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Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Jo Young Smith
Odessa - Dorothy “Dottie” Jo Young Smith, age 75, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at her residence after a long illness.
She was born Aug. 12, 1929, to William and Effie Young in Woodville, Okla.
She married
Floyd Eugene Smith on Dec. 6, 1947, in McKinney, Texas. She was the former owner of Dottie Smith Realtors and was a part-time instructor for Ector County Independent School District. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Floyd E. “Bud” Smith.
Survivors include her sons, Forrest E. Smith and wife Barbara of Bakersfield, Calif., Steven D. Smith of Dallas, Texas, and Alan W. Smith of Odessa; grandchildren, Eric Smith and wife Jennifer of Chandler, Ariz., Jennifer Smith of Dallas, Texas, Robin Smith of Westwood, Calif., and Leslie Smith of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; great-grandchild, Forrest Ean Smith of Chandler, Ariz.; brothers, James Terry Paine of Sherman, Texas, and Don Young of Keene, Texas; sisters, Annette Inman and Janette Hamel, both of Sherman, Texas.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Marion E. Adams
ODESSA - Marion E. Adams was born May 28, 1918, in Java, Virginia. He married
Ruth Monroe on November 21, 1942, in El Paso, Texas. They moved to Odessa on August 1, 1947.
Mr. Adams graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now called Virginia Tech, with a Bachelor of Science Degree on June 9, 1941. He entered the Army as Second Lieutenant on June 15, 1941 and served at Ft. Monroe and Ft. Eustis. He was then promoted to First Lieutenant on February 1, 1942 and served at Ft. Bliss, Camp David, and Ft. Fisher. He also served as Battery Commander at the last two locations. On January 15, 1943, he was promoted to Captain and sailed from San Francisco in July of that year; he landed on the Fiji Islands and was reassigned to an anti-aircraft group heading for combat. Marion saw limited action at Guadalcanal and took part in two battles in Bouganville. From Bouganville, he sailed to Luzon, Philippine Islands late in 1944 and participated in a convoy that was thirty miles long and ten miles wide.
An assault landing was made on Luzon in Lagaina Bay, which was the identical spot the Japanese had landed four years earlier. He then became attached to the 14th Corp G3 section to lead a battalion through Clark Field and on to Manila fighting along the way. Marion took part in securing Santo Thomas University where women and children were interned and played a role breaching the Wall City in Manila. He was then transferred to G3 section of the Sixth Army Headquarters and appointed Assistant G3 in charge of coordinating and supervising the combat testing of new equipment sent to the Pacific Theatre. Two important weapons emerged from this operation — “Snooper” Scopes and “Sniper” Scopes using infrared, which are used extensively today by the Air Force. The darker the night the better you can see; 50,000 were ordered to be distributed to 6 Army divisions.
Recoilless weapons were highly secretive until the Korean War; the newspapers had two-inch letter revealing their existence. Marion could only smile, since some five years earlier he had ordered for General Kruger 10,000 90-millimeter weapons and 20,000 40-millimeter recoilless guns. In mid 1945, Marion was promoted to Major but declined the promotion to come home sooner. Marion was part of the occupied forces in Japan while stationed in Keoto. His promotion to major was waiting for him upon arriving back in the States in November 1945.
Marion served as a Deacon and an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Odessa and served as Sunday School Superintendent for two years. He was an Elder at St. Paul Presbyterian Church of Odessa, and since 1990 he has been a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Odessa Masonic Lodge No. 955, a charter member of McFarland Masonic Lodge No. 1338, a member of the Scottish Rite for 50 years, and Al Mida Shrine, both in El Paso. He was a former member of the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang and in 1948 he was the first Board President of the Permian Playhouse. Also in 1948, Marion was a co-organizer of the Odessa Junior Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Board of Directors. He was also chairman of the first Independence Day Festival Bathing Beauty Contest.
