Gilberto Farias Mendoza Jr., 41, of Candelaria entered into Eternal Life on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

Gilberto Mendoza Jr.

Rosary will be recited at 7pm Monday, April 13 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday, April 14 at the church with Father Esteban Sescon officiating. Holy burial will be in Merced Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Jonathan Mendoza, Michael Payan Jr., Jose Delfin, Brizelda A. Mendoza, Iliana A. Mendoza, and Maria Marissa F. Mendoza.

Mr. Mendoza was born Thursday, February 14, 1974 in Sun Valley, California to Gilberto Mendoza-Del Toro and Maria Farias Mora.

He graduated from El Cajon High School in El Cajon, California in 1991 and had attended Devry University.

He served his country proudly as a mechanic in the United States Marine Corps.  He was a resident of Candelaria and a member of the Catholic Church.

Gilberto was a loving father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed but will remain in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his daughter, Brizelda Ascencion Mendoza of Marfa; his two sons, Gilberto Mendoza III and Jonathan Mendoza, both of Marfa; his parents, Gilberto and Maria Mendoza of Moriarty, New Mexico; his two sisters, Esperanza Mendoza of Dallas and Maria Marissa Mendoza of Odessa; his brother, Victor Manuel Mendoza of Odessa; his three grandchildren, Abigail Galindo Mendoza, Aylin Perez Angel, and Dante Vidal Mendoza, all of Marfa; his seven nieces, Ida Payan and Thalia Payan, both of Littlefield, Iliana Mendoza, Quiauhtzin Mendoza, and Dayanara Mendoza, all of  Odessa, Breana Ponce Mendoza of Dallas, and Jessica Lombera Rubio of Mission, Texas; his six nephews, Michael Payan Jr. and Victor Manuel Mendoza Jr., both of Littlefield, Mario Ponce Jr. of Dallas, and Lupe Mendoza Jr., Aaron Mendoza, and Timmy Mendoza, all of  Odessa; and also many friends.

Memorial Funeral Home of Fort Stockton is in charge or arrangements.

Margaret Weyrauch

Margaret Lois Fletcher Weyrauch, 95, formerly of Marfa, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 14, 2015, in Georgetown, Texas where she lived for 15 years.

Margaret was born July 20, 1919, in Alpine to Henry Turney and Lois Fischer Fletcher. She grew up as a ranch girl with cattle round-ups, chuck wagons, branding irons, dirt roads, party-line telephones, and home generated electricity. Horses, dogs, and cats were always special friends. These were also times of hats and gloves, calling cards, and weekly trips to the beauty shop – in her entire life she never once washed her own hair. She attended school in both Marfa and Alpine and spent summers at the 02 Ranch in Brewster County and the Fischer/Fletcher Ranch (Walking X) in Presidio County.

She attended the University of Texas in Austin where she lived in the Scottish Rite Dormitory and belonged to Delta Gamma Sorority. With her studies interrupted by World War II, she later graduated from Sul Ross State University in Alpine with a degree in social work.

She married Captain (later Major General) Paul Russell Weyrauch, US Army, on September 21, 1940, and immediately began a nomadic life as the nation prepared for war. Their son was born in July 1941, and her husband soon left for 26 months in the Pacific Theater.

After the war they lived in many places, including Germany and Panama, and she was a popular and gracious hostess. After Major General Weyrauch passed away on May 6, 1959, she moved back to the Fletcher Ranch near Marfa where she was a rancher, and for several years, a social worker and supervisor with the Texas State Department of Public Welfare.

She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marfa, serving many years as the Warden. She was also a dedicated volunteer with Meals-on-Wheels, working together with her longtime friend Emma Mallan. She was a member of Women AGLOW and a loyal friend and supporter of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in Phoenix, Arizona.

In the early 1960s, she took two around-the-world tours, visiting many sites no longer accessible to Westerners.

She was a loving wife, mother, aunt, and mother-in-law, and a fantastic grandmother and great-grandmother! Trips to Alaska and England with her grandchildren created special memories, and she never missed a major event, no matter where they lived.

In January 2001, she sold the ranch and moved to Georgetown to be near her son and his family. She became an active member of Hill Country Bible Church and a dedicated volunteer with the Literacy Council of Williamson County teaching English-as-a-Second Language. Many lives have been inspired by her enduring Christian witness, wisdom, and generosity. She was known as a faithful prayer warrior and for her sincere love for all people, regardless of their station in life or cultural background.

