Obituaries

Floyd Allen Derrick, 94, died February 1, 2010.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 4, at Polk Street United Methodist Chapel, with Rev. Kevin Deckard officiating. A Private family burial was held at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.

Floyd Allen Derrick was born November 22, 1915, in Clarendon, to Henry Jerome “Rome” Derrick and Ruth Ann Hastings Derrick. He was the fourth of six children: Margaret, Henry, Frank, Floyd, Mary and Pearl. Early childhood memories were riding a horse. His hero was his Dad, which explains why he became a cowboy working throughout the Panhandle and Northern New Mexico. A life he and his favorite horse, Diego, loved. Whenever possible, the cowboys would come to Amarillo for a Saturday of R & R and dancing, mostly at the Old Tascosa Ballroom in the Herring hotel. One special lady, Miss Annie Mae Curtis, proved to be his favorite partner. After about three years she asked him if he ever intended to get married. The way he says it, he accepted her proposal. When asked recently if she became his new hero, he answered, “No! She “was” my life!!” Floyd Derrick’s patriotism was not lived only in the pride of his son but in his own love of his country. On February 2, 1942, he enlisted in the Army for World War II. He served in the Military Police in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and New Guinea. Being discharged January 10, 1946, as a sergeant, he received the American Theater Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, service stripe, and three over-seas service bars. You would always find Floyd proudly wearing his American Flag lapel pin. The move to the city meant Floyd would begin a 26 year job with the City of Amarillo, retiring as Field Superintendent for the Traffic Engineering Department. When he first began with the City, many of the dirt streets were being paved and required markings being painted by hand. His incredibly quick mind and some study opened a new opportunity. With the purchase of an automobile chassis, a drum for the paint, a generator to control the paint, some brushes and some welding he made a mobile paint machine and a new secondary profession emerged. It was at this point in his life he would later say the only thing he would change was, “Don’t push beyond your physical capabilities or you will pay for it in later life.” Even with all the years with the city and his own business he always referred to himself as “Just an ‘ole Cowboy.” Retirement brought opportunity for Ann and Floyd to travel. Wonderful trips both in the USA and abroad, his favorite being the South Pacific. His study before the trip challenged the tour guides. They still had time to enjoy dancing especially country western ranch dances. He was active in Polk Street United Methodist Church, a life time member of VFW Post 1475, Palo Duro Lodge 1239, Scottish Rite Mason, and at 91 years a Khiva Temple Shriner. As a widower he made many friends in the Widowed Persons Service Group, Senior Citizens, 45 Uppers Dance Club and the Amarillo Singles Dance Group. One day he was asked what he would like to be remembered for. His answer was simple – “Being Fair.”

Floyd Derrick considered himself a simple man who loved his Lord; his country; his family, his home and good home cooking like cornbread, beef and beans; and always washed and ironed his own shirts. He loved his siblings, sharing his brother Frank’s eulogy, his visit with Pearl on her end of life journey, and always the twinkle in their eyes as he and his sister Mary would meet. He was a loving father, good steward of his savings and all, that God provided, and always a humble and generous man. The very best a man can be!

Survivors include his son, Jerry Floyd Derrick and wife, Connie; his grandson, Shawn Derrick and wife, Jessica; his granddaughter, Tiffany Delage and husband, Ken; his eight great-grandchildren, Caleb, Isaac, Aaron, Ellie, Faith, Micah, Tate, and Ruth; and his sister, Mary Harlan of Clarendon, Texas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Floyd Derrick Memorial Fund, in care of Amarillo National Bank, 3101 S. Georgia, Amarillo, TX 79109.

William Murrell Whitaker, 91, died Wednesday, February 3, 2010, in San Angelo.

Services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley, with Everett Stevens, officiating. Interment with US Air Force Honors in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

William Murrell Whitaker was born on June 29, 1918, in Tucumcari, New Mexico to parents Dill and Beulah Mae Dorsey Whitaker. He passed away on February 3, 2010, in San Angelo, Texas. Murrell was a family oriented man who was blessed with a kind and patient personality and a strong mechanical talent. He proudly served our country during World War II as an Air Force aircraft mechanic on an engine change crew for B29’s. He married Dorothy Clark on June 29, 1956, in Portales, New Mexico. He continued his mechanical work following the war in auto dealerships in the Amarillo until he and Dorothy moved to Fort Bend County in 1967. He then worked as the Auto Mechanics Teacher for Lamar High School until his retirement in 1983. He found that sharing his knowledge and talents in mechanics with high school students was something that gave him great pleasure. Following his retirement from teaching, he and Dorothy moved to the small Panhandle town of Hedley, Texas until just a few years ago when they relocated to San Angelo, Texas.
She was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and son Marion Victor Whitaker.

