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Rowe A. Plunk
Midland - Mr. Plunk was a private, kind and honorable man. He was born to William Crawford Plunk and Josie Wilson Banks on April 7, 1914. He graduated from Hedley High School in 1927. At 4:30 p.m. August 30, 2005, he went to be with his Lord and Savior with his loving family at his side.
His death is preceded by his adoring wife, Louise; grandson, Jason Plunk; and great-grandson, Randy Struck.
He is survived by his four sons, Rowe A. Plunk Jr., Charles Plunk, Gene Plunk of Midland, and Rick Plunk of Willis, Texas; a daughter, Sue Plunk of Midland; two sisters, Josie Chesser of Pampa, Texas, and Ema Lewell Nolan of Hereford, Texas; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jo and Dennis Cary; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nine nieces; and 14 nephews.
Rowe grew up in Vernon, Texas, with six siblings on a farm in Hedley, Texas. With perfect attendance, he graduated valedictorian and was particularly proud of his prowess as a local tennis champ, resulting in a four-year scholarship offered by Texas A&M. He abstained to move to Clarendon, Texas, where he became a Free Mason through Clarendon Lodge No. 700 and became an honorary member before his death.
Having discovered his inherent ability to fly airplanes in the mid-30s, it was after World War II broke out, that he was asked by his country to serve as a civilian flight instructor at Arledge Field located at Stamford, Texas. Many military pilots sent to the front were introduced to airplanes and graduated flight school as his students.
During the time of his contribution to the war effort, he fell in love with, and on April 18, 1943, married
, his wife Louise of 53-years.
When the war ended, this young couple and their first born immediately moved to Midland, Texas, to open a small private airport south of town named Aeromotive Service Co. They operated a Taylor Craft Aircraft dealership and Rowe, being a certified airplane mechanic, refurbished and sold new and used aircraft. In addition, he continued private flight instruction in an aviation industry that was still in its infancy.
It was during this period that the Plunks started in Real Estate by assembling the plans and logistics of what became a new Midland subdivision known as South Park, which they later sold.
By the 1950s, it became apparent to Mr. Plunk that the petroleum industry was going to be an important dynamic in the growth of Midland and the Permian Basin. He closed his airport and started what would become his most successful business venture of redesigning and producing vehicle—mounted machinery known as wireline units, and inventing and producing tools used in the oil and gas industry. From that time until present day, he gained quite a reputation for his innovative designs particularly in what is known as down-hole, slick-line and engineering data related products. Paying close attention to safety and time saving characteristics, he was very instrumental in modernizing and automating what was at the time, a very dangerous and primitive process. Many of his inventions and products are still sold around the globe through a company to which he rewarded a license to produce.
Recently, fellow petroleum producers from China diplomatically requested assistance, technical advice and recommendations for safe operations of wireline and related equipment. As a gesture of international cooperation, Rowe personally allowed them to take photos and operational notes on the actual vehicles his company developed and still utilize in the oilfield.
It is important to note, at this time, no operators of the wireline units that Mr. Plunk designed, have ever lost fingers or other limbs due to operational use. That was not the case prior to his development of: the split spudder bar, the Samson post, Tran placement of the “Counter wheel, ” the “telescoping boom, ” which was ingeniously operated by a “swing latched, ” hand-cranked gear box originally slated for late 1950s automobiles, yet cannibalize at local 1960s wrecking yards out of necessity. Later the “boom” was upgraded to a modern hydraulic design.
This author would consider it an honor to continue on with more anecdotes regarding his innovations such as the affectionately nick-named “Mickey Myousse, ” the “Donald Duck, ” or the “hydrocron” but this “ain’t the book.”
If you didn’t know him…….I wish you could’ve.
If you’ve heard of him…..there’s so much more.
Rowe Plunk was always open with his vast knowledge and expertise. He welcomed discussion of the abundant subjects he seemed to have an endless interest in. He will be sorely missed by his family, his business colleagues and his social peers, as he was always a giant in any of the forums he frequented.
