Obituaries

Sam Hardy Barrow, 88, of Big Spring, died on Thursday, April 12, 2007, in a local hospital.

Memorial services were held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, April 16, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Augustine Ypina, Hispanic Minister, officiating.

Sam Hardy Barrow was born in Sweetwater to A. B. and Mary Hardy Barrow. He was raised in Northwest Texas and lived with his mother and grandfather, G. S. Hardy, a Methodist minister. He graduated from Clarendon High School when he was 17 and was appointed to West Point by test scores and the recommendation of his U.S. Congressional representative.

Upon graduation in the Class of 1941, Sam was posted to Puerto Rico. After that assignment, he went to U. S. Army Infantry School. Sam commanded the 34th Division in combat at the end of World War II. In 1956, he was the Senior KMAC Advisor to the General officers of the 3rd and 9th Korean divisions.

Sam also served tours in ROTC staffs at the University of Virginia, as USCONARC at Edgeworth Arsenal and Fort Sam Houston. Sam retired in 1969. Sam was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Occupation Medal, Amercan Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Cross di Guerra (Italy), National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and Cross for War Merit. He earned a Master’s Degree from William & Mary following retirement.

Sam then moved to Rockport. Sam married Mary D’olif in 1958 and had three children, George Michael, Mary Karen and Sam Dennis.

 After that marriage ended in divorce, Sam married Ruth Causey and had two sons, William Warren and Charles Christopher. He has eight grandchildren.

After Ruth’s death, Sam married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Pete” Powell. The couple moved to Big Spring where they lived until his death. “This marriage was the highlight of my life”, Sam was quoted. “We participated as volunteers in community activities and civic causes. We enjoyed our children and grandchildren and lived our lives as lovers and best friends.”

Arrangements were under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

Ray Austin Pool, 86, died Saturday, April 7, 2007, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, in the First Baptist Church in Groom with Reverend David Kelly, Pastor, officiating.  Interment was held in Groom Cemetery.  Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Pool was born September 5, 1920, in Groom, Texas, to Jinks and Thelma Mae Slay Pool.  He was employed by the US Atomic Energy Commission in Indian Springs, Nevada, from 1950 to 1984 when he retired.  He married Gaynelle McElroy on September 4, 1994, at Groom.  He was a US Air Force veteran of World War II, was a Master Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge, and had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Groom since 1933.

Mr. Pool was preceded in death by a son, Max Pool and a granddaughter.

Survivors include his wife, Gaynelle Pool of Groom; two daughters, Deane Dodson and Marylin Beck both of Las Vegas, NV; one son, Bobby Owen Pool of Las Vegas, NV; one sister, Maurine Strickland of Amarillo; one brother, Bob Pool of Groom; seven grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

The family requests memorials be to First Baptist Church in Groom.

Kenneth Eugene Banister, 74, died Thursday, April 5, 2007, in Claude.

Services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April, 2007, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Retired Baptist Minister, officiating.  Interment was held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.  Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Banister was born July 18, 1932, to Fletcher Elbert and Ollie Maggie Brown Banister in Hedley, Texas.  He married Leota Marshall on January 1, 1952, in Clarendon.  He had lived in Amarillo before moving to Claude 30 years ago.  He had worked for Amarillo Road Company prior to his retirement.  He was a lifetime member of the Panhandle Kennel Club, French Bulldog Club of America, and a charter member of the French Bulldog Club of Dallas/Ft. Worth.  He was a member of the first Baptist Church of Claude.

Mr. Banister was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kenneth Dwight Banister, on November 15, 1982; three brothers; and three sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Leota Banister of Claude; two daughters, Denise Compton and husband David of Hurst, and Donna Banister Spohn and husband Tony of Claude; one brother, Robert Banister of Cario, Georgia; one sister, Barbara Lee and husband Loy of Sanger; one granddaughter, Jennifer Bible and husband Charles of Sanche; five grandsons, Kenneth Compton and D.C. Compton both of Hurst, and June, Jonah, and Jacob Lara of Claude; one great-grandson, David “Peanut” Compton of Hurst.

The family requests memorials by to Valet Parking at BSA Hospital, BSA Hospice, or Claude EMS.

Alton Redell “A.R.” Henson, 81, died Friday, March 30, 2007, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2007, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Tom Garmon, Pastor, and Rev. Bryan Knowles, Retired Baptist Minister, officiating. Burial with Masonic Graveside Rites was held in Citizens Cemetery. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Henson was born on June 10, 1925, in Hedley to Grady and Cleo Spier Henson and had been a lifetime resident of Donley County. He married Frankie Hommel on November 13, 1944, at Hollis, Oklahoma. He and his family are the owners and operators of Henson’s in Clarendon. He was a member of Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700, was Past President and member of the Al Morah Shrine Club, the Clarendon Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #6. He was a member of the Clarendon Lions Club, and was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of World War II. He had served for several years as the Donley County service chairman for the American Cancer Society, had served as the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of Texas – Order Of The Eastern Star, and attended the Baptist and Methodist Churches.

Mr. Henson was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Wilma Hill in 1971; and a great grandchild, Grady Henson.

Survivors include his wife, Frankie Henson of Clarendon; a daughter, Sharon Winfrey of Clarendon; a son, Wes Henson and wife Susan of Clarendon; a brother, Floyd Henson and wife Gini of Austin; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Henson, Kristi Winfrey, Suzzette Williams, Rona Winfrey; and two great-grandchildren, Copeland and Shelbie.

The family requests memorials be to a Shriner’s Hospital, the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, or a favorite charity.

