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Manuela Salas
HARLINGEN, TX — Manuela Salas, 95, of Harlingen, entered into rest Wednesday, May 26, 2004.
She is survived by her children, Juana Vasquez of Indiana, Margarita (William) Macswain of S. Carolina, Marcelina Rivera of Sweetwater, TX, Olivia Trevino of La Feria, Esperanza (Guadalupe) Rodriguez of Arkansas and Maria S. (Eluterio) Espinoza of Harlingen. Also surviving her are 45 grandchildren, 110 great-grandchildren, 26 great-great-grandchildren and 1 great- great-great grandchild.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Cleto Salas; a son, Pedro Salas; and daughter, Lucia Mendoza.
Jamie Gough
CHARLESTON, SC — Entered into eternal rest on June 11, 2004, Major General Jamie Gough, USAF retired, beloved husband of Suzanne Kunkel Gough. Residence, Charleston, SC.
General Gough was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 26, 1917, to James Pinckney Gough and Jenness Frieze Gough. At an early age, his family moved to Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1939 and immediately entered the Army Air Corps as a flying cadet. Upon flight school graduation, he became a flying instructor at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas. He and Suzanne Kunkel were married in San Antonio on December 26, 1941. In 1943, He was assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force in China where he was a B-24 squadron commander and group operations officer. He flew 93 combat Missions.
After the war, he attended Air Command and Staff School and the Air War College. In 1952, he was reassigned to the Far East and was responsible for directing the Korean Airlift. In 1954, he became commander of the 483rd Troop Carrier Wing stationed in Ashiya, Japan. His unit was committed to the maintenance and support of C-119 aircraft in Indo-China. He personally led airlift support flights to Australia, Pakistan, Thailand and Formosa.
Returning to the United States, his various assignments at Donaldson AFB, Greenville, SC and Shaw AFB, Sumter, SC, involved tactical airlift operations throughout the world. In 1960, he was assigned to Headquarters, United States Air Force in the Pentagon as the Deputy Director of Operations and later Director of Operations. He became Director of Plans, US Strike Command, in 1964. In December, 1965, he was reassigned to Headquarters, United States Air Forces, Europe as Deputy Chief of Staff/Operations. His final assignment was a Chief, MAAG, Germany. General Gough retired from the Air Force in 1969.
During his military career, he flew more than 6,000 hours and was awarded numerous decorations and medals to include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Air Medal. After retirement from the Air Force, he was employed in the chemical and banking industries. He also served as a recruitment liaison for the United States Air Force Academy, from which his three sons graduated.
General Gough’s life-long avocation was golf. He was captain of the golf team at SMU. During his service career, he won the All-Air Force tournament and played as an amateur in numerous PGA tournaments with the leading players of the post-World War II era to include Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Jimmy Demeret.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children: Susan G. Legare of Charleston, SC, Colonel Jamie Gough, III, USAF retired, of Fairfax, VA, Lt. Col. Scott W. Gough, USAF retired, of Parker, CO, and John W. Gough of Toulouse, France; ten grandchildren: Kelly Legare Augenstein, Major Jamie Gough, IV, Major Christopher Gough, Ben Legare, III, Emily Points, Helen Kathryn Gough, Kevin Points, Julia Gough, Anna Gough and Jenness Gough; and five great-grandchildren: Mary-Legare, Henry, Jamie V, Peter and Oscar. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth G. Moursund.
A life-long Episcopalian, General Gough was a member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Harlingen, Texas. The relatives and friends of Major General and Mrs. Jamie Gough are invited to attend his memorial service on Thursday, July 1, 2004, at ten o’clock in the Guerry Chapel, Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community. Interment will be at a later date at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bishop Gadsden Resident Assistance Fund, One Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC, 29412 () or The First Tee, World Golf Village, 425 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092 ()
Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.
Concepcion G. Valdez
Santa Rosa — Concepcion G. Valdez, 82, passed away Saturday at her residence.
She is survived by four sons, Francisco Valdez of Santa Rosa, Enrique Valdez of Houston, Guadalupe Valdez of Lemon Grove, CA, Antonio Valdez of Las Cruces, NM; four daughters, Juanita Olivarez, Cipriana Valdez, Elvira Valdez of Harlingen, Emilia Cantu of La Feria; a brother, Trinidad Garcia, Jr. of Salinas, CA; three sisters, Maria Gonzalez, Tomasa Perez both of La Feria, Paz Losoya of Rochelle, IL; also surviving are 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Rebecca (Becky) A. Gasaway
MERCEDES — Rebecca (Becky) A. Gasaway, 54, passed away Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at her residence in Mercedes.
