Potter Co. TX - Obits: July 10, 2007 ===================================================== Contributed by: Lola Withrow 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 - July 10, 2007 Area Leitha Werlie Cosper Murray DALHART - Leitha Werlie Cosper Murray, 100, died Friday, July 6, 2007. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Horizon Funeral Home. Leitha was born Oct. 26, 1906, in Colorado City to Sam and Sallie Curry, the third of four daughters. You could never find her too far away from a beloved dog, and she would be the first to tell you that she would rather be outside than in. With hard work and laughter, Werlie and Russell farmed and made a loving home for Doug and Sallie in Hartley. She could cook a wonderful noontime meal for Russell and Doug when they came in from the field, sew the most beautiful clothes for Sallie, can the best green beans and peaches, and grow the most beautiful roses. Rumor had it she could shoot off a match with a 22 shotgun! She brought fun and laughter and love to every task, whether she was snapping on the lawn in the evening, hanging clothes on the line, or visiting with a friend at the fence or on the phone. Her home was open to anyone and everyone who traveled Hartley, and only one stop, you became family. Whether it was 4 a.m. or 4 p.m., you could find a warm hug, a soft bed, biscuits and gravy or banana pudding, and a good "visit". Although gentle and warm with all those around her, she had a fierce love for family and those she loved. This was never more apparent than to her granddaughters, Robin, Melinda, and Lisa. Known to them as "Grandmommie," Werlie would make a special "camp" for them every summer, from the time they were little and even after they were grown and married. Grandmommie's house was the place to learn to cook, quilt, take care of kittens, drive Doug's truck or Granddad's tractor, play dress up, walk to the little store for candy, hide in the root cellar, hear ghost stories huddled around the furnace in your pajamas on Saturday night after your bath, have mud pie fights on the side of the house, play in the flour bin, gather eggs from the chickens, play a good game of 42, but most of all feel more loved and more special than any other place you knew. When it came to giving and loving, her heart and generosity were limitless with all who were blessed to know her. Her granddaughters would like to thank the many angels in her life: the staff at Coon Memorial Home for the years of love, friendship, and kindness, special angel Mickey Ford, the David Ford Family, the Donald Ford Family, Bobbie Howell, Judi Trayler, Nelda Herring, Joyce Chisum, Dalhart Church of Christ, Dalhart Hospice, Dalhart Hospital, Dr. Thetford and all the angels that unseen by us helped make her life more rich and joyful. We are forever grateful and humbled by your generosity. Our hearts are comforted by the family that has been waiting for her; husband Russell Cosper; son, Douglas Cosper; Daughter and Son-in-law, Sallie and Bill Alexander; and great-grandson, William Barber. Left to feel her loss, and celebrate her reunion with them are granddaughters and spouses, Robin and Scooter McLain, Melinda and Bill Barber and Lisa and Jerry Keithley; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Russell McLain, Robyn, Elyse and Melynn Barber, Travis and Austin Marrs, Josh Preece and James Keithley; and great-great-grandchildren, Matthew McLain and Jake and Ethan McLain. Tell Me Your Dream by Imogene Gilbert (a poem from Sallie's scrapbook) Did you have a dream last night? Well, I had one too. Mine was very beautiful, because it was of you. I saw a home in Texas- Where beautiful bluebonnets grow- With a big white fence, and children; But that's every girl's dream, I know. I dreamed of finding happiness Where friends are true and kind. Come, dear, and tell me your dream I've already told you mine. Sign the online guest book at Horizon.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Reinart STRATFORD - Craig Reinart, 20, died Saturday, July 7, 2007. Mass will be at 10 a.m. today in St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Dalhart with Scott Raef, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Horizon Funeral Home of Dalhart. Craig was born June 13, 1987, in Dumas to Joe and Janet Reinart. He graduated from Stratford High School in 2005, ranked 3rd in the class. Craig was a student at WTAMU in Canyon and was proud of his 4.0 grade average. He worked as a teller at Happy State Bank. Craig was active in the Catholic Student Center at WTAMU, he loved old cars and the "Patriots" were "his" team. Craig was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Dalhart. Survivors include his parents Joe and Janet Reinart of Stratford; a brother, Michael Reinart of Stratford; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carissa and Joe Arias, Amy and John Attebury and Stephanie Reinart, all of Amarillo; two nieces, Nadi Hinojosa of Lubbock and Danielle Arias of Amarillo; a nephew, Micah Reinart of Amarillo; and his grandmother, Christine Wilhelm of Grapevine. The family suggest memorials be to WT Catholic Student Center Scholarship Fund at Happy State Bank, P.O. Box 51080, Amarillo, TX 79159. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruby Nippert CHILDRESS - Ruby Nippert, 96, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, in Lubbock. