Obituaries

Daniel “Ray” Heckman, 77, died Monday, February 5, 2007, in Amarillo.

Graveside services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2007, in the Goodnight Cemetery in Goodnight with Yvonne Stephens and Sara Dean, officiating.  Interment was held at the Goodnight  Cemetery.  Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Heckman was born June 14, 1929, in Clarendon to George and Annie Mae Karnes Heckman.  He was raised on the JA Ranch and attended Clarendon schools.  He then served in the US Army in Korea where he was awarded two Bronze Stars.  After discharge from the Army, he attended Clarendon College.  He was employed at Pantex for 36 ½ years before his retirement.  He married Emily Taylor Kirkland on April 17, 1981, in Amarillo.

Mr. Heckman was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Debbie Heckman; a sister, Leola Gilmore; and a brother, Cecil Heckman.

Survivors include his wife, Emily Heckman of Claude; two daughters, Patricia “Pat” Arnold of Happy, Sherri Shipman and husband Emil of Happy; two step daughters, Vickie Bailey of Pampa, Janie Burkhalter and husband Rick of Lubbock; one son, Randy Heckman of Amarillo; a brother, Lowell Heckman of Pampa; 16 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be to Goodnight Cemetery Association or Claude Volunteer Fire Department.

W.H. “Bill” Cooke, III, 86, of Amarillo, Texas, died Thursday, February 1, 2007.

Celebration of life services were held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, at the mausoleum of Llano Cemetery.

Mr. Cooke was born July 30, 1920, in Clarendon to William Henry Cooke, Jr., and Kitty Fleming Cooke. He attended Clarendon High School and Texas Tech University, then went on to serve honorably in the Army Air Corps in the Philippines during World War II.

After the war, he married Edith Joy McCrary of Clarendon on December 30, 1946; and they had two daughters, Kittie and Melissa.

Bill was an avid cattle rancher for over 30 years and owned 3 Cooke Cattle Company of Hedley. He loved ranching, and one of his many achievements included winning Grand Champion for his registered Hereford bull at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

In later life, he married Dorothy Wireman and lived in Amarillo where Bill devotedly worked at Amarillo College as an instructor in the area of alcohol and drug counseling/rehabilitation programs.

He will be lovingly remembered by all for his wonderful sense of humor, inspirational public speaking, and service to others for over 40 years. Bill was a beloved father, grandfather, and friend to many in the community and will be missed by all who knew him.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Cooke.

Survivors include his two daughters, Kittie Ford of Amarillo and Lissa Cooke of Dallas; one stepdaughter, Dena Gann of Amarillo; and his grandchildren: Christy, Brad, Angie, Kevin, Stephanie, David, and C.W. and their children.

The family suggests memorials be to Top of Texas Alcoholics Anonymous Group, 1301 S. Taylor, Amarillo 79101.

Blanch Elizabeth Ford, 90, died Tuesday, February 6, 2006, in Amarillo, Texas.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2007, in the First United Methodist Church in Claude with Rev. Janet Edwards, Pastor, officiating.  Interment was held at Claude Cemetery.  Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Ford was born December 20, 1916, in Thornberry, Texas, to Ashby and Annie Stephenson Osborn.  She married Leonard Arthur Ford on December 24, 1932, in Claude.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Claude.  She was a loving grandmother.

Mrs. Ford was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on October 24, 1993; her daughter, Betty Ann Hill; and two brothers, Ray Osborn and Jim Osborn.

Survivors include two grandchildren, Rodney Hill, Becky Mechler and husband Tom, all of Claude; two great-grandchildren, Justin Wilde and Crystal McCallie; and one great-great grandchild, Connor McCallie.

Viewing was 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at Claude.

Albertena “Tena” Powell, 79, died Wednesday, January 31, 2007, in Amarillo.

Services with Order of the Eastern Star Rites were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2007, in the First United Methodist Church in Claude with Rev. Janet Edwards, Pastor, officiating. Burial was at Channing Memorial Cemetery in Channing. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Powell was born October 26, 1927, in Electra to Cyrus Virl and Lora Edna Baker Ruth. She married Billy Powell on January 19, 1973, in Clovis, NM. Tena enjoyed needlepoint, quilting, handcrafts, crochet, and beadwork. She was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter #5 in Clarendon and was a current member of Amarillo Chapter #787. She served as past worthy matron numerous times. She was also involved with her churches that she attended in Hedley, Clarendon, and Claude. She was a member of the United Methodist Women’s society and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Claude.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Hank Wurst and Billy Wurst; one daughter, Margarie Wurst; and one grandson, Baron Wurst.

