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Marjorie Evelyn Ford Andersen
A Celebration of Life for longtime Lamar resident, Marjorie Andersen was held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the Lamar First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Rory Gillespie officiating. Interment followed at Fairmount Cemetery.
Visitation for Ms Andersen was held from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Peacock Funeral Home.
Marjorie was born on October 2, 1917 at Cozad, Nebraska to Ralph L and Pearl (Bevis) Ford and passed away at her home on January 26, 2009 at the age of 91.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Henry S. Andersen, DDS on April 14, 2004, parents and an infant granddaughter, Laura Sue Ocken.
Marjorie is survived by her daughter Sue (Jim) Ocken of Broomfield, CO, and her son Ford Andersen and wife, Rita Ellsworth of Pueblo, CO. She is also survived by her granddaughters; Cassandra (Michael) Ocken-Checkwood, Staci (Mark) Helseth and great grandchildren; Chase Henry Helseth, Courtney Laura Helseth and Todd Stanley Checkwood.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church direct or in care of the Peacock Funeral Home office.
Lucinda K. Aldrich
Memorial Services for Lamar resident Lucinda K. “Cindy” Aldrich will be held, Friday, February 13, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the Peacock Family Chapel.
Per Cindy’s request cremation will take place and there will be no visitation.
Cindy was born on October 6, 1961 at Denver, Colorado to Carl N. and Ellen L. (Cordell) Aldrich and passed away at Penrose – St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs on February 4, 2009 at the age of 47.
Cindy is preceded in death by her sister Loretta Mata on October 3, 2001.
She is survived by her daughter Elise Perez and son, Adam Perez both of Lamar. Her parents, Keith and Ellen Sanders of Wiley, father Carl (Irene) Aldrich of Akron, Colorado, sisters; Linda (Monty) Garrison of Farmington, NM, Robyn Jimenez of Lamar and brother Ronald Aldrich also of Lamar as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins other relatives and friends also survive.
Gene Herbert Adams
A Memorial Service for longtime Lamar resident, Gene Herbert Adams, were held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at the Lamar Christian Church with Ian Blacker officiating.
Inurnment followed at Fairmount Cemetery
Gene was born March 17, 1945 at Alamosa, Colorado to Ralph Herbert and Alice (Mazingo) Adams and passed away at his sister’s home in Pleasanton, Nebraska on October 6, 2008 at the age of 63.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister Patsy Michaels.
Gene is survived by his wife Phyllis Adams of the family home in Lamar. A daughter; Andrea Adams of San Francisco, CA, stepchildren; Ancil Caddick, Jr. of Pueblo, Philip (Sandra) Caddick of Lamar, Deborah (Tony) Stegman of Wiley, Tammy (Gerald) Melton and Kimberly Caddick all of Lamar. Gene is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild on the way as well as a sister, Fran (Don) Rowe of Pleasanton, Nebraska.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Gene H. Adams Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home office.
Rosa Dorine Aaron
Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the Peacock Family Chapel for Goodland, Kansas resident Rosa Dorine Aaron. Reverend Trevor Potter of the Wiley/McClave United Methodist Church officiated. Interment followed at Fort Lyon National Cemetery
in Fort Lyon, Colorado.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the Peacock Funeral Home.
Dorine was born on August 12, 1924 to Dave and Sally (Johnson) Westmoreland at Burkesville, KY and passed away at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, Kansas at the age of 83.
Dorine is survived by her children, Janet Swartz of Goodland, KS, Julia Ann (Bill) Morman of Holbert, NE, Lydia (Billy) Reed of Beaumont, TX, Vickie Aaron of Lamar, CO Kay Lynn Aaron of Goodland, KS and Edward Aaron of Goodland, KS as well as numerous grand and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Bill Westmoreland of San Diego, CA, Neil Poindexter of Burkesville, KY, Reba Abcock of Louisville, KY, Shirley, Bogart of Cub Run, KY and Mattie Huffman of Glasgow, KY.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lonas Aaron, sons, Robert, Larry, David and Mark Aaron and her daughters, Linda Carol Aaron and Mary Stickley.
