FLORA ANN ADAMS CANTWELL
Flora Ann Adams Cantwell, age 73, of Harlingen, Texas passed away on Friday, Oct. 3 at a Harlingen hospital. She grew up in Medina, the daughter of Ben and Neely Tomlinson Adams. In 1948 she graduated from Medina High School as salutatorian of her class. Flora Ann was an accomplished pianist and graduated from Pan American University of Texas with a degree in music. Following her marriage to Billy Cantwell, they made their home in the Rio Grande Valley where she was active in the First Presbyterian Church in Harlingen and in other organizations.
Funeral services were held in the First Presbyterian Church in Harlingen Tuesday, Oct. 7, with Rev. Justin B. Jones officiating. Services were under the direction of Thomae Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas. Interment followed in the cemetery at LaFeria, Texas with Alfred Cantwell, Billy Cantwell, Jr., Chris Cantwell, Rudy Garcia, Herb Garcia, Joe Horton, and Joe McMullin serving as pallbearers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Neely Adams of Medina, and a son, Tommy Lee Cantwell of Austin.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Cantwell, Sr., of Harlingen; three sons: Billy Neel Cantwell, Jr., Douglas (Liz) Cantwell, and Alfred (Grace) Cantwell, all of Harlingen; a brother and sister-in-law, B. T. "Tommy" Adams, Sr. and wife, Peggy, of Bandera; her father-in-law, D. S. Cantwell of Harlingen; five grandchildren: Chris Cantwell, Alfred Steve Cantwell II, Adam Cantwell, and John Springer, all of Harlingen and Lacey Cantwell of Anderson, Texas; a niece Gayla Adams Konz (Max); and two nephews, Tommy Adams, Jr. and Troy Wayne Adams, all of Bandera; and 3 great nieces: Jade Konz, Remington and Kaylyn Adams, also of Bandera.
Flora Ann has many friends and relatives here in Bandera County and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
REVEREND DR. JOHN WESLEY PLATT
Reverend Dr. John Wesley Platt of Kerrville, Texas passed away Monday, Oct. 6 surrounded by his family and loved ones. Born September 26, 1924 in San Antonio, Rev. Platt is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Florence Platt; children, John Everett Platt and wife, Sylvia, Jimmy David Platt and wife, Katy, Jeanne Marie Flores and husband, Oscar, and Daniel Lee Platt and wife, Shirley; brother, Harry A. Platt, Jr., and wife, Helen; grandchildren, Ronald D. Weaver, Jennifer Wallace, Melissa Platt, and Evan Platt; great grandchild, Ryan M. Wallace; nephew, David Hobbs; and nieces, Kay Lynn Cammack, Christin Cameron, Mary Jacqueline Platt.
After earning a B.A. at Southwestern University in Georgetown, and a B.D. at Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology, he received Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Huston-Tillotson. He was licensed to preach from the Harlandale Methodist Church in 1946. He joined the Southwest Texas Annual Conference in 1949, was ordained Deacon in 1951, and ordained Elder and received into Full Connection in 1952. He served faithfully at First Methodist Church, Granger, TX 1948-1949, the Methodist Church, Venus, TX 1949-1952, The Methodist Church, Yancey, TX 1952-1953, First Methodist Church, Bandera, TX 1953-1956, Grace Methodist Church, Corpus Christi, TX 1956-1962, Asbury Methodist Church, Austin, TX 1962-1965, First United Methodist Church, Brownsville, TX 1965-1969, First United Methodist Church, Del Rio, TX 1969-1974, Memorial United Methodist, Austin, TX 1974-1978, District Superintendent, McAllen District 1978-1985, St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, San Antonio, TX 1985-1987, and First United Methodist Church, Kerrville, TX 1987-1994, from which he retired and was names "Pastor Emeritus." He was a member of the Alpha Chi Scholarship Society and the Pi Gamma Mu, Honor Society in the Social Sciences at Southwestern University, was Town and Country Pastor of the Year in 1956. May 26, 1994 was declared "John W. Platt Day" in Kerrville by the mayor of the city.
