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Harry L. Couch
GAINESVILLE — Harry L. Couch, 79, passed away Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Carrol Funeral Home in Gainesville under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.
Harry was born Sept. 11, 1921, to Harry Franklin Couch and Vesta Bridges in Cooke County. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School and Cooke County Business College. In 1953, he married
Ruth Virginia Myers, and together they had three sons. He was Methodist.
Harry was a World War II veteran, having served as an Army Air Corps flight instructor from 1939 to 1944 at the Coleman Flying School in Coleman while at the same time training as a B-29 bomber flight engineer. In the months following the war, Lt. Couch served on an 11-man crew that flew all the "Superfortress" bombers in Texas to Pyote Air Force Base in Ward County. Harry was a colonel in the Ghost Squadron of the West Texas Wing of the Confederate Air Force.
Following service to his country, Harry returned to Gainesville to work for his father at Couch Drilling Company, with which Harry first became associated in 1937. Later, he set out on his own as an independent oil and gas broker, drilling wells in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming in the 1950s and ‘60s. On Oct. 18, 1972, the Permian Basin Oil Show presented Harry with its Petroleum Pioneer Certificate of Recognition for a lifetime of efforts and contributions that led to the development of the worldwide petroleum industry.
Harry is survived by his wife, Ruth Couch of Gainesville; sons, Jerry Couch of Houston, David Couch of Seattle and James C. Couch of Odessa; sisters, Doris Cooper of Odessa, Frankie Prichard and Helen McVoy, both of Dallas; brother, Don Couch of Gainesville; grandchildren, Don Marie Couch of California, Brian Couch and Brady Couch, both of Odessa, Marjorie and Daniel Couch of Seattle and Zachary Daytona Couch of Houston.
Harry was a devoted family man, a loving husband and best friend and favorite teacher to his sons. In every sense of the word, Harry was a provider, and not just to his immediate family. Harry never could turn his back on anyone in any kind of trouble or need. His many acts of kindness will long live on.
God’s speed, Harry.
Gary Brinkley, Lillian Kateri Avila, Carmen Celine Avila
CAMERON — Gary Brinkley, 58, and his granddaughters, Lillian Kateri, 3, and Carmen Celine Avila, 2, of Cameron died in a fiery collision Oct. 28, 2000, in Caldwell County.
Gary was an internal auditor at the Texas Railroad Commission at the time of his death. A good and unassuming man, he was born in Ector County on Dec. 21, 1941. He was a descendant of Edward Burleson and the Rev. R.C. Brinkley. His family has a long Texas history of achievement and contribution.
He is survived by a host of relatives and friends, including his wife of 38 years, Rosalind Wade; mother, Joyce Bogart Boynton of San Saba; brother, David and wife Mary of Magnolia; daughter, Lori Avila of Cameron; son, Michael and daughter-in-law D’Ann of South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Zachary and Megan Connolly of Cameron.
The children, Lillian and Carmen, are survived by their mother, Lori; brother and sister, Zachary and Megan; as well as their father, Jose Luis Avila; and paternal grandmother, Celia Navarrete Bernal from Morelia, Mexico. Their godparents are Rosa and lgnacio Trevino.
A joint service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Marek, Burns and Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron. Rosary will be recited for the children at 5:30 p.m. today at the funeral home and they will be buried in Cameron after the service Friday. Gary will be transported to Howell and Doran Funeral Home in San Saba for visitation (time pending). Masonic graveside services for Gary will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at High ValIey Bend near San Saba.
Cleddie C. Ryan
ODESSA — Cleddie Charley Ryan, 86, of Odessa died Oct. 31, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born Nov. 10, 1913, in Spring Town. He married
Mable McMillian in Rankin in 1941. She preceded him in death in 1991.
Mr. Ryan moved to Iraan in 1929 and then to Odessa in 1979 after his retirement from Helmric and Payne Oil Co. He was a water flood consultant after his retirement. He was a Iongtime member of the Baptist Church.
He is survived by his son, C.V. "Rip" Ryan and wife Mary of Odessa; grandchildren, William H. Ryan and wife Jerena of Odessa, Francis M. Morrell and husband Tony of Odessa and Toshia L. Calvert and husband Bobby of Odessa; five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, at Ector County cemetery with the Rev. Johnny Witherspoon officiating. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
If desired, memorials may be made to Odessa Meals on Wheels.
Lee Wayne Russ
MONAHANS — Lee Wayne Russ, 48, a resident of Monahans since 1979, died Sunday, Oct. 29, 2000, in Monahans. He was born June 19, 1952, in El Paso. He was a deputy sheriff for Ward County.
Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church with Father John Lucido officiating. Burial will be at Monahans Memorial cemetery.
Survivors include two sons, Jason Russ and Benjamin Russ, both of Monahans; one daughter, Miranda Russ of Monahans; parents, Carl Russ, Josephine Russ Jancek and Joseph Jancek, all of El Paso; one brother, Jack Russ of El Paso; two sisters, Patricia Templeton-Fox and Connie Buchanan, both of Austin; and five nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Sheriff’s Association of Texas Peace Officers Fund, P.O. Box 4488, Austin, Texas, 78765.