C.E. “Mike” Pierson
A Memorial Celebration for lifelong Lamar area resident, C.E. “Mike” Pierson, will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Wiley United Methodist Church with Reverend Trevor Potter officiating. Per Mike’s request there will be no public viewing with cremation taking place at the Arkansas Valley Crematory in La Junta, Colorado. A private family interment of the ashes will be held at a later date at the Wiley Cemetery.
Mike was born August 13, 1928 at the family farm in May Valley to Carl E. and Gladys I. (Murphy) Pierson. Mike passed away at his home with his family by his side on May 5, 2009 at the age of 80.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Gladys Pierson; a brother, Paul Pierson; nephew Paul Douglas Pierson; and brothers-in-law, Briant Peecher, Louis Brase, and “Bus” Robinson.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn, of the family home in Lamar. His children, Michele (Allen) Kiel of Englewood, CO; Carla Scranton of Lamar; Eric (Kathy) Pierson of Durango, CO; Yvonne (Paul) Westhoff of Lamar; Richard “Dick” (Lauri) Peecher of Lamar; niece, Diane Peecher Kalcevic of Bennett, CO. Mike is also survived by his sisters, Virginia Brase of Lamar; Verna Robinson of Pueblo, CO; brother, John Pierson of Canon City, CO; sister-in-law, Ileta Pierson of Lamar; sister-in-law, Vonda Peecher of Aurora, CO; as well as other family members and many friends.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lamar Area Hospice and/or to the Wiley United Methodist Church either directly or in care of the Peacock Family Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Peacock Family.
Paul William Taylor
Paul William Taylor was born January 17, 1923 to Lawrence Edgar and Carrie Florence Barber Taylor. His birth enhanced Carrie's standing in the Taylor family; she had given them a nephew and a grandson.
Growing up in the south east Colo. community of Deora he developed a deep appreciation for livestock. Whether caring for the cows and horses at home, helping his grandmother, Daisy Taylor, milk her herd, or cowboying, working with cattle and horses was not only a job worth doing, the doing of it gave work fulfillment.
In his early twenties he asked Jesus Christ to become his Savior and Lord. On March 25, 1944, he and the only girl he ever loved, Nellie Ellen Lingle, were married - not in Lamar, for Colorado required too long a wait, but in Syracuse, Kan. by Bro. Harry Killingsworth. Ellen's brother and wife, Earl and Lorean Lingle were their witnesses.
While living south of Lamar, Paul was a part of the group who built the Pleasant Heights Church. He and Ellen worshipped there before moving from the Two Buttes area to Lamar in January of 1950.
From January 1950 until late 2007 Paul and Ellen were committed to serving the Lord by helping to make the Lamar Church of God (Holiness) a place of ministry and worship. In the fall of 1950 they enrolled their first child for her first year of school in Lamar Bible School. Each of their children, Yvonne, Judy, Eva, Raymond and Charley would complete their education and graduate from Lamar Bible School.
In the early 1950's Paul worked for the City of Lamar. He often told of watering the trees, some are still growing, along Memorial Dr. between Lamar and Fairmount Cemetery. For a few years they operated Paul and Ellen's Laundry on W. Olive. The fall of 1957 Paul and Ellen moved to 211 N. Fifth St. They began by renting apartments in the big white house. In time they made it home to many older people who could no longer live in their own homes. One who shared in that home was Uncle Ed Wilson, husband of Paul's aunt, Gladys Taylor Wilson.
Bennie Reynolds introduced Paul to those attending Prairie Center Sunday School south of Pritchett, Colo. He with his family began driving there for Sunday morning services in 1957 and continued that ministry for over ten years.