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Chad King officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Nippert was born Dec. 24, 1910, in Childress to J.F. and Minnie Blackburn McMinn. She married Clyde Nippert on Aug. 10, 1935, in Skellytown. Survivors include a son, Derrill Nippert of Childress; a daughter, Gay Lockett; a sister, Mae Dixon of Eugene, Org.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Wesley "Wes" Robinson BORGER - Charles Wesley "Wes" Robinson, 55, died Thursday, July 5, 2007, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Vinyard. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Highland Park Cemetery with Kathy Fauske, associate pastor of Trinity Vinyard, officiating. Arrangments are by Minton-Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Robinson had worked at KFDA- TV as a programer. He took what he had learned at KFDA to spread the Gospel as the media arts pastor at Trinity Vinyard. Survivors include his church family. Memorials may be made to Trinity Vinyard Church, 503 N. Main St. Borger, TX 79007. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Freda L. Simmons BORGER - Freda L. Simmons, 70, died Sunday, July 8, 2007.Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Highland Park Cemetery with Mr. Richard Kasko, minister of Fritch Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be by Minton- Chatwell Funeral Directors.Mrs. Simmons was born on Dec. 3,1936, in Stonewall, Okla. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Gilbert of Cleveland, Ga. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amarillo Gabe David Anderson Jr. Gabe David Anderson Jr., 89, died Saturday July 7, 2007. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Hamlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Farwell with the Rev. Benjamin R. Wright and the Rev. Randall Partin officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Terrace Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount. Mr. Anderson was born Feb. 23, 1918, in Okolona Ark. to the late Gabe and Belva Anderson. They settled in Farwell in the late 1920s when his father bought into the Security State Bank. He attended Texas A&M University and after graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in World War II and was assigned to the Army's 1st Armored Division. He served in North Africa and Northern Italy, receiving commedations including the Silver and Bronze Star and the rank of major. After the war he married Flora Lee Williams in 1945, and they had two children, Gabe David Anderson III and John Hilliard Anderson. In 1954, his wife, Flora, and youngest son, John, were killed in an auto accident. In 1956 he married Anita Ellis Blackwell of Amarillo. He co-founded the Sherley-Anderson Grain Elevators in Parmer County in 1947. In 1981 Sherley Grain Co. purchased the Cross L Ranch in Folsom, N.M. and Gabe purchased the Cross L Flats Ranch in Branson, Colo. One of his favorite adventures was putting a facelift on the old Cross L Ranch. He also owned farmland in Parmer County and invested in oil and gas properties. Gabe was recognized as a distinguished alumnus and was a member of various Texas A&M organizations: Aggie Club, Texas A&M Lettermen's Association, Letterwinner, Emeritus Member, development council, Mays Business School, 12th Man Foundation and president. He also served as president for the Texas Grain and Feed Association,1968-1969 and 1964-1965; director of the National Grain and Feed Association 1968-1976; as well as the director of several banks. Gabe was a Mason and a member of the Khiva Shrine and the Lake Tanglewood community Church. Until the past few years, Gabe blended his time in the grain business with the Cross L at his headquarters in Bovina. His wife, Anita, through 51 years of marriage, has done a grand job of keeping all her husband's projects together. They were able to blend a lifestyle in corporate circles of the grain and banking business with the cow country of Northern New Mexico. His oldest son, David and two sisters, Therese and Meredith, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife; five grandchildren, Alexis of San Diego, Calif., Gabe IV of College Station, Wellsley of Amarillo, John Sargent and Benjamin of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; a sister, Marilyn of Farwell; a brother and his wife, Robert and Carrie of Farwell; and nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be to Ware Memorial Care Center, 400 W. 14th, Amarillo, TX 79101. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Robert Benjamin G. Robert Benjamin, 89, of Amarillo died Saturday, July 7, 2007. Memorial services will be at a later date. Mr. Benjamin was born June 10, 1918, in Pittsburgh, Pa. to George Robert and Marie Benjamin. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Like his father before him and his daughters to follow him, he was a proud graduate of the University of Pittsburg. It was there in Pharmacy School, he met the love of his life, Elvira Gillespie. They would spend the next 64 years together. A devoted and loving husband, he spent the last seven years as the primary care giver to his wife. After a successful career as a business owner and pharmacist in Ellwood City, Pa., he assisted in the growth of the GNC organization. He retired at the age of 70, as the Vice President of GNC. In addition to his long, successful career, he enjoyed a good game of golf. The past two years he has won the senior golf tournament held at the Venango Trail Country Club in Pennsylvania. There his friends knew him as "Real Old Bob." He was fortunate enough to play his last golf game on May 4th of this year. He and his wife moved to Amarillo just last month to be closer to family. Survivors include his wife, Elvira Benjamin; two daughters, Johanna Marie "Jonni" Applefield of San Diego, Bonna Benjamin and husband Bob Muscianese of Amarillo; a sister, Kathryn Lowe of Saratoga, Fla.; and five grandchildren Aric, Aaron and Jared Applefield, Laura and Chris Muscianese. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vergia Dee Bentley Reagan Vergia Dee Bentley Reagan, 96 of Amarillo, died Sunday, July 8, 2007. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Church of Christ in Wheeler with Shawn Johnson, minister of Wheeler Church of Christ, and Jeff Messer, chaplain of Bivins Memorial in Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Reagan was born Jan. 4, 1911, in Clarendon to Barry and Lucy Dawson Summerour. She grew up in Dalhart and graduated from Dalhart High School. She attended Draughan's Business College, where she met Lonnie Clayton Bentley. They were married in Amarillo in 1929. They were blessed with five children. Lonnie died May 12, 1943. She later married Clark Reagan in 1947. He died in 1997. She lived in Canadian and Wheeler until 2001, when she moved to Amarillo. She was county treasurer in Canadian for eight years and she was an active member of the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; two sons, Dee Bentley and Richard Bentley; two daughters, Bettye Edminston and Barbara Jackson; three brothers; three sisters and a great-great granddaughter. Survivors include a daughter, Ruth Burkhart Morey of Amarillo, 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggest memorials be to Westview Boy's Home, P.O. Box 714, Hollis, OK 79106 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- John M. Ward John M. Ward, 96, of Amarillo died Monday, July 9, 2007. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. Mr. Ward was born March 18, 1911, in Itasca and was raised in Lakeview, as well as Wayne, Okla. He attended Lakeview High School. He served in the Army in World War II. He received the WWII Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, as well as five Bronze Stars. He married Frances Scott in 1949 in Clovis, NM. She passed away in 1985. He has been a resident of Amarillo for more than 65 years, where he was a master carpenter and cabinet maker. He built commercially and built homes in Amarillo, Memphis and Tulia. He was preceded in death by his sister, Maurine Daniels; and three brothers, Windy Ward, J.L. "Lanham" Ward and H.C. Ward. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Maddox of Amarillo; two grandsons, Kip Hookstra of Amarillo and Kyle Hookstra and his wife Pamela of Austin; a brother, Lloyd "Red" Ward of Memphis.; many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fern Lois Hoyer Burgdorf Fern Lois Hoyer Burgdorf, 77, of Amarillo died Thursday, July 5, 2007. Arrangements are by Schooler Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell Avenue. Mrs. Burgdorf was bon Jan. 17, 1930, in Sundance, Wyo., in a log cabin on a ranch where her father worked close to Sundance. She graduated from Sundance High School in 1948 and attended Black Hills Teacher College in Spearfish, S.D., for one year. She met Ed C. "Dutch" Burgdorf of Groom in Sundance and married him on Aug. 15, 1949, in Sundance. They made their home in Texas, moving to Canyon in 1956. Dutch preceded her in death on Feb. 7, 1995. Fern was a wonderful cook and was known for her hospitality. She worked in the food services industry for several years, retiring in 1995 from Palo Duro Nursing Home in Canyon where she was the food service supervisor. She loved gardening and reading. Survivors include two daughters, Betty Price and husband Mike of Fritch and Emma Burgdorf and longtime companion Jim Reece of Amarillo; a son, John Burgdorf of Canyon; three granddaughters, Charla Lemoine and husband Jeremy and Jeanie Burgdorf, all of Seattle, and Kassy Price of Pensacola, Fla.; a grandson, Steven Joel Williams of Austin; four great-grandchildren, Lucy Lemoine and Isis Burgdorf of Seattle and Autumn and Keith Reynolds of Pensacola; two sisters, Pete Taylor of Spearfish and Zelma Hoyer of Sundance; two brothers, Dutch Hoyer and wife Brenda of Glenrock, Wyo., and Wes Hoyer and wife Marge of Thermopolis, Wyo.; and two sisters-in-law, Tissie Gueths and husband Chet of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Toy McNulty and husband Waite of Borger. The family suggests memorials be to a charity of choice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Darrel Edward Adams LEVELLAND - Darrel Edward Adams, 87, died Saturday, July 7, 2007 in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. today in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. with Ruby Moultrie officiating. Mr. Adams was born Jan. 30, 1920, in West Plains, Mo., to Edward L. and Opal Fair Adams. He was a 1936 graduate of Borger High School. Mr. Adams served as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and