Becky was born on July 30, 1949 in Mobile, Alabama to Irvin and Margaret Stewart. She was a former resident of Charleston, SC and Atlanta, GA before moving to the Valley several years ago. She was a former teacher at St. Alban’s Episcopal Day School, a former trainer and Marketing Rep. for Budget and Realtor with Shoreline Realty. She also will be remembered as being a "Company Mom" for the Marine military Academy.
Becky is survived by her husband, Michael Gasaway of Mercedes, TX; sons, Josh and Sam Gasaway of Mercedes, TX, Jason Baxter of Burlington, NC, Shawn Gasaway of Eden, MD, Jason Gasaway of Gaithersburg, MD, mother, Margaret Stewart of Pensacola, FL. She was preceded in death by her father, Irvin Stewart and brother, Bobby Stewart.
Visitation hours will be held from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen, 10 a.m., Monday, June 14, 2004 with the Rev. Bill Reagan and Chaplain Leo McDonald officiating. Burial will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be sons of Becky, Josh Gasaway, Sam Gasaway, Jason Baxter, Jason Gasaway, Shawn Gasaway and Mark Gasaway.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations may be made to the Marine military Academy, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlingen, Texas 78550.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Evarista L. Garate
SAN BENITO, TX — Evarista L. Garate, 69, fallecio en Valley Baptist Medical Center el 9 de Junio del 2004. Mrs. Garate fue residente de San Benito, TX desde 1985.
Los sobrevivientes incluyen su esposo, Adolfo de Garate Trevino de San Benito, TX; 2 hijas, Maribel Garate de Washington, DC, y Maria Del Rosario Garate de Dallas, TX; un hijo, Adolfo Garate de San Benito, TX; hermano, Roberto Leal de Brownsville, TX; Hermana, Paula Leal de La Villa Mendez, Tamps., Mexico; otros familiares; Y una gran cantidad de amistades.
Mrs. Garate fue una persona muy activa en su iglesia y su comunidad. En la iglesia ella era una lectora del evangelio. Servia el vino durante la eucaristia, cantaba en el coro, resaba el rosario, era parte de una comunidad de oracion, y visitaba a los enfermos de la comunidad.
Los servicios funerales se llebaran a cabo 12 de Junio, a las 12 p.m. en la iglesia catolica de St. Benedict Seguido por el entierro en Mont Meta Memorial Park.
Arreglos funerales a cargo de Thomae Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, 956-399-1331.
Eleno Rodriguez
MERCEDES, TX — Eleno Rodriguez, 62, passed away Wednesday, June 9, 2004 at his residence.
He was a longtime resident of Mercedes and is survived by his wife, Maria Guadalupe C. Rodriguez; four sons, Eleno, Jr., Hector, Jaime and Enrique Rodriguez all of Mercedes; two daughters, Florentina Rodriguez of Progreso, TX and Teresa Rodriguez of Mercedes. Also surviving are his parents, Jose Guadalupe and Maria Aurora Rodriguez of Mercedes; four brothers, Guadalupe Rodriguez, Jr., of Mercedes, Roberto Rodriguez of San Antonio, TX, Daniel and Arturo Rodriguez, both of Houston; and one sister, Florentina Cavazos of Mercedes; one grandson, Christopher Hureta of Progreso.
Stirling R. Holliefield
SAN ANTONIO, TX — Stirling R. Holliefield passed away June 6, 2004 at Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital, San Antonio, surrounded by loved ones. Born June 22, 1937 in Las Cruces, NM he is survived by his loving wife, Maria Consuelo (San Antonio and Mercedes); sons, Timothy (Frankfort, Germany), Samuel (Austin, TX) and Jacob (Devine, TX); and daughters, Cynthia (husband Gary, Sugar Land, TX) and Belinda (husband Andrew, San Antonio, TX).
Stirling will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne (Sugar Land, TX), and Samantha Lee, Stirling Raymond and Savannah Raielee (San Antonio, TX), as well as his mother, Ordrey (Phoenix, AZ); brother, Dwain (wife Glenda, Phoenix, AZ); sister, Cora Nell (Weslaco, TX); and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and in-laws in San Antonio, the Valley, Houston and New Mexico.