Paul and Ellen moved west of Lamar in the early 1970's. While living on their farm they became foster parents of Lou and Tommy Lunsford in the late 1970's. Tommy was deceased in December 2006 and is buried in Clinton, Okla.
Paul operated Taylor-Roto Rooter Service from the mid 1980's until 2005. He and Charley worked together doing roofing and plumbing for several years. Work was always more pleasant when his family worked with him. It was a delight to him at various times to have one or more grandsons work with him for the summer or a period of time.
Camp meetings each fall at the Church of God (Holiness) was a special time for Paul and Ellen. Rev. Joe Partain was the evangelist for the last camp meeting in 2000 while Rev. Arnold Brubeck and his wife, Margaret, pastored the church in Lamar.
Realizing they were at the right time and place to help the Hispanic church become a reality, Paul and Ellen found great joy enabling the group to have a place to worship and being able to worship the Lord with them. They loved and were loved in return; their Hispanic church family honored them with a special celebration for their 62nd wedding anniversary.
The Cowboy Camp Meeting became a time of great inspiration for Paul and Ellen. They anticipated being a part each year after they became involved in the 1980's. They often appreciated fellowship on Sunday evening with Pastor Harold Bohl and the people of the Southern Baptist Church.
Being able to visit occasionally the Holly Church of the Nazarene they enjoyed the fellowship with Pastor Eugene Birt and the congregation there.
Following surgery for prostate cancer in August 1993 Paul was blest to have Dr. Marion Lee Schmucker of La Junta become his doctor. We are deeply grateful for the care and encouragement Dr. Schmucker provided to both Paul and Ellen for several years.
March 2005 Paul and Ellen's farm home burned to the ground just days after they had celebrated their 61st anniversary. The Lamar community responded with love and compassion. Herbie and Louise Clevenger rented them the home that had been her parents'. It was there Paul's hip broke November 2006 while his grandson and wife, Everett and Lori Washington, were making a brief visit before their move from Colorado.
Dr. Shawn Nakamura and the staff at St. Mary Corwin in Pueblo, Colo. and later the therapy staff of Lamar Medical Center were a part of helping Paul have and regain some quality of life. After Paul was released from St. Mary Corwin, Charley and Denise moved in with Paul and Ellen to care for them and make it possible for them to remain in their rented home.
November 2007 Paul and Ellen went to spend the holidays with Jodie and Judy and their families in Farmington, N.M. Flu, in spite of the flu shot, and pneumonia made returning home not possible. Judy and Jodie made their home Paul and Ellen's home.
Paul went home to be with is Savior April 30, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Carrie Taylor and two sisters. Laura Van Campen and Elva Oakes. He leavesto mourn his passing, his wife of 64 years, Ellen; six children, Yvonne (Larry) Worthington of El Dorado Springs, Mo., Judy (Jodie) Hall of Bloomfield, N.M., Eva (Danny) Birt of Syracuse, Kan., Raymond (Teresa) Taylor of Garland, Texas, Charley (Denise) Taylor of Lamar, Colo. and Lou (Rhonda) Lunsford of Springtown, Texas; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Don (Marilyn) Taylor of Wynona, Okla., and Dan (Mary) Taylor of Shawnee, Kan.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mary Jurecki
Mary Jurecki was born on March 7, 1912 to Michael and Adamina (Wojciechowski) Nawrocki. Mary went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 16, 2008 at the Bent County Healthcare Center in Las Animas, Colorado at the age of 96.
In 1939 she married John Jurecki and together they had five children Dorothy, Tom, Ted, Frank and Debbie.
As a child she was severely burned and not expected to live but God had plans for Mary and lives he needed touched. She had impeccable work ethics which she imparted to all those who worked for her.
She worked as a waitress at the Plantation Restaurant and the manager at Louie’s restaurant at terrapin point where she met people of all colors and nationalities, dignitaries and beauty queens and with her easy manor made them all feel welcome.
