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Martin Ruiz, 91
Died: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Martin Ruiz, 91, died Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at an Abilene medical center.
Born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico on March 14, 1920, Martin was the son of Antonia Perez Ruiz and Pioquinto Ruiz. He married Eusebia Castro on March 14, 1942 in San Antonio, Texas. He moved from Cactus, Texas to Abilene, Texas in 1979, and worked for the City of Abilene from 1979 until his retirement in 1989. After retirement from the City, Martin was in the landscape business.
He was a member of St. Frances Catholic Church in Abilene, and a member of The Knights of Columbus and Guadalupanas.
Martin was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Eusebia Ruiz in 2006; a son, Enrique Ruiz, Sr. on May 16, 2002; two grandsons, Ricardo DeHoyos and Francisco Ruiz; his parents; eight sisters and two brothers.
Survivors include two sons, Martin Ruiz, Jr. and Reynaldo Ruiz both of Abilene; seven daughters, Herlinda DeHoyos (Phillip) of Clyde, Paula Aguilera (Danny) of Amarillo, Rosa Sanchez (Jesse) of Etter, TX, Rosario Gauna of Abilene, Gloria DeHoyos (Martin) of Austin, Rebeca Ruiz of Round Rock, TX, and Minerba Ruiz of Abilene; a brother, Jesse Ruiz (Ramona) of Eastland; a sister, Antonia Vasquez (Joe) of Dumas; 34 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 13, at St. Francis Catholic Church directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Ruben Guerrero, Henry Ruiz, Jr., Rey Ruiz, Jr., Fernando Ruiz, Paul Ruiz, David Sanchez, Miguel Gauna, Joey DeHoyos, Mark Aguilera, Abel Longoria, Emilio Ruiz and Jose Martin Ruiz.
Jim Rose, 76
Died: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Jim Rose, 76, died Wednesday morning at a local hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born James A. Rose on August 17, 1935 to Oscar and Ruby Rose, he was a civic leader and prominent builder both in Abilene and throughout the state. He retired as president and ceased business of Rose Builders Inc. about three years ago.
A memorial service will be held Friday, January 13, at 11:00 a.m., at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, The Rev. N. Luke Back, Rector, officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.
Rose was a graduate of Abilene High School Class of 1953, of which he was president. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1958 with a degree in business, and immediately joined his father's firm, Rose Construction Company. While in Clarendon successfully bidding on and then overseeing a construction job, he met his future wife, Karen Knorpp.
During his 50-year career as a major builder, he was with Rose Construction Company, Rose and Sons Inc. along with his brother-in-law, Dean Henninger, and, beginning in 1990, Rose Builders Inc.
Projects in which Rose participated during his career have included continuing major additions and new construction at Hendrick Medical Center, such as the present ER facilities, trauma and cancer centers and the southeast or Collier Wing. Virtually all new construction at HMC during the past 75 years has been done by one of the Rose firms.
All three local universities have expanded through major projects such as Abilene Christian University's Brown Library and Don Morris Center. Church renovations and additions such as Holy Family Catholic Church, University Baptist Church and First Central Presbyterian Church. Renovations and new construction throughout Abilene Independent School District such as at Mann, Madison, Clack, Johnston and Cooper High School, as well as renovations to Shotwell Stadium were completed, along with Wylie High School, Day School of Abilene and The Hamil Family Funeral Home, and Regional Airport and City Hall renovations. Also, construction of the Fairway Oaks clubhouse and facilities and at least three major renovations at Abilene Country Club.
Easily among the largest and better known buildings with which he was associated were the 20-story First State Building, now known as Enterprise Center, and Taylor County Courthouse.
As Rose Builders Inc. 1990-2008, projects include the sprawling Abilene Industrial Park west of town, begun with four buildings, and Jim Ned High School, Clyde High School and Abilene's Central Fire Station.
Other notable Rose projects down through the years were Old Jail Art Center in Albany and Rolling Plains Trauma Center in Sweetwater.
Rose was past president of The Exchange Club, Abilene Construction Association, St. John's School Board and UT Ex-Students of Abilene. He is a former warden of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
He was very active in the Associated General Contractors (AGC). He served as president of the West Texas Chapter in the mid-1970s, followed by several years as chair of the Labor Committee. In 1982 he was elected to represent the chapter as state director and president. In 1983 he served on the national AGC Labor Committee. Two years later he was elected an AGC national director.