Marion co-organized the Odessa Life Underwriters Association and served one term as president. He also co-organized the General Agents and Managers Conference of Midland/Odessa and served two terms as president, in 1958 and 1968. In 1974 he became a Paul Harris Fellow in the Odessa Rotary Club and has over 24 years perfect attendance.
Marion has served on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Advisory Board in Odessa and has been a continued supporter of the center since its inception in 1983.
In 1946, while living in El Paso, he joined Bankers Life Company of Des Moines, which is now the Principal Financial Group. In 1950, he led the State of Texas in sales and 7th in the nation. He was named to the Company’s Hall of Fame in 1985 and has worked with the same company for over 58 years. The Heritage Foundation of Odessa and the Odessa American awarded Marion the Community Statesman Award in 1986.
The Republican Party of Ector County was co-organized by Marion; it was formed from a group of 4 men called “Democrats for Eisenhower.”
Marion is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruthie, son, Michael Adams, of London, England, daughters, Jan Maynard of Longview, Kathy Cogdill of Stanton and Christina Waldron of Odessa; brother Earl Adams of Danville, VA; five grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2004, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A private burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or The Salvation Army.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Jacklyn (Jackie) Beard
KERRVILLE - Mrs. Jacklyn (Jackie) Beard, age 36, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2005, in a San Antonio hospital. She was born February 8, 1968, in Odessa, Texas, to Bobby Don Williams and Billie Fern Smart Williams. She was a bank teller and a member of First Baptist Church. She was active at First Baptist Church working with the children. She married
James Chadwick Beard September 10, 1988, in Odessa.
Survivors include her husband, Chad Beard of Kerrville; father, Bobby Williams of Odessa; three sons, Daniel, Kelby and Derek Beard, all of Kerrville; and two sisters, Sherry Vaughan of Abilene, TX, and Debra Collins of Snyder, TX. She was preceded in death by her mother, Billie Williams.
Memorial services for Mrs. Beard will be held Thursday, January 6, 2005, at 3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Kerrville with Dr. David McFadden officiating.
Memorial remembrances may be made to the Jackie Beard Memorial Fund at First Baptist Church in Kerrville.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to GRIMES FUNERAL CHAPELS OF KERRVILLE.
Roy F. ‘Sonny’ Karr III
ODESSA - Roy F. “Sonny” Karr III passed away Thursday, December 30, 2004, in Mobile, Alabama. He was 63 years olds. A native Odessan, Sonny was born on December 4, 1941, to Roy F. Karr Jr. and Mary Frances Karr. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He married
Janet Sue Hodgkiss in June of 1964 and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past June. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy F. Karr Jr.; mother, Mary Frances Karr; and stepmother, Mikki Thompson Karr. He is survived by his wife, Jan; his children, Roy and Sarah Karr of Waco, TX, and Kevin and Kathy Cox of Maple Valley, Wash.; his grandchildren, Franklin and Michael Karr and Jackson, Grace and Madeline Cox; his brother, Richard Karr and wife, Collette, of Waco, TX; his mother-in-law, Tommye Hodgkiss of Irving, TX; brothers-in-law, John Hodgkiss and wife, Merry, and Bill Hodgkiss and wife, Leslie, of Irving, TX; and 13 nieces and nephews.
He was an Odessa High graduate and graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in 1965. He was enrolled in the Cradle Roll department of First Baptist Church at the age of three and made his profession of faith at age seven. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Odessa for 60 years. In that time he served on various committees, dedicating himself to his responsibility as an usher and greeter. He always had a smile, a hug, a warm handshake or mints in his pocket for those who entered the sanctuary doors. He was an insurance adjuster for Permian Claims Service for 30 years or more years where his co-workers were like family and in business with his father RFK Inc. until the business was sold.
His favorite hobbies were spending time with his children and grandchildren, other family members, and most of all his wife Jan. He was an avid sports fan and fishing topped the list. His collection of fishing gear was comparable to none, whether he needed it or not.
