Thanks to the San Angelo Standard-Times for permission to put their obits and death notices in the USGenWeb Archives. The San Angelo Standard-Times is a E.W. Scripps newspaper. Copyright (c)2003 - http://www.texaswest.com/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm 01/01/04 OSCAR GERALD "JERRY" PIPPINS On Dec. 6, 2003, Oscar Gerald "Jerry" Pippins departed this life to begin a new eternal life with his Heavenly Father and all his loved ones who have gone before him. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Matt Miles, pastor, officiating. Jerry was born on May 17, 1939, in Rule, Texas, to Vurrell and Myrtle Pippins. Jerry attended schools in Rule, Spur and Abilene. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957. Jerry was proud to have served his country. He worked as a route salesman for Martin Linen and Martin Glover in San Angelo. He moved to Odessa and worked in the metal business. From there, he moved to Abilene where he worked for Texas Hide and Metal. He moved to Big Spring in 1993. It was in Big Spring that he met the love of his life, Dianne. They were married on April 27, 1995, and shared eight good years of happiness. They were soul mates to each other. Jerry worked at various jobs in Big Spring and was working at Wal- Mart until he became disabled. Survivors include his loving wife, Dianne of the home; his daughter, Jennifer "Jen-Jen" Pippins of Houston; his sister, Hazel Rohlfs of Abilene; his twin brother, Jimmy Leroy Pippins Sr. of San Angelo; his brothers, Ronald Gene Pippins of Abilene and Ruben Paul Pippins of Burleson; a very special aunt and uncle, Bill and Gene Pippins of Lubbock; his aunt and uncle, Billie and C. J. Shaw of Dennison; his aunts, Stella Creech of Tucumcari, N.M., and Joyce Hibdon of Lubbock; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father and mother and an older brother, Claude David Pippins. The family would like to thank the staff at the VA Hospital for all their care and support and the staff at Scenic Mountain Hospital. And a special thanks to his favorite niece, "Heathern." In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 2222, Big Spring, TX 79721-2222 or to a favorite charity. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com. Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home LINDA G SMITH Linda G. Smith, 51, of San Angelo passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2003. She was born in San Angelo on Aug. 1, 1952. Linda graduated from Canyon High School, attended Amarillo College and later graduated from cosmetology school. She worked locally as a beautician and a caregiver. She was loved by many. She was a loving mother, a beloved daughter and sister. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul B. Barnett; and a sister, Leslie Barnett. Linda is survived by her children, Angela and Nathan Grant; mother, Helen LeBlanc; brother, Paul S. Barnett, and sister, Jeanette Barnette, and her husband, Fred Smith. Chapel service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Johnson's Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Johnson's Funeral Home DELMA E RICKARD VANCOUVER, Wash. - Delma E. Rickard, 92, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003. Service is at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home. Graveside service is at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, in Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima, Wash. Delma was born Jan. 24, 1911, in Miles, Texas. She married Ernest S. "Tex" Rickard on Jan. 7, 1930, in Ballinger, Texas. He preceded her in death. She taught at high schools in San Angelo, Texas, and Paint Rock, Texas. Survivors include daughter, Louise Duim of Selah, Wash.; sons, Ernest "Bud" Rickard Jr. of Portland, Ore., and Jack Rickard of Vancouver, Wash.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home RAYMOND LEE BRADFORD Raymond Lee Bradford, age 65, of San Angelo died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in a local hospital. He was born on June 10, 1938, in Brown County, Ohio, to parents Leroy and Gladys McElfresh Bradford. He was a retired personnel officer for the Air Force. Raymond was the Chief of Security for the gated community of Lake Waynoka. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Roger Roenfeldt officiating. Raymond is survived by three children, Anita Bradford and Victor Hassell, of San Angelo, Christine and husband, Bryan Burrell, of San Angelo and Raymond Bradford Jr. of Midland; one grandchild, Brianna Corralez; one brother, Bill Bradford of Ripley, Ohio; one sister, Donna Eckler of Ripley, Ohio.; his ex-wife and close friend, Misako Bradford; many friends in Lake Waynoka and Sardinia, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express a special thanks to Dr. Hewell, Dr. Weatherby, Dr. Gibson, Dr. Yost and the nursing staff of San Angelo Community Medical Center. Johnson's Funeral Home MANUEL DE LA GARZA Manuel De La Garza, 87, of Mereta passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in a local hospital. Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, at Holy Family Mission. Mass of Christian service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Holy Family Mission with Monsignor Larry Droll officiating. Burial will follow in Mereta Cemetery. Manuel was born June 5, 1916, in Sonora to Remijio and Reducinda De La Garza. He married Susana Saldana on Nov. 21, 1936, in Paint Rock. They resided in Mereta and were married for 67 years. He was a strong, hard-working man, always providing for his family. Manuel farmed and ran his own sheep-shearing crew of over 20 men, working in Tom Green and Concho counties for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Christine Garza. Survivors include his wife, Susana De La Garza of Mereta; sons, Amado De La Garza and wife, Sara, of Mereta, Cres De La Garza and wife, Zoe, of Miles; daughters, Lucinda Martinez and husband, Noe, of Mereta, Ermelinda Norton of Mereta and Erminia Garcia of Mereta; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. We'll always love and remember you "Papa." Robert Massie Funeral Home 01/02/04 KAREN DUBOSE SIMS Karen DuBose Sims, 58, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003. She was born May 20, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas, the first of three children blessed to the late Dr. Waymon G. DuBose and Mrs. Francine Mann DuBose. She graduated in 1963 from San Angelo Central High School, attended classes at Angelo State University and went on to graduate from the San Angelo Business College. Her professional career included many years in the insurance industry with Mutual of Omaha and later with the Sumter Insurance Agency. Then in 1983, she joined Rainaire Products of Carolina in Sumter, S.C., as their finance manager. She was extremely committed to Rainaire and remained there for 17 years through changes in ownership and eventually the dissolution of the company. Karen returned home to San Angelo in 2000 to be with her family and spent a short time working with the San Angelo accounting firm of Armstrong-Backus before her health required her to retire. In addition to her rich professional life, Karen pursued many other interests. Early in her life, she was a Rainbow Girl and later she became very active in the Business and Professional Women's Club and SAFE Federal Credit Union's Supervisory Committee. Karen married Mr. Robert E. Sims of Sumter, S.C., on Oct. 26, 1984, and was widowed by his passing in July 2002. She is survived by her loving son, Jason M. DuBose and his fiancée, Tracy M. Dellinger, both of Sumter, S.C.; her mother, Mrs. Francine DuBose of San Angelo; her brother, Mr. Waymon G. DuBose Jr. of Dallas; her sister, Dian Cook and husband, Ralph M. Cook of San Angelo; her nephew, William Clay Collier and wife, Jennifer J. Collier, also of San Angelo; and her niece, Christine Francie DuBose of Front Royal, Va. Karen was not only blessed by a loving family but also by many, many, friends. A few of these are lifelong friends who will mourn her passing just as family does. Karen was an active member and elder of St. Mark Presbyterian Church in San Angelo. Memorial service will be held there at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, with the Rev. James C. Anderson officiating. In place of flowers, it was Karen's wish that memorials be made to either the St. Mark Presbyterian Building Fund or Hospice of San Angelo. The DuBose Family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Raj Cheruku and his nursing team, Dr. Kenneth Rose at Shannon Clinic and to Hospice of San Angelo, including Donna Reed, Doris Campbell and Jean Slaughter, LVN - our "Guardian Angel." Each of these professionals has exhibited levels of care and compassion that went beyond the call. Johnson's Funeral Home WILLIAM ALLEN BLOODWORTH ROBERT LEE - William Allen Bloodworth died in Robert Lee on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, after a short but devastating fight with end-stage cancer. His death, surrounded by family, was the final chapter in a long, well-lived, and interesting life that started in Abilene on July 5, 1914. Allen was the first of eight children born to Hardin-Simmons seminarian Horace Lee Bloodworth and Coke County pioneer Mary Walker Bloodworth. Allen's first memory was riding a horse-drawn wagon from Abilene to Silver, watching startled