Her most rewarding job was the head cook at Trott Vocational High School where she also taught cake decorating for 20 years retiring in 1976. She’d make 30 pies before breakfast and could win the heart of anyone with just one famous mouth watering peanut butter cookie. When she began working at Trott barely 50 students purchased their lunch, it wasn’t long before some days she served 250 and on “Thanksgiving Turkey Day” it was 100% faculty and student participation over 360 students. She treated all students the same and if she knew one liked mashed potatoes and gravy or spaghetti they always seemed to get a little more on their plate.She participated in their bake sales, dances and assemblies and it wasn’t long before she was endeared to all their hearts and in 1965 she was honored with the dedication of the class yearbook, the first non faculty member to be so honored.
She was a former member of Our Lady Of The Rosary Church, Rosary Guild, Sr. Citizens and enjoyed arts and crafts.
She moved to Florida and lived with her daughter Dorothy for about 10 years. In 2002 she moved to Colorado where she would spend the rest of her life.
In December of 2003 she went to the nursing home to recuperate after a hospital stay with pneumonia and enjoyed the people and activities and made the decision to live there. It wasn’t long before she took charge of folding the towels and linens and joined the cooking club. I went to visit one day and found her alone in the dining room and I asked her why she was all by herself “She looked up at me and said “I’m setting the tables”.
She caught her first two fish when she was 93; she was so good at Wii bowling one of the players was named after her because she had the highest score. She had many marriage proposals and sold her kisses for one dollar only to buy it back with the same dollar.
She is survived sons Thomas J. Jurecki of Ransomville, NY, Theodore E. (Carol) Jurecki of Henderson, NV, Frank E. (Judy) Jurecki of Prescott, Valley, AZ; daughters Dorothy M. Spring of Auburndale, FL and Debora V. “Debbie” Cardinelli of McClave, CO. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John on June 19, 1984, grandson, Tommy Jurecki, brothers Walter, Steve and Wallace Nawrocki and sisters Rose Stachowicz and Josephine Wach.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 9:30 AM, Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the Divine Mercy Parish in Niagara Falls, NY with Reverend Jacek Mazur as celebrant. A Rite of Committal will follow at the Trinity Cemetery
in Lewistown, NY.
Lloyd O. "Phil" Philpy
A Celebration of Life for longtime Kiowa and Prowers County resident, Lloyd Philpy were held Friday, March 28, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Lamar Christian Church with Ian Blacker officiating. Interment followed at Fairmount Cemetery
in the Veteran’s Section under the auspices of the Lamar American Legion Post #71 and the Lamar V.F.W., St. George Creaghe, Jr. Post #3621.
Phil was born January 19, 1928 at West Plains, Missouri to Ervin and Stella (Woodard) Philpy. He passed away as the result of a ranch land accident on March 24, 2008 near Chivington, Colorado. Phil was 80 years old.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ervin L. and Stella M. Philpy, and a sister Delynn Hieronymus.
He is survived by his wife Betty Pelley of the family home in Lamar, CO, children; John (Katie) Philpy, Kimberly (Kirk) Barlow all of Eads, CO, Cheree Philpy of Roseta, Colorado, Shawn (Deb) Pelley, Gary (Estelle) Pelley, Lori (Gary) Hammer all of Lamar, CO, and Jeff (Regina) Pelley of Castle Rock, CO.
Lloyd is also survived by his grandchildren; Miles, Caitlin and Charlie Philpy, Shannon (Eric) Ellenberger, Brent (Makayla) Barlow, Kelly (Preston) Courkamp, Rex Barlow, Kristine, Madisen and Nicole Henrich, Emmy (Dennis) Wolfe, Megan (Nathan) Yahn, Michael (Krista) Pelley, Karli and Kassi Pelley, Gabrielle Hammer, Talia and Jordan Pelley as well as 4 great grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers, Clarence (Marilyn) Philpy of Midland, Texas and Robert Philpy of Pueblo, CO.
Many other family and friends also survive.
It’s difficult to summarize 80 years of living every day to the fullest.
