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Wallace Michael "Mike" Davis
WEATHERFORD — Wallace Michael "Mike" Davis, 63, passed away peacefully at home Sept. 30, 2000, after a short illness.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at All Saints Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends to celebrate Mike’s life after the service at 3333 Quanah Hill Road in Weatherford.
Memorial may be sent to the W. Mike Davis Memorial Fund, First National Bank, P.O. Box 730, Weatherford, Texas, 76086.
Mike was born in Big Spring Dec. 12, 1936, and grew up in Odessa. He attended school in Odessa, graduated from Weatherford High School in 1955 and received a degree in journalism from Texas Christian University in 1961 where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Mike was actively involved in the development of the Fort Worth Stockyard National Historic District. He brokered the original sale of the former Right Hotel, which became the internationally known Stockyards Hotel of today; subsequently, he served the purchasers of the hotel as General Manager. While in that capacity, Mike began his penchant for volunteering to assist in the production of many of the events that have become synonymous with the Stockyards.
Mike served as volunteer with the Fort Worth Pioneer Days Trail Ride, as director of the North Fort Worth Business Association, as vice president of Chisholm Trail Round-Up Inc. and as director of the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival. Mike’s efforts were persistent in the cause of Cowboy Authentic, and they will be sorely missed by the true fans of what the Stockyards has come to represent for the city of Fort Worth.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Lou Moore Davis of Weatherford; daughter, Tiffany Davis and husband, Jim Hoffman, of Weatherford; son, Patrick Michael Davis of Fort Worth; stepson, Daren Johnson of Wichita, Kans.; and grandsons, Christopher George and Matthew Davis Hoffman, both of Weatherford.
What a blessing the Lord gave to us in our husband and dad. He was multifaceted and multi-talented man. He was the greatest and was so loved by us all. Mike said it best in a message to some of his fellow trail riders:
Los Caballeros de los Amigos del Paseo de Primavera…
It was prophetic that Dink and Max nominated me to scout tails for next year’s ride. However, since Palo Duro, I have been diagnosed with a rather nasty cancer from which I will, most likely, not recover. I, therefore, will scout trails, but these will be well beyond the Great Divide. But, I assure you that they will be well marked and that there will be lots of good grass, cool water and plenty of firewood. I’ll be waiting there astride old Flop and will lead you to camp and grub.
Remember me when you gather next year…lift a cold beer to our good times, good company and good horses. Remember what Augustus McCrae said in "Lonesome Dove": There ain’t nothin’ better than ridin’ a fine horse over new country," and I look forward to doing just that. Keep the group together and going…it is really a unique and worthy group.
Adios, Mike Davis.
White’s Funeral Homes of Weatherford is in charge of the arrangements.
Oleta M. Grove
IMPERIAL — Oleta M. Grove, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, left this earth Saturday morning, Sept. 30, 2000, to be with the Lord and her husband Oliver L. Grove, her son Elmer E. Grove and other beloved family members who have preceded her.
Affectionately known as "Miss Oleta" to her extended family of friends and neighbors, she leaves all who knew her a lasting legacy of love and compassion. Oleta looked for the good in people, and as a result, was always surrounded by friends and family that loved her.
Oleta was born Feb. 13, 1920, in Tishomingo, Okla. She moved to Imperial in 1937 from Hamlin with her parents, SheIton and Josie King, brothers Wendel and Don and a sister, Mildred. She was one of the first two graduates of Buena Vista High School and attended Sul Ross University in Alpine. She and Oliver were married
Aug. 24, 1940, in Fort Davis. Oleta and Oliver began their life together in Imperial, where they raised a family and farmed in Imperial and Coyanosa. Upon their return to Imperial from Coyanosa, they owned the Chevron service station and Oliver served as justice of the peace until his death in 1987. She moved to Odessa in August of 1993 to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. Oleta provided a nurturing and loving home for her family as the years passed as recalled by her daughters Barbara and Elaine, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Oleta passed from this life leaving many people whose lives are richer for having known her. As a fitting testimony to her life, always concerned for others before herself, she told a grandson shortly before she passed away, "Don’t cry, I’m leaving with beautiful memories." "Always the Mother, she put us at ease even as she faced death with God’s given grace. Mother has always been the core of our family and our best friend."
She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Grove, Elaine Ballard and husband, Jim, of Odessa; grandsons Jim Gray, Mike Sims and wife EIodia of Odessa, Chuck Sims and wife Jodi of Midland; granddaughters Debi Hinton and husband Clyde and Charlotte Sims of Odessa; great-grandchildren, TJ., Katie, and Dylan Weaver of Ovala, Ashley and Sean Sims of Odessa, Christopher Sims and Blake Humble of Midland; and her extended family of friends, Rhonda Robinson and family, Mary Cross of Odessa and Idell Gibson of Big Lake.
"No longer bound by physical restraints, mother is waltzing with daddy in heaven."
Mrs. Grove will lie in state at the Imperial Community Center from noon to 2 p.m. today. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the lmperial Community Center with the Revs. Raquel Mull and Dean Duckett officiating. Interment will follow at the Imperial cemetery under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.
"Papa" Gene Madison
MIDLAND — "Papa" Gene Madison died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, in Odessa.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Fannin Terrace Baptist Church.