Funeral services were at First United Methodist Church, Kerrville, on Friday, Oct. 10 with Masonic graveside services following at Garden of Memories.
Those who wish to do so may contribute to United Methodist Committee on Relief in memory of Rev. Platt.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.
JAMES W. EVANS, JR.
James W. Evans, Jr. (Jimmie), 80 of Bandera, died Friday, Nov. 15. He was born in San Antonio on October 18, 1922, the grandson of Bandera County pioneer Amasa Clark, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio where he was a member of the ROTC. After high school he became a licensed pilot. He had a love of flying and aircraft and served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II from 1943-1946 in Australia and the Philippines and retired from Kelly Air Force Base Civil Service in 1979 after 38 years working in aircraft maintenance. During the time that he worked at Kelly Air Force Base he worked on various aircraft including the B-52 and C-5 and received many sustained superior service awards. Following retirement, he relocated to the family ranch in Bandera that he loved so much. He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. Evans, Sr. and Kitty Clark Evans. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed as they remember the patience, gentleness, and love he gave them all. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Louise Sorrells Evans, daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Steve Skipper of Bandera, daughter and son-in-law Martha and Dave Nuth of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, son and daughter-in-law Scott and Nanette Evans of Boerne, sister, Kathleen Eichman of New Braunfels, grandchildren, Kevin and Meredith Skipper, and Alexandra Nuth and Austin and Wyatt Evans, great-grandchildren, Jonathon and Cody Skipper, numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapel in Bandera, Monday, Nov. 18, with Pastor Frank Pullin of the First Baptist Church of Bandera officiating.
Graveside Service followed in the Amasa Clark cemetery located on Amasa Clark Road on the family ranch in Bandera. The family would like to give special thanks to the Bandera EMS staff and the Emergency Room and ICU staff at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital on Babcock Road in San Antonio for their valiant efforts.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of their choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera.
JETTA RUTH JOHNSON
Jetta Ruth Johnson, died, November 12 at Hilltop care center. She was born on August 24, 1951, in Bandera to Carl Johnson and Etta Baker Johnson. She worked as a nurses aid at the state hospital in Kerrville. She loved country music and to dance.
She is survived by her mother Etta Johnson of Bandera, son Preston Lee Beggs of La Grange, daughters, Ethel L. Burton of Hondo and Melissa Calloway of Bandera, sisters Jo Basse of Kerrville and Deedie Johnson of Bandera, brothers, Robert Johnson of Junction, Carl Johnson of Sonora, Will Johnson of San Antonio and Leroy Johnson of Bandera, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Many friends and loved ones will miss her dearly.
Funeral services were Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at Wrightís Funeral Parlor with Pastor Martin Smith and Pastor Jack Cook officiating. Interment followed at Bandera cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Vista Care in Kerrville.
All funeral arrangements were under the direction of Wright's Funeral Parlor in Bandera.
EVELYN MARIAN STORK PAULUS
Evelyn Marian Stork Paulus, age 88, died February 28, 2003, in Lufkin, Texas. She was bon' July 10, 1914, in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Anna Maria Keller and Berthold Oswald Stork, descendants of pioneer Fredericksburg families. She was a great great grand-daughter of Prof. Johann Leyendecker, Friedrich Wilhelm Schumacher and Valentin Hohmann and great granddaughter of Johann Adam Keller and Henry Markwordt.
She is survived by one daughter, Anne Paulus May and son-in-law, John David May of Lufkin; two grand-daughters, Lynda McDonald and husband, Terry of Silsbee, Susan Hubbard and husband of Lufkin; three great granddaughters, Delyn Ridinger of Silsbee, and twins' Ashley and Lauren Hubbard of Lufkin.
