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Douglas E. "Fessor" Fry, Sr., 95
Died: Friday, March 16, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
DOUGLAS E. "FESSOR" FRY, SR.
Douglas Fry, Sr., 95, of Abilene passed away on Friday, March 16, 2012 at Hendrick Hospice Care.
Private graveside services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler, Texas. A celebration of "Fessor" Fry's life is planned for a future day in Abilene. Local arrangements are being made by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.
Douglas was born in Spicewood, Texas, on July 15, 1916. He began his schooling in Burnet, Texas, but later moved to Levelland, graduating from high school in 1934. Doug enrolled in Abilene Christian University where he played trombone in the band directed by D. W. Crain. He graduated from ACU in 1940 and became band director at Conroe.
"Fessor" enlisted in the Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor and spent 39 months in the South Pacific, serving as band officer on Admiral Halsey's staff and conducting USO shows for Bob Hope and Eddie Peabody. After working a year for the Gretch Band Instrument Company, he became band director at Brady in 1947, building the 7-piece high school band into a large award-winning organization.
In 1953, Abilene Christian University hired Doug as director of bands, and for 17 years he directed the "Big Purple, " taking them on concert tours in 14 states and Mexico. Some 100 band directors studied with him during those years.
After his tenure at ACU, Douglas worked for King Music Company in San Angelo and then directed the band at Robert Lee before becoming band director of the Cisco Junior College Wangler Band for five years. In 1979, after retiring from active teaching, he was active as a clinician throughout Texas, and he served as executive secretary of region 7, where he and his wife Mary Frances, coordinated the regional UIL music contests. He also retired from the Navy and Naval Reserve with 22 years of service. He was named Director Emeritus of the ACU band in 1983.
Douglas Fry is survived by his wife, Mary Frances; a daughter, Nancy Hammes of Searcy, Arkansas; a son, Doug Fry, Jr., of Austin; a sister, Jence Morgan of Conroe; and a grand-daughter, Whitney Hammes of Searcy Arkansas.
Memorials may be given to the Fry-Crain Music Scholarship at ACU.
The family of Douglas Fry wishes to express sincere thanks to Bob Scott and Ed and Kathy George who have been like family for the last two years.
Erma Dean Johnson, 79
Died: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Erma Dean Johnson, 79, was welcomed home by her Heavenly Father on March 14, 2012. The celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 16, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Michael Reed officiating.
Erma was born on July 6, 1932 in Abilene, Texas to Farris and Edna Hobbs. She graduated from Wylie High School in 1948. At the age of 21, she married the love of her life, Bob Johnson. From this union three children were born - Randall, Diane and Steve. Erma was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She lived her life graciously serving and loving her family.
Erma worked at Thornton's Department Store for 5 years. She also worked in the Admissions Department at Hardin-Simmons University for 18 years. She was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church and served her Lord for 52 years.
She was preceded in death by her son, Steve, and her parents.
Erma is survived by her husband, Bob; son, Randall and wife Darla Johnson of Hamlin; daughter, Diane and husband Mike Beaver of Denton; her grandchildren, Terran and husband Travis Atwood, Ryan and wife Alicia Beaver, Emily Beaver, Taylor Johnson and fiancée Wendy Gonzales, and Brett Beaver; great-grandchildren, Grayson and Adrienne Atwood; sister, Dorothy Anderson of San Angelo; brother, Charles Hobbs and wife Bess of Abilene; brother-in-law, Dalton Johnson and wife Ouida of Abilene; sister-in-law, Nell Elliott of Abilene; and numerous nephews and a niece.
Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamil-Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park at 5750 Hwy 277 South. Pallbearers will be Randall Johnson, Mike Beaver, Ryan Beaver, Brett Beaver, Taylor Johnson and Travis Atwood.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 1165 Minter Lane, Abilene, TX 79603, or IntegraCare Hospice, 1665 Antilley Rd, Suite 100, Abilene, TX 79606. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Windcrest Care Center and IntegraCare Hospice for their caring hearts during these difficult months.
Wesley Wayne Odell, 62
Died: Friday, January 20, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Born on April 17, 1949 in Gorman, Texas, Wesley Wayne Odell died on January 20, 2012 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Wes grew up near Moran with his family on the McCollum Family Farm. At the age of sixteen he moved to Hurst, Texas to attend LD Bell High School.
After graduating from LD Bell, Wes attended Baylor University where he received a dual Bachelor's Degree in English and Mathematics in three years. Wes moved to Abilene in 1970 and began teaching English at Madison Junior High School. After three years at Madison, he transferred to Abilene High School where he taught English, served as the sponsor for the Varsity Cheerleaders and Eagle Squad and taught the Junior level Humanities Class which melded American History and English. Through this course, students were able to travel the area enabling them to learn about and write historical accounts of local individuals. Mr. Odell treasured the years he spent teaching at Abilene High and frequently reminisced about both his students and colleagues.
In 1980, Wes and his former wife, LeMoyne, opened Child's Play, a specialty toy store originally located in the Rose Park Shopping Center. Child's Play was open for twenty years and Wes found great delight in bringing joy to many families through the store.
Wes returned to teaching at Travis Opportunity Center in 1996 and most recently he taught English at Excel High School, part of the Woodson Center for Excellence. Wes was a commended and loved educator, receiving the Spotlight on Teacher Award for Woodson in 2009.
A tutor for the past fifteen years at the Ben Richey Boys Ranch, Wes provided educational and life guidance to the young men of the Boys Ranch. He cherished his time there and truly loved everyone affiliated with the Ranch. Wes used his talent as a teacher to encourage and positively influence the young men at Ben Richey.