 Survivors include her husband, Billy of Claude; four sons, Robert Wurst of Claude, Tommy Sanders and wife Maryian of Amarillo, Tony Wurst and wife Cindy of Washington, and Jimmy Wurst and wife Becky of Houma, Louisiana; two brothers, Jack Ruth of Seattle, Washington, and Virl Ruth of Irving; one sister, Dorothy May Milam of Georgia; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and family friend, June Thompson.

The family requests memorials be to First United Methodist Church of Claude or Channing Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 34, Channing, Texas 79018.

Rosalie Dodson, 85, resident of Emory, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2007, at Senior Care at Lake Pointe in Rowlett.

Her funeral service, under the direction of Quinlan Funeral Home, was Saturday, February 3, at 3:00 PM at Centerville Road Church of Christ. Her graveside service was Monday, February 5, 2007 at Citizen’s Cemetery in Clarendon.

Rosalie was born on March 23, 1921, in Texline, the daughter of Francis Marion and Zelthia Williams Ellis. She worked for Amarillo School District.

She was a member of Centerville Road Church of Christ.

She was preceded in her death by her husband, her parents, 9 sisters, and 1 brother.

Rosalie is survived by two children, Alan Dodson and wife Bobbie of Garland, and Linda Porter and husband Lummie of Emory; grandchildren, Carlan Dodson and wife Michele, Randal Dodson and wife Emily, Kenneth Wayne Porter and wife Tammy, and Sherrie Porter; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Porter, Jesse Porter, Alexander Porter, Chloe Dodson, Michaela Dodson, Craig Dodson, and Alyssa Dodson; and a brother, Charley Ellis of Amarillo.

Leone Thomas Duling, of Amarillo died Tuesday, January 16, 2006, at the age of 97.

Servicers were held at 1 p.m. Monday, January 22, 2007, in Robertson Chapel of Memories with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Baptist minister, officiating. Interment was in Llano Cemetery in Amarillo under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Duling was born in Bangs on July 28, 1909, to John Wesley Thomas, Sr., and Clara Lillian Moxley Thomas. She was one of eight children. She married Bill Duling in 1956 in San Diego, Calif. She had worked much of her life as a Civil Service Employee in naval ports throughout the Pacific including Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines before her retirement. She was a resident of Amarillo for a number of years before moving to Medical Center Nursing Home in Clarendon seven years ago. Throughout her life, she had a real love and true passion for animals, especially small dogs. She was a member of a Christian Church in Amarillo.

Mrs. Duling was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1976, and by six brothers and sisters.

She is a survived by a brother, Wes Thomas and wife, Betty, of Clarendon, and several nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorials be made to Medical Center Nursing Home, PO Box 1007, Clarendon, Texas 79226-1007 or to any SPCA Chapter.

Stanley “Stoney” Walter McKee, 88, died Wednesday, January 17, 2007, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January, 20, 2007, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories with Gene Denney, officiating.  Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Stanley, “Stoney”, Walter McKee was born December 10, 1918, in Clay County, Oklahoma, where he attended school through the sixth grade.  In 1936 he left Oklahoma to pursue employment in California.  He served 4 years in the US Army and received the Bronze Star medal for heroic action in the Battle of Pelilu and additional recognition for good conduct during his military career.  Upon leaving the military, he returned to the San Joaquin Valley of California to begin a 39 year career of employment with the San Joaquin Cotton Oil Company/Paymaster Gin Co. of Texas.  In 1948 he married Eleanor, “Miss Ellie”, Frisby in Las Vegas, NV.  After retirement, he moved to Clarendon, Texas.  Stoney is fondly remembered by his grandchildren and great grandchildren for his extensive catalogue of songs with which he often entertained them.  In and around Clarendon, he was known for many wonderful things, including his flower and vegetable gardens.  He was a member of VFW Post 7782.

Mr. McKee was preceded in death by his wife, Miss Ellie, and his daughter, Rebecca McKee, in 1994.