Lloyd Oren Philpy was born in West Plains, Missouri, the third of four children born to Ervin L. and Stella May Philpy. He was raised in Lamar with his siblings Clarence, DeLynn, and Bob.
Phil attended elementary, middle, and high school in Lamar with close friends Don Briggs, Emma May Briggs, Beef Eddleman, and Lloyd Franks. He enjoyed sports during his youth; he played center for the football team and was the forward on the basketball team. He also ran track, though Don Briggs said that his friends often teased him that “if he had a race with a turtle, it’d be neck and neck.”
Phil worked in the auction barn in Lamar during high school. He also had a paper route. With money or not, every morning he and Don would obtain a bottle of milk and a couple rolls from the bread truck before beginning their route. One morning, they forgot to shut the door on the truck, and the bread man lost a truck full of bread while driving down the highway. Needless to say, they were not welcomed by the bread man the following morning!
Phil graduated from Lamar High School in 1945 at age 17. The description of him in the LHS annual reads: “cute and tall make quite a pair – the answer to some maiden’s prayer.”
In July 1945, the close of World War II, he enlisted the US Navy. During his service, he was promoted to quartermaster, and he proudly steered the USS Texas while bringing soldiers home from the war. He was honorably discharged 1946.
When he returned home, he attended the Junior College of Southeast Colorado in Lamar. While there, he played football for the college with childhood friends. Phil was voted “most eligible bachelor” at the college in 1947; his nickname was “drag scoop the rabbit.”
Phil and his friends Don Briggs and Lloyd Franks also had a particularly memorable money-making venture when they learned that someone had left 2000 chicks at the train station. Looking to get rich quick, they bought the chicks for a penny apiece. Franks’ dad, who sold feed, agreed to supply them with feed for the chickens for free. Don kept his chicks in a barn, and they did pretty well. When he checked on Lloyd Franks, he found that his chicks had gotten very hot in the basement with a gas fire keeping them warm; they kept jumping into a pool of water. Don found Phil huddled in a small chicken coop studying for a chemistry test, waving his flashlight every now and then to keep the chicks from bunching up. When they found a willing buyer, they were all happy to be rid of their $20 money-making investment!
After graduating from junior college in 1948, Phil moved to Fort Collins to study animal science at CSU. He attended college there for three years until his funds went dry; he returned to southeast Colorado to run cattle and farm with DesMarteau Farms.
Phil married Esther Amyx in August 1954. They raised their 3 children, John, Kim, and Cheree, in Eads, Colorado. Phil continued to farm and ranch in Kiowa County; first with DesMarteau’s, and later for himself and friend Bob Schmidt. He also owned race horses with friends Bob Francisco, Leroy McKinney, Merle Frazee, and Duane Salisbury. As both an owner and a spectator, he always loved the races. Throughout his life, Phil spent time with many friends playing golf and softball, gambling on card games, goose hunting, and generally having a great time. He was close to his children and grandchildren and an active presence in their daily lives, whether working cattle, playing golf, or just calling or dropping by to visit.
As a rancher, Phil experienced some famous run-ins, some literal, with cattle. Phil kept cows near NeeGrande Reservoir, and one year, a cow they called Robinson Crusoe became stranded on an island at the mouth of the canal. After throwing cake to her for about three months, Phil, Billy Barnett, Leonard Sniff, and Harry Owens decided to save the cow. Harry and Phil stayed on dry land and sent Billy and Leonard to the rescue. After falling through the ice on the way over, being chased off the island by the cow and jumping back into the freezing water, Bill and Leonard played cat-and-mouse long enough to get a rope on the cow. Meanwhile, Phil and Harry offered words of “encouragement” and toasted their efforts. In the end, Robinson Crusoe was rescued, and Billy and Leonard eventually forgave Phil.
