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Lucas Longoria
AMARILLO - Lucas Longoria, 48, died Thursday, December 18, 2008 in Amarillo, TX.
Rosary was held on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Boxwell Brothers in Spearman. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Jose Gomez officiating. Interment was at Hansford Cemetery under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.
Lucas was born on May 29, 1960 in Pharr, Texas. He married Janett Sandoval on June 3, 1981 in Spearman, TX. She preceded him in death in 2006.
Lucas was a pumper who worked in the oil field for Trek Resources.
Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Jenny Longoria and Colby Bedell of Spearman; his father, Juan Longoria of Hereford; three sisters, Maria Lopez of Hereford, Eva Lopez of Lapryor, TX and Esmeralda Longoria Ortega of Dalhart; two brothers, Johnny Longoria and Hector Longoria, both of Cleburn, TX; 19 nephews and 13 nieces.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janett Longoria in 2006; his mother, Hermalinda Longoria; a sister, Hermalinda L. Mojica; his grandmother, Chasity Marie Bedell in 1998; and a brother, Isreal Longoria in 2008.
The family requests memorials be to the Lucas Longoria Memorial Fund, c/o Jenny Longoria, First National Bank, PO Box 365, Spearman TX 79081.
Howard Thomas Archer
LEFORS - Howard Thomas Archer, 86, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Amarillo.
Services were at 10 a.m. Monday, December 22, 2008 in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel in Pampa with the Rev. Steve Cox, pastor of Lefors United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa
Mr. Archer was born Dec. 17, 1922, in Heber Springs, Ark. He married Virginia Harrison on Oct. 19, 1941, in Pampa. She preceded him in death on Sept. 14, 1994. Howard had been a resident of Lefors since 1946. He worked for Columbian Carbon, which changed names throughout the years, and finally retired, with Occidental Petroleum Co. with 40 years of service.
He was a member of Lefors United Methodist Church and a former member of the McLean Masonic Lodge. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from January 1943 until December 1945. He was a PFC with Company D of the 534th Engineers Boat and Shore Regiment. Howard loved going to Platoro, Colo., every summer to go fishing. He was a great round and ballroom dancer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Vaughn and Ida Luella Archer; a sister, Maxine; and two brothers, Robert and John.
Survivors include two sons, Michael Howard Archer of Garland and Richard Kimberly Archer of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Luke Archer and Jennifer Archer Whaley, both of Dallas, Arian Archer Schiermeyer of Arcadia, Calif., Matt Archer of Dumas and Cody Archer of Houston; four great-grandchildren, Tripp Schiermeyer, Sadie Schiermeyer, Courtlyn Dawson and Emery Archer; two brothers, Richard Archer of Buchanan Dam and Joe Archer of Spearman; and a special friend, Christine Bridges of Lefors.
The family suggests memorials be to Lefors United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 363, Lefors, TX 79054.
Sign the online guest book at www.carmichael-whatley.com.
Alfred Willard "SI" McCloy
HANSFORD COUNTY - Alfred Willard "SI" McCloy, 90 of rural Hansford County, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2012 in Dumas, Texas. Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Gruver, Texas. Rev. Barry Wood of Prosper, Texas will be officiating, assisted by Rev. Larry Miller of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Interment will follow in Lieb Cemetery in Morse, Texas. Arrangements are entrusted to Morrison Funeral Directors.
Willard was born on June 11, 1921 on the family homestead, west of the Lieb community, to McLeod Wilson and Leslie (Braly) McCloy. The family was early day settlers in Hutchinson County, as the result of the concern to acquire land in a productive area for their cattle, and the strong Christian faith to help establish churches in the newly developing counties of Texas and the West. Willard acquired the nickname of “SI” at an early age from one of the McCloy employees, and it was attributed to “Silas” in the old comics. The McCloy family was some of the first to produce wheat in the newly developing area.
