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Lieutenant Colonel Roger Darl Barton
HARLINGEN — Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Roger Darl Barton passed away peacefully and at home on July 15th. He was born November 18, 1919, in Charleston, South Carolina-the first of two children born to Anna and Clarence Barton.
During his early years his family moved frequently due to his father’s position with the Federal Communications Commission-but they finally settled in Texas. Roger graduated from North Dallas High School in 1938, and then attended college at what is now West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. It was there her met Ruth Cole Barton, and they were married July 12, 1942.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roger took immediate steps to join what was then the Army Air Corps. He was called to active duty on March 20, 1942. Upon being commissioned as a regular career officer, he served 28 years in the Air Force, flying combat missions in the European Theater in World War II, in Korea, and in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He flew bravely in the perilous Sweinfurt raids and received many combat medals and ribbons in the course of his career, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. At one stage in his career he was an exchange officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and during his tour of duty he and Ruth were presented to Queen Elizabeth II shortly after her coronation.
Roger completed both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees during his military service, and upon retirement in 1970, Roger and Ruth returned to Harlingen, a place that he had wanted to call home since a tour of duty here in the 1950s. He taught history at Harlingen High School for a year, and then began what became his second career, as a Realtor with the Harlingen Development Corporation. He was part of the success and growth of the town of Palm Valley from 1971 through 1994.
Roger has been a loyal member of the First United Methodist Church in Harlingen, serving on the Administrative Board but with most satisfaction as Head Usher for almost 30 years. He also served on the Harlingen Country Club Board, the Harlingen Country Club Golf Association, the Realty Board, and TROA. He was a HOST volunteer for several years.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Ruth Cole Barton, of Harlingen; son, Cole Barton and daughter-in-law, Sydney of Davidson, North Carolina; son, Barry Bruce Barton and daugther-in-law, Cynthia of Weatherford, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, grandson, Bret Cole Barton and wife Kimberly of Laurei, Maryland, grandson, Luke Colin Barton of Johnson City, Tennessee, and granddaughter, Amanda Barton of Washington, D.C., granddaughter, Avril and her husband, John Dromgoole of Weatherford, Texas, and granddaughter, Ashley Barton of Orlando, Florida. Roger also lived to enjoy twin great-grandsons Jackson Cole and Logan Bret Barton of Laurel, Maryland; as well as great-granddaughter, Maykayla and great-grandson, Bryndon Dromgoole of Weatherford. He is also survived by his sister, Faye Mariluch and brother-in-law, Pete of Reno, Nevada, and their family. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jo Simpson and her family of McAllen; one brother-in-law, Joe Barrett and his family of Santa Ana, California.
He is remembered as a loving family man who lived with boundless zest and enthusiasm. His sense of humor endeared him to those who shared his life.
Roger will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
For those who might desire, Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 321 East Harrison, Harlingen, Texas, 78550 or to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch and Affiliates, PO Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174.
Visitation hours will be held from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the family present from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 18, 2004 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the First united Methodist Church, 10 a.m., Monday, July 19, 2004 with Rev. Steve Purdy and Rev. Wayne Peck officiating. Burial services will be held at the Rule Cemetery Park in Rule, Texas, 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2004 with full military Honor’s being conducted by an Honor Guard from Dyess Air Base.
Honorary pallbearers will be all Ushers of the First United Methodist Church in Harlingen.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Juanita Head
CAMERON, TX — Juanita Head, 97 of Cameron and formerly of Harlingen, died Tuesday, July 13, 2004 in a Cameron nursing center.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2004 at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home with grandson-in-law Rev. Jim Lafferty officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside services and burial will follow 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 19, 2004 at Restlawn Cemetery in Harlingen.
Juanita Head was born January 26, 1907 to John Paul and Hetty (Lewis) Owens in Mill Creek, Oklahoma. In 1921, she moved to the valley, and five years later on May 16, 1926, she was married to J.L. Head. They were married for 69 years. Mrs. Head was an avid golfer, and in 1935, she organized the first Women’s Golf Association in the Rio Grande Valley. Juanita Head was associated with the Life Begins at 40 Golf Tournament in Harlingen, and received the title of Rio Grande Ladies Golf Champ twice. She was also active in working with the Girl Scouts. Mrs. Head was a member of the First Baptist Church in Harlingen since 1942.
