Potter Co. TX - Obits: June 28, 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 Tuesday, June 28, 2005 Amarillo Clifford C. Lowrance Clifford C. Lowrance, 81, of Amarillo died Saturday, June 25, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Bell Avenue Church of Christ with John McMath officiating and words from Glen Walton. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Lowrance was born March 28, 1924, in Dickens County to Mary and John Lowrance. He married his wife of 61 years, Johnie June Mitchell, in August 1944. He was the retired owner of C and E Mechanical Co., a plumbing, heating and cooling contractor, and had operated Cliffís Plumbing Co. He had participated in land developing, house building, the oil business and ranching. Mr. Lowrance was a lifetime member of Will Rogers Range Riders, having served in the capacity of several offices on the board. He served as president of both local and state Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors, Associations and on their boards. Cliff was a past member of Canyon Country Club, where he was president of the board. He had served on the Plumbing Appeals and Advisory Board of the city of Amarillo and helped revise the city plumbing code. He was active on the Airport Board of Amarillo and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce before retirement. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Randy and wife, Michele, of Santa Fe, N.M., and Dan and wife, Zoe, of Amarillo; five brothers, Aubrey and wife, Georgia, R.V. ìSunshineî and wife, Lena, of Andrews, Bill and wife, Sharon, of Ridgeway, Colo., Doyle and wife, Marsha, of Houston and John and wife, Evelyn, of Humble; four sisters, Bertha Gunter and Elsie Fitzgerald, both of Amarillo, Louise Horton and husband, Ray, of Midland and Doris Della Monica of Fort Lee, N.J.; two grandchildren, Ben and Kate Lowrance; and a host of dear nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to the Search Program in care of Bell Avenue Church of Christ, 1600 Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79106. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joan Louise Johnson Youssi Joan Louise Johnson Youssi, 71, of Amarillo died Friday, June 24, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Brian J. Hesse, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Youssi was born in Denver, the only child of John Edwin and Dorothea Emma Johnson. She married Rolland Youssi on Aug. 14, 1954. She moved to Amarillo in 1964. She was an accountant and last worked for Village Vet Clinic until her retirement in 2003. She was preceded in death by her husband and a grandson, Jonathan Groppe. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Youssi of Amarillo and Susan Groppe and husband, Kevin, of Richmond; and two grandchildren, Stephen and Rebekah Groppe. The family suggests memorials be to Trinity Lutheran Christian School Scholarship Fund. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melody Lynn Abrahamson Melody Lynn Abrahamson, 48, of Amarillo died Friday, June 24, 2005. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeff Conway, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Ms. Abrahamson was born Aug. 28, 1956, to Ted and Jan Abrahamson. She attended Alice Landergin and Ridgecrest Elementary Schools, Bonham Junior High School, where she earned the Danforth Award, and then graduated in 1974 from Tascosa High School. In 1978, Ms. Abrahamson graduated from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, where she earned a bachelor of arts in business administration degree with emphasis on finance and accounting principles and procedures, and where she was presented with a Scholastic Achievement Award in Business Administration. Ms. Abrahamson was a member of Alpha Chi Sorority in 1977 and was also a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon Honor Society for Economics. She was a charter member of the Amarillo College Ex-Students Association. Since her college graduation, Ms. Abrahamson worked steadily as an accountant for Reid and Gary Strickland Companies, and for several oil and gas industry employers including Santa Fe Energy, West Star Energy and Energas. She later worked as administrative assistant and then as financial administrator for Abrahamson & Associates Engineering, Planning, Surveying, and then later as an accountant for CIB General Contractors. Ms. Abrahamson was a God-fearing Christian and attended Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she was baptized soon after her birth. Her parents nicknamed her ìAngelî which her spirit proved through her valuable but short time here on loan from Heaven. She was devoted to her faith and regularly practiced her steadfast religious commitment in her daily activities. Ms. Abrahamson was an inspiration to all who knew her and an example of courage in the face of all adversity as she lived her life with exceptional enthusiasm helping others. She was gracious and kind in thought, word, and deed and maintained a wonderful sense of humor. She loved her family and her friends of whom she has many, and those who truly knew her also loved her and will remember her. Survivors include a daughter, April Lynn Heard of Wichita Falls; her parents of Amarillo; two brothers, George W. Abrahamson and Steven J. Abrahamson and wife, Michelle, all of Amarillo; a sister, Debbie A. Stark of Watkinsville, Ga.; a cousin, Heather M. Stark of Watskinsville; her former husband and family friend, R. David Heard of Amarillo; and many additional family members and friends across the U.S. The family suggests memorials be to the ALS Society for research for the cure of Lou Gehrigís disease; Boy Scouts of America; or Westminster Presbyterian Church. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Curtis H. ìCountryî Downs Jr. Curtis H. ìCountryî Downs Jr., 81, of Amarillo died Sunday, June 26, 2005. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Chester OíBrien officiating. Masonic graveside services will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Downs was born Jan. 12, 1924, in Dell, Ark., and graduated from Dell High School. Following graduation, Mr. Downs worked at a local grocery and served in the Army. In May 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou. The couple had three sons and lived in Dell until 1951 when Country was hired by Pantex. The family made their home in Pantex Village where the boys were reared, all graduating from Panhandle High School. Many lifelong friendships were forged during the years at Pantex Village, where Country helped establish Pantex Baptist Chapel, serving as a deacon. In 1970, the couple moved to Amarillo, joining First Baptist Church and becoming active in the Khiva Shrine. Country retired from Pantex in 1986 after 35 years of service. One of his greatest joys was aiding children who could benefit from the services of Shriner hospitals. As recently as last week, Klown Kountry made visits to local hospitals, leaving young and old with a balloon animal and a word of encouragement. His Klown calling card read, ìJesus loves you and I love you, too.î He was a York and Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Carson Lodge 1167. He also belonged to the Khiva Shrine, where he was a Klown and Muleskinner. Country was a member of First Baptist Church in Amarillo. He enjoyed the friendship of members of his Sunday school class, especially that of Flo Bramblett, who became a loving friend and like one of the family. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a brother; and two grandsons, Curtis H. Downs IV and Shane Downs. Survivors include three sons, Chris H. ìRedî Downs III and wife, Dondra, of Groom, James ìBubbaî Downs and wife, Denise, and Hershell ìHerkyî Downs and wife, Lynn, of Amarillo; nine grandchildren, Melissa Estrada, Jamie Downs, Denai Vaughn, Collin Downs, Ashley Downs, Dusty Downs, Jeremy Downs, Ben Grady and Mathew Grady; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Khiva Shrine Center, 305 E. Fifth Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101. The family will receive visitors at 6903 Windridge St. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tommye L. Price Ray Tommye L. Price Ray, 79, of Amarillo died Saturday, June 25, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church of Vega with the Rev. Steve Cox, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Vega by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Ray was born June 27, 1925, in Farmersville to Jodie and Mary Jones. She moved to Amarillo in 1950. After leaving Amarillo she lived in Gallup, N.M., for 20 years. She married Willis J. Ray in Stinnett in 1990. Upon retirement she lived in Vega, Borger, then back to Amarillo. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Vince Price; and a sister, Dorothy Melton. Survivors include her husband; three brothers, Jodie Jones Jr. of Arkansas, Chuck Cupples and Perry Cupples of California; three sisters, Josie Davis and Jessie Frye, both of California, and Roberta Alexander of Oklahoma; a special nephew, Donnie Frye of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Martha Kathryn Kennedy PAMPA ó Martha Kathryn Kennedy, 50, died Sunday, June 26, 2005. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Fairview Cemetery with Suzie Wilkinson, deacon of St. Matthewís Episcopal Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Ms. Kennedy was born Nov. 10, 1954, in Pampa to Richard and Jean Kennedy. Her love for her fellow man led her to be a ìcandy striperî while attending Pampa High School. She graduated from Northwest Texas School of Nursing, receiving her degree as a registered nurse. She worked at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo in the NICU until 1992. She was an active supporter of the Arthritis Foundation as well as the Humane Society. She was a member of St. Matthewís Episcopal Church. She enjoyed scrapbooking and painting. Survivors include an aunt, Elizabeth Winchester of Lawrence, Kan.; and her special friends, Emily Burrows, Paula Simpson, Sally Pond, Cheryl Wollard, Cassie Burrows and Tim Burrows. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society, 3501 S. Osage St., Amarillo, TX 79109; or the Arthritis Foundation, 4300 MacArthur St., Suite 245, Dallas, TX 75209-6524. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Carothers TULIA ó Joe Carothers, 86, died Sunday, June 26, 2005. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Davenport, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Kornerstone Funeral Directors. Mr. Carothers married Helen Burton on Aug. 12, 1944, in Childress. Survivors include three daughters, Fayetta Moore of Arlington, and Kay Young and Debbie Brock, both of Tulia; two sons, Joe L. Carothers of Santa Fe and Tommy Carothers of Tulia; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 450, Tulia, TX 79088; or American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry L. Carpenter PAMPA ó Jerry L. Carpenter, 63, died Saturday, June 24, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Fred Palmer, pastor of Carpenterís Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. Mr. Carpenter was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lefors. He was a longtime employee of Frankís Foods. Survivors include his wife, Alice; three sons, Michael Carpenter of Mexia, and Terry Carpenter and Alvin Carpenter, both of Amarillo; two daughters, Melody Carpenter of Waco and Rhonda Carpenter of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Patricia Kindle of Pampa and Betty McCarthy of Odessa; and eight grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Irvin Kimmins BORGER ó James Irvin Kimmins, 92, died Sunday, June 26, 2005. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Michael Arndt, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. in Westlawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. Kimmins was born Oct. 12, 1912, in Ector. He was a retired principal of Phillips High School. Survivors include a son, Mike Kimmins of Houston; a brother, John Kimmins of Amarillo; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to First Christian Church, 200 S. Bryan St., Borger, TX 79007; or Odyssey Health Care, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles ìSonnyî Larsen SANFORD ó Charles ìSonnyî Larsen, 53, died Saturday, June 25, 2005, in Pampa. No services are scheduled. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Larsen was born March 28, 1952, in Rockford, Ill. He married Carolyn Sadie Larsen in 1985 in Carson City, Nev. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kevin Larsen of Des Moines, Iowa, and Ty Anthony Truesdale of Dixon, Ill.; two daughters, Sunny-Lynne Larsen of Columbia, S.C., and Christine Larsen of Des Moines; his mother, Emily J. Larsen of Des Moines; a brother, Michael Larsen of Portland, Ore.; and a grandchild. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Helen Molle DUMAS ó Virginia Helen Molle, 79, died Thursday, June 23, 2005. Services were at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Winifred Walker, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Burial was in Folsom Cemetery in Folsom, N.M. Mrs. Molle had been a resident of Dumas for the past three months, moving from Dalhart. She was born Jan. 20, 1926, in Santa Barbara, Calif. Survivors include her husband, James of Centerville, Iowa; two sons, Maurice Hatzke of Richmond, Calif., and Martin Hatzke of San Jose, Calif.; two daughters, Lillian Hadel of San Jose and Helen Jeppson of Folsom; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Raymond Wesley Parks PAMPA ó Raymond Wesley Parks, 68, died Friday, June 24, 2005, in Amarillo. Services will be at 9 a.m. Thursday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Fred Palmer, pastor of Carpenterís Church, officiating. Mr. Parks came to Pampa in 1984 from Coldwater, Mich. He served in the Army and Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. Survivors include a son, Scott Parks of Oklahoma City; three daughters, Debbie Parks of Pampa, Michelle Cole of Gatesville and Valerie Peterson of Marlin; three brothers, Gary Parks and Lee Underwood, both of Florida, and Keith Eckoff of Alma, Mich.; two sisters, Bonnie Brown of Alma and Sharon Fernandez of California; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Carpenterís Church, 639 S. Barnes St., Pampa, TX 79065. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Walton Ramby BORGER ó Thomas Walton Ramby, 83, died Sunday, June 26, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Grace Fellowship Church with Ricky Griffin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Ramby was an auto body repairman. He was a Hutchinson County Deputy for 29 years. Survivors include his wife, Joan; two sons, Gregg Ramby and wife, Sara, of Borger and David Ramby and wife, Vickie, of Canton, Ga.; and six grandchildren. The family will be at 126 Avalon in Borger. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James D. ìJ.D.î Smith STRATFORD ó James D. ìJ.D.î Smith, 83, died Sunday, June 26, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in St. Josephís Catholic Parish Hall. Burial will be in Stratford Cemetery by Dawson-Welch Funeral Home of Texhoma, Okla. Mr. Smith was born June 9, 1922, in New Mexico to Mr. and Mrs. James Dean Smith. He moved to Stratford from New Mexico in the early 1960s to work as a farmer. He started and worked a tree service in Stratford for many years until early June this year. J.D. married Marta Hernandez on April 20, 1976, in Stratford. He was an Army veteran of 11 years, serving both in World War II and Korea. J.D. received an honorable discharge on Oct. 3, 1957, with the rank of warrant officer junior grade. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mariette; and three children, Susie, J.D. and Victor. Survivors include his wife; a stepson, Paul Camacho of Amarillo; a nephew, Nick Sanchez of Florida; and a brother-in-law, Arturo Hernandez and wife, Cira. Pallbearers will be Ted Allen, Noel Solano, Nick Sanchez, Martin Dettle, James Spurlock and Ramiro Rodriguez. The family suggests memorials be to Stratford Education Foundation, Stratford High School Superintendentís Office, P.O. Box 108, Stratford, TX 79084. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- W.T. Tate Timmons CHILDRESS ó W.T. Tate Timmons, 79, died Sunday, June 26, 2005, in Lubbock. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Childress Church of Christ with Trey Morgan and Dr. Mike Henderson officiating. Burial will be in Cee Vee Cemetery in Cee Vee by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Timmons was born Oct. 10, 1925, in Childress. He married Dorothy Crain on March 27, 1943, in Hollis, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Susie Neskorik of Childress; two grandsons; and four great-grandchildren. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------