Texas. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today in Muffley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dick Ross officiating. Mr. Rehorn was born Aug. 5, 1943, to Harlan and Vera Johnson Rehorn in Kansas City, Kan. He married Sharon Rehorn on May 22, 1986, in Houston. Survivors include his wife and a stepdaughter, Amanda Staehli of Orlando, Fla. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teresina Sanchez CLAYTON, N.M. - Teresina Sanchez, 78, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005, in Leawood, Kan. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with P. Louis Montoya, deacon, officiating. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the church with the Rev. James McGowan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Mrs. Sanchez was born July 6, 1926, at Pasamonte to Robert Sandoval and Lonicia Chavez Sandoval. She married Anselmo Elmer Sanchez on Dec. 11, 1947. He preceded her in death on March 27, 1986. A lifelong resident of Union County, she and Elmer ranched at Barney for many years. Survivors include four sons, David Sanchez of Leawood, Kan., Victor Sanchez of Denver and Ernest Sanchez and Elmer Sanchez Jr. both of Clayton; three sisters, Lue Speed of Tacoma, Wash., Rose Chavez of Gallup and Esther Edkler of San Antonio, Texas; five brothers, Orlando Sandoval of Pueblo, Colo., Ernest Sandoval of Dalhart, Texas, Carmen Sandoval of Trinidad, Colo., Paul Sandoval of Albuquerque and Dennis Sandoval of Las Cruces; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Sign the online guest register at WWW.HASSFUNERALHOME.COM. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Lemie E. Bursell GUYMON, OKLA. - Lemie E. Bursell, 89, died Thursday, May 12, 2005. Graveside funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Elmhurst Cemetery with the Rev. Terry Armstrong, pastor of Church of the Nazarene, Guymon, officiating. Arrangements are by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mrs. Bursell was born March 24, 1916, in Sparta, Tenn., to Orpha O'Connor Poss and Samuel Lewis Poss. She married Homer Bursell on May 24, 1933, in Beaver. Survivors include a daughter, Montie Chapman of Keyes; a son, Homer "Chester" Bursell Jr. of Miami, Texas; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Dunaway Manor, in care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Don Watkins LUBBOCK - Don Watkins, 74, died Thursday, May 12, 2005. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Resthaven Funeral Home's Abbey Chapel with Jeff Huckeby, pastor, officiating. Mr. Watkins was born Oct. 23, 1930, in Granite, Okla. He married Frances Cole on May 17, 1974, in Earth. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Teddy of Snyder and Gary of Buffalo; a brother, Dr. H.D. Watkins of San Angelo; and three grandsons. The family suggests memorials be to the American Lung Association or to the American Cancer Society. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------