Willard attended school first at Centerville, then Pringle, and then graduating at Morse High School in 1938. He went on to attend Texas Technological College (Texas Tech University) where he obtained a degree in Government in 1943. His studies were interrupted in 1942 when he volunteered to serve his country so his older brother could stay home on the farm and ranch and help his parents. “SI” failed the physical because of his eyesight and returned to college and finished his degree. He then returned to the McCloy family enterprise to work alongside his parents, while his three brothers served their country in the war.
On December 7, 1947 Willard married Beatrice Ferguson, a teacher who came to Morse from Sunnyside, Castro County, Texas. Beatrice attended Wayland Baptist College, and started teaching in Morse in the fall of 1945. In January, 1948, the newlyweds moved to the present family home in Hansford County, approximately 10 miles northwest of Morse. It was here they raised their four children; Delbert – 1949, Monte – 1951, Cheryl – 1953, and Katina – 1956. Willard instilled the work ethic in his children, which was “finish what you start today because tomorrow may never come”. In other words if you lack an hour finishing plowing a field at quitting time, finish it before you quit.
Willard was active in various college organizations. He was a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Omega. Upon returning from college, he was active in the Hutchinson County Farm Bureau, as well as the Morse Methodist Church, where he served in various positions. When SI and Bea moved to Hansford County, he became active in the Hansford County Farm Bureau, where he served in various positions and on some state positions. He served this organization in excess of 40 years before retiring in 1985. Willard was honored by the Texas Farm Bureau in 1996 by being named Pioneer Award Recipient for leadership and service to TFB and agriculture. Willard served on the Morse School Board for approximately 30 years and saw the consolidation with Pringle.
When the Methodist Church attendance dwindled, Willard started attending the Morse Baptist Church with his wife, and became a Deacon in 1965, serving until he took an inactive position. Willard maintained his membership here, but didn’t regularly attend because of medical problems. Instead, he watched First Baptist Church in Amarillo on TV diligently. After the passing of his beloved wife in 2008, he semi-regularly attended church with his son at the First Baptist Church in Gruver.
Willard answered his true calling when he was first elected to the Hansford County Soil and Water Conservation Board in 1962. Willard, “SI”, held all of the leadership positions, and served this as President from 1988 to his retirement on December 15, 2011, when his health began to rapidly decline. He saw this organization go from meeting in the basement of the county court house to rented offices, to building its own office building. Willard was instrumental in the district expanding its building to house the FSA and make for a farmer oriented complex. Willard was involved in the funding of this project through First State Bank, and greatly anticipated being able to co-sign the check in June, 2009, to pay off this project. While serving on this board, “SI” also served in various area positions and saw the emphasis of the district change from controlling wind erosion and dry land farming to row irrigation, development of tail water return systems to conserve water, which promoted wildlife habitats, and now to the development of sprinkler use and GPS straddles in agriculture. There has also been the re-development of the use of the wind farms, which basically are just giant versions of the way early pioneering families had electricity. He has seen the change from clean tillage to summer follow, limited tillage and to the use of no tillage and chemicals to control weeds and conserve moisture, fuel labor, and machinery.
Willard farmed and ranched from his home base in various locations in Texas and New Mexico, and continued to implement various conservation practices in his operation until his partial retirement in 1999. Willard continued to be involved on a limited basis in the cattle industry, and still enjoyed watching the new calves until the Lord took him home.
Willard was also active in the Morse community. He was a charter member of the Morse Lion’s Club, serving in all positions of leadership until his retirement from the club. He was involved with 4-H club work and through his and various other citizens of Morse in the early 1960’s, helped establish the Morse Community Park. The 4-H raised the money to purchase the land, plant trees, set up playground equipment (acquired from the old Olso School), and had a water well drilled. Willard served on the park board until his passing.
Willard was preceded in death by his wife of 60 plus years, Beatrice; his parents, MW and Leslie McCloy; sister, Marjorie Trumble and husband Tom; brother, Wilson McCloy; granddaughter, Laci Renee McCloy; brother-in-law, Norris W. Fulfer; and various aunts, uncles and cousins, along with Beatrice’s parents and step-father.