flew 40 missions on Martin B-26. He had a finance company in Roswell and Albuquerque. Survivors include his wife, Wilma; his "favorite little sister", Grace Small and husband Carl of Amarillo; six children, Carolyn Kuhn and Kern Bryan, Stuart Adams and wife Patti of St. Petersburg, Fla., Mary Nichols and Thomas Hronek of Colorado, Brent Adams and wife Cherri of Amarillo, Don Adams and wife Brenda of Chandler, Ariz., and Diane Murry and husband Scott of San Marco; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Joseph Byron Cross ALAMOGORDO, N.M. - Joseph Byron Cross, 81, died Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Alamongordo Funeral Home with Pastor David Crispin officiating. Reception immediately following. Mr. Cross was born Feb. 6, 1926, in Spokane, Washington, to William J. Cross and Florence C. Atkinson Cross. Joe joined the US Navy in 1944 and served for 20 years. He worked for Civil Service as an electronic technician until his retirement in 1988. He was a World War II and Korean War Veteran. He enjoyed auto racing of all types and was an avid fisherman. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gretchen; and children Joyce, David and Mark. Survivors include his sons, Patrick of Tijeras, N.M., Michael and wife, Rhonda of Alamogordo and Rodney and wife Kerri of Amarillo; grandchildren, Lora and Layne Harris of Alamogordo; Zeke and Tori Smith of Amarillo, Katie Silva of Alamogordo; a sister, Margie Shepard and her husband Ray of Spokane, Wash.; a brother, James Cross of Seattle, Wash. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Ernie Padilla GUYMON, Okla. - Ernie Padilla, 64, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, in Amarillo. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Guymon with Father Anthonly RajRam, celebrant, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home of Guymon. Mr. Padilla served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He owned and operated E.P. Paint and Body and E.P. Salvage in Guymon for more than 30 years, retiring in 2005. Survivors include his wife, Bea Padilla; five children, Debbie Morrison, Sandra Miller, Ernie Joe Padilla, Peggy McCrady and Margo Padilla, all of Guymon; two sisters, Cecilia Vigil of Albuquerque, N.M. and Dorothy Gutierrez of Corpus Christi; four brothers, Joe Padilla and Jerry Padilla, both of Clayton, N.M, Albert Padilla of Albuquerque, and Ralph Padilla of Dalhart; and nine grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Guymon Kid's Inc. in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Services Services Pending Nayshia Cordothers, four months, of Amarillo, died Monday, July 9, 2007. Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. John Nelson Henderson, 86, of Odessa, died Monday, July 9, 2007. Bartley Funeral Home of Plainview. Ralph Lee Hicks, 74, of Wellington, died Monday, July 9, 2007. Adams Funeral Home. Mary Henderson, 84, of Amarillo died Thursday, July 5, 2007. Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Home, Fifth and Pierce. Services Scheduled James David "J.D" Coulter, 94, died Friday, July 6, 2007. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Henson-Novak Funeral Chapel. Military rites will be at Elmhurst Cemetery. Shirly Ann Steven, 69, of Amarillo died Monday, July 9, 2007. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Services Today Claude F. Doty Jr., 87, of Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. in Llano Cemetery. Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Bertha Maudelle "Bobbie" Elliott, 76, of Norman, Okla. Services will be at 2 p.m. in Griggs Church of God in Griggs. Burial will be in Marella Cemetery in Griggs. Primrose Funeral Service of Norman. Lorene Fulce, 78, of Dumas. Services will be at 2 p.m. in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Evelyn Mae Gann, 82, of Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. in Llano Cemetery. Angel Funeral Home 2209 S. Arthur. Alice Louise Heddins, 75, of Gruver. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. CDT in Melrose Cemetery in Melrose, N.M. Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon, Okla. Ted Heiskell, 58, of Pampa. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery. Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Herman Russell Jeter, 95, of Pampa. Services will be at 2 p.m. in Carmichael- Whatley Colonial Chapel. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery with military honors conducted by the U.S. Army at Fort Hood. Fred Ray Lawrence, 71, of Logan, N.M. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. in Logan Cemetery. Robert Dee Meadows, 40, of Wheeler. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. in First United Methodist Church Wheeler. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery. Wright Funeral Home. Norma Jean Mulanax-Bryan, 71, of Pampa. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. in Fairview Cemetery. Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Juan Luis Rodriguez, 67, of Hereford. Mass will be at 11 a.m. in La Iglesia de San Jose. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery. Rix Funeral Directors of Hereford. Carolyn Sue Sanner, 54, of Dalhart. Services will be at 3 p.m. in Dalhart Senior Center Chapel, Dalhart. Waterville, Kansas. Services are pending. Horizon Funeral Home of Dalhart.