Potter Co. TX - Obits: September 13, 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, September 13, 2005 Amarillo Luis B. Diaz Luis B. Diaz, 74, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. Prayer services will be at 6 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Hector Gallegos officiating. Mass will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Monsignor Rex Nicholl officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Diaz was born Dec. 22, 1930, in Amarillo to Emilio and Carmen Diaz. He married Dora Rodriguez on Aug. 18, 1955 and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Mr. Diaz retired from the city of Amarillo Street Department in 1993 after 23 years of service. He and his wife were members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Johnny Diaz, Bernardo Diaz, Andrea Hernandez, Eloisa Diaz and Enrique Diaz, who all are awaiting his arrival in heaven. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Luisa Annett of Amarillo; three granddaughters, Victoria Rainwater, Erica Rainwater and Jessica Rainwater, all of Amarillo; a great-grandson, Ezekiel Raymon Alarcon of Amarillo; four brothers, Frank Diaz, Raymond Diaz, Joe Diaz and Greg Diaz, all of Amarillo; and seven sisters, Cruz Aragon, Cecilia Gariza, Carmen Diaz, Ester Lopez and Mary Garzia, all of Amarillo, Antonia Lopez of Brighton, Colo., and Catalina Mendez of Aurora, Colo. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Ray London Paul Ray London, 70, of Amarillo died Friday, Sept. 9th, 2005. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Loran Harper, minister at Comanche Trail Church of Christ, officiating. Private burial services will be earlier in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Ray was born in Hereford to Walter and Stacy London on March 5, 1935. He graduated from Hereford High School in 1953 and served in the U. S. Marines from 1954 through 1957. He married Rita Peterson in Amarillo in 1958. He was a member of Comanche Trail Church of Christ. Ray was a kind and generous father, grandfather and friend who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Survivors include a brother, Baxter of Hereford; four children, Barbara London, Johnny London, Cameron London and wife, Angel, all of Amarillo and Belinda Torres and husband, Tim of Lubbock; three grandchildren, Lindsay London of Amarillo and Katrina Torres and Nick Torres, both of Lubbock; and his beloved pet dog Tooter. The family wishes to sincerely thank all of Ray's friends who provided support and assistance during the past several months, and a special thank you to the wonderful nurses who provided compassionate care. The family suggests memorials be made to Martha's Home, 1204 W. 18th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79102 or The Humane Society, 3501 S. Osage St., Amarillo, TX 79118. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Margery Albertson Margery Albertson, 77, died Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Central Church of Christ Chapel with Dan Bouchelle, senior minister, officiating. Mrs. Albertson was born April 23, 1928, in Fairfax, Iowa, to Frank and Effie Votroubek. She and her husband Theodore C moved to Amarillo the first time in 1953. While living in Amarillo, Mrs. Albertson was the first employee and cashier for Cloth World, which was located at 10th Avenue and Georgia Street. She and her husband worked for Budget Motel Management for 12 years before retiring in 2001. She was a member of Central Church of Christ. Mrs. Albertson was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Allen Albertson and Jimmy Dean Albertson in 2004. Survivors include her husband of 58 years; a daughter, Diana Lynn of Phoenix; two sons Ted W. Albertson and wife, Pam of Amarillo and David E. Albertson and wife, Susan of Phoenix; a sister, Louise Osterby and her husband, Charles of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her mother-in-law, Mary E. Albertson of Amarillo; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephanie Lynn Fitting Stephanie Lynn Fitting, 34, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Mark Zimmerman officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by N. S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Ms. Fitting was born Jan. 1, 1971, in Amarillo and was raised in Amarillo. She worked for the Family Medical Center in Canyon. She was a devoted mother and life partner. She was very involved in the Rocket Sports Association with her children. Survivors include her life partner, Stuart Roberts of Amarillo; a son, Adam Fitting of Amarillo; a daughter, Amanda Fitting of Amarillo; two stepdaughters, Kendra Roberts and Te'Mera Roberts, both of Amarillo; an aunt, Pat Riojas of Midland; two uncles, Jim Hale of Prescott, Ariz. and Jerry Hale of Sparta, Wisc.; and other family, Sam and Juanita Roberts, both of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to the National Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- RUTH HALE: 1925-2005 Ruth Hale Ruth Hale, 80, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Mark Zimmerman officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Hale was born Jan. 5, 1925, in