Allie Mae Goodman Maxey, 77, died Friday, March 30, 2007, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 2, 2007, in Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Retired Baptist Minister, officiating. Burial was at Citizens Cemetery. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Maxey was born on January 6, 1930, to Dewey and Ernie Baker Goodman in Clarendon. She was a lifetime resident of Clarendon. She married Richard Oscar Maxey on September 21, 1947, in Clarendon. She had owned her own restaurant for several years. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

Mrs. Maxey is preceded in death by her parents; her husband on May 22, 1992; one daughter, Sandra Elaine Maxey in 1950; and one brother, Billy Goodman.

Survivors include three daughters, Marsha Kay Kirk and Paula Jo Nuss both of Amarillo, and Richelle Lynn Culifer of Tulia; a son, Richard “Buzzy” Maxey of Sacramento, California; a brother, Jimmy Goodman of New Jersey; 9 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family request that memorials be to the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department or the Medical Center Nursing Home in Clarendon.

Louise Howell Long, 103, died Saturday, March 31, 2007, in Stratford.

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Larry Brace, pastor of the Assembly of God in Texoma, officiating. Burial followed in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Mrs. Long was born February 13, 1904, to L.H. and Rena Jane Howell in Dublin, Texas. She had lived most of her life in Hedley before moving to Stratford eight years ago. She married Cecil Leroy Harris on November 6, 1920, in Hedley. Upon the death of Mr. Harris in 1960, Louise married Johnny Long in December of 1962, in Hedley.

She had worked for the Clarendon and Memphis Hospitals as an LVN prior to her retirement. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hedley where she worked with the teenagers and taught Sunday School. She loved singing hymns and would often lead the singing at the nursing home. She was a Baptist.

Mrs. Long was preceded in death by her parents; both of her husbands, Cecil Leroy Harris in 1960 and Johnny Long in 1972; eight brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors include three daughters, Annita DeBord of Stratford, Cecilia DeBord of Amarillo, Ruby Comen of Borger; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be to a charity of choice.

Cleta Bell Becton Shults, age 75, died Monday, March 26, 2007, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007, in First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Truman Ledbetter, Baptist Minister, and Rev. Lance Wood, pastor, officiating. Interment at 3:30 p.m. in Becton Cemetery near Petersburg with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Shults was born October 4, 1931, to Mack and Dixie Foy Becton in Estacado, Texas.  She was a resident of Pampa before moving to Clarendon in 1976.  She married Thomas Byron “Tom” Shults on May 1, 1950, at Carlsbad, New Mexico.  She had taught schools in Anton, Pampa, and Matador prior to her retirement. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Maxine Spencer, and by a son, Tommy Mack Shults in 1956.

Survivors her husband, Tom Shults of Clarendon; a daughter, Kathy Bateman and husband John of Arlington; a brother, James Becton and wife Bonnie of Idalou; her grandchildren, Emily and Bob Ellis of Amarillo and Thomas Bateman of Arlington; and two great grandchildren, Autumn and Amanda Ellis of Amarillo.

The family requests that memorials be to a favorite charity.

Edward Lee Sewell, 65, died Wednesday, March 21, 2007, in Dallas.

Graveside services were held on March 26, 2007, in Northlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Dumas with Dan Turner, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Edward was born January 29, 1942, in Amarillo to Alton Edward and Agnes Irene Bolander Sewell. He was a graduate of Dumas High School in 1960. He was employed at various jobs in photography. He had been a resident of Dallas since 1966. He was a Baptist.

Mr. Sewell was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include two sons, Robert and Harry; a sister, Carol Lewis and husband Garth of Frisco; and his nephews, Tucker, Gary, and Andy.

The family requests that memorials be to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Mr. Ralph Raoul Percival, age 77, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Princeton, passed away December 20, 2006.

Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2006, at Ridgeview Memorial Park and included the Color Guard Flag Ceremony and the beautiful Trinity of Doves presentation. Dr. Mark Forrest officiated.

Mr. Percival was born August 25, 1929, in Clarendon to Herman Leon and Peggy Aileen (Gardner) Percival. In 1971 he married Georgie Lenora Moore in McKinney. After graduating from college, he proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

Ralph retired from Boeing and spent most of his time with Georgie and their twenty-three adopted Pomeranians; planting many native plants on their property overlooking Lake Lavon and working in his workshop. He also enjoyed making large model airplanes to scale. Ralph’s largest project was the research and building of a powerful Telsa Coil. Both he and Georgie enjoyed retirement and a quiet and peaceful life overlooking the lake.

He is survived by his daughter, Diane Tucker and husband, Larry of Houston, Texas; brother, Joe Percival and wife, Judy of Grand Prairie; his sister, Jean Marie Morrow and husband, Kenneth of Clarendon.

 Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Georgie Percival and his step-son, Douglas Wayne, an honored Eagle Scout.

Wiley Preston Reynolds, 77, died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2007, in Robertson Chapel Of Memories in Clarendon with Eddie Stegall, officiating.  Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.  Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Reynolds was born September 28, 1929, in Clovis, New Mexico, to John Preston and Bessi Knox Reynolds.  He married Wilma Watkins on April 2, 1955, at Portales, NM.  He was a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree.  He also taught for 29 years in the public school system.  He owned and operated Reynolds Machine and Supply in Lelia Lake for many years.  He was a Christian.

Mr. Reynolds was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma Reynolds of Lelia Lake; 3 nephews, Vern Miller of Amarillo, Stephen Rogers of Oklahoma City, and Preston Byrd of Alvarado; 3 nieces, Judy Jenkins of Amarillo, Ivana Sonen of Sunray, and Terri Lynn Byrd of Alvarado; and one sister, Charlsie Byrd of Alvarado.

The family requests memorials be sent to a favorite charity.