Survivors include his loving wife Dorothy Mercene Clark Whitaker, his children Murrell “Sonny” Monroe Whitaker, Alice Whitaker Dickinson, Billy “Bill” Joe Whitaker, and Step-Sons Roy L. Dean and Jimmie J. Dean, nieces, nephews and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be to a favorite charity.

Edna Lee Perdue, 82, died Friday, January 29, 2010, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2010, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon, with Rev. Larry White of Amarillo, and Rev. Darrell Burton, Pastor of Martin Baptist Church, officiating. Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Perdue was born December 23, 1927, in Clarendon to Hugh Slaton and Annie Laura Mahaffey as the baby sister to her brother, Frank. Her childhood was spent in the Midway and Ashtola communities near Clarendon. She graduated from Clarendon High School in 1945 and Clarendon College in 1947. Edna married Wesley Dane Perdue on July 30, 1947, at Memphis after he returned from having served in WWII. They lived and farmed in the communities around Clarendon until 1958. The Perdue’s moved to Levelland and farmed from 1959 through 1973, returning to Clarendon in 1974. Edna and Dane had three daughters, Wynona, Dana, and Kathryn. Now, in addition, there are four grandsons, two granddaughters-in-law, two great grandsons, and two great granddaughters. In May of 2002, Edna became a resident of the Clarendon Medical Center Nursing Home; and although she missed being home so much, she adapted to the routines and procedures amazingly well. Dane visited her daily, and she would spend her weekends at home with him, until he too became a resident in 2004. They were roommates for one year before his death in December of 2005. Nursing home life is not what any of us would desire, but Edna gave us a beautiful example of how to accept change with courage and graciousness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Veda Mahaffey.

Survivors include her daughters, Wynona of Lubbock; Dana of Elkhart, Kansas; and Kathryn of Amarillo; her grandsons and their families, James, Ashley, Colby, Stephen, and Shannon Todd of Lubbock; Jeremy, Tawny and Kenzie Todd of Nevada, Texas; Tyler and Jarod Scott both of Amarillo; her nephew, Hugh Mahffey of Amarillo; several cousins; all the Perdue relatives; and many special friends.

The family request that memorials be made to a favorite charity.

Stacy Jane Mooring, 44, died Friday, February 16, 2007, in Ada.

Services were held Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at the Central Church of Christ with Eddie Poblete officiating. Burial followed at Rosedale Cemetery under the direction of Criswell Funeral Home.

Miss Mooring was born August 17, 1962, in Amarillo to Arlis and Sandra Bownds Mooring. She attended school in Clarendon and graduated from Clarendon High School and Clarendon College. She and her family moved to Ada in 1986 from Clarendon. She received a Masters Degree from East Central University. Miss Mooring was employed by East Central University in Human Resources and Customer Services. She was a member of Central Church of Christ.

Miss Mooring was preceded in death by her mother, Sandra Mooring, and a brother, Joe Kent Mooring.

Survivors include her father, Arlis Mooring; a brother, Rick Mooring and wife Lauri; and a niece, Nicole Mooring.

Pallbearers were Eric Jorgensen, Tim Canfield, Todd Crabtree, Benny Cope, Mark Cox, and Kent Hamilton.

Maurine Skipper, 81, died January 22, 2010, in McLean.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday January 26, 2010, at Forest Hill Baptist Church 1021 North Apache in Amarillo with Rev. Walt Ellis Officiating. Interment followed at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Skipper was born on March 28, 1928, in McLean to C.O. “Ott” and Laura Goodman. She graduated from McLean High School. Mrs. Skipper worked a number of Years for T.G.&Y. Store of Amarillo and the Amarillo ISD. She was Past Matron OES Bonita 184, OES Vega 528 and OES Amarillo 787. She also belonged to the Assembly 246 SOOB and was a Past Queen of The Nile.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Maxine Stroud.

Survivors include her husband, Milton Skipper of Amarillo; four sons, N.D. Skipper and his wife Ann of Gray, Tenn., Calvin Wayne Skipper and his wife Jackie of Lubbock, Patrick Skipper and his wife Venus of Amarillo and Mont Skipper and his wife Mary of West Valley, Utah; one daughter, Shelia Taylor and her husband Mitch of Amarillo; two brothers, Kenneth Goodman and his wife Sue of Amarillo, and Keith Goodman and his wife Ann of Ft. Worth; one sister; Marjorie Fish of McLean; and many beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bryan Lovell Myers, 51, died Monday, January 11, 2010, in Amarillo.

A memorial service for family and friends will be scheduled at a later date.

Cremation and arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Bryan was born September 30, 1958, at Selfridge Air Force Base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He was raised in and spent most of his life in Clarendon as well as in Missouri. He loved to fish and enjoyed hunting. He worked in Construction.