Preceding her in death are her husband, J.L. Head; three sisters; one half brother; and three half sisters.
Survivors include: daughters, Jean Head Tumlinson of Cameron, Dr. Nancy Head Bowen of Rockport, Linda Head Gray of Springfield, Missouri; 8 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to charity of donor’s choice. E-mailed condolences may be sent by visiting
Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home of Cameron is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Michael C. Jabbra
PLAM VALLEY — Dr. Michael C. Jabbra of Palm Valley passed away Friday, July 16, 2004 at his residence. Dr. Jabbra was born in Forzol, Lebanon in 1922. After obtaining his diploma in Dentistry, he married Effie Jabbra in 1949, and moved to Mankato, Minnesota where he engaged in business. Following the death of his wife, he married Jane Walker in 1993. Dr. Jabbra was a member of the Harlingen Country Club and was an avid golfer.
He is survived by his wife, Jane; a brother, George in Lebanon and nieces and nephews both in the United States and Lebanon. No local services will be held Dr. Jabbra will be buried in Forzol, Lebanon. Local arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Rene Moreno
WESLACO — Rene Moreno, 56, passed away on July 15, 2004 at Methodist Hospital in Houston.
Visitation will be held today, Sunday, July 18, 2004 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel in Weslaco. Visitation will also be held on Monday, July 19, 2004 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel in Weslaco. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Donna. Interment of ashes will follow at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco. military graveside rites will be conducted by V.F.W. Post #8788 of McAllen.
Arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.
Walter Gene Smith
RAYMONDVILLE — Walter Gene Smith, 76, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on July 17, 2004. He was born September 3, 1927 in Stuart Place, Harlingen, at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Mayfield. He lived his entire life in Raymondville, graduated from Raymondville High School, and attended Texas A&I University.
While in high school, he was an outstanding athlete participating in football, basketball, and track and was well known as "My Son" (a nickname given by his father). As a youth, he was very active in the Boy Scouts, achieving the highest award in scouting, the Eagle Scout Award. As an adult, he was a Boy Scout Master for Troop 40 of Raymondville. In 1947, he married Anna Marie Gause and they celebrated 57 wonderful years of marriage together. Professionally, he worked as a photographer for many years at the family business, Gene Smith Studio. He also was a member of the First United Methodist Church and active in the Raymondville Jaycees, where he was named to the executive committee of the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1956-1957. He served on the Raymondville City commission for 31 years and contributed to helping the community grow and prosper. He enjoyed game hunting and managed a hunting lease for 20 years, in which he enjoyed friendships with all the members.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie Smith; children, Walter Gene Jr. and Karen Smith, Leslie and Steve Stites, and Clifton and Grace Smith; grandchildren, Blake Smith, Ashleigh Smith, Ross Smith, Steven and Joanna Stites, Michael Stites, Valerie Stites, Megan Smith, and Cara Smith; great-grandsons, Michael Anthony Stites, Gabriel Stites, and Jonas Stites.
He is preceded in death by his parents, S.E. "Gene" Smith, Lillian Mayfield Smith and an infant daughter, Valery Ann Smith.
Gene was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be missed by all who loved him.
Visitation will be held today, Sunday, July 18, 2004 from 4 p.m. till 6 p.m. at Duddlesten Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church in Raymondville with burial to follow at Raymondville Memorial Park Cemetery. Pastor Janna Sandidge will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Blake Smith, Steven Stites, Michael Stites, Ross Smith, Foster Crowell, Tiger Huerta, Willie Durham, and Ray Snow. Honorary pallbearers will be Glen Harding, Bill Gutherie, Jerry MacManus, Tommy Rains Sr., Carl Conley, Charles Wetegrove, Jimmy Duddlesten, Gene Taylor, and King Swayze.
Duddlesten Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Elida G. Lira
PASADENA, TX — Elida G. Lira, 69, of Pasadena, Texas passed away on Friday, July 16, 2004 at her residence.