She is survived by her son, Brigadier General Paul T. (Pete) Weyrauch (US Army, Ret.) and his wife Anne; her granddaughter Julie Fowler, husband Scott, and great grandchildren Jason, Allison, and Paige of Dallas; grandson Lieutenant Colonel (P) Paul C. Weyrauch, wife Elizabeth, and great granddaughters Emma and Hartley of Alexandria, VA; and niece Brenda Schultz and husband Steven of Houston. She is also survived by her longtime friend, caregiver, and housekeeper Laura Martinez.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Turney Fletcher Jr. in 1971 and by her daughter-in-law, Nancy Weyrauch in 2007.

The family is grateful for the sensitive and compassionate care provided in our home by Gentiva Hospice in her last days, especially Natasha, Natoma, Carmen, Sharon, and Lois.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday, May 2, at Hill Country Bible Church, 600 Stadium Dr., Georgetown, Texas. A private burial service will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hill Country Bible Church, 600 Stadium Dr., Georgetown, TX 78626 (http://www.hcbcgt.com) or the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, 9849 N. 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85028 (http://canaaninthedesert.com/).

Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown is in charge of arrangements.

Justin Walker

Justin James Walker, 21, of Alpine went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Funeral services will be at 2pm Saturday, April 18 at Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Alpine.

Justin was born July 25, 1993 in Alpine. He was an Alpine High School graduate and was employed at Best Body Shop.

He had a kind, giving heart and loved God. He was well known in the community and was loved by many. Justin was always a great friend to everyone, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was very talented and will be greatly missed.

Justin is survived by his mother, Tammy Finley Walker of Alpine; his father, James Doyle Walker of Midland; his grandparents, John and Ethelene Finley of Alpine; three brothers, Miles Walker, Clayton Walker and John Walker; two sisters, Leslie Walker and Penny Vaughn; also seven nephews, five nieces, and numerous other family members and friends.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Josephine Valenzuela

Josephine H. Valenzuela, 91, of Alpine, passed away at her residence on Sunday, April 12, 2015.

The Rosary, followed by the funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, April 15 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine with burial in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Mrs. Valenzuela was born December 16, 1923 in Colorado City, Texas to Lorenzo and Luz Hernandez. She worked as a cook for Brewster Memorial Hospital for 17 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Lucy Ward of Alpine, Hermelinda Rodriguez of Washington state, Belia La’Boy of Oklahoma, and Mirella Valenzuela of Midland.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arturo Valenzuela.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Eva Covos

Evangelina “Eva” Mendoza Covos, 82, of Presidio passed away Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso.

The Rosary will be 7pm Thursday, April 16 at Santa Teresa de Jesus Catholic Church in Presidio. Mass of Holy Resurrection will be celebrated at 10am Friday, April 17 at the church with burial in Desert Hills Cemetery.

Mrs. Covos was born May 17, 1932 at Loma Pelona near Presidio to Federico and Bernarda Mendoza. She was a Presidio High School graduate and had worked for many years as a cashier for Soza’s Grocery Store.

Survivors include her husband, Oscar Covos of Presidio; two daughters, Norma Molinar  and husband Rene of Presidio and Martha Hernandez of Odessa; her sons, Manuel M. Covos and wife Olivia, Oscar Covos Jr. and wife Armida, Luis Covos and wife Gloria, Adan M. Covos and wife Irene, all of Presidio; her sisters, Herminia McCall, Juanita Covos, both of Presidio, and Elydia Cervantes of Odessa; her brothers, Carlos Mendoza of Presidio, Samuel Mendoza of El Paso, Federico Mendoza of Odessa, and Victor Mendoza of Van Horn; also 14 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederico Mendoza and Bernada Chavez, her brother Jose Mendoza and granddaughter, Bianca Covos.

Memorial Funeral Home of Alpine is in charge of arrangements.

Shafter native and former Marfa resident Juanita Chavez Miller, 74, of Odessa went to be with her Lord Friday, May 15, 2015.

Rosary will be recited at 7pm Monday, May 18 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa. Funeral services are 10am Tuesday, May 19 at the church officiated by Fr. Esteban Sescon. Burial will be in Merced Cemetery.