Felipa M. Garza
HARLINGEN, TX — Felipa M. Garza, 58, entered into the Lords Heavenly Kingdom Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at Valley Baptist Medical Center.
She is survived by her husband of 34 years Jose E. Garza Sr. of Harlingen; four sons: Nemecio Macias, Jose E. and Christina C. Garza Jr. , Ezequiel Garza and Daniel A. Garza; Eight grandchildren: Rick (Brick) Canfield, Alex Canfield, Jose E. Garza III, Marcos Garza, Alyssa Garza, Matthew Garza, Briana Garza and Anthony Garza.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 9, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Los Vecinos Baptist Church 1314 W. Filmore, Harlingen. Prayer services will be held at 12 noon with Pastor George Sotomayor and at 7 p.m. with Pastor Jose B. Gracia.
Gregoria Sandoval Salinas
Rio Hondo — Gregoria Sandoval Salinas, 91, entered into rest on Sunday, June 6, 2004 at Valley Baptist Medical Center. Mrs. Salinas was born in Los Fresnos, TX on January 2, 1913 and was a resident of Rio Hondo since 1927.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rafael Salinas; her son, Jose Salinas and her daughter, Amelia Salinas.
She is survived by her loving children, Lydia Salinas, Roberto Salinas, Juanita Salinas, Rafael Salinas, Jr., Genevia Arnett, Guillermo Salinas, Inez Alvarez, Raul Salinas, Connie Escamilla, Rosa Zavala, 44 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren and 6 great-great- grandchildren; her brother, Faustino Duke and sister, Rosa Sandoval.
Robbie Manning
MADISONVILLE, TX — Robbie Manning, 83, of Madisonville died Friday, June 4, 2004 at Madison St. Joseph in Madisonville. Funeral services are set up for 2 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2004 at the J.M. Day Funeral Home Chapel, Lanier Stevens officiating. Burial will follow in Old Madison County Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 4 till 6 p.m. Sunday at J.M Day Funeral Home.
Mrs. Manning was born August 25, 1920 in Madison County in the Conner Community to Blanche (Steele) and Charles "Jack" Rhodes. She later married Billie Boy Manning. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She loved to embroidery.
Jose T. Quintanilla
Harlingen — Jose T. Quintanilla, 84, entered into rest on Saturday, June 19, 2004 at Valley Baptist Medical Center.
Mr. Quintanilla was preceded in death by his wife, Teodorita T. Quintanilla, daughter, Rachel Q. Maza, parents, Antonio and Petra Tamez Quintanilla, brother, Abel Quintanilla and sisters, Elena Aguirre and Lydia Fernandez.
He is survived by his daughters, Elida Q. Guajardo of Galveston, TX, Elizabeth Q. Maravillas of Texas City, TX, sons, Jose Quintanilla, Jr. of Texas City, TX, Tony Quintanilla of Dickinson, TX.
Mr. Quintanilla is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, sisters, Eva Olivo of Harlingen, TX, Elva Sanchez of Harlingen, TX, Martha Palomo of Houston, TX, Ida Lucio of Harlingen, TX and numerous other family members.
Visitation will be held today, Monday, June 21, 2004 from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the Rudy Garza Chapel of Peace with a prayer service to be held at 7 p.m. The funeral procession will depart the Rudy Garza Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral service at Templo Bethel, 916 W. Filmore Ave., Harlingen, TX, with Pastor Roberto Olvera officiating. Interment will follow at Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery in Harlingen, TX.
Pallbearers will be Abel Quintanilla, Jr., Adrian Quintanilla, Israel Quintanilla, Jose Quintanilla, III, Abel Quintanilla and Lee Trevino. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Aguirre, Robert Fernandez, Manuel Olivo, Raul Sanchez, Rene Palomo and Ramiro Lucio.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rudy Garza Funeral Home.