Arrangements by Harkey Funeral Home.
Ladera Beth Blankenship
ODESSA — Ladera Beth Blankenship, 65, of San Angelo died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2000, at an area nursing home.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today, Dec. 27, 2000, at Rose Hill cemetery with the Rev. Rex Clayton, pastor of Belmont Baptist Church of Odessa, officiating. Arrangements are by Robert Massie Funeral Home of San Angelo.
Beth was born March 22, 1935, in Eastland. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church.
In loving memory of Beth Blankenship:
She was a wonderful mother and wife. She was always there to listen to our wants and worries, our accomplishments and failures. First thing every morning, she was up before dawn reading her Bible. Most afternoons were filled with another favorite activity: working in the garden. She also loved to roller skate. After some time away from the Odessa area, Bob and Beth returned to own and operate the very roller rink at which they met 52 years earlier. They had their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 22, 2000.
We love you, Betsy. Live in peace with God’s love and care.
From your entire family.
Survivors include her husband, Bob Blankenship of Big Spring; her mother, Sarah Blankenship of Odessa; two sons, Derek Blankenship of Arlington and Vince Blankenship of Fairbanks, Alaska; a daughter, Karla Fletcher of Andrews; a brother, Virgil Roundtree of Colorado; a sister, Betty Smith of Odessa; and grandchildren, Jason Fletcher, Miles Fletcher, Neely Fletcher and Seth Blankenship.
Les Fambrough
ODESSA — Les Fambrough, 70, of Odessa passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, in Midland.
Mr. Fambrough was born Jan. 1, 1930, in Sonora. He was a graduate of Howard-Payne University and moved to Odessa in 1969. He married
Joan Platt Nov. 24, 1969, in Midland. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.
Mr. Fambrough had been an educator for 32 years for Ector County Independent School District and taught at Crockett Junior High School and Odessa High School.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge, VFW, American Legion, TSTA, NEA and STCA. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Fambrough of Odessa; four sons, Leslie E. Fambrough of Bonne Terre, Mo., David L. Fambrough of San Angelo, Mark L. Bassham of Midland and Derrek W. Bassham of Odessa; a brother, Tommy Fambrough of Fort Worth; a sister, Loraine Leach of McCamey; eight grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today, Dec. 27, 2000, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Ernest Easley officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, 709 N. Lee Ave., Odessa, Texas, 79761 or Allison Cancer Center, 301 North N St., Midland, Texas, 79701.
Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Jerry Frederick
ODESSA — Jerry Wayne Frederick, 38, of Odessa passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He was born Feb. 9, 1962, to Arthur and Lennie Frederick in Odessa. His father preceded him in death.
Jerry was a lifetime resident of Odessa, graduating from Permian High School in 1980 and later attending Odessa College. He married
Tammy Janette Anderson April 7, 1984, in Odessa and was a member of the Tree of Life Foursquare Gospel Church. He was a shop foreman and service technician for 20 years, employed by Jack Arledge, now called Kelly Grimsley Auto Group.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2000, at Odessa Gospel Lighthouse with the Revs. Bobby Bell and Jonathan Jarratt officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include his wife, Tammy; sons, Kyle and Kasey Frederick; mother, Lennie Blair and her husband, Daniel, all of Odessa; brothers, Bobby Frederick of Crestview, Fla., and Donnie Frederick of Odessa; sister, Carolyn Wies of Cleveland, Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be sent to Baylor University Cancer Research Center in Dallas.
Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.
C.W. ‘Speedy’ Pruett Jr.
ODESSA — Clarence Wallace Pruett Jr., 48, known to his friends and family as "Speedy," was pronounced deceased Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000, after search and rescue crews found his downed plane near Rolla, Mo.
Speedy was born Aug. 31, 1952, in Wichita Falls to C.W. "Red" and Catherine Pruett. After graduating from Odessa High School, he married
Wanda Joyce Young in 1971 and after serving four years in the U.S. Navy, the couple settled back in Odessa. Speedy was the former owner of Pruett’s Jewelry and the owner and operator of the Ector County Fixed Base Operator known as Pruett Aviation Inc.
A multi-talented man, Speedy spent many years as a small business owner crafting custom jewelry for his customers and over that time became an amateur pilot. His love for flight later brought him to a full-time career in aviation. He will be remembered for his passion for flying and for his ability to help develop the same passion in others.
Survivors include his parents "Red" and Catherine of Gardendale; his wife, of 29 years, Wanda; his daughters, Robin Pruett, currently serving in the U.S. Navy, Heather Pruett and her husband, Paul Almquist, of Odessa and Brandy Mitchell and her husband, Dwight, of Fayetteville, Ark.; his grandson, Dustin Pruett-Keese; his sisters, Cheyrice Brumfield and her husband, Larry, of Kingsland and Charlotte Pruett of Midland; and numerous other family members.
A celebration in memory of his life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2000, in the main hanger at Schlemeyer Field in Odessa.
