System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!
Troy Neilan Cheatham
Odessa - Troy Neilan Cheatham, 83, of Odessa, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2005, at his residence.
He was born July 5, 1921, in Coryell County to Robert Clyde and Lura Gardner Cheatham. Troy grew up in Archer County and joined the U.S. Navy on Nov. 16, 1939. He was stationed in San Diego until he was assigned to the USS Saratoga. They were sent to Pearl Harbor and arrived one week after the Japanese attack. He spent two years in the Pacific, until he was sent to torpedo school in Newport, R.I. He was then assigned to the destroyer escort USS Weaver D.E. 741. He spent the duration of the war on the Weaver as Chief torpedoman. The Weaver captured the largest Japanese sub in the fleet and endured the worst typhoon the U.S. Navy has ever encountered. They were anchored in Tokyo Bay when the peace treaty was signed in 1945. Troy was discharged Dec. 21, 1945, and returned home to Texas. He has enjoyed attending numerous annual reunions with his Weaver shipmates.
Troy and JoAnn were married
May 21, 1951, in Odessa. He went to work for Tidewater Oil Co. in 1958 and retired from Texaco in 1986. Troy enjoyed watching his two grandsons grow up — he went to every baseball game. They were the biggest joy of his life.
He was a charter member of Highland United Methodist Church and a member of the American Legion Post No. 430.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, William Clovis Cheatham.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, JoAnn Cheatham; daughter, Lisa Sheets; grandsons, Benjamin John Lasseter and Adam Barton Lasseter; sisters, Merle St. John of Marble Falls, and Joy Taylor of Burnet; sisters-in-law, Frances Brown and Dorothy Tennis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 21 at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral
Home Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. Naidu, Irene Tinney, the staff of Naidu Clinic and Alliance and Regency Hospitals.
Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Olan Draper
ODESSA - Olan Draper was born in Goodlett, TX, on August 1, 1922, to Robert William and Lillie Mae Draper.
He finished high school in Shallowater, TX, in May 1941, later serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II from 1942 to 1946, as the rank of sergeant.
He moved to Odessa in 1942, and after he was discharged from the Army, he attended Odessa College from 1946 to 1948.
He was employed by the Odessa American as city and county circulation manager from 1948 to 1962, before moving to Pampa to become the Circulation Director of the Pampa Daily News from 1962 to 1963.
He taught Driver’s Education for 31 years for ECISD, and Cliff Summer and Morris Shaw Driving Schools, and retired in 1998.
He was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 75 for many years. The troop was sponsored by the Odessa American. He was also Explorer Advisor for Post 83 from 1964 to 1969; it was the largest Explorer Post in the Buffalo Trail Council, and it was sponsored by the American Legion.
During those years with the scouting program, he had 32 boys reach the rank of Eagle Scout.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mrs. Lillie Marcum; a sister, Claudean; and brothers, Tom Draper and Otha Draper.
He is survived by his brother, Sam Draper of Midland; nephews, Jim Draper and Sammy Draper of Midland, Jesse Draper of Bethesda, MD, and Charles Draper of Gainsville, TX; nieces, Nancy Gibson of Dallas, TX, Phoebie Webb of Amarillo, TX, and Sue Draper of Midland.
He was a member of the Baptist faith.
Donations can be made to the Buffalo Trail Boy Scout Council in Midland, TX.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with James Draper officiating.
Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
Clyde Rayburn Fleet
ODESSA - Clyde Rayburn Fleet, age 83, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, lovingly known as “Pa, ” passed away Friday, March 18, 2005, at his home after a lengthy illness.
He was born October 23, 1921, in Bangs, Texas, to Arthur and Corine Fleet. He served in the armed forces during World War II.
He married
his loving wife and “light of his life, ” Veoma Wagner Fleet, on May 25, 1946, in Brownwood, Texas. Together, they moved to Odessa in 1952, and after many years he retired from G. O. Salmon and Sons. Clyde was a member of First Baptist Church of Odessa, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister; and one brother.
He is survived by his wife, Veoma of Odessa; son, Wayne Fleet and wife LaVera of Houston, Texas; daughter, Linda Eaton and husband Mike of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Dwayne Eaton and River Van Dillen of Fairbanks, Alaska, Heather Lackey and husband DeWayne of Edmond, Okla., and Jordan Fleet of Houston, Texas; one great-grandchild, Kai Van Dillen of Fairbanks, Alaska; and brother, Randall Fleet and family of Brownwood, Texas.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, in the Chapel at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church Brownwood, Texas, with the Rev. Doyle Brookshire officiating. Interment will follow at Jordan Springs cemetery under the direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home of Brownwood, Texas.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregiver, Annette Sanchez; to Home Hospice, Bro. Jimmy Braswell, and family and friends.