She is survived by her loving family, husband, Alfred Lira of Pasadena, TX, one son, Joseph Lira of Pasadena, TX, two daughters, Priscilla (Randy) Krobot of Needville, TX and Juliana Lira of New York City, NY, four grandchildren, Jacob Heath Lira of the Woodlands, Texas, Zachary Dillon Lira of the Woodlands, TX, Jenna Leigh Krobot of Needville, TX and Alyssa Taylor Krobot of Needville, TX, four brothers, John (Mary) Gracia of Houston, TX, Robert (Chris) Gracia of Mercedes, TX, Alonzo (Elvira) Gracia of Mercedes, TX, Mario (Rosa) Gracia of Mercedes, TX, three sisters, Dora G. Garza of Mercedes, TX, Amelia (Saul) Barbosa of Corpus Christi, TX, and Mary (Abel) Leal of Mercedes, TX.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Maria Gracia, brother, Carlos Gracia, and sisters, Viola Gracia and Josefina Gracia.
Visitation will be held today, Sunday, July 18, 2004 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Holy Rosary prayed at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 19, 2004. We will depart Rudy Garza Funeral Home at 10 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Abel Leal, Juan Gracia, Robert Gracia, Saul Barbosa, Alonzo Gracia, and Mario Gracia. Honorary pallbearer will be her son, Joseph Lira.
Mrs. Lira was a loving and dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. She is dearly loved and will be missed by all those who knew her.
Marvin S. Retzlaff
Marvin S. Retzlaff, 82, of Cooperstown, ND was born October 10, 1921 near Binford, ND, the son of Alfred and Julia (Bendickson) Retzlaff. He grew up and attended rural school and graduated from Cooperstown High School in 1939.
He farmed in Cooperstown area and purchased the Bismarck Motor Hotel. He married Neva Thorn June 6, 1943 at the West Prairie Lutheran Church, near Binford. The couple continued to farm until 1969 when they moved into Cooperstown. Marvin became part of a partnership that developed an RV park/retirement community with a golf course in South Texas. The couple built a home there and have wintered there since 1976.
In 1969, Marvin began flying which later became his passion, logging over 3000 hours with his favorite co-pilot, Neva. Being able to fly allowed him to check on some of his other business interests, which included a gold claim in Alaska, a vineyard in California, and real estate in Arizona and Texas.
He died Wednesday, July 14, 2004 in Cooperstown Medical Center-Nurisng Home, Cooperstown, ND.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Neva, Cooperstown, ND; two sons, Robin (Kathy) Retzlaff of Springdale, AR and Jody (Carol) Retzlaff of Tampa, FL; one daughter, Julie Retzlaff of Vail, CO; eleven grandchildren; six great grandchildren and one brother, Carroll (Shirley) Retzlaff, Cooperstown, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2004 in Grace Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2004 in Grace Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND and one hour before services in the Church. Family services will be 7 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2004 in Grace Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND. Interment will be in the Cooperstown Cemetery.
Thomas Edwin Ashworth
HARLINGEN — Thomas Edwin Ashworth, was born April 15, 1909 in Valley Grove, near Stephenville, Texas. He was the son of Portia Roberts Ashworth and Marcus LaFayette Ashworth.
Tom’s family arrived in La Feria on August 2, 1920, by train, with eight children, three horses, several cows, and a crate of chickens. They all delivered to their new 35 acre farm on South White Ranch Road aboard a model-T truck.
Tom attended La Feria schools, became a charter member of the First Baptist Church in La Feria, and then was employed in the local area. He worked at the Serve U and Humble Service Stations before joining the Army in 1942. Tom served his country for forty-five months. In England, he was in the motor pool for the 124th Radio Intelligence Company, where he was witness to the V-1 strikes against Sussex. Later, he served in France and Germany. In 1945, he came home, enduring a stormy seventeen-day journey from the South of France to New York City. He arrived in La Feria near Christmas time.