Wes was known for his kindness, his quick wit and his sense of humor. He touched many lives of students by being a master teacher who was creative, caring and innovative. He could always find a way to reach a student and help them understand concepts as well as increase their self esteem and enjoyment of learning.
Wes was preceded in death by his mother, Helen McCollum, his father Clarence Odell, his step father, Clovis McCollum and his brother, Ross Odell. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren Odell Montgomery and Eric Montgomery, his former wife, LeMoyne Odell, his daughter, Ketrin McKeegan, his brother, Brad McCollum, one granddaughter, Bria McKeegan, his brother and sister-in- law, Cindy and Mike Farley, and many beloved friends and colleagues.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 23 at 10:30 in the morning at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal at 602 Meander Street in Abilene. There will be a reception immediately following in the Church Parish Hall. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Ben Richey Boys Ranch in memory of Wes Odell at P.O. Box 6839, Abilene, Texas 79608.
Patricia Ann Lusk, 70
Died: Saturday, December 24, 2011, in Emory, Texas
Patricia Ann (Wiley) Lusk, longtime resident of Abilene, passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2011 in Emory, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday December 29, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Scott Beard of FountainGate Fellowship, officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 pm in the Old Runnels Cemetery in Hatchell, Texas. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at the funeral home.
Patricia was born in Ballinger, Texas to Archie and Eva Wiley on January 18, 1941. She grew up in Hatchell and attended school in Ballinger. Patricia married Randy Lusk on September 20, 1958 in Ballinger. She worked as an Interior Designer for 23 plus years in Abilene.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Troy Wiley; and two sisters, Willo Dean Campbell and LaVerne Campbell. Patricia is survived by her husband Randy Lusk of Emory, Texas; children and their spouses, Melissa and Brent Goodwin of Katy, Texas and Scott and Lisa Lusk of Emory, Texas; grandchildren, Victoria and Colton Goodwin of Katy, Texas and Preston and Olivia Lusk of Emory, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and longtime friends. She is also survived by her grand-dogs Samson, Delilah and Duke.
The family of Patricia wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hospice Plus in Emory, Texas; Cherise Bludau-Branch N.P. of Victoria, Texas; and The Lighthouse Staff at Trinity Shores Senior Living in Port Lavaca, Texas.
Memorials may be given to Trinity Shores Senior Living, 201 Trinity Shores Drive, Port Lavaca, Texas, 77979.
Helen Joan Lang, 80
Died: Sunday, November 27, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Joan Lang, 80, of Buffalo Gap, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2011 at her residence. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the Buffalo Gap Cemetery. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Joan was born July 13, 1931 in Abilene, Texas to George and Helen Gooch. She married Adolph Lang on April 26, 1947 in Breckenridge, Texas.
While living in Midland, Joan was a member of Westside Church of Christ, the Texas Tornado Bowling Association and was the secretary at the American Kennel Club. She worked with her daughter, Jackie, at the Weinerschnitzel in Midland from the 1970's to the 1980's. She moved to Abilene in 1988 from Midland, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph Lang on February 26, 2002; her father, George Bill Gooch; her mother, Helen Eunice Beall Gooch; four children, twin infant boys that died at birth and two infant boys that died shortly after birth; and one brother, Harry Gooch, that died at age 5.
Joan is survived by daughters: Glenda Jo (Lang) Southerland and husband Rodney of Midland; Connie Jean (Lang) Hargrave and husband Dean also of Midland; Jackie Lynn (Lang) Ray and husband John of Buffalo Gap; and Leah Ann (Lang) LaRowe and husband Jim of Hudson, Colorado; one sister, Jean King and husband W.W. "Tootie" King of Abilene; 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care.
Jo Beth Vardaman, 77
Died: Monday, October 17, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Jo Beth Vardaman, 77, of Abilene, died Monday, October 17, 2011 at her home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm on Thursday at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Jo Beth was born, January 6, 1934 in San Angelo, Texas. Her parents were S. P. and Opal Floyd. She graduated from Abilene Christian High School in 1952 and married Lee Vardaman on June 7, 1957 in Abilene. She worked as a sales clerk at Grissom's and Dunlaps for several years. At the time of her retirement, Jo Beth was a lingerie buyer for Dunlaps. She was a member of University Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Lee Vardaman on August 12, 2006. Jo Beth is survived by two daughters, Christy (Chris) Parks of Abilene, and Lea Ann Vardaman of Benbrook; two sisters, Norma Faye Butler and Linda Daniel both of San Angelo; three grandchildren, Michael, Stephanie and Rebecca; and three great-grandchildren, Gavin, Evie and Maddy.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.
Guston "Gus" Beard, 64
Died: Saturday, May 14, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Gus Beard, 64, of Abilene, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday in Elmwood Memorial Park.
Gus was born February 8, 1947 in Asheville, North Carolina to Emerson and Margaret (Pardue) Beard. He married Sammie Thompson-Suter in Gautier, Mississippi, on his birthday, February 8, 1968. They moved to Abilene from Meridian, Mississippi in 1977. Gus was employed by Lone Star Coaches, and had previously worked for Greyhound Busline. He served in the United States Navy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. Gus is survived by his wife, Sammie Beard, of Abilene; two sons, Matt Beard and his wife Sandi, Daniel Beard and his wife Maria, all of Abilene; eight grandchildren: Ashley, Daniel and Cutler Beard; Jilleana, Tanner and Emma Beard; Garet Roberts and Jaycee Propst; one sister, Mary Alice Lane of Swannanoa, North Carolina; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the West Texas Rehab Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605; or to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.