Willard is survived by his two sons, Delbert McCloy of Morse, and Monte McCloy and wife Nan of Kalgary, TX; two daughters, Cheryl Peterson and husband Mike of Albin, WY, and Katina Lusby and husband Lonnie of Fayetteville, AR; grandchildren, Matt McCloy and wife, Ingrid of Albany, Clint McCloy and wife Amber of Nara Visa, NM, Mindy Joekel and husband John of Gering, NE, Lori Anderson and husband Brett of Cheyenne, WY, and Lee Peterson of Albin, WY; great-grandchildren, Miles & Mason McCloy, Hadley, Sara & Cody McCloy, and Hailey & Abigail Joekel; brothers, Carson McCloy and wife Evelyn of La Junta, CO, and Thane McCloy and wife Sue of Morse; sisters-in-law, Nan McCloy of Amarillo and Ruby Fulfer of Claremont, CA; special nieces, Sue Brown and husband Jim of Gosnells, Australia, Margaret Sterud and husband Jermoe “Stu” of Deming, WA, Mary Leech of Bellingham, WA, and Betty Rowell and husband Doug of Curlew, WA; numerous cousins, nieces nephews, and special friends, including Sherry Morris, David Horton, Nell Henderson, Fay Dahl, Monica & Emit Schmidt, and Carol Short and his pets, Snoopy and Big Tom.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Accolade Home Health, Dr Dan Merki, Dr. Edilberto Miguel, Memorial Nursing Home and Memorial Hospice, which enabled Willard to reside in his home and make his days comfortable.
Memorials may be made to Morse Community Park, Inc. PO Box 38, Morse, TX 79062 or Memorial Hospice, 224 E. 2nd, Dumas, TX 79029.
Ryan Russell Gibbs
BATON ROUGE, LA - Ryan Russell Gibbs was born on September 5, 1981, at High Plains Baptist Hospital in Amarillo, Texas. Ryan, a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died on February 10, 2012, from injuries suffered in a tragic car accident near New Orleans. He was 30 years old.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, TX. Dr. Gil Lane, pastor of Paramount Baptist Church, Amarillo, officiating.
Ryan was a Renaissance Man. His passion in high school was music. He loved the piano, played drums and percussion in his high school band and spent a summer touring with the Blue Knights Drum Corp from Denver, Colo., before graduating in 2000 from Plainview High School, Plainview, TX. With the intent to major in percussion performance at Baylor University, his interests changed to business and he graduated from Baylor in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in real estate and minoring in entrepreneurship.
After graduation, he worked in Austin for a few months before deciding to return to undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University to pursue a degree in writing. His studies at Texas Tech included spending two semesters studying abroad in Seville, Spain. Ryan graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a 4.0 GPA from Texas Tech in 2009. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English as a creative writing major with a double minor in Spanish and psychology.
As a Master of Fine Arts graduate student at Louisiana State University, Ryan served as the graduate assistant for The Southern Review for two years. He also taught English composition and a fiction workshop as a graduate instructor for the English department. In his final semester of study, Ryan was writing a screenplay for his master’s thesis. In addition, Ryan was one of the premier photographers in Baton Rouge. His website, www.rgibbs.com, highlights his work.
Ryan loved reading, writing, watching movies and sports, playing golf, fly fishing, listening to music and playing trivia and chess. He sky dived over the Alps in Switzerland and snorkeled among the coral reefs in Jamaica. His life was full and meaningful. He deeply loved his family and friends. Ryan will be missed by all who knew him.
Ryan is survived by his parents, Russ and Vicki Gibbs of Bryan/College Station, TX; his grandparents, Marion and Jennie Gibbs of San Angelo, TX; his grandmother, Tady Heiskell of Amarillo, TX; his aunt, Jamie Johnson of Canyon, TX; his uncle, Steven Heiskell of Amarillo, TX; his uncle George Heiskell of Vancouver, WA; and numerous cousins along with a host of friends.
Memorials may be sent to the creative writing graduate program at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Leslie "Glen" Terry
AMARILLO - Leslie “Glen” Terry, 82, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.
Memorial services will be at
2 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Chapel with Dr. Howard Batson officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St.