Survivors include his children: Flindy Hedrick of Hanford, California; Susan McKee of Clarendon; Diane McKee-Georgia and husband Frank of San Diego, California; and Jeff McKee of Winfield, Alabama; one brother, Jack McKee and wife Gladys of Hanford; one sister, Mary Griffin of Walters, Oklahoma; grandchildren; Shirley Kaye Deese and husband Paul of Jacksonville, Florida; Barbara Hurst of Winfield, Alabama; Jeff Hedrick and wife Lisa of Winfield, Alabama; Mike Hurst of Hanford, California, Amy Halcomb and husband Danny of Newcastle, California; and Tor McKee of Hanford, California; numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, Ellie, 4 years old of Hanford, California.

The family requests memorials be to Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.  P.O. Box 364, Clarendon, Texas 79226, or any Seniors organization.

J.C. Woody, 76, died Monday, January 8, 2006, in Pampa.

Services were at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Borger with Rev. Ted Wilson, pastor, officiating.  Interment was in Evergreen Garden at Westlawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Woody was born on February 3, 1930, in Maude, Okla., and had been a longtime resident of Borger and Clarendon.  He served in the US Army in Korea.

He married Helen Chance on December 7, 1948, in Borger.  He was a welder in the Ironworkers Union IABS & IW Local #433.  He was a Mason since 1967, a Scottish Rite Mason since 1972, and a Shriner since 1973. He was a member of Masonic Lodges in Clarendon and Borger.  He was a member of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church.

Mr. Woody and his wife purchased The Clarendon Press in 1978 and owned the paper until they sold it to Robert Williams in 1989. While Helen oversaw for the weekly operations of the newspaper, J.C. was responsible for providing a new home for the newspaper in 1983, designing and constructing the office that is still in use at 105 S. Kearney in Clarendon.

Mr. Woody was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 1995, and three sons, Larry James Woody in 1950, John Clark Woody in 1952, and Richard Clark Woody in 2003.

He is survived by his sister, Jo Slaybaugh of Borger; four grandchildren: Daniel, Eric, Matthew and Cheyenne Woody; several great-grandchildren; one niece, Judy and George Forrester of Fritch; and one nephew, Jim and Marilyn Slaybaugh of Las Vegas, Nev.

Memorials may be made to the St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 100 Amaryllis, Borger, TX 79007.

Irene Sailor Shearer, 75, died January 9, 2007, in Claude.

Services were held Thursday, January 11, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa with Rev. Billy Holland, pastor of First Christian Church in Miami, officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Mrs. Shearer was born July 4, 1931, in Pampa. She was a graduate of Pampa High School and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She married John Shearer in 1953 in Pampa. He preceded her in death in 1980. She was a member of the Eastern Star. She was a former member of the First Christian Church in Miami and was a current member of the Community Fellowship Baptist Church in Clarendon. She loved to paint oil portraits and china. She will be remembered most as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, R.J. and Mabel Sailor; and one brother, Warren Sailor.

Survivors include one daughter, Lynn Calvert Like & husband Billy of Clarendon; one son, Mark Shearer of Clarendon; one brother, R.J. Sailor of White Deer; three grandsons, Jason Calvert and wife Aubrey, and Jeff Calvert, all of Lubbock, and John Calvert and wife Erica of Miami; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Calvert of Clarendon; and one great-granddaughter, Bella Calvert of Miami.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1400 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106.

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2006, in the First Baptist Church in Howardwick with Rev. Dave Stout, Pastor, officiating. Burial was at McKnight Cemetery in McKnight, Oklahoma. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Stone was born March 8, 1924, in Hollis, Oklahoma to John and Gracie Miller Tyson. She married Kenneth Stone on February 23, 1999 in Clovis, New Mexico. She was a resident of Amarillo before moving to Howardwick in 1999. She was an active member in the First Baptist Church in Howardwick. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Mrs. Stone is preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Betty Jean Owens; two brothers, Leo Tyson and Buck Tyson.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth of Howardwick; two daughters, Carolyn Richmond of Ft. Worth and Becky Bills of Montgomery; one brother, Robert O. Tyson of Hollis, OK; seven grandchildren, Heather Post, Rhonda Rutz, Elizabeth Hope Forrester, Shannon Beitler, Beth Janecka, Karen Crooks, and David Richmond; and 10 great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be to the First Baptist Church of Howardwick Building Fund.