wild turkeys fly up from the brush. His childhood was spent in the Silver area, learning to grow cotton and ranch. He and his brothers and sisters rode horses to a one-room schoolhouse. Allen decided he wanted to keep going to school, which required working his way thorough high school in Colorado City by delivering milk and living with relatives. After graduation, he leased land to grow cotton and hired out as a cowhand to save money for Texas A&M. Allen was part of the last cattle drive in the area, driving stock over the Water Valley divide to the railhead at Colorado City. He entered Texas A&M the following spring, working several jobs to make ends meet and living in a Project House. Allen graduated in 1937 and continued a determined courtship of Frances Branch, an East Texan who had graduated from the University of Texas several years before. On Aug. 28, 1938, Frances married Allen and traded in her career in the Extension Service for family life. After a brief career as a feed salesman, Allen and a partner opened a feed store just as the second wave of the depression struck. After the birth of the couple's first child in 1940, Allen became a Vocational Agriculture teacher. He soon had two children to support, and Allen taught at successively larger schools until settling in Mason, where he coached a series of successful high school livestock judging teams. After five years in Mason, Allen joined the Foreign Service as an agricultural adviser. He was first posted to Burma, where the youngest child was born. He worked with local farmers in Northern Burma for two years and then moved to Thailand, where he traveled all over the country working with Vocational Agriculture programs in secondary schools. After five years in Thailand, Allen was selected for an exchange program with an Oklahoma State University professor, who came to Thailand and did Allen's job while Allen taught at O.S.U. and attended graduate school. After completing his masters and everything but the doctoral dissertation, he declined an offer to stay and teach at O.S.U. in favor of an assignment to West Africa, where he spent the next seven years. His final assignment was Nepal, where he developed a hardy, disease- resistant strain of corn that flourished at high altitudes. He retired in 1975 to raise registered Hereford cattle on his Silver ranch. He and Frances lived together on the ranch until 2000, when Frances's failing health led to her move to the Robert Lee Care center. Allen visited almost every day, bringing flowers, home-grown vegetables, and homemade cakes. Her death earlier this year ended an almost 65-year partnership and romance. Allen continued to live alone at the ranch until a few weeks before his death, raising cattle and cultivating a garden. He was lovingly helped by his nephew Lonnie Bloodworth and nearby brothers and sisters. Allen loved people, loved telling stories, and was a keen amateur historian of the West. His passionate pursuit of his projects, whether it was raising cattle, teaching school, or developing corn, made him one of the lucky people whose work was truly indistinguishable from their play. He was an accomplished agriculturalist and skillful animal breeder. For many years, he was a crack shot and hunter. He successfully hunted tigers and leopards in Asia, and deer and turkey at home. In later years, he confessed that his love for wildlife had dimmed his enthusiasm for shooting animals. He was a home-spun ecologist who planted hundreds of trees on his property and provided cover and food for wildlife. He was also a Mason with dual membership in the Robert Lee and McCullough County lodges. Allen served as the Worshipful Master of the Robert Lee Lodge from 1995 to 1996. He had been a Mason for 57 years when he died. Up to a few weeks before his death, he cooked the beans for the Robert Lee lodge every Tuesday. He is survived by his son, Bill; daughters, Barbara Gilbreath and Mary Bloodworth; grandchildren, Gina Bloodworth and John Gilbreath IV; and great-grandson, J.C. Gilbreath V. Grandson Robert Bloodworth died in 1997. He leaves behind a large and loving family of Bloodworths including Jewell and J. C. Wallace, Clayton and Pansy Bloodworth, Ernest and Geneva Bloodworth, Raymond Bloodworth, and numerous and beloved nieces and nephews. He leaves many loving friends behind. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Robert Lee Baptist Church of Robert Lee. Burial will follow in McKenzieville Cemetery. Shaffer Funeral Home BUREN DONNELLY Mr. Buren Donnelly, age 96, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in San Angelo, Texas. He was born Jan. 23, 1907, in Burns City in Cooke County to William Edward Donnelly and Annie Gray Donnelly. Buren and Emma Mae Treadaway were married July 1, 1964. She preceded him in death on July 26, 1955. Mr. Donnelly was employed at the McKnight Tuberculosis Hospital and the San Angelo State School in Carlsbad, Texas, until he retired in January 1970. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Carlsbad, Texas. His parents and siblings preceded him in death. He is survived by a stepdaughter, Wanda Rutland and husband, Durward, of San Angelo; two step-grandsons, Lynn Rutland and wife, Tami, of San Angelo and Craig Rutland and wife, Phyllis, of Clyde, Texas; several step-great and great-great-grandchildren; and also several nieces and nephews. Mr. Donnelly's family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Baptist Memorial Center, Baptist Hospice and Wes Wells and all of his caring staff at Sagecrest. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sagecrest Alzheimer's Care Center, 438 Houston Harte, P.O. Box 5611, San Angelo, TX 76903. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, in the Grape Creek Cemetery, conducted by Lynn Rutland. Johnson's Funeral Home SHIRLEY DRACE WILLIAMS KINGSLAND - Shirley Drace Williams, 79, of Kingsland, Texas, was born on May 11, 1924, to Pansy Ellen Williams and Shirley Albert Williams in Kingsland. He and his wife, Camilla, were married in Tow, Texas, on July 16, 1950. He was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2003. Drace died in Austin on Dec. 28, 2003. Over his lifetime, Drace served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served his community as deputy sheriff, justice of the peace and county commissioner. He was a member of the Lions Club, American Legion, Masonic Lodge and Civil Air Patrol. Drace was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and his brother, Ora Francis Williams. He is survived by sisters, Pansy Borders and Bernis Lynn; brother, Roy Lee Williams; son, Dee; daughter, Sherry Williams Mays; son-in- law, Thomas Mays; grandsons, Gardner and Brad Williams, Joshua Ploman and wife, Jessica; nephews, nieces, numerous cousins and a host of caring friends and neighbors. Service will be at noon Saturday, Jan. 3, at First Baptist Church of Kingsland, Texas, with family members and Brother Doug Lindley officiating. Viewing will be from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Waldrope- Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home Chapel, Kingsland, Texas. Family visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to O.A.R.S. (Older Adults Rural Services), in memory of Drace Williams, c/o P.O. Box 13, Kingsland, TX 78639. Please indicate "for van wheelchair lift account." Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home 01/03/04 GENEVA MINNICK BRONTE - Geneva Minnick slipped the bonds of this world and departed to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 2, 2004. She was born Mary Geneva Clifton on Sept. 13, 1918, on a farm between Bronte and Tennyson. Her parents were Claud W. Clifton and Annie Lee Taylor Clifton. She attended school at the one-room Juniper School House before finishing up in the Bronte school system. After high school, she moved to San Angelo, attended beauty school and then worked in several hair salons. In about 1947, she moved to Iraan, Texas, and met her husband, J.R. Minnick. They were married in 1950 and had one son, Terry, in 1951. J.R. and Geneva lived in several communities around Texas before moving back to Bronte in 1971. They owned and ran a small grocery store in Bronte before her husband, J.R., retired in 1976. Geneva worked at the Bronte Senior Citizen's Center for over 20 years, finally retiring in 2000. She loved her two grandchildren with all her heart, her devoted family, her fellow Christians at the Bronte Church of Christ, all of her friends at the Bronte Senior Center and her special friend of 80 years, Effie Corley. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, J.R. Minnick, who died in 1987; her stepson, Raymond J. Minnick; her eldest sister, Alice Lee Clifton Webb; and her middle sister, Margaret Jewell Clifton Brunson. She is survived by her son, Terry J. Minnick of Northampton, Mass.; her two grandchildren, Joel Robert Minnick of Northampton, Mass., and Kristin Whitney Minnick, of New York, N.Y.; a stepson, Robert L. Minnick of Benbrook, Texas; a sister, Itha Mae Clifton Williams of San Angelo; a brother, William Harold Clifton of Eldorado, Texas. She also is fortunate to have a number of loving nieces, nephews, grand- nieces and grand-nephews who have been a source of strength and inspiration to her during the final years of her life. Family visitation hours are from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at Shaffer Funeral Home in Bronte. Service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at Bronte Church of Christ. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Bronte. Geneva was a constant source of goodness and cheer and her loss leaves a hole in the lives of her friends and family that will never be filled. Shaffer Funeral Home NITA WASH BIG SPRING - Nita Wash, 71, of Forsan died at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Heart Place Hospital in Midland following a long illness. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, in Myers & Smith Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Janca, pastor of Forsan Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Memorial Park. The family received friends from 7-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Myers & Smith Funeral Home. She was born Oct. 1, 1932, in Peacock, Texas. She married Bobby Wash on Nov. 1, 1951 in Big Spring. She had been a resident of Forsan for 52 years. She was a member of Forsan Baptist Church. She worked with her husband for 20 years in the operation of Forsan Oil Well Service, which they sold in 1979. After traveling for five years, they returned to Forsan. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Wash of Forsan; one son, Robert Wash and his wife, Beckie, of Forsan; three granddaughters, Tanya Hartman and her husband, James, of Bangs, Texas, Kassi Wash of Forsan and D'Amberly Baker and her husband, Greg, of Saginaw, Texas; four grandsons, Derek Wash of San Angelo, Brodie Wash of San Angelo, Cam Clinton and his wife, Tara, of Big Spring and Rusty Baker and his wife, Jessica, of Forsan; four great-granddaughters, Meagan Hartman of Bangs, Texas, Katie Hartman of Bangs, Texas, Payton Clinton of Big Spring and Jaidyn Brown of Saginaw, Texas; one brother, Leon Archer of Brownwood; and one sister, Billie Parker of O'Donnell, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Archer; one brother, Jake Archer; one daughter, Diane Wash; and one son, Billy Wash. Pallbearers will be Derek Wash, Brodie Wash, Cam Clinton, Rusty Baker, Greg Brown and James Hartman. Pay your respects online at www.myersandsmith.com. Myers & Smith Funeral Home EDWARD GOTTSCHALK BALLINGER - Edward Gottschalk of Ballinger died on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in the Ballinger Memorial Hospital at the age of 79. Funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at First United Methodist Church in Ballinger, officiated by Pastor Glenn Dittmer of St. John's Lutheran Church in Winters. Burial will follow in the Old Runnels Cemetery. Ed was born on Oct. 23, 1924, in Runnels County to Hans and Louise Minzenmayer Gottschalk and was married to Dorothy Lindemann on Aug. 5, 1949. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Christine Ahrens; and his brothers, Richard and Adolph. At the age of seven, he worked for neighbors and relatives for $1 a day. When he saved enough money, he bought his first heifer calf. This marked the beginning of his Angus cattle business, When he was in the seventh grade, he had to quit school to help on the family farm, as this was in the 1930s, the time of the Great Depression. At the age of 14, he played the guitar and mandolin on Saturday afternoons in a parking lot in Winters on the back of a Western Mattress truck with Ernest Tubb. Tubb wanted Ed to go to Nashville with him, but Ed's dad thought that he could make more money by picking cotton. When Ed was 18 years old, he joined the U.S. Army, and during this time his dad took care of his small herd of cattle. Ed served in World War II in General George Patton's Third Army- European Theater. He received the highest award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Citation, Bronze Star medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign medal with three Bronze Stars, World War II Victory medal, Army Occupation Medal, Germany Clasp medal, Honorable Service Lapel button for World War II, Combat Medical Badge, and three overseas bars. He fought in major battles such as Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe, and two really gruesome battles, the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Bastogne. He played a major factor while in Germany because he was one of very few Americans who could speak German. While Ed was a participant in these battles, he was squad leader and acting platoon leader. After Ed returned home from the war, he and Dorothy married. They continued his business of raising Angus cattle and became a very prosperous and successful rancher. He was a lifelong Runnels County resident. Just this fall, he received his 50-year pen from the VFW and his 60-year pen from the American Legion. Other organizations that Ed participated in were the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers' Association and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers' Association. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Winters in which he served on the Church Council. Ed took much pride and joy in showing his family his cattle and land. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting pool, and playing cards with his family. Another enjoyment was talking to his "coffee shop" buddies every morning. During Ed's two-month battle with cancer, his special caretaker was one of his granddaughters, Audra Dunn, who was always at his side. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Gottschalk, of Ballinger; his daughter and son-in-law, Eddie and Alvin Dunn of Ballinger; two granddaughters, Audra Dunn of Ballinger and Amy Lischka and husband, Justin, of Bellville; and two great-grandchildren, Katelyn Dunn and Jake Lischka. A niece and two nephews also survive. Pallbearers will be Joe Dankworth, Mike Dismore, Don Peña, James Kirk, Chuck Kirk and Gilbert Minzenmayer. Honorary pallbearers will be Karl Weishuhn, Kevin Busher, Otto Gottschalk, Bruce Carlin, Buddy Stokes, and the Ballinger American Legion Post 8. Rains-Seale Funeral Home 01/04/04 BOB FREDERICK FORT WORTH - Bob Frederick, 88, passed away peacefully and lucid Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at Kindred Hospital in Arlington. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Meadowbrook United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Bob was born in Hannah, Wyo., Feb. 9, 1915. He was a gifted writer and spent his employed life as a journalist. He lived mostly in Dallas, where, among other accomplishments, he edited Drilling Magazine, a worldwide oilfield trade journal. He had earlier been a reporter for the Tyler Courier-Times and Morning Telegraph, and he served as a military correspondent in World War II. Earlier still, he and a friend chronicled life on the banks of the southern Mississippi River. Bob came of age during the Depression, when he enjoyed such noble work as laying brick streets in Fort Worth and building bridges in West Texas. Bob was a considerate man of uncommon wit and spunk. He was lucky - and astute - in love. He was married to the former Louise Herring of Tyler for 53 years, until her death in 1995. They had three sons and a daughter, of whom two of the sons survive. In 1998, he married Mary Lou Butler of Fort Worth. She was a beauty from his college days, and they enjoyed a rare late-life romance until her death in 2002. In his last 18 months, Bob traveled to England and about the United States with another remarkable woman, Katherine Lindsay, at his side. She survives him. Bob was not a particularly religious man, though in late life he had been described as "spiritual." He did greatly value the friendship of contemporaries in the Upper Room Class at Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, and donations to the church in lieu of flowers would be a gesture that would have pleased him. He is survived by his sons, David and Dan; their wives, Francie and Darlena; his grandchildren, Lara, Erin and Glenn; by his sister and her husband, Blossom and Joe McDonough; and, of course, by the families of these immediate relatives. He is also survived by the families of the companions of his late life, some of whom, including Helen and David Hays and Barbara Spinks and Carolyn Blaike, were extraordinarily good to him. Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel GERALDINE MORROW PEPPER Geraldine Morrow Pepper, 76, of San Angelo died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in a local hospital. Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Sonora Cemetery. Geraldine was born Dec. 24, 1927, in San Angelo to James and Violet Morrow. She was a receptionist for Dr. Brown for many years and a member of the Episcopal Church. She was preceded in death by her parents and a great-grandchild, Cameron Silvanus Dehn. Survivors include her daughter, Mary Stewart of San Angelo; a brother, James Morrow, and his wife, Delores, of Miami, Fla.; a granddaughter, Misty Dehn, and her husband, Doug, of Benbrook, Texas; a grandson, Michael Peek, and his wife, Melissa, of San Angelo; two great-grandchildren, John Alan Dehn and Jozua Caelan Peek; and numerous nieces and nephews. Johnson's Funeral Home EUGENE NELS DIELS Eugene Nels Diels passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, while under the care of VistaCare Hospice in a local hospital. He was born Nov. 22, 1925, in Medford, Wis., to Lena and Charles Diels. He graduated from Medford High