Memorials can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2601 NW Expressway, Ste 613E, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, or to the Alzheimer’s Association of the Permian Basin.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Olin Wayne Phillips
ODESSA - Olin Wayne Phillips, age 65, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 19, 2005, at his residence in Odessa.
He was born October 18, 1939, to Tommy Olin and Alice Phillips in May, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a Meter Man-1st Class for T.U. Electrical Service.
Wayne was an outstanding husband, father and brother. He married
Edith Gidcumb on June 25, 1963, in Odessa. He was a member of the Grace Fellowship Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include his wife, Edith Phillips of Odessa; sons, David Phillips of Breckenridge, Texas, Steve Phillips and wife Renee of Odessa, Paul Phillips and wife Miriam of Dayton, Ohio, and Craig Phillips of Odessa; sister, Hazel Phillips of Midland, Texas; mother-in-law, Ida Gidcumb, brothers-in-law, John Gidcumb of Arizona and Gary Gidcumb of Odessa; seven grandchildren, Darlene, Dokken, Heather, Casey, Kara, Sarah, and Madison; and many other relatives and friends.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel with the Reverend Robert E. and Evelyn Lamb officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill cemetery.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Hazel May Smith
Odessa - Hazel May Smith, beloved by so many, passed away Friday March 18, 2005, at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas.
Hazel was born June 4, 1910, in Hastings, Okla., to Ellis Clay McFarland and Malissa E. Mead. Hazel was the eldest of seven children.
She married
Rufus J. Smith on December 27, 1929, in Duncan, Okla. She and R.J. followed the developing oilfields starting in Oklahoma, across Texas to California until permanently settling in Odessa in 1946, where R.J. worked as a drilling superintendent until his death in 1969.
Hazel graduated high school in Empire, Okla., and attended college in Edmond, Okla. She was a homemaker and mother, working outside the home for Elliott’s Interiors of Odessa, Odessa College Bookstore and the University of Oklahoma Bookstore.
Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her youngest son, Johnny Mack Smith.
Hazel is survived by her children, Vasca Beall and husband Michael of Weatherford, Texas, Janie Wilson and husband Jon of Edmond, Okla., Ronald Smith and wife Carole of Odessa and Donald Smith and wife Lynn of Farmersville, Texas; and daughter-in-law, Mary Smith, of Midland. She leaves one sister, Della Vann and husband Warren of Belfair, Wash.; and two brothers, Glen McFarland and wife Clara of Duncan, Okla., Lee McFarland and wife Iris of Lynnwood, Wash., who mourn her passing. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at Hubbard Kelly.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa with Burt Groves of Eisenhower Church of Christ officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Her eight grandsons, Steven Beall, Jeff Beall, Patrick Beall, Scott Beall, Monty Smith, Michael Smith, Jason Smith and Jonathan Smith will serve as pallbearers.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Wesley D. Simpson
ODESSA - Wesley D. Simpson, 66, “Wild Wes, ” harmonica player. 1937-2005, of Odessa, passed away at Avalon Nursing Home.
He was born Sept. 23, 1937, in Topeka, Kan., to Wesley F. and Mildren I. Simpson.
He went to be with the lord on March 17, 2005. Wesley was an art professor who taught at Green Bay Wisconsin, Kansas State and U.T.P.B.
He sold Mobil Homes for Big J. Mobil Homes, but most of all he loved his music.
He is preceded in death by his Father.
He is survived by his wife, Lanona (Nona, Nonie) Simpson of Odessa; sons, Hugh C. Simpson of Odessa, Jonathon Simpson of Wichita, Kan.; stepson, James Babcock of Odessa; daughters, Andrea Bachlor of Oregon and Robin Schultz of Florida; stepdaughter, Hope E. Mendoza of Odessa; his Mother, Mildren I. Simpson of Odessa; sisters, Kathy McKey of Alabama and Kay Stotenburg of Canada; nine grandchildren; two step grandchildren; his Musician Brothers and Sister, Jack and Irma Smith of Odessa, Jerry and Grammy RainWater of Montgomery, Kenny Hardin of Odessa, Tommy Lucas of San Angelo, Big John of Montgomery, Travis of New Mexico and J. Fred of Odessa and Dear Friend Linda Arnold.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, at Odessa Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating.
