Potter Co. TX - Obits: November 17, 2005 ============================================================== Thanks to Amarillo Globe News: 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, November 17, 2005 Amarillo Austin Brown Austin Brown, 43, of Amarillo died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Dr. G.A. Roach officiating. Mr. Brown was born Sept. 26, 1962 in Ogden, Utah. He worked for a moving company. Austin was a man who was loved and adored by those who knew him. He was full of life, love and energy unparalleled. Austin, always the joker, had a remarkable ability to make anyone smile. He added brightness to any room. He was a treasure hunter always searching for the ultimate treasure. He was a best friend. He will always be loved and never forgotten, for he is quite unforgettable. Austin, we hope you have now found your ultimate treasure. Rest in Peace. He is survived by his companion, Patricia Pendleton of Amarillo. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Edward Henderson Sr. Billy Edward Henderson Sr., 69, of Amarillo died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005. Military honors will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Cemetery by the U. S. Navy Reserve Center in Amarillo. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Henderson, an 18-year resident of Amarillo, was a 20-year veteran of the U. S. Navy serving in Korea and Vietnam. He later owned and operated a landscape company. Survivors include three daughters, Kimberly Henderson of Baxley Ga., Pauline A. Paulino of Orange Parks, Fla., and Sheryll L. Moyer of Saint Augustine, Fla.; two sons, Billy Edward Henderson Jr. of Sebring, Fla., and Robert Russell Ogle of Baxley; a sister, Mary Ellen Lane of Mineral Wells; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alta "Maurice" McKeever Alta "Maurice" McKeever, 72, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dale Moreland of the Church at Quail Creek officiating. Mrs. McKeever was born Feb. 22, 1933, in Wellington to Floyd Estes and Birdie Judd Francis. She worked for Ideal Foods and Western National Bank until she retired in 1991. She married Richard F. McKeever on Dec. 29, 1952. She loved to travel. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her life. She was preceded in death by her husband in November 1996; her brother, Loren, in 1956; her father in 1977; her mother in 1997 and a son, Joe Michael Jones, in 1990. Survivors include five daughters, Debbie Bowerman and husband, Tom, Mary Bandy and husband, Rick, Beverly Butler, Sharon Secor and Lori Epps; a son, Richard K. McKeever and wife, Gail; 19 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the staff at Odyssey Hospice and BSA Hospital for the loving care that was provided to Mrs. McKeever. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adrian Sean Miller Adrian Sean Miller, 23, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005. A memorial Mass will be at 2 pm Friday in St. Laurence Cathedral, with the Rev. Gabriel Cardiel of the church as the celebrant. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home. Adrian was a blessing to his family. He was a good person with a kind heart, and was loved by all that knew him. He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Carter Holt. Survivors include his mother, Shyrl Ferguson-Miller and stepfather, Mike Ferguson; his beautiful wife, Leah, and their adored daughter, Arriana Miller; brothers, Shane Holt and Michael Ferguson; sisters, Shawana Holt, Courtney Booth and Shena Burial; grandparents, Laveta Miller and James Russell, all of Amarillo, and Jackie and Sybil Miller of Panhandle. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alfred "Al" Wyatt Weathers Jr. Alfred "Al" Wyatt Weathers Jr., 71, of Amarillo died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. David Winburne of Huntersville ARP Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, N.C., officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Weathers was born Nov. 15, 1933, in Snyder to Alfred W. and Leona Viola Weathers. He graduated from Snyder High School in 1951. He attended the University of Texas where he met his wife, Georgia Lee Johnson. They married in Little River in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Mr. Weathers worked for Amarillo Hardware Co., and retired after 30 years as Vice President of Wholesale Appliance Division in 1987. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Georgia Weathers; a son, Richard W. Weathers and wife, Faith, of Amarillo; two brothers, Elwyn Weathers and Whitey Friesen and wife, Kay, all of San Antonio; a sister-in-law, Nancy Winburne and husband, Leroy, of Cornelius, N.C.; a brother-in-law, Reavis Johnson and wife, Glenda, of Cameron; six grandchildren, Allison Weathers, Ricky Weathers and fiancee, Sarah Ammons, Aaron Weathers and wife, Shawna, Brian Weathers, Lisa Huval and husband, Mark, and Shane Ortiz and wife, Brandy; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Verlagail Grider Cox Verlagail Grider Cox, 83, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Dreamland Cemetery with Dr. David Lowrie Jr., pastor of First Baptist Church of Canyon, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mrs. Cox was born Oct. 16, 1922, in Amarillo to Isaac and Gertrude Hussey Grider. She was raised in Amarillo and married Oscar Cox in December 1940. Survivors include her husband; and two sons, Jimmy Cox of Amarillo and Teddy Cox of Austin. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shyla Diamond Nicol Wheeler Shyla Diamond Nicol Wheeler, infant, of Amarillo died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Jerry Coffman, pastor, officiating. Shyla was the most Precious gift anyone could ever receive and you knew whenever you would see her princess face or held her tightly in your embrace. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Survivors include her parents, Dustin and Krystle Wheeler; a brother, Jace Logan Wheeler; grandparents, Kristina and Dennis Doty and Cheryl Wheeler, all of Amarillo; and numerous family and friends. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Judy Skidmore Judy Skidmore, 55, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with Travis Bennett, pastor of Cowboy Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn- Shaw Funeral Directors, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Skidmore was a lifelong resident of Amarillo. She graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1968 and later graduated from West Texas State University. She taught school for 31 years and the last 25 years were at Caprock High School. She was affectionately known as "Mom" by all of her children's friends. She was a Girl Scout leader and volunteered at Girl Scout Camp Kiwanis. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines. She married Harold C. Skidmore on Dec. 28, 2002. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Juanita Ward; and a brother, Richard Dale Ward. Survivors include her husband, Harold Skidmore; a daughter, Amy Michelle Jones of Amarillo; two sons, Larry Dale Skidmore and wife, Debra, and Adam Cory Jones, all of Amarillo; a brother, Donald Ray Ward of Amarillo; and three grandchildren, Trever, Ashlea and Krystan. The family suggests memorials be to the Don & Sybil Harrington Cancer Center. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Evelyn Brillhart SPEARMAN - Evelyn Brillhart, 79, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Hansford Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Medley officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mrs. Brillhart was born Oct. 26, 1926, in Spearman and was a lifetime resident. She married Charles Brillhart on July 1, 1948, in Dumas. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Spearman. Survivors include her husband, Charles Brillhart; two sons, Larry Brillhart and Kirby Brillhart, both of Ulysses, Kan.; two daughters, Susan Cummings of Crawford, Texas, and Amy Booth of Oolagah, Okla.; a sister, Merrillene Crawford of Denver; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Victor D. McWilliams BORGER - Victor D. McWilliams, 86, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Stinnett Cemetery with the Rev. Michael Buchman of Tyler officiating. Burial will be in Stinnett Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. McWilliams was born March 20, 1919, in Martin Mills to Dock L. & Isadora McWilliams. He retired from Southwestern Bell after 36 years of service. Survivors include his daughter, Susie Buchman of Tyler; two sisters, Mary Schooling of Clayton, N.M., and Margaret Mahon of Sherman; five grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to the United Heart Association. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fran Hamrick DUMAS - Fran Hamrick, 89, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Eddie Tubbs, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dumas, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Hamrick was born Feb. 28, 1916, in Barry. She was an Amarillo resident the past seven years and was formerly a Dumas resident since 1947. She was a teller at First State Bank. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Dumas. She married H.L. "Ham" Hamrick Sr. on Oct. 19, 1935, in Dallas. He preceded her in death. She was active in B & PW in Dumas for many years and was recognized as their Woman of the Year. A special thanks to the nurses and staff at Craig Windflower Nursing Home. She and her husband were also members of Bar S Camping Club. Fran and Horace joined First Baptist Church when they moved to Dumas in 1947 and worked in juniors, R.A.'s and WMU. Fran loved singing and was in the choir for many years. She was preceded in death by a son, Horace Lee Hamrick; a daughter, Lu Fran Parker; a brother, Lafayette Franks; and a sister, Janell Rutledge. Survivors include a son, David Hamrick and wife, Diane of Amarillo; a daughter-in-law, Dianne Hamrick of Las Vegas; two brothers-in-law Jake Hamrick and wife, Frances, of Dallas and Joe D. Hamrick and wife, Billie, of Amarillo; a sister-in-law, Virginia Zint of Amarillo; three grandsons, Zane Dale Hamrick and wife, Lisa, of Kailua, Hawaii, Kully Simmons of Midland and Joe David Hamrick of Amarillo; two granddaughters, Melissa Stephens and husband, Ted, of Wylie and Stephanie Hamrick of Amarillo; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. The family will be at 7006 Columbia in Amarillo. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brunetta Stewart PAMPA - Brunetta Stewart, 85, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Jess Little, pastor of First Baptist Church of Claude, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Stewart was born Feb. 27, 1920, in Fleetwood, Okla. She married Boyd Stewart on April 8, 1942, in Caddo, Okla. He preceded her in death on Jan. 16, 1956. She wa a resident of Pampa since 1954. She was employed with the Selective Service Office, and later worked as an administrative assistant with the Social Security Administration, retiring in 1986 after 26 years of service. After her retirement, she continued to volunteer her services at the Social Security Administration for an additional 10 years. She was a member of Harrah Methodist Church, the American Business Women's Association, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Coffey; and a son-in-law, William Rich. Survivors include a daughter, Pat Rich of Huffman; a son, Parker Stewart and wife, Martha, of Claude; four grandchildren, Alan Rich and wife, Sharon, and Ann Rich, all of Huffman, Zed Stewart and wife, Heather, of Nursery, and Staci Lowry and husband, Paul, of Dumas; and two great-grandsons, Duncan Stewart of Nursery and John William Rich of Huffman. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leslie Eldon McCain BOVINA - Leslie Eldon McCain, 80, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church of Bovina with the Rev. Aaron Reed of Antlers, Okla., officiating. Masonic graveside services will be in Bovina Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home. Mr. McCain was born June 2, 1925, near Finney to William Claude and Leona Grace Lesly McCain. A Bovina area resident since 1952, he moved here from Littlefield. He married Rose Lee Sanders on Dec. 30, 1951, in Levelland. He was a farmer and raised cattle and was one of the first cotton farmers in Parmer County. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bovina and a longtime member of Farwell Masonic Lodge No. 977. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy Seabees. He received the Heritage Award from the Bovina Chamber of Commerce in 2004. He was awarded the Golden Trowel Award from the Masonic Lodge for his work there. He served three consecutive terms on the Bovina school board and has been the election judge for the school board elections for the past 26 years. Survivors include his wife, Rose; two sons, Ben Leslie McCain of Los Angeles and Butch McCain of Grand Junction, Colo.; a sister, Claudie Hill of Littlefield; a granddaughter, Augusta McCain; and a grandson, Mac McCain. The family suggests memorials be to the Scottish Rite Hospital or First Baptist Church of Bovina. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Wright FRITCH - Jack Wright, 82, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in First Southern Baptist Church with Charlie Johnson, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Fritch officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. in Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. Mr. Wright was born Nov. 3, 1923, in Washburn. He was a resident of Fritch for 11 years. He retired after 36 years as a well coordinator for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fritch. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He married Betty Jo Ragsdale on May 12, 1951, in Tucumcari, N.M. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and gardening. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather; and he loved his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Frank, Jim, Joe and Jerry Wright; and three sisters, Jane Haley, Evelyn Webb and Kathleen Brennan. Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Wright; three sons, Jerry Wright and wife, Lynette, of Hartley, Larry Wright and wife, Lavonda, of Midland, and Jeff Wright of Enid, Okla.; a brother, Roy Wright of Wharton; two sisters, Ruby Smith of Conroe and Dee Anne Crowley of Spring; two grandsons, Jared Kane Wright and Landon Roy Wright, both of Lubbock; and numerous nieces and nephews. Casket bearers will be Jimmy Ragsdale, Randy Ragsdale, Pat Ragsdale, Kevin Wright, Mark Haley, Jim Haley, Charle Wright, Steve Kuykendall, Glen Wright and Hal Webb. Honorary casket bearers will be Panhandle Eastern Pipeline retirees. The family suggests memorials be to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 638, Fritch, TX 79036 or to a favorite charity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carla M. Monarrez PLAINVIEW - Carla M. Monarrez, 25, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, in Lubbock. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in St. Peter Catholic Church in Olton.. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the church with the Rev. John Smith of the church officiating. Burial will be in Olton Cemetery by Bartley Funeral Home. Mrs. Monarrez was born Dec. 2, 1979, in Amherst. She married Adan Monarrez on Jan. 11, 2002, in Lubbock. Survivors include her husband; her mother, Rosa Maria Morales of Olton; two sisters, Marina Morales of Olton and Guadalupe Morales of Plainview; and her grandmothers, Andrea Saenz of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, and Maneula H. Moralaes of Valle de Zaragoza, Chihuahua, Mexico. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Willie May Mitchell CLOVIS, N.M. - Willie May Mitchell, 92, ied Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Private services will be held. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Mitchell was born Jan. 5, 1913, to Willie and Lizzie Green Woods in Carbondale, Texas. She was a laundry worker and a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include a sister, Beatrice Bryant of Clovis. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward Leon Myers CLOVIS, N.M. - Edward Leon Myers, 63, of died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. Services will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home He was born Aug. 28, 1942, to Maynard and Mildred Harker Myers in Boone, Iowa. He married Paula Shaw on Sept. 10, 1960, in Boxholm, Iowa. Survivors inlcude his wife; two sons, Scott Edward Myers of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Dennis Gene Myers of Alamogordo; a daughter, Kimberly Matlock of Clovis; four brothers, Mike Myers of California, Don Myers and Art Myers, both of Boone, and Bill Myers of Jefferson, Iowa; and four grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Kimberly Jean Bynum STILLWATER, OKLA. - Kimberly Jean Bynum, 34, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Roberts County Cemetery in Miami, Texas, with Jeff Gill officiating. Arrangements are by Strode Funeral Home of Stillwater. Miss Bynum was born June 7, 1971, in Groom, Texas to Todd Steven and LaRita Fern Bynum Wassell. She always had a smile for everyone she met, and will be remembered as a very loving, giving person. She was a member of First Christian Church in Perkins and the Marine Corps ROTC at Tascosa High School in Amarillo. Survivors include her father, Todd Wassell of Perkins; a sister, Faith Wassell of Perkins; and her grandmothers, Ruth Wassell of Stillwater and Frankie Jean Herman of Miami. The family suggests memorials be to Stillwater Domestic Violence, 115 E. 4th St., Stillwater, OK 74074. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Rev. Johnnie "Bro. Johnnie" Williams LUBBOCK - The Rev. Johnnie "Bro. Johnnie" Williams, 89, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Lubbock. Private burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park by Adams Funeral Home of Ralls. Bro. Johnnie was born Aug. 27, 1916, in the Denton Valley Community near Clyde to A. D., Sr. and Lillie Mae Judd Williams. On Dec. 30, 1934, he married Juana Turner in Roaring Springs. Bro. Johnnie was a longtime pastor in many area Methodist churches. Survivors include his wife Juana of Lubbock; two daughters, Marlene Wellman and husband, Harvey, of Lubbock and Glenda Briggs and husband, Jim, of San Antonio; a brother; three sisters; three grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Lubbock. Sign the online guest book at www.adamsfuneral.