The family will receive friends between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005, at Ellis Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Bob Porterfield, of the West Kentucky Street Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be: R. T. Haile, Ronnie White, Dwain Tomlin, David Tomlin, Danny Weaver, Scott Heinemen, Nolan Farrington and Jim Blocker.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Jay Cummings, Tom Hyde, Joe Hastings and Tommy Flournoy.
The family requests memorials be directed to Home Hospice, 901 W. Missouri Ave., Midland, TX 79701, or Alzheimer’s Association of the Permian Basin, 1603 N. Grandview Ave., Odessa, TX 79761.
Bonnie V. Pritchard
Odessa - Bonnie V. Pritchard, 79, of Odessa, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2005, at Avalon Place with her family by her side.
She was born on Oct. 21, 1925, in Cisco, Texas, to Andrew and Lucy Maxwell. She married
Martin Pritchard on April 28, 1943 in Temple. In 1991, she retired from the Ector County Independent School District food service after 31-years of service. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Those who loved and knew her will miss her love for family and friends and her laughter.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, A. J. “Curly” Maxwell; and sister, Margaret Whitehead.
She is survived by her husband of 62-years, Martin Pritchard; son, James Pritchard and wife, Gayle, of Midland; daughters, Diana Brightwell and husband, Jimmy, of Midland, and Debbie Boyer and husband, Mike, of Petersburg, Mich.; brother, William Terry Maxwell and wife, Una, of Cushing, Okla.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and nephew and several nieces.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, at the University Park Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Witherspoon officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family request memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home
Garland Tommy Sanders
Odessa - Garland Tommy Sanders, son of the late Grover Herbert Sanders and Mae Belle Lilly Sanders, was born in Oak Grove, Louisiana, on July 31, 1927, and departed this life after a lengthy illness on August 29, 2005, at the age of 78. He was united in marriage to Sammie Jo Floyd on August 7, 1951, and to this union three sons were born.
Mr. Sanders is survived by his wife; two sons, Terry Sanders and wife, Faye, of Buffalo, Wyoming, and Tim Sanders and wife, Kristi, of Corinth, Texas; five grandchildren, Jeremy Sanders of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sgt. Terri Bostick of Kitzengen, Germany, Laura Robinett of Midland, Texas, Jason Sanders of Buffalo, Wyoming, and Garland Sanders Jr. of Spearfish, South Dakota; two great-grandchildren, Steven Sanders of Buffalo, Wyoming, and Nicholas Sanders of Albuquerque, New Mexico; two sisters, Maurice Tate and husband, Bub, of Rogers, Arkansas, and Juanita Loveless of Odessa, Texas; one niece, one nephew, and numerous cousins and friends.
Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by his parents; and one son, Tommy Joe Sanders.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, August 31st, 2005, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Pastor Paul Thompson, of the First Assembly of God Church in Odessa, officiating.
The family would like to extend our appreciation to all the staff at Hospice House and Home Hospice of Odessa, Medical Center Hospital and Alliance Hospital for all their loving care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Home Hospice or Hospice House of Odessa.
Services were entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.
Billy Nib Shaw
Odessa - Billy Nib Shaw, 82, of Odessa passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at the Hospice House in Odessa.
Bill was born March 29, 1923 in Stamford, Texas to Nib & Ruth Shaw. He grew up in Abilene graduating from Abilene High School in 1940. He married
Mary Lu Hamlett on June 19, 1948 in Abilene.
He served in the US Army during WWII for 3 years with the 12th Armored Division in Europe and the 466th Engineers in the Pacific. He graduated from McMurry College in 1947 and from the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1951. He and his wife moved to Odessa in 1951 where he practiced dentistry for 35 years. He was a life time member of the American Dental Association and past president of the Permian Basin Dental Society.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a long time member of the Wesley Class. He loved the Boy Scouts of America and the Boy Scout Ranch near Fort Davis. He was president of the Buffalo Trail Council BSA from 1970-1971. He was past president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club. Bill loved helping children and was active with and past president of Otto’s Boy Ranch.
