Potter Co. TX - Obits: October 25, 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, October 25, 2005 Amarillo Glenn J. Hedrick Glenn J. Hedrick, 81, died Monday, Oct. 24, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Lifeway Fellowship Baptist Church with Dr. Randy Davis and the Rev. Ray Milhoan officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Hedrick was born on Sept. 22, 1924, in Nashville, Ark., to John W. and Lois Hedrick. He graduated from Clarendon High School and attended Amarillo College. He married Bobbie Marie Smith on Jan. 25, 1947, in Amarillo. Mr. Hedrick was in the U.S. Navy. He drove for Greyhound for 21 years and was the director of Texas Automobile Dealers Association. He was an automobile and truck dealer for more than 50 years. He was former owner of Truck City USA. Mr. Hedrick was a director for Faith City Mission for many years. He was a member of Lifeway Fellowship Baptist Church, previously known as Olsen Park Baptist, where he served as a deacon. He was preceded in death by a son, Glenn Wayne Hedrick, and his parents. Survivors include his wife; a son, R.D. Hedrick of Laughlin, Nev.; a sister, Rita Hedrick Baker of Amarillo; a brother, W. Wayne Hedrick of Amarillo; many nieces and nephews; three grandchildren, Clayton Dean Beagle, Bailey P. Hedrick and Tanner Dale Hedrick; and three great-grandchildren, Colton Beagle, Ashlynn Beagle and Briley Hedrick. The family suggests memorials be to Lifeway Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund, 3315 Hancock St., Amarillo, TX 79106. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Regenia Kniah Geary BORGER - Regenia Kniah Geary, 83, died Monday, Oct. 24, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Brown Funeral Directors Chapel of the Fountains with the Rev. Andy Dietz and the Rev. Robert Hensley officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in City of Lubbock Cemetery in Lubbock. Mrs. Geary was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Nevada, Texas, and was a resident of Borger for 64 years. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church in Borger. Survivors include a son, Wayne Geary of Borger; a daughter, Vonna Humphries Spann of Borger; a grandchild; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Living Water Ministries, 335 N. Main, Borger, TX 79007. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Murrel Dean Jones BORGER - Murrel Dean Jones, 82, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Steven Misch, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in The Garden of Serenity in Westlawn Memorial Park. Mrs. Jones was a retired secretary for Diamond Well Service. She was a member of Desk & Derrick Club for 40 years and Toast Mistresses. Survivors include two sons, Danny Sessums of Houston and Ronald Sessums of Irving; two daughters, Karen Thompson and Jana Knoll, both of Borger; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Ware Living Center, Alzheimer's Unit, 400 W. 14th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gladys Knight DUMAS - Gladys Knight, 102, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Guest, pastor of Hunt Memorial Methodist Church in Dumas, officiating, and the Rev. Beth Harrington, pastor of First United Methodist Church, assisting. Eastern Star rites will be by Eastern Star Chapter 653 of Dumas. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Knight was born Jan. 31, 1903, in McLennan County. She was a Moore County resident since Jan. 20, 1904. She was preceded in death by her first husband of 57 years, Roy R. Carroll, in 1983. She married W. R. "Dub" Knight Jr. on Sept. 23, 1988, in Dumas. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Dumas, where she served in many capacities. She attended Clarendon College, West Texas State Teachers College, University of Colorado, East Texas State Teachers College and Famous Artists School. She studied privately with many renowned artists and art educators throughout the United States. In 1924 she was initiated into the Dumas Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star where she served four terms as Worthy Matron. She also served in the same capacity in the New Braunfels Chapter. She was a longtime member of DAR, charter member of the 1932 Study Club and Moore County Historical and Genealogical Society. In 1962 she was listed in "Texas Women of Distinction." She taught school in Dumas from 1921-1932. In 1992 she served as queen of the Moore County Centennial. In 1970 she was awarded a lifetime membership to the Texas Watercolor Society. During the 1979 Dogie Days Celebration she was honored as "Old-Timer" of the year. She also served as art teacher for Girl Scouts. In her lifetime she received many honors and awards including Outstanding Clubwoman of 1961 by Federated Study Clubs of Dumas and winner of Vogue Pattern contest in 1962 and 1976. During her entire lifetime she was engaged in Moore County farming. Survivors include her husband, W. R. "Dub" Knight Jr.; children, Tom Hokanson and wife, Shirley, and Bill Knight and wife, Crystal, all of Dumas, and Tamra Stevens of Marble Falls; a sister, Aliece Mattson of Atlanta; nephews, Burt Jones of Atlanta and Richard Makeig of Ennis; eight grandchildren, Roy, Raymond, Ross, Shelsea, Wesley, Wayne, Parker and Courtney; and eight great- grandchildren. The family will be at 120 Chelsea in Dumas. The family suggests memorials be to The Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas, P.O. Box 10135, 602 Ave. Q, Lubbock, TX 79408. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jewel D. Heard PAMPA - Jewel D. Heard, 55, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Lewis Ellis, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls. Mrs. Heard was born Jan. 1, 1950, in Archer City. She married Louis Heard on Oct. 21, 1989, in Lefors. Survivors include her father, J. B. Duckworth of Lefors; three sisters, Mildred McDonald of Avinger, Doris Lundy of Wichita Falls and Nancy Jo Lowther of Pampa. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Foster Parker WAYSIDE - James Foster Parker, 68, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, in Randall County. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church of Canyon with the Rev. Dr. John Githiga, pastor of Lyprien International Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mr. Parker was born July 22, 1937, in Tulia. He was a farmer, rancher and a pioneer in the feedlot industry in the Panhandle of Texas. He came from a long heritage of ranchers and farmers in Randall and Armstrong counties originating back to the early 1900s. One of the many awards he received in his career was for innovations in soil conservation. He was also chosen as Farmer of the Year by the Farm and Ranch Bureau. Foster was a firm believer in giving back to his community. He served as a director of First National Bank in Canyon for many years. He was an avid supporter of the Randall and Swisher County Stock Shows. His philanthropy included Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, as well as many anonymous gifts to local organizations, charities and individuals. He considered serving as a county commissioner for Armstrong County one of his greatest honors and privileges in the last few years. He was very proud of being a part of the commission when they received the FEMA grant which provided the money to improve miles of roads and improvements to our courthouse, including trees, sprinkler systems, roofs and curbing. He was very active in the Episcopal Church serving as treasurer for St. George's Episcopal Church in Canyon for many years. Foster was also a Master Mason. Foster cherished his many friends and especially his children and grandchildren to whom he was known as "Granddaddy." A trip to Granddaddy's house was always a highlight. He taught all of them to ride horseback and most of them to drive, whether they were old enough to be behind the wheel or not! He also enjoyed taking his older grandchildren river rafting in New Mexico. Foster will be missed immeasurably by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include three daughters, Cathy Coleman and husband, Bill, of Prosper, Brenda Barker and husband, Ken, of Brentwood, Tenn., and Debi Ladd of McKinney; two brothers, Red Parker of Dalhart and Jerry Parker of Dawn; 13 grandchildren, Michael and Christi Coleman, Faith, Grace, Joy, Samuel, Andrew, Melody and Daniel Barker and Alexander, Annabel, Anthony, and Alaina Ladd. The family suggests memorials be to Children's Hope International (a children's humanitarian agency sponsoring surgeries for orphans overseas and other projects), 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 350, Brentwood, TN 37027. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph F. Rutar HEREFORD - Joseph F. Rutar, 95, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Andrews Old Cemetery in Andrews by McNett Funeral Home of Andrews. Mr. Rutar was born Nov. 21, 1909, in Lucerne, Switzerland, to Joseph Rutar and Alosia Mikich Rutar. He was married to Juanita Harrison Rutar. Survivors include a son, Roger Rutar of Amarillo; and his wife, Juanita Harrison of Odessa. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Angelita Porras DIMMITT - Angelita Porras, 76, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, in Amarillo. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Lupe Mayorga officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Garden Cemetery. Mrs. Porras was born Oct. 2, 1926, in Ojos Calientes, Mexico. Survivors include four daughters, Felicitas Porras of Mexico, Margarita Porras of Oklahoma, Gabriela Porras and Adelaida Porras, both of Dimmitt; five sons, Ernest Porras, Faustino Porras and Victor Porras, all of Dimmitt, Eugene Porras of Hereford and Rogelio Porras of Amarillo; three sisters; two brothers; 32 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a few great- great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rufino B. Rodriguez PAMPA - Rufino B. Rodriguez, 77, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Francisco Perez, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Rodriguez was a resident of Pampa since 2004, moving from Dallas. He was a member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Survivors include two daughters, Juanita Trevino of Austin and Lucy Stewart of Pampa; a sister, Juana Rodriguez of Brownsville; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, 810 W. 23rd, Pampa, TX 79065. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Edd Snapp PORTER, N.M. - Edd Snapp, 81, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, in Amarillo, Texas. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. today in San Jon First Baptist Church in San Jon with Darrell Sullivan, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mr. Snapp was born Oct. 24, 1925, on the family homestead near Porter. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and eventually was stationed at Poddington Air Base in England. He was a tail gunner on the B-17 bomber, completing 33 missions over Germany during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Frances; a son, Arvo Snapp of San Jon; two grandsons, James Snapp and John Snapp; a great-grandson, Arvo Snapp; and a great-granddaughter, Helena Snapp. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------