After WWII, Tom was employed with the W.W.I.B. as an inspector of fruit and vegetables, then with Alamo Freight Lines as a claims adjuster. Later, he worked for Cameron County Irrigation District #3 until retirement at age sixty-five. He was a fifty year member of La Feria Masonic Lodge, a fifty year member of Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, and a fifty year member of Alzafar Shrine in San Antonio, Texas.
Tom passed away at the age of ninety-five. He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Ophelia Waller Ashworth; sister, Billie Ruth Glasscock of Waco, TX, and numerous nieces and nephew, and friends.
Visitation hours will be held Sunday, August 1, 2004 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home form 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Graveside services only will be held Monday, August 2, 2004 at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria at 1 p.m. Masonic graveside rites will be conducted by the Masonic Lodge #1197.
For those desiring to do so, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Donald Max Crane
La Feria — Donald Max Crane, 81, went to be with The Lord on July 29, 2004, at Valley Baptist Medical center.
He is survived by his Loving wife, Eva Crane, a son, Dennis Crane of Alabama and a daughter, Louise Roxanne Lucas of Georgia.
Entombment of cremains will take place at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in La Feria. Services are pending under the direction of Mont Meta/Restlawn Cox Funeral Home in Harlingen. A Dignity Memorial Provider.
Daniel G. Campos
HARLINGEN — Daniel G. Campos, 48, entered into the Lords Heavenly Kingdom, Friday, July 30, 2004 at Valley Baptist Medical Center.
He was a lifetime resident of Harlingen and had been employed with the Harlingen Independent School District. He was currently employed with the Aloe Vera Laboratories.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Isreal L. Ramos and Irene Ramos, and nephew, Richard L. Reyes.
He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Barrientos of San Benito; sisters, Esmeralda (Joe) Resendes, Janie Garcia, Sylvia Botello (Roberto), Petra Lopez (Juan), Lydia Salazar all of Harlingen; brothers, Isreal Ramos (Margie) and Jose Martin Ramos (Mary Lou) all of Harlingen and best friend, Daniel J. Martinez. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 1, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.
Arrangements will be under the direction of Trinity Funeral Chapel, 1217 South P. Street, Harlingen, Texas.
Joe Earl Tipton, Jr.
WESLACO — Sunday morning, July 25, 2004, Joe E. Tipton joined his wife of 65 years, Lenora R. Tipton, after 91 years of life.
Joe was born on the family farm in Bartlett, Texas, on October 9, 1912, the youngest son of Joseph Ellie and Annie Collier Tipton.
He graduated from Southwestern university of Georgetown, TX in 1933 with a degree in chemistry and came to work at Shell Refiner, Deer Park, where he worked until 1945.
He married Lenora in 1935 after her college graduation.
During WWII, Joe was "frozen" to his job making aviation gasoline for the war effort, so he gave to the community by also serving as the Fire Chief of Pasadena.
In 1945 he decided he wanted to farm, so they moved to Weslaco, TX where they lived until 1985. Joe both farmed and sold cars, in 1957 gaining the distinction of Chrysler Centurion, one of the top 100 Chrysler salesmen in the United States.
After his first experience of bladder cancer, Joe and Lenora moved to Deer Park, TX, to be close to their daughter, Susan Kennedy, a teacher in Deer Park. Joe enjoyed bowling for many years and even up to his last hospitalization, he was revered as one of the best "42’ domino game players by his friends at Maxwell Center, Deer Park.
Joe is survived by his sons, William E. Tipton, Sr. and wife, Constance, of Maitland, Florida, Charles D. Tipton and wife Susan E. Tipton of Deer Park, and his daughter, Susan Tipton Kennedy and husband, Randy L. Kennedy of Deer Park; grandchildren, William E. Tipton, Jr. and wife, Lisa, Daniel N. Tipton and wife, Stephanie, both of Florida, John F. Tipton and wife, Shannon and Kay Tipton Bull and husband, Aaron Bull, all of Virginia, Stephen J. Tipton and wife, Leesa, from San Antonio, and Joseph Tipton Kennedy of Dickinson, as well as 9 great-grandchildren.
A memorial interment will be held on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at 10 a.m. at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco. Officiating the service will be the Rev. Steve Clinton, Pastor of First Methodist Church in Weslaco. Arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.