Memorial services were at Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home in Lufkin, Texas on Monday, March 3, and interment was at Bandera City cemetery Bandera, Texas on Tuesday, March 4 with a private family service.
CHARLES PAUL PYKA
Charles Paul "Charlie" Pyka, age 78, of Pipe Creek died Monday, March 24, 2003 in a San Antonio hospital. He was born on August 19, 1924 in Bandera to Peter Paul Pyka and Catherine "Katie" Lewis Pyka. On August 18, 1956, he married
Elizabeth "Betty"' Mellgren in San Antonio. Charlie was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, served in the Air Force during World War II, and retired from Civil Service as a Communications Technician. Survivors include his wife Betty of Pipe Creek, four daughters, Paula Shake of San Antonio, Terry Shake of San Antonio, Sandy Gore & husband Clarence of San Antonio, and Patty Roberts & husband Andy of Las Vegas, Nevada; step-son, John M. Mellgren & wife Cathy of San Antonio, eight grandchildren and many other family members. A Rosary was recited Thursday, March 27at Grimes Chapel, and the Funeral Mass was on Friday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, with Father Stan Oleksy officiating. Interment followed in the Old Catholic cemetery. Pallbearers were W. O. Alford, Donny Mellgren, Danny Pyka, Mark Mellgren, C. J. Gore, and James Shake. Memorials may be made to the Catholic Church.
BLANCHE S. LLOYD
Blanche S. Lloyd, age 92, of San Antonio, TX died on Friday, March 29, . Mrs. Lloyd was a charter member of Lakehills Ladies Auxiliary of The American Legion.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Victor Lloyd and brother, Stanley Summers. Survivors include her nieces, Jacqueline Patrick of Lakehills, TX, Peggy Sue Bogar (Arthur) of Katy, TX, and Barbara Jean Gilbert if Mexico; nephew William Alton Summers Jr. (Patsy Kay) of Missouri City, TX.
Graveside services were Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. Fort Sam Houston National cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at Lakehills United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 565 Lakehills, TX 78063. Arrangements were with Porter Loring Mortuaries in San Antonio.
IRENE BROOKS LANGFORD
Irene Brooks Langford, born in Bay City, Texas, on January 30, 1898, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2003 in Georgetown. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Cohen Hay Langford April 6, 1977, son, Wendell Brooks Langford (April 19, 1987) and parents, William Nelson and Gertrude Johnson Brooks (Cedar Bayou, Texas). Irene is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Louise and Albert Grapski, two granddaughters Alice Grapski and Linda Grapski Tatosian and husband, Greg, and one great granddaughter, Macie Wyly.
Irene witnessed more than a century of births, deaths, love, happiness, sadness and two world wars. She was filled with determination and exuberance for life. In the 1920's she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Science from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She continued on to become one first women pharmacists in the state of Texas. She studied pharmacy because ber father, a physician in Baytown, did not want her to become a doctor or a nurse. At that time there were only three other women in the pharmacy class. She met Coheo Hay (C. H.) Langford at The University of Texas School of Pharmacy in Galveston. They married
in Houston on August 23, 1924. As young pharmacists, the two of them worked for about a year in Mercedes. After that, they moved back to Houston so that C. H. could attend Baylor Collee of Medicine . Irene taught the fourth grade and later became the principal of an elementary school in Pelly. Her husband, C H., practiced medicine with ber father and the two, of them built Baytown Hospital.
In 1938, Irene and C.H. adopted their, daughter, Louise. Later they adopted son, Wendell. Irene and C. H. lived in Baytown until he retired in 1951 when they bought a ranch in Bandera. They moved there and lived until 1960 when they moved to Florence. They were the first ranchers in the county to raise French Charolais cattle. In 1972 they moved to Georgetown.
Irene was a life long member and Sunday School teacher in the Methodist Church and also member of the Order of the Eastern Star. While in Baytown, the attended the Baytown Grace Methodist Church. In Bandera, she attended the Bandera United Methodist Church and, in Florence, the Florence Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School classes, played the piano, and directed the choir until she was 98.