Vernon. Her family moved to Amarillo from Childress in 1929. She married H. H. "Ham" Hale on June 8, 1940, in Claude. She went to work for the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation where she worked until her retirement in August 1990. She was a member of TPEA and a charter member of the Century Club. She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 11, 1990, and a daughter Pamela Jennings on March 22, 2003. Survivors include a daughter, Pat Riojas and husband, Fred of Midland; two sons, Jerry Hale of Sparta, Wisc. and Jim Hale and wife, Sue of Prescott, Ariz.; four sisters, Opal Howerton of San Antonio, Helen Dixon and Peggy Bull, both of Amarillo and Myrtice Chase of Odessa; four brothers, Wesley Barton, O. J. Barton and John Barton, all of Amarillo, and Royce Barton of Venus; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to the Texas Panhandle Chapter, American Ex- Prisoners of War, 5303 Fulton Drive, Amarillo, TX 79109. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul William Parker Paul William Parker, 64, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005 in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 9:30 a.m. today in Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel with the Rev. Cletus Lovelady, Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Parker was born December 19, 1940 in Clarksville, Tenn., to Milton and Ruth Belcher Parker. He moved to Amarillo in 1965 and was employed at Pantex for 41 years. Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Parker in 2003. Survivors include his mother, of Amarillo; three daughters, Tracey Andrews and husband, Carroll, Paula Parker, Cheri Powers and husband, Gary all of Houston; four sons, Jim Turner, Jack Turner and wife, Sandy, Jeff Hill and wife, Melissa all of Amarillo, and Jay Goins and wife, Heidi of Germany; ten granddaughters, Sydnie, Madeleine, Annabel, Claralee, Chloe, Candra, Erica, Nikki, Tammy Jo and Abby; six grandsons, Parker, Allan, Bailey, Travis, Josh and Justus; and a greatgranddaughter, Aliyah. The family also wishes to thank the staff of Baptist Saint Anthony's Hospice for their support, care, and deep compassion. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be to Baptist Saint Anthony's Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth D. Ehlers Kenneth D. Ehlers, 79, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Perry Hunsaker, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. MST on Thursday in Brush Cemetery in Brush, Colo., with the Rev. Harold Anderson, pastor of Brush United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Ehlers was born March 3, 1926, in Brush, Colo., to Kearney and Merle Ehlers. After serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII, he enrolled at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. In 1948, he began working for Phillips Petroleum Company in Borger. Through the years, he worked in Borger, Milwaukee, Chicago, and St. Louis. In 1968, he was transferred to London, England, for two years. By 1970, the E Kofisk Project was under way in the North Sea, and he was sent to Stavenger, Norway, as construction manager. This was the job that he would remember and talk about for years afterward. After seven years in Norway, he returned to Borger as District Project Manager of the Panhandle District, a position he held until retiring. His hobbies included golf, which he especially enjoyed during the years he spent at their home in Angel Fire, N.M. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He married DaOnne Fasick on Feb. 22, 1946, in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Sarah Ehlers. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Maudie Green and her husband, John of Grand Rapids, Mich.; a son, Kenneth Ehlers II and his wife, Margaret of Lake Jackson; three grandsons, Peter Ehlers, Mitchell Green, and William Green. The family suggest memorials be to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4317 W. Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79106. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- MUG 1 COL JACQULYN KAY HALL: 1944-2005 Jacqulyn Kay Hall Jacqulyn Kay Hall, 60, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005. No services are planned. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Jacky was born in Joplin, Mo., and grew up in Stone County, Mo. She obtained degrees from Lincoln University and the University of Missouri-Columbia, including a nursing degree (BSN), master's in education (MEd) and law degree (JD). She was a distinguished lobbyist for the Missouri State Nurses Association, and she significantly influenced landmark nursing legislation in the 1970s in Missouri. She and her husband, Hal, sailed their boat from Florida to Spain in 1984. They then lived 6 years in Europe traveling and studying philosophy and history. From these studies, Jacky authored many books and journal papers on law and ethics, and she gave numerous lectures nationally and internationally on those topics. Her books are used as textbooks at many universities, and she has influenced positively thousands of students by her common sense-ethics approach to understanding the law. As