Glen was born Dec. 19, 1929, in Shamrock to Robert and Carmon Terry. He graduated from Shamrock High School in 1948 and Texas Tech University in 1952 with a degree in agriculture engineering. He married Eura Lee “Dink” Burns on Dec. 19, 1951, in Lela.
Glen was in the wholesale paint business. After his retirement, he moved to Angel Fire, N.M., where he volunteered with Angel Fire Search and Rescue and Guadalupita Fire Department. He enjoyed RC model airplanes, dirt-biking competitions, snowmobiling, snow-skiing, water-skiing and racquetball and was a ham radio operator. Glen was a member of First Baptist Church of Amarillo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bobby Terry and wife Jo; and three nephews, Wade Kidwell, Miles Henderson and Tom Buckley.
Survivors include his wife, Eura Lee “Dink” Terry; two daughters, Tomi Kerns and husband Ross of Amarillo and Cristi VanLandingham and husband Jeffrey of Marietta, Ga.; two sons, Micheal Glen Terry of Spearman and John Leslie Terry of Amarillo; a sister, Paula Jean Lambert and husband Don of Greenville, Miss.; a brother, Jimmy Terry and wife Clara of Colfax, La.; seven grandchildren, Victoria Glyn, Kristen and husband Josh, Adam and wife Cassie, Amy, Tyler, Michael and Alexandra; a great-grandson, Lawson; 10 nieces; and 15 nephews.
The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer’s Association, 401 W. Eighth Ave., Suite 300, Amarillo, TX 79101; or Olivia’s Angels, in care of Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.
Aubrey Earl "Pete" Yarbrough
CANADIAN — Aubrey Earl “Pete” Yarbrough, 70, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Canadian.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Minton Memorial Chapel in Borger with Tim Hall, associate pastor of Grace Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Stinnett Cemetery. Arrangements are by Minton-Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger.
Pete had lived in the Canadian area for 45 years. He was an oil field driller.
Survivors include his wife, Janice; two sons, Michael Yarbrough and David Yarbrough, both of Canadian; two daughters, Melinda Schoonover of Phoenix and Ruth Pollard of Shasta Lake, Calif.; a brother, Eugene of Spearman; a sister, Helen Martinez of Stinnett; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Donald E. Cotter
SPEARMAN — Donald E. Cotter, 71, of Spearman died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.
Services were at 10 a.m. Monday, February 13, 2012 in Gruver Church of Christ with Mitchell O’Dell officiating. Burial was in Gruver Cemetery. Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.
Mr. Cotter was born July 31, 1940, in Hansford County. He married Doris Cotter on Dec. 3, 1965, at Spearman Church of Christ.
He was a truck driver for Sluder-Evans Oil in Gruver. He was an elder in the Church of Christ and liked to hunt, fish and ride 4-wheelers.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Dusty Cotter of Phoenix; a brother, Pete Cotter of Dimmitt; and a sister, Mary Olson of Cimarron, N.M.
The family requests memorials be to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave, Suite 204, Chicago IL 60642.
Lou Chapman
AMARILLO - Lou Chapman, 81, of Amarillo died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Gruver United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Park Place Towers. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers of Spearman.
Lou was born July 2, 1930, in Olney. At age 12, she moved to Gruver. She graduated from Gruver High School and attended West Texas State University, where she met the love of her life, Corky Chapman. They were married in 1950.
In 1968, they moved to Houston, where she had a successful career in real estate. In 1984, Lou and Corky moved back to Gruver, a place near and dear to their hearts. Their home was always filled with family and friends and fun and laughter. Lou will be remembered for her love for Corky and her family, and her great affection for people.
Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Corky; her parents, Jewell and R.D. McClellan; a brother, Billy McClellan; and two sisters, Betty Burris and Judy McClellan.