Juanita Chavez Miller

The family received friends at Acres West Funeral Chapel in Odessa the afternoon and evening of Sunday, May 17.

Juanita was born March 8, 1941 in Shafter to Jesus and Felicitas Ortega Chavez. When the family moved to Marfa she attended Blackwell School and graduated from Marfa High School.

She was employed by Safeway.

On October 21, 1961, she married her “high school sweetheart” Gilbert Miller. The couple moved to Odessa where they raised three wonderful children, Gilbert Jr., Yvette and Myra.

Juanita was a full-time, compassionate domestic engineer, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved traveling and visited such far- away places as Australia, Spain, as well as Shafter, Washington DC, and Las Vegas.

Juanita was a devout Catholic and was a member of Holy Redeemer Church in Odessa.

In 1985 Juanita suffered a stroke that left her wheelchair bound. Despite her disability, she never lost her radiant smile, sense of humor and strong love for her family.  She adored her husband and missed him dearly after his passing in 2004. Juanita’s strong love for her grandchildren and later on great-grandchildren Jace, Jamauri, and Marli Rae gave her the will to keep her world bright. She continued to enjoy life. She even managed some trips to Las Vegas and Cancun, Mexico with her children. She loved a parade, especially the Marfa Lights Parade. She loved Gilbert’s and Yvette’s menudo. She enjoyed going out to the mall, concerts, going for caldo and Rosa’s chile verde con carne. Juanita will be greatly missed, but the memories will give us comfort.

Juanita is survived by a son, Gilbert Miller Jr.; daughters Yvette Rodriguez and husband Simon, and Myra Miller and husband Michael Abila; grandchildren Steven Rodriguez and wife Jacqui, Tarah Rodriguez and Jerred Rodriguez, Jace Wyatt Abila; great-grandchildren Jamauri and Marli Rae Guyton, all of Odessa; brothers Epolito Chavez of Marfa, Jesse Chavez and wife Susan of Poolville; a nephew, Justin Chavez and wife Carrie of Crowley; and a niece, Jessalyn Chavez of Poolville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, father-in-law and mother-in-lw, and a sister, Sophia.

Arrangements are by Acres West Funeral Chapel, and condolences may be sent to the family online at acreswestfuneral.com.

Lady Lou Terry Hawkins, 86, of Alpine, an educator, singer, musician, rancher, business owner, and state senior tennis champion, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015 in Alpine.

Services are 10am Thursday, May 21 in Elm Grove Cemetery in Alpine, followed by an 11am service at the First United Methodist Church. All friends and family are invited to a reception following the church service.

Lady Lou Terry Hawkins

Lady Hawkins was born March 17, 1929 in Valentine. She graduated from Alpine High School and received her Bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education with a minor in English from TSCW, now Texas Women’s University in Denton. Playing violin, she served as concertmistress of the TSCW orchestra.

She taught English at Sonora High School, where she met and married T.M. “Buddy” Hawkins, the football coach. In 1951, the couple moved to Odessa, where they engaged in various businesses. In 1964, they established Hawkins Construction Company, where Buddy served as general contractor and Lady prepared bids and served as the company accountant. In 1986, they sold their business to their son, Tommy Hawkins, who continues to manage the thriving company, building and reconstructing residences and businesses throughout West Texas.

The couple belonged to the Wesley Class at First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, where Lady sang in the church choir and served as interim choir director for adult and children’s choirs. Lady was a talented flower arranger, decorating for banquets, church services, and other events. She was a member of the Odessa Garden Club and won several awards for her flower arrangements.

Lady’s joy in later life was playing doubles tennis. Playing at a 4.0 level, she and her partner, Joy Pollard, won the State Super Seniors tournament on two occasions.

In May 2012, Lady and Buddy moved to Lady’s beloved Alpine to live with daughter Chachi Hawkins. Upon her arrival in Alpine, Lady joined the First Methodist Church. Lady and Buddy cherished moving back to Alpine to spend their days riding over and working at the Triangle H Ranch south of Alpine. Buddy Hawkins died in Alpine on October 5, 2014.

Lady Hawkins is survived by her three children and their families, Lady Chachi Hawkins of Alpine; Terry Hawkins and husband, Dr. Douglas Klepper, of Lubbock; and Tommy Hawkins and his wife, Tammy, of Odessa; also three grandchildren and their families, TC Hawkins and wife, Julie, and their two children, Kody and Kacy of Alpine; and Lora Kirkland and her husband, Chad, and their two daughters, Kylie and Libby, of Willow Park, Texas; and Natalie Klepper of San Marcos.