Services by Odessa Funeral Home.
James (Jim) Allen Taylor
ODESSA - James (Jim) Allen Taylor, 72, of Odessa, passed away Friday, March 18, 2005, at Seabury Nursing Center.
He was born Sept. 23, 1932, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to George and Helen Taylor. After attending school in Wichita Falls, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp.
On Oct. 29, 1955, he married
Reta Mae Ditto, of Wichita Falls. While working in the petroleum industry, in Wichita Falls, he and his family transferred to Odessa in 1967. In 1977, he and his brother founded Taylor Service Co., Inc.
He rode bareback broncs in the rodeo for many years. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, woodworking, his favorite cat Yellow and his grand- & great-grandchildren.
His parents; and his sister, Marcia Henderson, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Reta Taylor of Odessa; sons Tommy (Janet) Taylor of Amarillo, Ricky (Mary) Taylor of Buckeye, Ariz.; daughters, Theresa (Mike) Riddle and Judy (Richy) Puga of Odessa; brothers Jerry (Ernestine) Taylor of Odessa and Jack (Jan) Taylor of Wichita Falls; sister, Sue Clark of Wichita Falls; grandsons, Mark (Rose) Riddle and Spc. Matthew (Julie) Riddle of Odessa, James Allen Taylor II of San Angelo, Chris (Leticia) Taylor of Buckeye, Ariz., Kenny Taylor of Odessa, Stacy (Heather) Massey of Buckeye, Ariz.; granddaughters, Pfc. Torreya Taylor of Ft. Campbell, Ky, and Tricia (Brian) Bowling of Buckeye, Ariz..; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 22nd at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Odessa, with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Military honors provided by the VFW will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Mark Riddle, Matthew Riddle, James Allen Taylor II, Kenny G. Taylor, J.D. Taylor and Tim Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Robinson, Bud Steed and Wayne Patterson.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to Seabury Nursing Center and Home Hospice of Odessa.
Memorials may be made to Home Hospice of Odessa.
Mr. Taylor’s family will receive family and friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 21st at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.
James A. Drane
MIDLAND - James A. Drane, 83, of Midland, Texas, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at his residence.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at the Manor Park Chapel in Midland with The Reverend Dr. Mark L. Cannaday, of the Episcopal Church Of The Holy Trinity, officiating.
Internment will follow at the Columbarium at the Espicopal Church Of The Holy Trinity.
He was born on July 13, 1921, in Pecos, Texas, and grew up in Pecos. Mr. Drane was the son of the late Judge James A. and Jamie Drane, who were a pioneer Pecos family.
James received his BA in 1942 from Schreiner College in Kerrville and served during World War II in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946.
Mr. Drane served as the Deputy U.S. District Clerk for the Western District of Texas in Pecos for more than 22 years, retiring in 1975. After he retired he came to Midland in the early 1980s.
He was a member of Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity.
Survivors include five cousins, DeLourdes Marshall, Kathy Lynn Hefner Arroyo, Patricia June Hefner Gobin, Sharon Novella Edmondson and Katheryn “Katie” Barwick Snell.
Mr. Drane was preceded in death by his father Judge James A. Drane and his mother Jamie W. Drane.
Memorial donations are suggested to be made to the Manor Park, Inc., Capital Campaign, 2208 N. Loop 250 West, Midland, Texas, 79707, or to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, 1412 West Illinois, Midland, Texas, 79701-6953 or to the West of Pecos Museum, P.O. Box 1784, Pecos, TX 79772.
Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.
Mary E. Forness
Odessa - Mary E. Forness, 85, a long time resident of Odessa passed away Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at the Parks Methodist Retirement Village.
She was born June 6, 1919, in Gowanda, New York to Charles and Irene Sage. She married
Peter Forness Oct. 24, 1942, in Gowanda, N.Y. She was a retired home economics teacher.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Peter Forness; parents; daughter, Sharon Vega; brother, Charles Thomas Sage Jr.; and granddaughter, Theresa Witt.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ward of Odessa, and Barbara Lynn Boop of Kingsland, sister, Doris Dixon of Great Valley, N.Y.; seven grandsons, Peter Samuel Hill, William Boop, Jerimiah Boop, Anthony, Marc, Mathew and Joshua Vega; and seven great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating.
Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Amerian Heart Institute.
Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