School in 1943. He served in the army in Fairbanks, Alaska. After his discharge he took training in repair of business and sewing machines. His work in these fields took him to North Dakota and Wisconsin. He worked in electronics at Northland Furniture and later worked in a hardware store in Stetsonville, Wis. He retired to New Mexico in 1980, where he lived in Ruidoso Downs, and later in Carlsbad. He moved to San Angelo in 1991. Eugene loved cars and travel and was a member of the Good Sam Three Rivers RV Club for many years. He also did volunteer work at Meals for the Elderly. He had a sister and brother-in-law, Marjean and Ted Lammar, in Stetsonville; a sister-in-law, Grace Diels; and numerous nieces and cousins. Burial will be in Medford, Wis. The family suggests memorials be sent to Meals for the Elderly, 310 E. Houston Harte, San Angelo, Texas 76903. Johnson's Funeral Home JOHN SOUTHERLIN USRY John Southerlin Usry, 79, of Carlsbad went to be with our Lord at 2:25 a.m. on Thursday, Jan 1, 2004. The family will receive visitors from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at Carlsbad Church of Christ with Ed McCorkle officiating. Graveside service will follow in Grape Creek Cemetery John was born July 13, 1924, in Stonewall County, Texas. After attending school at Old Glory, he served in the Army from April 1943 to January 1946. He married Venita Rose Latham on Dec. 13, 1945. He worked at many trades including farming, carpentry and various positions within oil companies. John retired from the San Angelo State School in Carlsbad in 1986 and was a faithful member of Carlsbad Church of Christ. John had a passion for traveling the highways of the United States and was an avid camper and enjoyed being outdoors. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Della Usry; his wife, Venita; a daughter, Linda Jo Metcalf; a brother, four sisters, a grandson and three sons-in-law. John is survived by a loving family, his daughter, Annita, and husband, Carl Bacon, of Coahoma; daughter, Patsey Lane of San Angelo and her companion, as well as family friend, Richard Quick; son, Johnny Usry and wife, Kelly, of San Angelo; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by all, including his special friend, Jessie Mae Wood, and many other loving and caring friends. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association, or a favorite charity. Johnson's Funeral Home PEARL M. CARTER MIDLAND - Following a lengthy illness, Pearl Moore Carter passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in Midland, Texas. She was born July 10, 1950, to JoAnn and Wayne Moore in Midland and was raised in Midland. She graduated from Midland High School and attended Duke University and graduated from the University of Texas. She was preceded in death by her mother and by her sister, Esther Lee Tate. Pearl is survived by her father; her son, James Carter of Midland; and her daughter, Kathleen Cotter of Midland. The family wishes to express its thanks to Home Hospice of Midland, the caregivers who have taken care of Pearl, with a special thanks to Joyce Smith. Memorial service has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at First Christian Church, with Dr. Tommy Potter officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Recording Library for the Blind, 2012 W. Cuthbert, Midland, Texas 79701; First Christian Church, Endowment Foundation, 1301 W. Louisiana, Midland, Texas 79701; or the charity of one's choice. Ellis Funeral Home 01/05/04 HENRY CLAY ATCHISON JR MIDLAND - Henry Clay Atchison Jr., 73, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004. His wife, Ann, sons, Clay III, Craig, and their families and friends will celebrate Clay's life at a memorial service at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lane Boyd and Dr. Phil McLarty officiating. The family will receive friends and family from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Ellis Funeral Home. Born on April 22, 1930, to H. Clay and Wilfred Atchison, Clay grew up in Sonora and San Angelo, Texas. He graduated from San Angelo Central High School in San Angelo in 1947 and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1951. While at A&M, Clay was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He served as Commander of Company D-1 his senior year and remained fervently loyal to the university as an active member of the Association of Former Students. He served for two years during the Korean conflict as a First Lieutenant stationed in Japan before marrying Betty Ann Steward on June 11, 1955, in San Angelo. Clay was a lifetime employee of Humble/Exxon in Midland, serving the company's exploration department as an oil scout