Irene was a dear and an inspiration to all her family and friends. Her great granddaughter, Macie, always called her 'great'.. .and Irene was great indeed.
Services will be today at 10 a.m. at the Davis Cook Waldon Funeral Home in Georgetown, Graveside services will also be today at 3 p.m. at the Bandera cemetery.
HAZEL MAYFlELD
Hazel Mayfield, age 85, of Medina, died Thursday, March 27, 2003 in a Kerrville hospital. She was born February 28, 1918 in Medina to Elijah and Alva Miers Miller. Hazel was a lifelong resident of Medina and a homemaker. Survivors include 2 daughters, Dorothy Pue & husband Morris of Medina, and Susie Hyatt & husband Billy of Medina, son Ernest Dutwood Mayfield, Jr, & wife Janice of Pipe Creek, 2 brothers, Wesley Miller of Phoenix, Arizona, and Milton "Doodle" Miller of Ogden, Utah, 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Durwood on September 20, 1999. Services were held on Monday, March 31, at 10 a.m. at Grimes Chapel, with Mr. Martin Smith officiating. Interment was in Oak Rest cemetery in Medina. Memorials may be made to the Bandera Junior Livestock Show.
Arrangements were under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera.
ROGER OTIS KING
Mr. Roger Otis King passed away May 14, in Comfort at the age of 78. He was born in San Antonio on February 6, 1925. Mr. King served in the U S Navy during WWII. After the war he and his wife, Tirzah Milene "Mollie" King relocated to Northern California where he owned and operated a scrap metal and demolition business, King Salvage. After selling his business in 1970 to his nephew, Roger Otis King II, he and his family moved back to Texas and settled in Comfort. King, past owner of King's Salvage, was known for his generosity to the community and showed support throughout the Hill Country to various organizations. He attended Knox Elementary School in San Antonio and was known to say "I graduated from the school of 'Hard Knocks' ". If you would ask him what he did for a living his favorite response would be "My wife and I are in the iron and steel business; she irons and I steal." He is best remembered as the man who always had a good deal. As a friend he is remembered for his great sense of humor and his famous coffee breaks.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Tirzah Milene "Mollie" King, his son Robin King and wife, Lilia, of Comfort, their children Avery and Roger Otis King IV (Roky), as well as Kelly Zamarippa, her husband Manual and their child, Mariah, Roger's only great grandchild. He is further survived by daughter Cassie Alex, her husband Steve, their children Kevin Alex, Chet Alex, and Carissa Saur, of Kerrville, daughter Marti Ashcraft and husband Terry Ashcraft of Comfort and their children Apryl Ashcraft, Victoria King, Elizabeth Ashcraft, and David Roger King Ashcraft; and son, Saun Otis King and his children Tirzah, Sihara, Harvest and Kendall King of Del Rio.
Memorial services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Comfort Baptist Church in Comfort, officiated by Rev. Jim Holt. Mr. King will be buried in private services held at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. Memorials can be made to Peterson Hospice of Kerrville or the charity of your choice.
VIDA PALMER
Vida Palmer, age 96, of Pleasanton, died Wednesday, May 7, in a Pleasanton Care Center. She was born Sept. 22, 1906 in Kerrville to John Henry and Ida Mae Jones. On Oct. 27, 1927, she married
James Polk Palmer in Kerrville. Survivors include one daughter, Evelyn Bernice Jordon Busby of Devine, and two sons, James P. Palmer, Jr., of New Caney, Tx. and David S. Palmer of San Antonio, half-brother, George Riley Jones of Graham, Tx., 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband James Polk Palmer, Sr., parents, Ida M. and John Henry "Heck" Jones, three brothers, Earl Jones, Ran Jones and Andrew "Slick" Jones.
Graveside services were Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m., Bandera cemetery, with her son, Rev. James P. Palmer, Jr. officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapel Of Bandera.
