Potter Co. TX - Obits: July 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 Thursday, July 14, 2005 Amarillo Gerald Priest Gerald Priest, 71, of Amarillo died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Cox Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive, with the Rev. Messer officiating. Burial will be in Llano East Cemetery. Mr. Priest was born Sept. 8, 1933, in Lakeland, Fla., to Clyde and Lawton Priest. He retired from the Army after 22 years of service. He served in Korea and Vietnam. He received a bronze star. He married Carol Ballengee on May 5, 1961, in Amarillo. He retired from Pantex after 22 years. He loved to go to his cabin in New Mexico that he built himself. He was so proud of that cabin. He also loved to barbecue for friends and family and was a wonderful cook. He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the excellent care provided by the staff of the Amarillo Veterans' Hospital. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; and a sister, Syble. Survivors include wife; two daughters, Debbie Smith and Diana Lewis and husband, Jimmy; two grandsons, Brandon and Nathan Lewis; his two sweet dogs, Katie and Buddy; his nephews, Philip Walker and wife, Joanne, Keith Walker and Robin Parr and wife, Barb; several great-nephews; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gloria and Harley Reynolds and Jim and Debbie Ballengee; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Virgil and Winnie Ballengee. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Association, 1400 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack W. Hunter Jack W. Hunter, 77, of Amarillo died Saturday, July 9, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Tascosa Road Fellowship with Jay Roberson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Hunter was born June 26, 1928, in Amarillo. He coached YMCA and American Legion baseball for 12 years and Kids, Inc. basketball for two years. He was a longtime Atlanta Braves fan. He was a member of Tascosa Road Fellowship. He married Ernestine Gilbert on Dec. 24, 1949, in Amarillo. Mr. Hunter retired from the Santa Fe Railway on July 2, 1990, after 42 years of service. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Ron Hunter and wife, Kathy, Clay Hunter and Walter Hunter, all of Amarillo, and Roger Hunter and wife, Debbie, of Santa Fe, N.M.; a brother, Richard Gene Hunter; seven grandchildren including Sherri and Cherri Hunter of Amarillo; and eight great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. John E. Higgins Dr. John E. Higgins, 83, of Amarillo died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Lynn Garrett officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Dr. Higgins was born and raised in Coweta, Okla., and was a graduate of Coweta High School. He also graduated from Northeastern Oklahoma University at Tahlequah with his biology degree and received his doctorate of optometry degree from the University of Chicago. He was a veteran of the Army, where he served in the chemical artillery division. He married the love of his life, Bea Sampson, in 1966 in Tulsa. She passed away in 2003. He practiced optometry in Tulsa for more than 50 years before moving to Amarillo in 1990. He was a member of First Baptist Church and sang in the Heritage Choir. He was a member of Downtown Lions Club. Dr. Higgins was a Mason as well as a member of the Khiva Shrine Center. He was an avid bridge player at the Amarillo Senior Citizens Center. Dr. Higgins loved to hunt pheasant and fish. Survivors include a daughter, Debi Swafford of Amarillo; a granddaughter, Whitney Swafford of Amarillo; a brother, Harlan "Jack" Higgins of Coweta; a nephew, Brent Higgins of Coweta; and a niece, Dena Higgins Conrad of Arlington, Va.; and many cousins and friends in the Tulsa area. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo Senior Citizens Bridge Club, 1220 S. Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101. The family will be at 7601 Durrett following the service to greet friends. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clifton "Cliff" Leon Ecker Clifton "Cliff" Leon Ecker, 62, of Amarillo died Sunday, July 10, 2005. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Friday in Eastridge Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Ecker was born June 23, 1942, in Potter County. He had been a truck driver. Survivors include a brother, Mike Ecker of Amarillo; and three sisters, Janette V. White of Amarillo, Shirley M. Baker of Canadian and Phyliss E. Weaver of Gordonville. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aleta "Leta" Bartz Dowell Aleta "Leta" Bartz Dowell, 69, of Amarillo died Wednesday, July 13, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St. Private burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Brookside Cemetery in Sweetwater, Okla. Mrs. Dowell was born in Sayre, Okla., on Nov. 26, 1935. She was raised in the Sweetwater community. When she graduated high school she resided in the Sweetwater-Sayre community until moving to Amarillo in 1964. She was a bookkeeper/secretary. She was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Lowrance; two granddaughters, Julie and Alyssa Lowrance; and her parents, Lester and Edith Bartz. Survivors include a brother, Coy Bartz and wife, Linda, of Amarillo; a nephew, Shawn Bartz of Canyon; and a niece, Leslie Burnes of Amarillo. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Walter Morris Jr. Dave Walter Morris Jr., 72, of Amarillo died Monday, July 11, 2005. Private family services will be held. Mr. Morris was born in Floydada and had been a truck driver. He married Wilma Mathes. Survivors include his wife; two sons, David Morris and Vernon Morris; two daughters, Sue McLaughlin and husband, Mayo, and Mary Ashmead and husband, Chris; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three grandchildren by marriage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon ReNe Lassauge Sand ReNe Lassauge Sand, 88, of Canyon died Monday, July 11, 2005. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Ann's Catholic Church with the Rev. Phu Phan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Holley Funeral Home. Mrs. Sand was born in Thaon-les-Vosges, France. She completed primary and business school in France. She worked during the four years of German occupation of France in World War II as a secretary for the French Agriculture Department in Chaumont from 1943 to 1949. She immigrated to the United States to be with a sister in Milwaukee. She married Vernon Sand in 1954 in Milwaukee while he attended engineering school. They moved from Austin and retired to Canyon in 1995. Survivors include a brother, Remi Lassauge of Bayeux, France; two sisters, Jeannie Prado of Oconto, Wis., and Liliane Carpentier of Reims, France; and a special friend, Diana Esch of Canyon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louella Knox Louella Knox, 75, of Canyon died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Trinity Methodist Church in Amarillo with the Rev. Scott Richards, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mrs. Knox was born Aug. 11, 1929, to Paul and Gladys Pitt in Claude. She graduated WT High in Canyon and then from Draughns Business College in Lubbock. She married Cloys Knox in 1947 in Canyon and they have been sweethearts for 58 years. She was a devoted employee of Amarillo National Bank for 35 years. She was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Amarillo. She was preceded in death by two brothers, LeRoy Pitt and Merle Pitt. Survivors include her husband; a brother, Cecil Pitt and wife, Peggy, of Palestine; and three sisters, Lola Stevens and husband, Roy Joe, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., Jean Wells and husband, Wilbur, of Tempe, Ariz., and Wilda Greenfield and husband, H.J., of Plano. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176; or Trinity Methodist Church, 3402 S. Jackson St., Amarillo, TX 79109. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Esther Fay Ferguson MIAMI - Esther Fay Ferguson, 91, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Miami Church of Christ with George Lundberg, minister, and Max Seymour, grandson, officiating. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. Ferguson was born April 21, 1914, in Ellis County, Okla. She married C.W. "Ferg" Ferguson on May 3, 1936, in Miami. He preceded her in death on Feb. 7, 1996. She and her husband farmed near Riverton, Wyo., for 12 years before returning to Miami in 1962. They owned and operated Ferg's Caf until their retirement in 1990. She and her husband built the Ferg & Esther Ferguson addition and the dugout at the Roberts County Museum. She was a member of Miami Church of Christ. She was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Becki Ferguson in 1990. Survivors include a daughter, Lynda Shelton and husband, Bob, of Amarillo; a son, Max Ferguson and wife, Carol, of Riverton; three grandchildren, Max Seymour and wife, Krystal, and Melvin Seymour and wife, Robbie, all of Amarillo, and Judi Shinkle and husband, Scott, of Rock Springs, Wyo.; five great-grandchildren, Katelyn Seymour, Cameron Seymour and Allison Seymour, all of Amarillo, and Devin Shinkle and Amanda Shinkle, both of Rock Springs. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels in care of BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Sign the on-line guest book at WWW.CARMICHAEL-WHATLEY.COM. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iona May Russell BORGER - Iona May Russell, 81, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel in Pampa with the Rev. Don Boren, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Borger, officiating. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery. Mrs. Russell was born Aug. 29, 1923, in Waynoka, Okla. She graduated from Miami High School in 1941. She married Ben Franklin Russell on Jan. 17, 1942, in Yuma, Ariz. She moved to Amarillo in the 1940s, and then to Borger in 1970. She worked many years in the Amarillo and Borger Independent School Districts, and worked for the Texas Department of Child Protective Services until her retirement. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Borger. Her father worked for Santa Fe Railway as a section foreman, and consequently her family moved often, and she grew up along the railroad tracks. She entertained her family with lively tunes on the piano. She was a dedicated wife and mother. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to BSA Hospice. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Ruth Cell. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Paul Russell and wife, Odessa, and David Russell and wife, Matilda, all of Amarillo, and Don Russell and wife, Kay, of Borger; a daughter, Benona Love and husband, Richard, of Amarillo; a sister, Etta Bell Burt and husband, Jack, of Hemet, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176; or First United Methodist Church, 200 N. McGee, Borger, TX 79007. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Sign our online guest book at WWW.CARMICHAEL-WHATLEY.COM. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lenora "Nora" Bain DUMAS - Lenora "Nora" Bain, 78, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Winfred Walker officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery. Mrs. Bain was born Aug. 30, 1926, in Braggs, Okla. She was a Dumas resident since 1953. Survivors include her husband, Carl; three daughters, Karen Young and Linda Kruger, both of Dumas, and Val Wall of West Richland, Wash.; three sons, David Bain and Frank Bain, both of Dumas, and Steve Bain of Salem, Ore.; two sisters, Wanda Erb and Dorothy Whitehead, both of Oklahoma City; a brother, Sonny Sprinkles of San Francisco; 18 grandchildren; and 19 great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. Second Ave., Dumas, TX 79029. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joclynn Marie Vera Locke PLAINVIEW - Joclynn Marie Vera Locke, infant daughter of Troy and Mona Vera Locke, died Monday, July 11, 2005. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Plainview Memorial Park Baby Land Cemetery with the Rev. Arsenio Redulla of Sacred Heart Catholic Church officiating. Arrangements are by Bartley Funeral Home. Survivors include her parents; a brother, Joshua Vera of Plainview; and her grandparents, Arthur and Susie Vera of Plainview, Richard Locke of Miami and Marcele Rasser of Leander. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- R.B. "Bill" Scott CHILDRESS - R.B. "Bill" Scott, 89, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Graveside services will be at 9:30 a.m. today in Childress Cemetery with the Rev. Kerry Wood, music minister of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Scott served in the Army during World War II in the 3rd Medical Batallion of the famed 36th Texas Division as a staff sergeant in charge of 27 ambulances, drivers and orderlies. He received an EAME Campaign Medal with five bronze stars and an arrowhead Bronze Star along with other service medals. Survivors include a brother, Johnny B. Scott of Childress; a sister, Dollie Longbine of Childress; three stepchildren, Jeanelle Sims of Little Elm, Joyce Sherrod of Dallas and Jim Lowe of Talent, Ore.; nine grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cowboy Welch CANADIAN - Cowboy Welch, 52, died Sunday, July 10, 2005. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery with Matt Cook officiating. Arrangements are by Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian. Mr. Welch was born Aug. 26, 1952, in Matador to Mrs. Cozette Copeland Welch and the late Mr. Hoyt Welch. He was a graduate of Canadian High School in 1970 and also attended West Texas State University. He was a lifelong resident of Canadian. He was a member of the National Guard in Pampa. He was a truck driver and a rancher. He was preceded in death by a son, Tanner Welch in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, Talia Rawlings of Franklin, N.J.; his mother of Canadian; and two brothers, Bullet Welch of Amarillo and Rowdy Welch of Canyon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joan Michelle Speed CHILDRESS - Joan Michelle Speed, 41, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Jim Cooper, first counselor of the Childress branch, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Speed was born March 10, 1964, in Dumas. Survivors include her parents, George and Evelyn Cope Speed of Childress; a sister, Gail Cameron of Lehi, Utah; and two brothers, Michael Speed of San Clemente, Calif., and Paul Speed of Dallas. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patricia Whitesides BORGER - Patricia Whitesides, 74, died Wednesday, July 13, 2005. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Highland Park Cemetery with the Rev. Don Shepherd, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors. Mrs. Whitesides was born April 21, 1931, in Cheyenne, Wyo. She married John Whitesides on Dec. 7, 1952, in Cheyenne. Survivors include her husband; and a sister, Shirley Robinson of Harrison, Neb. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles “Butch” Wilkinson BORGER - Charles “Butch” Wilkinson, 63, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Elvis Peck of Stinnett officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Mr. Wilkinson was born Aug. 17, 1941, in Tijertown and has been a Borger resident since 1945. Survivors include a brother, Doc Wilkinson of Fritch; and several nephews. The family will be at 500 Caliche in Borger. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Melinda Sue “Susie” Thornton KENTON, Okla. - Melinda Sue “Susie” Thornton, 54, died Wednesday, July 13, 2005. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. (MDT) Friday in Kenton Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor of First Baptist Church in Clayton, N.M., officiating. Arrangements are by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, N.M. Mrs. Thornton was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on Aug. 25, 1950. She married Ronald Thornton on April 4, 1969. Survivors include her husband of Roanoke, Texas; two daughters, Amanda Joy Walker of Watauga, Texas, and Jennifer Evon Thornton of Roanoke; two grandchildren; and a brother, Harold Wayne Mclain of Abilene, Texas. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Alice Barnes Moxey MIDLAND - Alice Barnes Moxey, 76, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in First Presbyterian Church of Midland with the Rev. Steve Schorr officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home. Mrs. Moxey, the daughter of J.Q. and Marguerite Barnes, was born Aug. 18, 1928, in Amarillo. She was a graduate of Amarillo High School and attended Amarillo College. She married Walter G. Moxey in 1950 and moved with him to Midland after their marriage. Alice was an accomplished pianist and had a lifelong interest in music and in the theater. She was a member of and performer with numerous Midland area music and theater groups and a volunteer in community charities. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include a sister, Carlie Simpson of Amarillo; four nephews, John McKnight and wife, Sue Carol, of Cincinnati, Hugh McKnight of Amarillo, Phillip Umphres and wife, Nancy, of Dallas and Joe Umphres of Venice, Calif.; a stepson, Lance Moxey and wife, Susan, of Sheridan, Wyo.; and numerous great- nieces and great-nephews. The family suggests memorials be to HospiceMidland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702; First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Music Program, 800 W. Texas, Midland, TX 79701; West Texas Jazz Society, P.O. Box 10832, Midland, TX 79702; or Midland Need to Read, 1709 W. Wall, Midland, TX 79701. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service at the church. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sarah Elizabeth Slack Thompson THE WOODLANDS - Sarah Elizabeth Slack Thompson, 80, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in The Woodlands United Methodist Church. A reception and visitation celebrating her life will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church in Canyon. Arrangements are by Addison Smith Funeral Home. Mrs. Thompson was born Dec. 24, 1924, on the family farm south of Canyon. Sarah and her husband, Clarence, were high school sweethearts and married Jan. 20, 1946. They raised their family in Canyon and lived there until moving to the Houston area in 1990. Sarah was a loving devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Survivors include her husband; a son, Harold; a daughter, Gail Tyler and husband, Tom; and two grandchildren, Alec and Alyssa Tyler; three sisters, Mae Coffee, Ila Jennings and Jean Lockhart; a brother, Tom Slack; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to The Woodlands United Methodist Church Foundation Inc., 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------