His favorite hobby was fishing and he loved fishing with his family and friends. Taking his grandsons fishing was the highlight of his life. He loved family and treasured watching his children and grandsons grow up. He loved Odessa and appreciated the school system, Odessa college and UTPB for the eduation they provided his family.
He was preceded in death by an infant son: his parents; sisters-in-law Betsy Shaw and Joanne Lowrey; and brothers-in-law Eddie Cornelius and Joe Lowrey.
He is survived by is wife of 57 years; his daughter, Ruth Ann McQuitty of Odessa; his sons, Earl Shaw & wife Brenda of Odessa & Billy Shaw and partner Jackie Lacey of Hilton Head, South Carolina; grandsons, Mike McQuitty and wife Cassie of Gun Barrel City, Texas, David McQuitty of Lubbock, and Jeremy Shaw of Odessa; sister, Martha Cornelius of Ruidoso, New Mexico; brother, John Shaw of Issaquah, Washington; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2005 at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2005 at First United Methodist Church with Pastors Terry Tamplen and Jeanie Williams officiating.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or a charity of Choice.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Scott Sanford, Dr. Timothy George, Dr. William Reilly, Medical Center Hospital, and Home Hospice for their attention and care.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Obe A. Hefner Jr.
Odessa - Obe A. Hefner Jr. passed away Friday, February 11, 2005, at an Odessa Hospital.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, February 14, 2005, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors with burial following at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Obe was born June 19, 1919, the 7th and final child of Obe A. Sr. and Elva Rosa Worley Hefner, on the family farm near Whitewright, Grayson County, TX. He graduated from Whitewright High School in 1937. He married
Beulah Mae Scott on November 1, 1942, in Hugo, Oklahoma.
He was a supply sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II assigned to the 407th Infantry Regiment, Company M, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge; was severely wounded on February 13, 1945, in Linnich, Germany; and was honorably discharged on September 9, 1945, earning, among others, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct medal.
He was a retired machinist, working for Washington Iron Works in Sherman, TX, until 1966 and for Mechanical Seal & Service in Odessa, TX, retiring at the age of 71. He was a member of Highland Methodist Church in Odessa and served as Sunday school class president and was a member of the United Methodist Men. He was a master Mason-Blue Lodge, 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, Chapter & Council-York Rite Mason. He would have received his 50 year pin in July. He was also a member of the VFW Post no. 4372.
He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Robert Lee Hefner of Whitewright, TX, Wilburn Hefner of Cleburne, TX and Preston Hefner of Bonham, TX; and one sister, Nell Hahn of San Angelo, TX.
He is survived by his wife, of 62 years, Beulah Hefner; his son, Harel Wayne Hefner of Las Vegas, NM, and his daughter, Cynthia Ann Coffin and her husband, Gralin, of Midland, TX; six grandchildren, Sara Christine Hefner, of Hobbs, N.M., Kevin Lee Hefner of Odessa, TX, Adam Paul Hefner of Andrews, TX, Jeremy Scott Hefner of Durango, Colo., and Kari Ann Coffin and Katie Michelle Coffin, both of Midland, TX; as well as four great-grandchildren, Brandon, Gabriel, and Colby Stokes of Hobbs, NM, and Hope Hefner of Andrews, TX. He is also survived by two sisters, Clara Owens of Denison, TX, and Minnie Mackey of Andrews, TX; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express its appreciation to Dr. Dan Hendrickson and all of the emergency and ICU professionals at Medical Center Hospital, especially Sherry and Leslie, for the excellent care and genuine concern given to our loved one and our family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, TX, 76708, or a charity of one’s choice.
Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors and Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home.
‘Butch’ Glass
Blanket - “Butch” Glass went to be home with his Lord Thursday, February 10, 2005. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
He served in the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam era. Beginning in 1964, he worked for El Paso Products, Rexene and later retired from Huntsman in 1999.