She was predeceased by her parents, Lady Bunton Terry and King Terry Sr., and her brother, King Terry Jr., all pioneer ranchers near Alpine.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the West Texas Boys Ranch; 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo, TX 76904.

Clarence Albert Silva, 57, was called by the Lord on Sunday, May 10, 2015 in Dallas.

Clarence Silva

He was born April 6, 1958.

Survivors include five sisters, Nellie Ojeda, Mary Schafer, Joanne Saucedo, Barbara Grimaldo, and Eva Sosa, all of the Dallas area, a brother, Robert E. Silva of Marfa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Silva and Augusta Alice Silva; brothers Frank Valentine Silva and Michael Patrick Silva; nephews James Silva, Daniel Silva and Rudy Silva; great-nephew Joshua Silva; and great-great-niece Aria May Silva.

Visitation was the afternoon of Sunday, May 17 with the Rosary in the evening at Calvario Funeral Home Chapel. Mass was the morning of Monday, May 18 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with burial in Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas.

Pallbearers are Henry Saucedo, Marcus Saucedo, Eduardo Silva, Michael Silva, Arturo Reyna and Alejandro Hernandez.

Mr. Clarence A. Silva will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Barbara Joyce Blailock Elam, 74, died Wednesday, May 13, at a medical center in Abilene, Texas.

Barbara Elam

Born in Sweetwater on July 29, 1940, Joyce was the daughter of Nola Beatrice (Knight) and Robert Edgar Blailock. She married James Herbert Elam on November 21, 1959 in Cisco. She was a homemaker and a member of Broadview Baptist Church in Abilene.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, James Edgar Blailock.

Joyce is survived by her husband, James Elam of Abilene; four children and spouses, Denise Elam of Abilene, Rob Elam and wife Ja`nice of Ashdown, Arkansas, Charline Matson and husband Rick of Abilene, and Niki Holder and husband C.J. of Tuscola; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Survivors also include two sisters, Betty Ann Rhynes and husband Theldon of Abilene, and Bobbie Sue Belanger of Azle, Texas, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside services were at 10:30am Saturday, May 16, in the Scranton Cemetery near the community of Scranton in southwest Eastland County, Texas, officiated by Rev. Wes Terry. Visitation was 6 to 8pm Friday, May 15, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home in Abilene.

Memorials may be made to the Broadview Baptist Church, World Mission Fund, 2500 South 27th Street, Abilene, TX 79605.

Online condolences may be submitted at www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Patricio Aranda “Pat” Cobos Sr., 76, of Fort Stockton and formerly of Alpine, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015 in Fort Stockton.

Patricio ‘Pat’ Cobos

He was born May 21, 1938 in Alpine where he was a noted cook for many years.

Survivors include five sons, Billy M. Cobos, Jose M. Cobos, and Jerry Luis Cobos, all of Alpine, George Cobos of Monahans, and Patricio M. Cobos Jr. of Indio, California; three daughters, Elma Cobos DeLaO of Alpine, Carolyn Sue Flores of Midland, and Mary Cobos Gallegos of Fort Stockton; his brother, Ben Cobos of Alpine; two sisters, Viola Boris of Sonoma, California and Faye Leos of Dallas; also 24 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were the morning of Tuesday, May 19 at Grace Christian Fellowship in Alpine with burial in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Arrangements are by American Heritage Cemetery & Funeral Home of Midland.

Dorothy “Dotty” Elsa Lindquist-Sanders, 78, of Fort Davis, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine.

Memorial services will be at 1pm Saturday, May 30 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1003 W. Holland Avenue in Alpine.

Dotty was born November 13, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois. She had a love for dogs and other animals.

She enjoyed working as a fashion coordinator in Illinois and loved working in the garden and visiting with her friends, Mary Fred and Mercedes Nieto of Fort Davis and Joyce Wood of Alpine. She will be greatly missed but will remain in our hearts forever.