Survivors include Karen Rose, his wife of 48 years of Abilene; a son, Jeff Rose of Abilene; a daughter, Katie Gloyna and her husband Myrick Gloyna of San Antonio; a grandson, James Gloyna of San Antonio; and a sister, Sue Henninger of Abilene.
Preceding him in death were a son, Kelly Rose, and his brother, Earl Rose.
Memorials may be made to Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX 79602; West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605; or the donor's charity of choice.
Krystal Lynn Laramore, 35
Died: Tuesday, February 28, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Krystal Lynn Laramore, 35, died Tuesday, February 28, 2012 in Abilene, Texas.
Born in Abilene, Texas on February 1, 1977, Krystal graduated from Abilene High School. She received a Bachelor of Nursing degree in South Carolina. She was a R.N. working on contract. She lived in the Abilene area most of her life and attended Beltway Baptist Church.
Krystal is survived by her son, Braxton James Laramore of Allen, Texas; mother, Nita Smith of Abilene; father, Alton Smith of Abilene; three brothers, Timothy Smith and wife Pam of Abilene, and Jay Brock and John Brock both of the Metroplex Area; two sisters and spouses, Deborah Moore and John of Denver, Colorado, and Kari Giroux and Jason of Burlington, Vermont; and seven nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at Beltway Park Baptist Church Chapel, 4009 Beltway South, with Pastor Mike Hill officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
J. L. "Rock" Thomas, 81
Died: Saturday, February 25, 2012, in Breckenridge, Texas
J. L. "Rock" Thomas died at his home February 25, 2012 after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born September 15, 1930 in Pampa, Texas to Emma Jordan and Buford Thomas. He married his sweetheart Jenny O'Docharty in Walters, Oklahoma on November 29, 1948. Rock loved to brag that he had been married 63 years to "the same woman". When he was asked how he did it, he would always tell them to ask Jenny.
Rock started working in the oil field at age 12 pumping wells. He was a tool pusher by the time he was 21. He was a pioneer in the successful re-entry of old oil and gas wells that had been plugged. In February 1976, he and Jenny started Thomas Operating Company as a family business. Their daughter, Karen, worked in the office with Jenny. Their two sons, Guy and Mark, worked in the field with Rock. In its heyday they owned five re-entry rigs, one drilling rig, and had over 60 employees. In November 1986, The Re-Entry People was created. Rock was well known in the oil industry for his knowledge and expertise. Many of the tools and equipment that he designed are in use today.
His only granddaughter, Jama Lea, called him "My Rock". He took great delight in spoiling her.
Rock never met a stranger. He never passed anyone on the side of the road that needed help and many a hitchhiker got a ride. He had a love for nature and was never without a story to tell.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Prater and his staff, Renew Health Care and Solaris Hospice for the loving care they gave Rock. Rock's "favorite daughter-in-law", Nelda, was a Godsend during his illness.
Rock is survived by his wife of 63 years Jenny of Breckenridge, TX., his daughter Karen Martin of Breckenridge, son and daughter-in-law Guy and Nelda Thomas of Abilene, son Mark Thomas of Abilene, granddaughter Jama Lea Martin Stacy of Abilene, one sister Joyce Krushke of Odessa, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Opal Jo Edge and brothers George, Bob and Doug Thomas.
Cremation arrangements are being made by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.
The family wishes for everyone to remember Rock in their own way. There will be no service. Memorials may be made to the Ben Richey Boys Ranch or a charity of your choosing.
Irene Edna Helmer, 93
Died: Sunday, January 15, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Irene Edna Helmer, 93, died Sunday, January 15, 2012, at Windcrest Alzheimers Care Center in Abilene, Texas.
Born in Hodgen, Oklahoma on December 24, 1918, Irene was the daughter of Willie Mae (Castleberry) and Frank Hoskins. In 1966, she moved from El Paso to Abilene, where she worked as a counter clerk at both Dunkin' Donuts and Jack and Jill Donuts for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony W. Helmer, Sr.; son, Paul Eugene Cate; parents; brothers, Bernie, John, Roy and Earl Hoskins; and sisters, Helene Hoskins and Mattie Hoskins.
Irene is survived by her son, Anthony W. "Tony" Helmer, Jr. of Abilene; daughters, Barbara Poole of Bessemer City, North Carolina, and Peggy Pitkanen of Spanaway, Washington; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 20, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Chaplain Aaron Coleman officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Springfield Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Oregon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sears Methodist Hospice, 1 Village Drive, Suite 300, Abilene, Texas 79606.