Survivors include her children, Cindy Sahli and husband Don of Evergreen, Colo., Nancy Chapman of Amarillo, Mindy Hayden and husband Bill of Milton, Fla., and David Chapman and wife Katy of Prosper; her grandchildren, Michael Chapman and wife Jennifer of Celina, Diane Noles and husband Kevin of Dallas, Josh and Cody Hayden of Milton, Fla., and Jeff and Sam Sahli of Evergreen, Colo.; her great-grandchildren, Cortney, Victoria and Madison Hayden of Milton, Fla. and Grant, Sean and Kate Chapman of Celina.
The family will receive guests after 1 p.m. today at the home of Louetta McClellan, 203 Richardson Ave. in Gruver.
The family suggests memorials to the United Methodist Church of Gruver, P.O. Box 977, Gruver, TX 79040 or BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.
Carole J. Dickens Rushing
SPEARMAN — Carole J. Dickens Rushing, 65, of Spearman died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.
Services were at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 in First Christian Church in Spearman with Jim Reeves officiating. Burial was in Hansford Cemetery. Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.
Mrs. Rushing was born July 29, 1946, in Watonga, Okla. She lived in the area since 1967 and had worked at Interstate Bank and as a secretary for many years. She was a member of First Christian Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Iona Dickens; and a cousin, Rebecca Yost.
Survivors include her husband, Danny; two uncles, the Rev. Grant Newton and wife June of Fredrick, Okla., and Lawrence Dickens and wife Daisy of Moore, Okla.; three aunts, Etta Busler of McLeod, Okla., Marieta Dickens of Oklahoma City and Bee Dickens of Melbourne, Fla.; and 12 cousins, Louis, John, Kim, Becca, Kale and Les Yost, all of Omega, Okla., Dennis, Lora, Kelsi and Kori Baker, all of Kingfisher, Okla., Eddie Weideman and wife Phyllis and family of Wichita, Kan., and Larry Pruett and wife Donna and family of Tulsa, Okla.
Mary Sue Boyd Wester
AMARILLO - Mary Sue Boyd Wester, 57, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Christian Church in Gruver with the Rev. Chris Robeson officiating. Burial will be in Gruver Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.
Ms. Wester was born Dec. 20, 1954, in Perryton. She was a homemaker, devoted mother, grandmother and friend. Mary always had a smile and a warm hug for anyone and everyone. Providing strength and a strong foundation for her daughter and grandchildren, she found good in every situation and never let the bad deter her. She faced her battles head on and never waivered in fear.
Survivors include a daughter, Alisa Hollenback and husband Heath of Amarillo; her parents, Helen and Irvin Boyd of Gruver; two brothers, Willis Boyd and wife Sherry of Spearman and Daniel Boyd of Gruver; and two grandchildren, Alana and Sean Hollenback, both of Amarillo.
The family suggests memorials be to Stationmasters Museum, 30 S Townsend ST, Spearman,TX 79081.
Dezzie Ann Gatlin
Dezzie Ann Gatlin ('Mimi' to her immediate family) was born February 21, 1910, in Enloe, Texas. Her family was part of a large, westward migration from Alabama to Texas and Oklahoma and back to Texas again in the early 1900s; and most of the children in her immediate family were born in Texas.
Her family farmed much of that time, and had reached the vicinity of Midland, Texas, at the time of her parents' retirement, during The Great Depression. Most of her family settled in and around Midland, but Mimi and a friend struck out for Houston where they pursued career opportunities as beauty operators, eventually working in Baytown, East of Houston, where her friend had had family ties. In Baytown she met, fell in love with and, in 1940, married 'Gatlin', who was newly employed by the then Humble Oil and Refining Company, which was newly established amid the extensive oil fields in and around Baytown.
She and Gatlin had a full but brief married life in Baytown, one that produced two daughters, but ended tragically with Gatlin's death as a result of a car accident in January of 1947. She raised and supported her daughters through the beauty shop she established in their home, never re-marrying. She retired about the time of the birth of her first grandchild, and so, from the beginning of the new generation, was available as a steady and dependable 'home presence' to help with their upbringing, as well as to care for others in a number of other family crises. In 1992 she moved with her daughter Beverly to Spearman, once again to fill the role of steady and dependable 'home presence', whether with Beverly's family or with Judy's. In Spearman she was to find 'family' once again, with her church and with her neighbors. Her 'presence' will be missed.