Above all, his legacy of faith and love will continue to live in not only his children but also all those with whom he came in contact.
A memorial service will be held in Sonny’s honor at First Baptist Church of Odessa on Tuesday, January 4, 2004, at 11 a.m. The family will receive visitors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church music ministry or any of the other ministries of the church or your favorite charity.
Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
Manuel B. Lujan
ODESSA - Manuel B. Lujan, 87 years of age, passed away December 31, 2004, at the Hospice House. He was born January 11, 1917, in Redford, Texas, to Gabino and Manuela Lujan. He retired as a laborer in the oil industry and was Catholic.
Manuel was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carlota Lujan; brother, Simon Lujan; and sisters, Elisa Lujan, Flora Madrid, Isidria Pedraza and Sara Navarro.
He is survived by his son, Carlos Lujan of Odessa; daughters, Bertha Bersosa, Rosa Rodriguez, Blanca Gardea, Carmen Ortiz and Concha Lopez, all of Odessa, and Ana Sotleo of Winfield, Kansas; brother, Alvaro Lujan of Odessa; sisters, Ana Maria Caro of Chihuahua, Mx, Graciela Brito of Exetor Ca, Rosa Levario of Porterville Ca, Elvira Calderon, Victorina Acosta and Maria Hernandez, all of Odessa, and Aurelia Caro of Chihuahua Mx.; and 17 grandchildren.
A rosary will be recited on Tuesday Jan. 4, 2005, at 7 p.m. at Odessa Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Joseph Uecker officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Alfredo Bersosa, Carlos Sotelo Sr., Alfredo Lopez, Carlos Lopez, Alfredo Lopez Jr. and Carlos Sotelo Jr.
Services by Odessa Funeral Home.
Betty Jean Orbeck
MIDLAND - Betty Jean Orbeck, of Midland, passed away Wednesday, December 29, 2004, in Eastland, Texas.
She was born November 29, 1929, to Phillip Lindsley Wingate and Mary Maxine Wilson Wingate in Austin, Texas, and was raised and educated there. Betty graduated from Austin High School in 1949. She moved to Odessa, Texas, and worked with the Maintenance Division of the Texas Highway Department. She began her career as Archivist at the Petroleum Museum in February, 1976, and retired in February, 2001. Betty was a founding member of the Odessa, Ector County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Certified as an Archivist from the American University Department of History and National Archives, Washington, D.C., she was a member of Texas Association of Museums, Permian Historical Society, Ector County Historical Commission, and the Santa Rita Club. She did research, compiled and wrote Permian Basin history, specializing in the petroleum industry, cattle industry and military history of Texas, the Southwest and the Permian Basin. Betty received the Heritage of Odessa Foundation Award in February, 1997.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Curtis Dean Wingate.
Betty is survived by her son, Mark L. Orbeck of North Richland Hills, TX; and grandsons, Richard Brandon Orbeck and Travis Kyle Orbeck, both of Keller, Texas.
The family will receive friends at Ellis Funeral Home, Tuesday, January 4, 2005, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Funeral services have been scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at Grace Lutheran Church with Reverend Robert Pase officiating. A reception honoring Betty will be hosted by the Santa Rita Club at the Petroleum Museum, 1500 I20 West, following the services. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2005, at Capital Parks cemetery in Austin, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Hwy. Midland, Texas (432) 683-5555.
Pallbearers will be A.J. Schnur, Edward Garza, Glenn Enderson, Todd Houck, Reginald Keyes and Arlen Edgar. Honorary pallbearers are James I. Trott, Ted Kerr, John Younger, Kenneth Jastrow and Lester Van Pelt.
Memorials may be directed to the Petroleum Museum, 1500 I 20 West, Midland, Texas 79701.