He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Michael Myers, and his grandparents, Hester and Sue Shields, and Chester and Mary Myers.

He is survived by his father and step-mother, Lovell and Sylvia Myers, of Dale City, VA; his mother and step-father, Patty and Jerry Lemons of Clarendon; two sons, Chris Myers and his wife Courtney of Clarendon, and Jeremiah Myers of Springfield, MO; three sisters, Vickie Rieken of Memphis, Cathy Myers of Clarendon, and Janette Harrison of Clarendon; three grandchildren, Dagon and Decylyn Worthington of Springfield, MO, and Emily Myers of Clarendon.

The family can be contacted at 718 South Ellerbe in Clarendon.

Faye Evelyn Bell, 90, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010, in Panhandle.

Graveside services were held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at Crowell Cemetery in Crowell with Jerry McLean, officiating. Interment followed at Crowell Cemetery in Crowell. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Bell was born January 29, 1919, in Foard County to Godfred and Bettsy Greer Borchardt. She was a homemaker and lived in Crowell most of her life. She was a member of First Christian Church in Crowell.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Darvin Bell; her son, Fred Bell; and her daughter, Carol Bell Henry.

Survivors include her grandchildren, Kent Bell of Panhandle, Karla Lott of Grapevine, Chea Nunn of Dallas, Earl Bell of Ruidoso, Fredrick Henry of Vernon, and Billy Henry of Crowell; five great-grandchildren; and her daughter-in-law, Peggy Nunn of Panhandle.

Geraldine Edith “Gerry” Skinner, 76, died Thursday, January 14, 2010, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2010, in the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Amarillo with Rev. Roger Smith, Pastor, officiating. Interment followed at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Gerry was born April 10, 1933 in Hobbs, New Mexico, to Odell Allen and Geneva Hipp Hawks. She married Troy Dean Skinner on September 28, 1956, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. She had been a resident of Amarillo and Clarendon most of her life. She loved to work with plants, gardening, and bird watching. She also loved to watch TV and shop. While living in Clarendon, she volunteered at the Nursing Home. She and Troy started Texas Saddlery in 1966 where she was the head bookkeeper until their retirement. She loved her children, grandchildren, and her pets. She was a Christian.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Troy on February 19, 2008; and a son, Scott Skinner in 1972.

Survivors include two sons, Walt Skinner and wife Kathy of Amarillo and Sam Skinner and wife Jean of Valley View; a daughter, Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Monroe and husband Dee of Kingwood; two sisters, Jeanne James of Odessa and Norma Schoelkopf and husband Al of Centerburg, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorial donations be sent to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch or the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Dept.

Robert Jasper “Bob” Bruce, Jr., 62, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, at the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Pastor Larry Capranica, officiating. Interment was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Alanreed Cemetery in Alanreed. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Bob was born February 4, 1947, in Alanreed. He received a Bachlor’s Degree from Texas Tech. He worked as an Operator as well as many other positions for Cabot Carbon Plant in Pampa for many years. Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching Texas Tech sporting events. He was a member of the 700 Club. His family has lived in Clarendon about seven years moving here from Pampa. He was Baptist and had been attending Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.
He was preceded in death by his mother.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Bruce; four sons, Gary Alan Utsey and Jeremy Utsey, both of Amarillo, and Shaun Bruce and Paul Bruce, both of Pampa; his daughter, Kay Bruce of Pampa; his father, Robert J. Bruce, Sr., of Midland; and his sister, Sandy Bruce of Midland.

The family suggests that memorial donations be sent to the 700 Club in memory of Bob.

Clyde Weldon McCrary, 83, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo.

Clyde was born Friday, April 2, 1926, in Clarendon to Jesse and DoraLee (Junior) McCrary. He served in the United States Navy during WWII and was a carpenter before retiring. He married Margie Ann Shults in August of 1950 in Colorado. He was devoted to family, church, and community and served in positions such as justice of the peace and firefighter to name a few.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Margie, in March 2008; his daughter, Jody Qualls, in 2006, as well as his parents and seven sisters and brothers.

He is survived by three sons, Michael McCrary of Colorado, Patrick McCrary and wife Nan of Amarillo, and Rev. Timothy McCrary and wife Linda of Kansas; three daughters, Linda Achen of Colorado, Nancy Jordan of Colorado, and Judy Summit of Amarillo; 19 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were 2 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Fritch with Rev. Charlie Johnson officiating and burial of cremains at Westlawn Memorial Cemetery following.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Amarillo Alzheimer’s Association, 415 W 8th Ave., Suite 300, Amarillo, TX 79101

Send personal condolences to www.brownfuneraldirectors.net.