He was born June 4, 1932, in Big Spring.
Papa Gene was a member at Fannin Terrace Baptist Church of Midland. He was the owner of Wheels of West Texas. He was also a veteran and a longtime member of the Midland Softball Association.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Madison of Big Spring; his sister, Mary Thomas of Big Spring; and a granddaughter, Kimilee Papasan of Midland.
Survivors include his mother, Ruth Madison of Big Spring; two sisters, Sue Earnest of Midland and Wanda Bradford of Grand Saline; mother of his children, Deloris Madison of Midland; three children, Bruce Madison and his wife, Pat, of Midland, Tammira Papasan and husband Dennis of Midland and Tish Duncan of Fredericksburg; seven grandchildren, Andrea Madison Blair, Casi Madison Allen, Bruce "Bo" Madison Jr., Nick Papasan and Meredith Papasan, all of Midland, Kali Jo Duncan and Keagan Duncan, both of Fredericksburg; and one great-grandchild, Alexis Blair of Midland. He also leaves behind his companion, Louise "Weezie" Moree of Odessa.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Hospice of Odessa.
Arrangements by Stanton Memorial Funeral Home & Chapel, 408 N. St. Peter, Stanton, Texas, 79782.
Buster Cole
MIDLAND — Buster Cole was born May 24, 1923, in Midland to Morgan Edd and Jess May Cole. He married
Mary Faye lngram, and they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this November 18. He served as a staff sergeant in World War II in the Quarter Master U.S. Remount Division of the Army where he also rode thoroughbred jumpers, worked polo ponies and trained mules.
Mr. Cole passed away Sunday, Oct. 1, 2000.
As a third generation rancher, Buster was not only an active Hereford and Quarter Horse breeder, but was instrumental in the founding of the AQHA and NCHA. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Sand Hills Hereford & Quarter Horse Show & Rodeo for 40 years. He was also a strong supporter of the Odessa College rodeo team. Buster was a certified judge for the AQHA. NCHA, PHBA, PHA, and Appaloosa Breeders Association.
Buster served on the Board of Agriculture and Soil Conservation Service for West Texas and was elected to the Ector County Soil Conservation Service. He was also a previous director of the board at the Midland National Bank for 17 years.
Buster received numerous awards including: Stockman of the Month, Farm and Ranch Family of the Month, Family Land Heritage Award, Community Statesman Award for Ranching, Junior Calf Roping Champion in Fort Worth from 1936 to 1942 (Sand Hills Hereford and Quarter Horse Show was dedicated in his honor in 1990), and AQHA Honorary vice president.
Visitation will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home. Funeral services have been scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000, at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Tommy Potter officiating. Graveside services will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.
Buster was preceded in death by his father, Morgan Cole; his mother, Jess May Williamson; and his sister, Eddye Gene Bell.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Goldsmith; his two daughters, Susie Cole Byars and husband, Lon, of Vernon and Annie Cole McBride of Flower Mound; his three sons, Roy Cole and wife, Ana, Ed Cole and wife, Suzetta, all of Fort Worth and Billy Cole and wife, Mary, of Goldsmith; and his eight grandchildren, Cole Byars and Matt Byars of Vernon, Joshua Cole and Christopher Cole of Fort Worth, Adam James and Ben James of Flower Mound and Jessie Kate Cole and Cummins Cole of Goldsmith.
Memorials may be directed to the Odessa College Rodeo Scholarship Fund or one’s favorite charity.
William Leon "Bill" Strawn
ODESSA — William Leon "Bill" Strawn, 72, was born on July 24, 1928, in Marietta to William Thomas and Ella Mae Strawn. He passed away on Friday, Sept. 29, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roger Mixon officiating. Graveside services will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Visitation for the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Bill was married
to Helen Ward Strawn and enjoyed spending time with her at Lake Spence. He also enjoyed flying model airplanes, hunting and fishing, guns and watching John Wayne movies.
His parents; brother, Hibbit Strawn; and his brother-in-law, Bill Thomas, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Helen; sons, Ben Strawn and wife, Joni; Bob Ward, and wife, Cathy; daughters, Kay Lackey, and Clara Baucom and husband, Ken, all of Odessa; sister, Bonnie Thomas of Texarkana, Ark.; ten grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services are in the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.
Frederick Harrison Denker
AUSTIN — Frederick Harrison Denker, longtime resident of Odessa, died Sept. 21, at his home in Fort Worth.
His parents Frank and K.B. Denker preceded him in death.
He is survived by his daughters, Gretchen Devinsky and her husband Scott of Oakland, Calif., and Molly Chadwick and her husband Eli of Auckland, New Zealand; sisters, Ann Webster and husband Tom of La Jolla, Calif., and Mary Hilliard of Austin.
Fred attended elementary and junior high schools in Odessa and graduated high school from Schreiner Institute in Kerrville. He earned his bachelor of science degree in political science from Texas Christian University, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Following graduation he served, in the Army. Recently, he lived in Uzbekistan as a member of the Peace Corps.
A memorial to Fred’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Terrytown Methodist Church in Austin followed by interment with his parents in Marble Falls.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his name be sent to T.C.U., Post Office Box 297044, Fort Worth, Texas, 76109.