An avid sports fan, Phil often worked as an official for area football and basketball games. During a particularly intense football game between Wiley and Holly, Phil was clocked by a fan while retrieving the ball on the sidelines; after he came-to, he gave the fan’s team a stiff penalty. As many of his friends will attest, and to the occasional mortification of his children, he continued to officiate games even after he hung up his whistle – sometimes from under the bleachers.
After his first marriage ended, he found a wonderful companion in friend Betty Pelley. For nearly 20 years, Betty and Phil shared a love of golf, dancing, cards, and story-telling. Betty’s children, Shawn, Gary, Lori, and Jeff and their families became his second family, and Phil and Betty loved spending time with all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They also shared laughter and good times with many friends.
Golf was one of Phil’s favorite pastimes. A couple years ago, while Phil was golfing at the Elks Lodge with Jeff Pelley and a couple friends, his pants ripped. Being the very modest individual he was, Phil immediately stripped down to his tightie whities in front of everyone golfing that day in search of a pair of wind pants in his golf bag. Jeff didn’t let Phil forget that one!
Phil was always actively involved in community activities and organizations. He was the Veteran’s Liaison in Kiowa County; a mason; a member of the Kiowa County School Board; a lifetime member of the Lamar Elk’s Lodge; 60-year member of the American Legion Hall; and a member of the First Christian Church of Lamar. He was also a founding and lifetime member of the Eads Golf Club and the Spreading Antlers Golf and County Club, and he served as the Racing Secretary at the Kiowa County Fair for many years.
We will all remember Phil as an endlessly caring, thoughtful, and giving person who was also fun-loving and ornery. Never willing to settle for full price, Phil always got the best bang for the buck. He loved to tell off-color jokes, but he remembered how to behave like a gentleman, too. An extremely outgoing and engaging personality, he was a man who never met a stranger and always ran into a friend.
Phil’s family and friends were the source of his happiness, and with them he shared his life, passions, and sense of humor. However, we will all especially remember his laugh – that unforgettable and instantly recognizable trademark that punctuated his life and will ring in our hearts when we play golf, bet on a game of cards or a horse race, brand cattle, tell a joke, or simply enjoy life.
Mary Alice Stickley
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 31 2007, at the Peacock Family Chapel with Ian Blacker of the Lamar Christian Church officiating for longtime Lamar Resident Mary Stickley, 53 of Kansas.
Mary is survived by her husband, Virgil Stickley and daughter Ashley Dawn Stickley, both of Kansas. She is also survived by her mother, Rosa Dorine Stickley of Goodland, KS, hers sisters, Janet Schwartz of Goodland, KS, Julia Ann Morman of Holbert, NE, Lydia Reed of Beaumont, TX, Vickie Aaron of Lamar and Kay Lynn Aaron of Goodland, KS as well as her brother, Gene Aaron also of Goodland.
She is preceded in death by her father, Lonas Aaron, brothers, Robert, Larry, David and Mark Aaron and her sister, Linda Carol Aaron.
Arthur Philip Smith
Graveside services for Arthur “Art” P. Smith, of La Junta and formerly of Wiley and Lamar were held at 1:00PM, Monday, October 29, 2007 at the Wiley Cemetery
with Ian Blacker of the Lamar Christian Church officiating.
Art was born on Wednesday, April 8, 1925 at Neosho, Missouri to Edward Philip and Ruby Ethel (Cole) Smith. He passed away on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Nursing Care Center in La Junta at the age of 82.
Arthur came to Colorado in 1937 during the depression. He attended the Wiley public schools and then on May 5, 1946 he was enlisted into the United States Army. Art was honorably discharged on May 4, 1949.
Arthur was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Dowen on December 26, 1953 in Raton, New Mexico and to this union six children were born; sons, Gary Phillip, Randy Gen, Terry Kim, Larry Arthur and Ricky David and one daughter, Thelma Maejean.
