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