Mimi died December 16, 2008, in Spearman, Texas, at the age of 98. She was preceded in death by her husband Willis Irving ('W.I.') Gatlin; her mother and father, Dolly and Martin Harvey Carden of Midland; brothers, Curtis, Sanford Barrymore ('S.B.') and Ansel Carden of Midland and sister Era Reese of San Angelo. She is survived by her sisters Florence Thompson of Midland and Martis Miller of Sacramento, California; daughters Beverly Cook and Judy Ellis of Spearman; grandchildren Becky Allen of Brock, Kathy Cook of Austin, Michael Cook of Spearman and Jennifer Borges of Keller and great-grandchildren Justin Allen, Casey Allen and Samantha Borges.
The family suggests that memorial gifts be directed to Hansford Hospice or to Faith & Grace Church, Spearman. A Presbyterian Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, December 22, 2008, at Faith & Grace Church, 11th & Bernice, in Spearman, Pastoral Lay Minister Cecil Biggers officiating, and funeral arrangements by Boxwell Brothers of Spearman.
Danny Ray Robertson
SPEARMAN - Danny Ray Robertson, 59, died Friday, December 12, 2008.
Graveside services were at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2008 in Hansford County Cemetery in Spearman. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 18, 2008 in First Presbyterian Church in Midland with the Rev. Jim Houston-Hencken officiating. Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman and Ellis Funeral Home of Midland.
Dan was born April 17, 1949, in Perryton to T. Ray and Sylvia Martin Robertson of Spearman. He grew up in Spearman and graduated from Spearman High School in 1967. Armed with little more than an outsized sense of curiosity and a music scholarship, Dan left Spearman to attend West Texas State University in Canyon. He later enrolled at the University of Texas after following Donna Freeland, the love of his life, to Austin from Dallas, and became intrigued with political work. In spite of the considerable time and effort he devoted to both, he still managed to graduate with honors in 1976, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in government.
Dan and Donna were married on July 31, 1971, in Austin, and both worked there while completing their degrees at the University of Texas. During that time, and after graduation, Dan worked on a number of political campaigns, resulting in an invitation to join the staff of Congressman Bob Krueger. In 1979, Dan joined Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO) to work in public affairs. While working for ARCO, Dan and Donna - and their growing young family - lived and worked in Houston, Dallas and then Midland. At ARCO, Dan served in numerous executive positions including director of government affairs with key responsibilities for legislative policy. Throughout his life, Dan earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and elected officials across the country. Though his work regularly took him to Washington, D.C., and many state capitols, Dan never left Texas behind. Instead, he took it with him everywhere he went, enough so he was able to leave a little behind with those people who didn't have any. They were always grateful for it.
Dan's work, extensive travel and wide-ranging experience with people in government and politics provided him with a limitless supply of human interest stories. He had great appreciation for family, friends, art, music and people in general, and his engaging personality and insight helped others learn, laugh and love from each of his tales.
At the time of his death, Dan was president of 180 Petroleum in Midland and was an oil and gas investor and consultant. He was an active member in the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers and the Petroleum Club of Midland. He was a past director of the Texas Lyceum Association with much of his public affairs work focused in Austin. Dan was a longtime participant on the Legislative Committee of the Texas Oil and Gas Association in Austin. In Midland, Dan was active in numerous oil and gas activities. He served for about a year as editor of the Oil Report for the Midland Reporter-Telegram, and also served on the Permian Basin Workforce Development Board, was a member of the Midland Wildcat Committee and the committee overseeing the refurbishment of the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. Dan also served on the board of Midland Community Concerts and was a constant advocate and supporter of the Save the Girls collection of the American Airpower Heritage Museum.
Of all the things that this young boy from Spearman was able to experience and accomplish in his life, nothing was more important, or made him prouder than his loving wife and the two remarkable young men who are his sons. As he often said of them, "Bless their hearts."