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Dale Reding LIBERAL, KAN. - B. Dale Reding, 62, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, in Plano Texas. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in DeBerry Funeral Home in Denton, Texas. Additional services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church in Liberal with the Rev. David Bagwell presiding. Arrangements are by Kitch- Brenneman Funeral Home. Blackie Dale Reding was born Oct. 25, 1943, in Denton, the son of Woodrow Wilson and Edna Ann Sessions Reding. On Aug. 10, 1968, he married Janan Baldwin in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bryan Dale Reding of College Station, Texas; a daughter, Katharine "Kate" Elizabeth Reding of Canyon, Texas; his mother, Ann Reding of Denton; two brothers, Dean Reding of Tyler, Texas, and Jay Reding of Aubrey, Texas. The family suggests memorials be to Texas A&M Foundation or Amarillo Palo Duro High School Alumni Association in care of Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd, Liberal, KS 67901. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony John Mark Rael HICKORY CREEK - Anthony John Mark Rael, 18, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Denton. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Lake Dallas High School Theatre. Arrangements are by Denton Funeral Home & Cremation Services. He was born Jan. 5, 1987, in Amarillo to Mark and Jill Woodard Rael. He was a 2005 graduate of Lake Dallas High School. Survivors include his parents, Mark and Jill of Hickory Creek; a sister, Indigo Rael of Denton; grandparents, Maxcine Tate of Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, John Woodard of Hereford and Jose and Nancy Rael of Amarillo; and a great-grandmother Mildred Miller of Kansas City, Mo. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the Anthony Rael Memorial Scholarship Wells Fargo Bank fund, in care of Wells Fargo Bank, 4051 FM 2181, Corinth, TX, 76210. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gerald D. Lyda FORT STOCKTON - Gerald D. Lyda, 83, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. today in First Baptist Church of Fort Stockton, followed by services at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Afterward, burial will be at La Escalera Ranch, 20 miles south of Fort Stockton on the Marathon Highway. Arrangements are by Fort Stockton Funeral Home. He was born near Marble Falls in January 1923 to George and Nita Lyda on a Hill Country farm. He was raised in the Burnet and Marble Falls area and graduated from Burnet High School. As a young man he worked on ranches, railroads and learned the skills of a carpenter. He married his high school sweetheart, Randa Jean Green, and they had a their first son, Gerald D. in 1945. While working on the Evans Ranch near Pandora, their second son, Gene, was born. In 1947, Gerald left the ranch life that he loved to return to construction work on the University of Texas Memorial Stadium project in 1947 - finding time to build his family a small home in northern Austin while working for Farnsworth & Chambers Inc. of Houston. Their third child, Eunita Jo, was born in Shreveport, La., in 1950. Under his mentor, H. Alvin Lott, Gerald moved quickly up the construction ladder to Superintendent and was transferred to San Antonio in 1954 to build Wilford Hall Hospital at Lackland AFB. In 1959, Lyda and a Burnet County rancher, Steinmetz Darragh, formed their own construction company, which eventually became Lyda Inc. Through the years, Lyda Inc. and its subsidiaries built such projects as the Expansion of Memorial Stadium in Austin, Tower of the Americas, Theatre for the Performing Arts, San Antonio Convention Center (joint ventures with H. A. Lott Inc.), as well as Fiesta Texas Theme Park (joint venture with Manhattan Contruction), Texas Military Institute, Hilton Hill Country Resort, major portions of The Alamodome, Westin La Cantera Resort, Westin Riverwalk Hotel, North Frost Bank, The Fountainhead, The Forum, Uranga Towers, Union Square, Diamond Shamrock Corporate Headquarters, many military facilities and hospital, retail, office, bank and health care facilities throughout Texas. Throughout his life, Gerald owned more than 20 different ranches, including the Ladder Ranch in southeastern New Mexico that Ted Turner eventually acquired from him. The Lyda family owned and operated many cattle ranches