Antonio Guzman
MERCEDES — Antonio Guzman, 80, passed away early Friday morning at Retama Manor in Weslaco. He was born in Relampago, Texas and was a long time resident of Mercedes and was also employed by the City of Mercedes for many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ester Guzman; one son, Nestor Guzman and one brother, Rafael Guzman. He is survived by five sons, Antonio (Irma-deceased) Guzman of La Feria, Rafael (Diana) Guzman, Sr., of Progreso, Felipe (Ninfa) Guzman of Mercedes, Hector (Noemi) Guzman of San Diego, CA, and Juan Manuel (Virginia) Guzman of Elsa; seven daughters, Ester (Gilberto) Rivera and Raquel V. Davila both of Mercedes, Eugenia (Ove) Rivera of Pontiac, Michigan, Tencha ( Ruben-deceased) Galvan of Mercedes, Juanita (Jacinto) Mena of La Feria, Ninfa (Juan Jose) Garza of Mercedes and Herminia (Jorge) Garcia of Harlingen. He is also survived by three brothers, Esiquio Guzman of California, Paulino Guzman of Mercedes and Eugenio Guzman of Pontiac, Michigan and two sisters, Lucinda Vasquez and Tommie Lopez both of Indiana; numerous nieces and nephews; 32 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place Sunday from 1 p.m. till 9 p.m. with a prayer service to be held at 7 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.
Funeral service will be held Monday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home chapel with burial following at Relampago Cemetery under the direction of Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes.
Catherine Pugsley Fincher
SAN BENITO, TX — Catherine Pugsley Fincher was a unique and wonderful person, high-spirited and excited about life. After 88 years, her time came to leave us, and Catherine passed away in her sleep – a wish of hers – on Wednesday, June 16, 2004.
Born on October 24, 1915, in Kansas City, Missouri, Catherine moved with her family to San Benito, Texas, in 1923. She and her two brothers, Charles and Burruss, were part of a close-nit family together with their parents, Charles and Emma.
All three children graduated from San Benito High School, where Catherine graduated at the top of her class in 1932.
Catherine continued her education, first at Texas Southmost College and then at the University of Texas at Austin where she was an honors student.
After graduating from Texas in 1936, Catherine returned to San Benito to teach grade school. This is where a lifelong love story began.
Clyde Fincher was then a high school teacher in San Benito when he met the young school teacher.
After courting, Clyde and Catherine married in 1940 and began a long, loving, productive life in San Benito and Harlingen.
By 1942, their first child, a daughter named Carolyn, was born. Carolyn May Kilgore is now a resident of Estes Park, Colorado, and has two fine children who were a source of pride, stories and enjoyment to Catherine.
The first-born is Lee Kilgore, also a Colorado resident, who is married to Carolyn, and they have two children.
Next came Bill Kilgore who is married to Julie. They have three children, and reside in Yuma, Arizona.
In 1945 their son, Charles Pugsley Fincher was born. His companion is Dana Allison and both are South Padre Island residents and practice law together.
Catherine’s youngest daughter, Louise Ann Batot, was born in 1954.
Louise and her husband David live in Harlingen and have three wonderful children, Alison — married to Mac Kutzenberger — Adam and Daniel.
The three were frequent visitors to their grandmother and she took great pride and enjoyment in them.
Louise — together with David — has been particularly helpful to Catherine over the recent years, at her side whenever needed.
During her long life in San Benito, Catherine served the community well.
She was an active member of the First Christian Church where she once taught Sunday school. Catherine was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Brownie Scout Leader and also a Girl Scout Leader. She was a proud member of Chapter L of P.E.O. for years.
The San Benito Rotary Club honored her by making her a Paul Harris Fellow. No stranger to volunteer work, Catherine often worked on community events and was always available to help a friend.
One of her friends described her as an example of living by The Golden Rule.
Catherine was preceded in death by her much-loved mother and father, Charles and Emma Pugsley.
Her older brother, Charles Pugsley, a lifelong Exxon engineer, who she looked up to all of his life, also passed away before her.
Catherine is survived by her loyal sister-in-law, Charlotte, Charles’ wife who lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Catherine’s younger brother, Frank Burruss Pugsley, a renowned, retired, patent attorney was her confidant and supporter.
He lives in Houston with his wife Aline. Catherine is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Finally, Catherine is survived by the most important person in her life, her loving husband of 63 years, Clyde Fincher.
Her anchor in life, Clyde is quick to point out that Catherine played a role in all of his decision making.
They had a traditional marriage in which she expressed the feminine side of life, and he expressed the masculine side.
This partnership of love and the marriage of talents worked perfectly and made them successful in work, family and community.
Together they have been great assets to the Rio Grande Valley community.
A service for Catherine is planned for 11 a..m., Saturday, at the First Christian Church of San Benito with the Rev. Jim McCurdy officiating. Burial will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Norton Colvin, Bob Duncan, Sam Penn Boswell, Tip Johnston, James Russell, and Omar Rodriguez.