Most of Art’s life was spent in Prowers County. He worked as a cab driver during the early years in Lamar, as farmer, mechanic, truck driver and also worked for Prowers County.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and going to dances with his wife and in-laws. Art’s greatest love was being a husband and father and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Harold Smith and Samuel Smith, grandson, Eric Smith and his daughter-in-law, Karen Smith, mother and father-in-law, George and Thelma Pittman, brothers-in-law; W.C. Wilson, Grover “Sonny” Dowen and sister-in-law, Sharon McDonald.
Art is survived by his wife Barbara Smith of La Junta, daughter, Thelma (Paul) Homedew of Lamar, sons; Gary Smith of Oatman, AZ, Randy (Connie) Smith of Syracuse, KS, Terry (Toni) Smith of Coolidge, KS, Larry (Jennifer) Smith of La Junta, CO, and Rick (LaJeana) Smith of Syracuse, KS. He is also survived by his 16 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, brother Harvey “Gene” (Lila) Smith of Redmond, OR. Brothers-in-law; George (Vicki) Pittman of Lakin, KS, Byron (Debbie) Pittman of Holcomb, KS, David Pittman of Lamar, Diana Wilson of Colorado Springs, CO and sister-n-law, Olive Smith of Florida.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthur P. Smith Memorial Fund through the funeral home office.
Opal M. Simpkins
A Celebration of Life was held at 1:00 PM, Friday, April 13, 2007 at the Lamar Life Center, Foursquare Gospel Church with Pastor Manuel Tamez officiating. Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery.
Opal, lifelong Lamar resident, was born June 17, 1933 at Lamar to Eucebio and Tomasita (Ortega) Garcia. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 9, 2007 at her home with her family by her side. Ms. Simpkins was 73.
Opal, was born June 17, 1933 at Lamar to Eucebio and Tomasita (Ortega) Garcia.
Opal attended Lamar High School. She married Earl Oakley in 1950 and had six children. They lived in various places as Earl was in the Service. Opal and the children moved back to Lamar in 1966.
She married Lawrence (Red) Simpkins in 1967. To this union was born, another child, Jeffrey David. She worked at numerous jobs. Red had passed away in 1969. Opal had worked two jobs to raise the children. With no vehicle she walked to and from her jobs.
Opal started work at Cinderella Nursing Home in 1971 as head cook, then went to Denver to take her examines for Dietitian Tech. She worked at the Nursing Home for many years and retired in 1993.
Opal and her children had help to build her home at 206 South 12th, where she lived until her passing on April 9th, 2007 with her family by her side.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence “Red” Simpkins, her parents, two sisters, Mary Hiner and Julia Adkins as well as her daughter-in-law, Cynthia Oakley.
Opal is survived by her children; Stephen Oakley of Eaton, CO, Earl (Lucila) Oakley of Colorado Springs, CO, Rita Osborne (Jesse Hale) of Lamar, Elouise Lyons of Lamar, Stacey (Darrell) Bannister of Wiley, Laurie Oakley (Mike Bannister) of Lamar and Jeffery (Angie) Simpkins of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren as well as her three brothers, Fred (Maxine) Garcia of Elko, Nevada, Tim Garcia of Denver and Max Garcia of Modesto, California.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar Life Center, Foursquare Gospel Church direct or in care of the funeral home.
Betty B. Nichols
A Graveside Service for Pampa, Texas resident since 1949, Betty B. Nichols was held on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 9:00 AM at the Sunnyslope Cemetery
in Bristol, Colorado.
Betty was born on March 27, 1926 at Bristol, Colorado to Louis Herman and Nannie Harris (Strode) Vagher
and passed away on June 17, 2009 at Pampa Nursing Home in Pampa, Texas at the age of 83.
She is preceded in death by her husband; Merle W. Nichols on September 7, 2002, her parents, her brothers; John H. Vagher, Emil Vagher, Louis Vagher and James Vagher and her sisters; Elizabeth Vagher, Ruth Nusser and Lula Mary Perrette.
Betty is survived by her numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Peacock Family.