in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Lyda was named by Texas Monthly and Worth magazines as one of the largest landowners in Texas and the Southwest. Three years ago, he sold his wholly-owned subsidiary, Lyda Constructors Inc., to Swinterton Inc. of San Franciso and retired with his wife, Randa, to his beloved La Escalera Ranch in Fort Stockton. He remained actively involved - purchasing real estate, building a new Escalera feedlot, and buying and selling cattle for the ranch. When he died, he had just concluded a cattle deal that included the sale of 24 tractor-trailer loads of Escalera cattle. He was a devout Christian who credited the Lord for any successes he had enjoyed in life. He suffered a heart attack at his home in Fort Stockton on Sunday, Nov. 13, and passed away at Alliance Hospital in Odessa in the company of his friends and family. He was a member of Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and was twice elected President of the San Antonio Chapter of AGC. and was a member of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) and The Builders' Exchange of Texas. Lyda was a member of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers' Association and the National Cattlemen's Association. Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Randa Jean of San Antonio; his beloved sons, Gerald D. Lyda of San Antonio, Gene Lyda of Fort Stockton and Eunita Jo Granberg of Seymour; grandchildren, Brett Lyda of Pasadena, Calif., Justin Granberg of Muddleberry, Ind., Holly Jo Granberg of Ada, Okla., Jene' Asel of San Antonio, Leah Lyda of Austin, as well as Gerald D. "Trey" Lyda and Ryan Holt Lyda, both of Atlanta. Pallbearers will be: Greg Carrasco of Las Cruces, N.M., Jim Kollman of Odessa, David Tipton of Balmorhea, Glenn McCorkle of Fort Stockton and Jesse King of Fort Stockton and Mack Williams of San Antonio. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, November 17, 2005 SERVICES SERVICES PENDING Randy Hager, 56, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005. Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Marvin Tohm, 66, of Hereford died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005. Parkside Chapel Funeral Home. Geneva Williamson, 83, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Neal Young Sr. 84, of Hereford died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005. Hereford Heritage Funeral Home. SERVICES SCHEDULED Eugene B. "Buck" McQueen, 92, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Blackburn-Shaw Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Larry Rankin, 59, of Midland died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Plainview Cemetery by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home of Plainview. Ioan M. Rice, 89, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. SERVICES TODAY Evelyn Brillhart, 79, of Spearman. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. in Hansford Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Gerald D. Lyda, 83, of Fort Stockton. Services will be at 1 p.m. in First Baptist Church of Fort Stockton. Burial will be at La Escalera Ranch, 20 miles south of Fort Stockton on the Marathon Highway by Fort Stockton Funeral Home. Alta "Maurice" McKeever, 72, of Amarillo. Services will be at 3 p.m. in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Carla M. Monarrez, 25, of Plainview. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. in St. Peter Catholic Church in Olton.Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the church. Burial will be in Olton Cemetery by Bartley Funeral Home. Jeffery A. Neie, 50, of Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. in Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Robert "Bob" Leo Sandlin Jr., 82, of Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Edith "Edie" Amick Silvius, 83, of Dripping Springs, formerly of Amarillo. Burial will be at 11 a.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo by Harrell Funeral Home. Deborah Spurlock Stephens, 53, of Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Eriberto Vallejo, 78, of Hereford. Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. in La Iglesia de San Jose. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery by Rix Funeral Directors. Jack Wright, 82, of Fritch. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. in First Southern Baptist Church. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. in Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. Sam "Geechie" Wright, 74, of Amarillo. Services will be at 1 p.m. in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------