in life, by her writings and through her students, she will continue to help to protect persons who cannot defend themselves, the unborn and the mentally disabled. In recent years Jacky became aware of others also unable to protect themselves - endangered species. Accordingly, she purchased and restored 1,500 acres of farmland to natural habitat for those species and other indigenous wildlife of the Texas-Oklahoma plains for the benefit of all residents. Jacky was on the clinical faculty and taught ethics and law to medical students at Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Also she was a consultant to the Templeton, Smithee, Hayes law firm in Amarillo. She had a brilliant analytical mind, she was beautiful, and she practiced what she taught - "Do unto others ..." She loved all living things and daily brightened others' lives by her smile and lively words. Jacky was preceded in death by her father, Milton Hall. Survivors include her adoring husband, Harold Werner; a son Charlie Gideon and wife, Janine of North Palm Beach, Fla.; a grandson, John Riley Gideon of North Palm Beach; her mother, Betty Hall of Crane, Mo.; siblings Sandra Cavener and husband, Ray, Mit Hall and wife, Helen, and Jean Hall, all of Marionville, Mo. The family suggests memorials be to Burrowing Owl Preservation Fund, P.O. Box 357, Vega, TX 79092 or to Dean Berk for the Jacqulyn Kay Hall Annual Medical Ethics Lectureship, School of Medicine, 1400 Coulter Road, Amarillo, TX 79106. Area Marilyn Covington HART - Marilyn Covington, 71, died Saturday Sept. 10, 2005, in Lubbock. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Hart Church of Christ with Aaron Lee and Matt Baird officiating. Arrangements are by Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Mrs. Covington was born Oct. 28, 1933, in Bonham. She married Kenneth Covington on Dec. 15, 1951. They were married for 53 years. She was a member of Hart Church of Christ. She worked as a bookkeeper for Smith Potato Inc. for 20 years. She was the president and a member of the Hart Golden Group and a member of Wheels-A-GoGo RV group for three years. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Brenda Sweet and husband, George of San Angelo; a brother, Earl Stone Jr. of Hart; a sister, Betty Moore of Amarillo; and three grandchildren, Alan Sweet of Rowlett, and Amanda and Brandon Rice, both of Fort Worth. Amarillo Globe News, Sept. 13, 2005 Juana Trevino QUANAH - Juana Trevino, 78, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005 in Wichita Falls. Mass will be at 2 p.m. today in St Mary's Catholic Church with Art Casias, deacon of Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church of Vernon, officiating. Burial will be in Quanah Memorial Park by Smith Funeral Home. Mrs. Trevino was born Sept. 23, 1926, in Rosebud to Mr. and Mrs. Pomposo Rodriguez. She married David G. Trevino in 1951 in Lubbock. Survivors include four daughters, Ramona Collins of Glen Rose, Carolina Garcia of Bay City, Elvia Trevino and Margie Welch, both of Quanah; a son, Jessie Trevino of Plainview; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dolly Williams VEGA - Dolly Williams, 75, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Geary Martin officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Williams was born March 24, 1930, in Vega and was raised in Vega. She married Owen Williams on July 19, 1947. She loved to travel and to quilt. Mrs. Williams was a loving Mother and Nanie and will be greatly missed by all. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996, her parents, Howard and Pauline Blasingame, and four brothers. Survivors include two sons, Bob Williams of Amarillo and Mitch Williams and wife, Carla of Clifton; two brothers, Jerry Blasingame of Amarillo and Cecil Blasingame of Canyon; two sisters Winona Robinson and Bonnie Newkirk, both of Vega; four grandchildren, Aaron Williams, Kay Williams, Lindsey Williams and Mesha Williams; a great-granddaughter, Zoie Williams; her best friend, Anne Haliburton of Vega; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Memorial Park Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 496, Vega, TX 79092. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nola Jean Bailiff Lynn PANHANDLE - Nola Jean Bailiff Lynn, 77, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Fuller, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. Mrs. Lynn was born March 12, 1928, in Haskell County. She was a longtime resident of Dallas where she was an account manager for Southland Corporation. Survivors include her husband, Robert Lynn; two daughters, Brenda Obert of Panhandle and Linda Packer of Allen; four grandchildren; six brothers; and two sisters. The family suggest memorials be to the Alzheimer's Foundation or St. Ann's Nursing Home in Panhandle. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnny Falcon Rogers PLAINVIEW - Johnny Falcon Rogers, 61, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005 Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Genesis Baptist Church with the Rev. Leonel Gonzalez officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Lemons Funeral Home. Mr. Rogers was born Nov. 24, 1943, in Lamesa to Santos Rogers and Elena Hesbrook Rogers. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife, Bertha; two sons, Jamie Rogers and John Michael Rogers, both of Plainview; two grandchildren, Genesis Marie Rogers and John Michael Rogers Jr.; a brother, Ned Rogers of Lovington, N.M.; three sisters, Gloria Salazar of Brownsville, Josie Zapata of New Braunfels and Dominga Mendieda of Defiant, Ohio. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Melvin "Steve" Melzer ELK CITY, OKLA. - Melvin "Steve" Melzer, 75, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Whinery-Savage Funeral Service Chapel with Gary McClelland officiating. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. Mr. Melzer was born July 26, 1930, in Follett, Texas, to Emma and C.J. Melzer. He married Louisa Mae Brace on Oct. 9, 1949, at Shattuck. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Linda Joy Ditmore of Pampa, Texas, and Brenda Ann Pitser of Elk City; a son Steven Ray Melzer of Elk City; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four sisters, Josphine Schneider and Delphine Kopke, both of Spearman, Texas, Marilyn Rutz of Perryton, Texas, and Carolea Weiss of Amarillo, Texas; and a brother, Edgar Melzer of Waco, Texas. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Stanley Reed Crowe ROCKPORT - Stanley Reed Crowe died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m., Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church in Rockport, with the Rev. Charles Schuler officiating. Burial will be private. Arrangements are by Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes & Crematory. Mr. Crowe was born March 29, 1920 in Chicago to Charles Thomas "C.T." and Madeleine Atwood Crowe. He married Mildred Joan "Millie" White on Nov. 8, 1942, in Kewanee, Ill. Survivors include three sons, Stanley Reed "Skip" Crowe Jr. of Austin, Richard Charles Crowe of Buckholts and Douglas Baird Crowe of Taos, N.M.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christeen Merrell Gilbert FLOMOT - Christeen Merrell Gilbert, 86, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in First Baptist Church in Quitaque with the Rev. Jeff Addison officiating. Burial will be in Flomot Cemetery by Moore- Rose-White Funeral Home of Floydada. Mrs. Gilbert was born July 10, 1919, in Grey Mule to the late Levi Alfred and Rosa Lee Barker Merrell. She married D.M. "Ikie" Gilbert on Feb. 4, 1940, in Floydada. Survivors include a son, Jerry Gilbert of Jacksonville, Ala.; two daughters, Judy of Pottsboro and Kathy Blanton of Graham; a sister Juanita Welch of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Flomot Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 43, Flomot, TX 79234. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corinne Payne Wright LUBBOCK - Corinne Payne Wright died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Christian Church with Dr. Michael Passmore officiating. Arrangements are by Rix Funeral Directors. Corinne Payne Wright, wife, mother, and grandmother, went to rejoice with her Lord and Savior Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. Born in Ralls May 11, 1927, to the late Paul and Cora Payne, Corinne attended schools in Lubbock and graduated from Lubbock High School in 1943. She attended Texas Tech where she was a Tech Beauty and a member of the Las Chaparritas social club. Corinne married J. W. "Bill" Wright in First Christian Church of Lubbock on Sept. 23, 1946. They followed drilling operations all over East Texas as Bill was a young engineer with Humble Oil and Refining Company. In 1960, they returned to Lubbock where Corinne was a member of the Heritage Study Club and the General James South Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She was a lifelong member of First Christian Church where she taught children's Sunday school. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Paula and her husband Charles Key of Lubbock; two sons, Brax and his wife, Beth of Lubbock and Steve and his wife, Lea of Amarillo; seven grandchildren, Charles Ellis Jr., Carolyn Corinne, John Braxton, Jill Nicole, Robyn Lea, Courtney Ann and John Brandon; two brothers, Paul Payne Jr. of Fredericksburg and Steve Payne of Lubbock. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Rix Funeral Directors. The family suggests memorials be to the Corinne Payne Wright Regents Endowed Chair in Alzheimer's Disease at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430, (806)743-2907 or Hospice of Lubbock Inc., 1102 Slide Rd., Lubbock, TX 79416. To send online condolences go to WWW.RIXFD.COM. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy Lois McEachern EDMONSON - Dorothy Lois McEachern, 83, died Monday, Sept. 12, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Plainview Memorial Park with Tim Harper, chaplain of Vista Care Hospice, officiating. Arrangements are by Bartley Funeral Home. Mrs. McEachern was born Jan. 30. 1922, in Crosbyton. She married Eldon McEachern on Oct. 4, 1939, in Pasadena, Calif. Survivors include a son, Terry McEachern of Edmonson; a daughter, Freda Dean of South Lake; a sister, Barbara Gibson of Lubbock; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------