Survivors include his wife, Donna Freeland Robertson of Midland; two sons: his elder son, Duncan Robertson and wife Stephanie of Austin and Stephen Robertson and wife Leah of Midland; a sister, Brenda Annen and husband Claude of Dimmitt; an aunt, Sybil Miller and husband Billy of Spearman; a sister-in-law, Peggy Betz and husband Dennis of Houston; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Save the Girls Collection, American Airpower Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 62000, Midland, TX 79711; Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, 1500 W. Interstate 20, Midland, TX 79701; or to a favorite charity.
Kristi Renee Jones
AMARILLO - Kristi Renee Jones, 42, of Amarillo died Sunday, December 14, 2008.
Services were at 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2008 in Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors Minton Memorial Chapel in Borger with Dick Marcear, minister of The Colonies Church of Christ in Amarillo, officiating. Burial was in Eastlawn Garden in Highland Park Cemetery.
Kristi was born March 3, 1966, in Borger. She was a teacher at Sanford Fritch High School, Spearman High School and Vega High School.
Survivors include her parents, Lonnie and Vonna Jones of Amarillo; and two brothers, Steven Jones of Allen and Mark Jones of Bakersfield.
The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, 11461 S. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79118.
Wanda Lou Widener
SPEARMAN - Wanda Lou Widener, 74, died on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2008 at the First Baptist Church in Spearman with the Rev. Jim Medley and Rev. Nick Widener officiating. Interment will be at Hansford Cemetery under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Spearman.
Wanda was born on November 23, 1934 in Clinton, OK to Fay and Lucille Stiles. She married Ted Widener on June 19, 1953 in Clinton, OK. She was a bookkeeper and a member of the First Baptist Church of Spearman.
Survivors include her husband, Ted of Spearman; a son, Steve Widener of Amarillo; a daughter-in-law, D'Anda Widener of Spearman; a sister, Jeanine Irby of Alamogordo, NM; a granddaughter, Leslie McLaughlin of Spearman; a grandson, Brett Widener of Spearman; a great-grandson, Brice McLaughlin of Spearman; a great-granddaughter, Rilee McLaughlin of Spearman; and three nieces, Denise Baker of Roswell, NM, Renee Teller and Cheree Dennett, both of Alamogordo, NM.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fay and Lucille Stiles; and a son, Larry Widener in 2002.
The family requests memorials be to Hansford Hospice, 707 S. Roland, Spearman TX 79081; or the American Cancer Society for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 3915 Bell St., Amarillo TX 79109.
Melvin L. Mitchell
GRUVER - Melvin L. Mitchell, 66, died Tuesday, December 16, 2008.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 2 p.m. in Gruver Cemetery with the Rev. Gene Greer officiating. Interment will be under the direction of Boxwell Brothers'Funeral Home of Spearman.
Melvin was born on September 13, 1942 in Montague County, Texas. He married Marion Phillips on May 2, 1963 in Gruver, TX.
He was a dirt contractor, and owned and operated Mitchell Dirt Contracting. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gruver.
Melvin was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Lee Mitchell.
Survivors include his wife, Marion Mitchell of Gruver; a son, Marlon Mitchell of Gruver; a daughter, Cheryl Lindsey of Gruver; a brother, Larry Don Mitchell of Gruver; his father, Leroy Mitchell of Nocona, TX.; and three grandchildren.
Charles Heath Newcomb
SPEARMAN - Charles Heath Newcomb, 90, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008.
Services were at 2 p.m. Monday in First Christian Church with Jim Reeves officiating. Burial was in Holt Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.
Mr. Newcomb was born June 18, 1919, in Hansford County to Gus and Grace Newcomb. He married Lola Andrews on Oct. 2, 1937, in Spearman. He was a machinist and a member of First Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Larry Newcomb.
Survivors include his wife, Lola Newcomb; a son, Chuck Newcomb of Morse; three sisters, Marcella Helzer of Monterrey Park, Calif., Mary Beth Otten of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Lanelle Thompson of Lancaster, Calif.; two brothers, Bill Newcomb of Cedar Creek and Gene Newcomb of Houston; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
The family suggests memorials be to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 50610, Amarillo, TX 79159-0610.