He is survived by his wife, of 38 years, Sue Glass; his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Leslie Glass; his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Charles Bagley Jr., and three granddaughters, Aundrea and Logan Glass, and Ashley Bagley, all of Odessa; his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Rosalie Glass of Comanche, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Esa and Katie Glass of Lovington, N.M..
A family visitation will be held today at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 13, 2005, in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors with the Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Interment will be Monday, February 14, 2005, at Rock Church cemetery in Blanket, TX.
Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
Shirley Louise Peebles McBee
Kermit - Shirley Louise Peebles McBee, of Midland, passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005.
She was born Sept. 6, 1929, in Galveston, Texas, and was adopted by James Shelton Peebles and Huddie Carrie Norton Peebles.
Shirley was raised and educated in Wink, Texas, graduating from high school there. On Jan. 7, 1948, she married
Earl L. “Cotton” McBee in Monahans, Texas.
Prior to her retirement in 1986, Shirley had been a legal secretary for many years for attorneys, James Mashburn and J. K. “Rusty” Wall.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cotton McBee in 2003; her parents; and brother, Shelton Peebles.
Shirley is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Ken Bassett of Albuquerque, N.M.; son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Denisa McBee of Seminole; daughter, Carol McBee of Midland; son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Ann McBee of Big Piney, Wyo.; brothers, George L. Peebles of Andrews and Jack Peebles of Lynchburg, Va.; three granddaughters, Brandy Bassett of Austin, Kristan McBee of Norfolk, Va., and Allison McBee of Dallas; three grandsons, Justin McBee of Big Piney, Wyo., Tyler Reynolds of Midland and Austin McBee of Sherman; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services have been scheduled for 1 p.m. today at the Winkler County cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Hwy. Midland, (432) 683-5555.
Memorials may be directed to the American Lung Association of Texas, P.O. Box 26460, Austin, TX, 78755-0460.
Eva Jane Green
Odessa - Eva Jane Green, 86, of Odessa died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, at Parks Methodist Nursing Center.
She was born on Sept. 30, 1918. Mrs. Green moved to Odessa from Pampa in 1961. She was a homemaker.
Eva married
Kendell Green in 1940 and was preceded in death by her son, Harold Ray Green.
Eva is survived by her husband, Kendell Green of Odessa; son, Gary and his wife, Doris, of Odessa; brother Gerald Stark of Amarillo; sisters, Elda Duckworth of San Angelo, and Arlene Lax of Amarillo; granddaughter, Patricia Ryburn of Hobbs, N.M.; grandson, Jason Green of Odessa; and 3 great-grandchildren, Monica, Ashley and Chase.
Visitation will be at Odessa Funeral Home today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Fairview cemetery in Pampa, Texas.
Services are by Odessa Funeral Home.
Ralph E. Hale
MIDLAND - In loving memory of a father and grandfather, Ralph E. Hale passed away Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005.
He was born Sept. 13, 1920, to Oscar Hale and Flora Goss Hale in Hillsboro, Illinois, and was raised and educated in McLeansboro, Illinois. During World War II, Ralph proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. On June 19, 1969, Ralph married
Hazel Dietderich in Big Spring, Texas. The couple moved to Midland in 1972.
He was preceded in death by his wife Hazel E. Hale in January 2005.
Ralph is survived by his sons, Chester Dietderich and his wife, Julie, of St. Joseph, Mo.; Ted Dietderich of Tucson, Ariz.; Walter Dietderich and his wife, Teri, of Midland, Texas; Eddie Dietderich of Odessa, Texas; Keith Dietderich of Midland, Texas; daughters, Cora Kaufman and her husband, Robert, of Midland, Texas; Dorothy Wilfong of Albany, Mo.; sixteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and thirteen great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Ellis Funeral Home, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Memorial services have been scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, 2005, at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Bob Porterfield.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Hwy. Midland, Texas (432) 683-5555.