for 35 years. In 1976, he served as president of the International Oil Scouts Association. Outside of work, Clay had a passion for Boy Scouts of America and played an active role in his sons' troops throughout their careers. Himself an Eagle Scout, he proudly served as leader of Explorer Post 160, leading his sons and other teens to achieve their scouting goals. After retirement, Clay and Ann "took to the open road," enjoying RV travel throughout the United States with an Air Stream Club. Clay served as President of the West Texas Unit of WBCCI (travel club). Clay and Ann also were active in their Partners Sunday school class at FUMC. Clay is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann; son, Clay, his wife, Cynthia, and sons, Jared, Heath and Luke, of Victoria, Texas; son, Craig, his wife, Susan, and children, Caroline and Kyle, of Midland; sister, Betty Deremo, and her husband, Darrold; and sister, Frances Crowe, of New Braunfels, Texas. Honorary pallbearers for the service will be Gary Hall, Larry Gnagy, John Casey, Charles Landon and Gene Wilson, along with members of the Partners Sunday school class. The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Dr. David Watkins and the caring, dedicated staff of 4-East at Midland Memorial Hospital. Memorials may be directed to M.D. Anderson, 1020 Holcombe, #1201, Houston, TX 77030; Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702; or AMOS (Area Mission Outreach Service), 907 S. Lorraine, Midland, TX 79701. Ellis Funeral Home JOHN "DAVID" FITZGERALD John "David" Fitzgerald, 59, of San Angelo died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in Arlington, Texas. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Southgate Church of Christ. Officiating will be Paul Shero, minister at Southgate Church of Christ, and Kyle Kiser, minister at Southside Church of Christ in Fort Worth. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. John David was born Nov. 20, 1944, in Columbia, Tenn., to John Edd and Frances Tucker Fitzgerald. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Many would know him due to his involvement in Kiwanis Club and local bowling leagues. He was a member of the Southgate Church of Christ where he worked and served the Lord for many years as a deacon and a servant. For 10 years he worked alongside his father-in-law, Bob Warner, at Warner's Frame and Art Supply, followed by 15 years of service at the Goodfellow Base Exchange, after which he took an early retirement due to his failing health conditions. Even though there were many things he could no longer do, his last few years were spent enjoying the things that meant the most to him: his family - especially the grandchildren - his computer, the yard, his tools, and traveling with his wife. John David was married to Gail Kathleen Warner on Oct. 26, 1968, in San Angelo. Survivors include his wife, Gail Kathleen Fitzgerald of San Angelo; children, Sean Fitzgerald of Fort Worth, Texas, Alison Sosa of Mansfield, Texas, Kevin Fitzgerald of Prescott, Ark., and Kerry Fitzgerald of Searcy, Ark.; mother, Frances Fitzgerald of Memphis, Tenn.; brothers, Don Fitzgerald of St. Louis, Mo., and Gary Fitzgerald of Conyers, Ga.; sister, Janie Calloway of Collierville, Tenn.; and his five precious grandchildren, McKenzie and Lauren Sosa, and Conner, Audrey and Benjamin Fitzgerald. He will always be remembered by his family as a selfless man who put his family above himself and worked hard to provide for their every need. He was a fighter who didn't give up even when times were hard. He taught us what it meant to love unconditionally as it seemed none of us could do any wrong. He was proud of us and never wasted time in letting us know it. Johnson's Funeral Home BENINA PENA RODRIGUEZ Benina P. Rodriguez, 83, a longtime resident of San Angelo, passed away Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, surrounded by her family. She was born Feb. 14, 1920, to parents, Fortudo and Tomasita Pena. Benina is survived by her husband of 70 years, Alfonso Rodriguez; children, Modesta and Eusebio Gonzalez, Ruth and Jose Chavez, Celia and Tito Colmenero, Carolina and Pedro Ramirez, Hilda and Pablo Ruiz, Rosa Salcido, Carmen and Adam Sanchez, Esperanza and Manuel Cardenas, Adam and Yolanda Rodriguez, Josephine Morton and Corina Rodriguez; 70 grandchildren, 151 great-grandchildren, 54 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Frotunato Pena Jr.; and two sisters, Elvira Aguirre and Jesusita Gagellos. Prayer service was at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Johnson's Funeral Home with the Rev. Adam Sanchez officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Johnson's Funeral Home