Helen Louise ‘Wymer’ Plumley
ODESSA - Helen Louise “Wymer” Plumley, age 73, of Odessa, passed away December 31, 2004, at Medical Center Hospital. Mrs. Plumley was born January 15, 1931, in Stephens County, Texas, to Robert and Mahdeen Wymer. Helen graduated Ranger High School in 1947. She attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She married
Robert Charles Plumley on January 20, 1951, in Eastland, Texas.
She is preceded in death by her husband in 2000 and sister, Dorthy Beck, and her parents.
Mrs. Plumley is survived by a son, Robert Plumley II of Odessa; three daughters, Deborah and husband, Gene Dyas, of Glen Rose, Diana Plumley and Lynn Plumley of Odessa; sisters, Bobbie Harbin of San Angelo, Betty Williams and Shirley Griffin of Ranger; three grandchildren, Michael Paul Dyas of Morgan Mills Texas, Justin L. Dyas of Fort Worth, and Rene Dyas of Abilene.
Services are scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers will be Michael Paul Dyas, Gary Page, Justin L. Dyas, George Bunt, Ricky Chambers and Dr. Rocky Terry.
Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home 6801 E Hwy 80 Odessa Texas. (432) 362-2331.
Juan Bautista Ponce
ODESSA - Juan Bautista Ponce, 78, of Odessa, passed away December 30, 2004. Juan was born in Durango, Mexico, on February 15, 1926, to his parents, Jose Ponce and Fransisca Acuna. He was a Missionary for the Baptist River Ministry to Mexico and a Pastor serving several West Texas cities. On September 3, 1956, in Chihuahua, Mexico, he married
his wife, Amparo Caballero.
Juan is survived by his wife, Amparo Ponce; his brothers, Filimon Ponce of Fort Stockton, TX, and Ramiro Ponce of Guymon, Okla.; and sisters, Clotilde Escalera of Elkhart, Kan., and Nicandra Perez of Plainview, TX. His children are Ramon Ponce of Odessa, Marissa Sanchez of Midland, Armida Aranda of Ojinaga, Mexico, Javier Ponce of Odessa, Jose Ponce of Odessa, Lucy Stevens of Edmore, Michigan, Juan Ponce Jr., of Odessa, Hilda Nieto of Odessa, and Ymelda Ponce of Odessa. Juan has 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at Temple Baptist Church with Reverend Ken Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
Ronald Harold Tierce
ODESSA - Ronald Harold Tierce, 69, of Odessa, passed away January 1, 2005, at Regency Hospital Center, after a lengthy illness.
Ronnie was born September 1, 1935, in Robert Lee, TX, to Leo and Mildred Tierce. They preceded him in death. Ronnie and his family moved to Odessa in 1939, and he graduated from OHS in 1954. After graduation, he joined the U. S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1962. He was a second class boilerman. Ronnie returned to Odessa in 1958 and went to work for El Paso Natural Gas where he worked for 35 years. After El Paso was bought out, he worked for Burlington and Western.
In July 1976, he married
Billie Jean Jarrett Rhodes. She preceded him in death in September 2003.
As a young man, Ronnie enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing and grooming his yard. He was a devoted Papaw and his grandchildren could always find security sitting in his lap.
Ronnie is survived by his stepchildren, Lynn Rhodes Clifton and husband, Blake, Pam Rhodes Pitt and husband, Mike, and Mike Rhodes and wife, Dottie, and Marcy Rhodes; grandchildren, Heather Maddox, Amber, Jarrett, Chris Pitt; Ned, Dylan, Grace Clifton, Kimberly, Melody, Chance Rhodes; Ashley, Bailey Rhodes; great-grandchildren, Haylee Williams and Emily Maddox; a twin brother, Donald and wife, Carol; a sister, Fran Pease; seven nieces and nephews; Terry Goodwin, a loving caregiver of the past 15 months; stepson, Jerry Rhodes and grandson, Chase Clifton, also preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord with Rev. Dick Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Ector County cemetery.
Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