Survivors include her husband, Charles “Chuck” Sanders of Fort Davis and formerly of Alpine; her three daughters, DeAnna Kozak Kramer of Wisconsin, Denise Kozak Murphy of Michigan and Darla Kozak Tegtmeier of Illinois; four stepchildren that she loved and treated like her own, Mark Sanders of Alpine, Peggy Sanders-Wahl of Canyon Lake, Ellen Waters of Alpine, and Heinz Sanders of California; also 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Richard David Kozak Jr.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge or arrangements.

Tomas Baeza Ornelas, 88, of Presidio passed away May 21, 2015 at University Medical Center in El Paso.

He was born August 23, 1926 in Presidio to Regino Ornelas and Luz Baeza Ornelas.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran where he served on the USS Lipan.

Tomas Ornelas

He married Celina Aguilar in 1951 in Presidio. They lived in Arizona and El Paso for a period of time, eventually returning to Presidio where they raised their four children.

He worked at Casner Motor Co. of Marfa, Alpine and Presidio for many years.

Mr. Ornelas owned and operated Tom’s Service Station since the late 1970s where he worked with his sons Tommy and Norberto for many years before retiring.

His family remembers him as a joker and someone with a very good sense of humor. He made friends easy and when he worked for Casner’s, he would help people with their car payments when they couldn’t make the payments themselves.

He liked baseball, was a good pitcher, and for a time played with the El Paso Tejanos baseball team.

Mr. Ornelas loved deer hunting and always came home with a harvested deer.

His hobby was purchasing, refurbishing, and selling antique cars.

Survivors include his wife, Celina Ornelas; their sons Tomas Ornelas Jr. and Norberto and his wife Mercy Ornelas; his two daughters, Luz Elena Flores and husband Jesus, and Laura Hernandez; also eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Rufino A. Hernandez; his two sisters, Manuelita Ornelas of Presidio and Elviña Rivas of Monahans; and his only brother, Juan Ornelas of Millville, New Jersey.

Visitation was Wednesday, May 27 at Santa Teresa de Jesus Catholic Church in Presidio with funeral Mass on Thursday, May 28, with Fr. Mike Alcuino officiating. Burial was in Presidio’s Desert Hills Cemetery.

Pallbearers were his grandsons Adrian Flores, Jesse Flores, Abraham Ornelas, Juan Ornelas, Benjamin Ornelas, and Rufino A. Hernandez Jr., and a nephew, Juan Rivas.

Sunset Funeral Home East of El Paso is in charge of arrangements.

Billy “Bill” Mayfield Ramsey, 88, of Alpine took his final journey home on June 2, 2015.

He was born November 9, 1926 to Joe Bailey and Vyrgil Mayfield Ramsey in Merkel, Texas.

Bill married the love of his life, Leila Jeanette Stewart, August 20, 1950. They spent many years together working on ranches in Texas and Kansas, making their move to Alpine in 1985.

Bill and Jeanette were blessed with two sons, Joe Allen and Arthur Stewart. Joe Allen preceded his father in death.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jeanette; a son Arthur (Tammy) Ramsey of Alpine; five grandchildren, Kristyne Ramsey, John Ramsey, Cooper, Colter and Carver Tate; and six great-grandchildren, Tyler Abendroth, Brooke Ramsey, Jacob and Aaron Rodgers, and Emmalyn and Ty Tate.

Services were the morning of Friday, May 5 at the Geeslin Chapel in Alpine. Burial was in Resthaven Memorial Park, Midland.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Javier “Harvey” Manuel Mancha, 53, a longtime Alpine resident, passed away at Big Bend Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, June, 10, 2015.

Javier Mancha

Harvey was born in Alpine January 15, 1962 to Teo and Elidia Mancha. He was a graduate of Alpine High School.

He is survived by his father, Teo Mancha of Alpine; his grandfather, Felix Llanez of Alpine; his sisters; Yolanda DeLaO (Robert) of Alpine; Sandra Arambula (Roger) of Victoria; brothers Adolfo P.C. Mancha of Alpine and Richard (Melissa) Mancha of Harlingen; nieces, Yvette DeLaO, Evelyn, Lori and Cleo Mancha, Victoria and Paloma Mancha, and Cali Anna Mancha; nephews, Roger, Jacob and Caleb Arambula; and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elidia Mancha; his grandmother, Cruz Llanez; and his brother, Raul Mancha.

Rosary service was the evening of Friday, June 12 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial was the morning of Saturday, June 13 at the church, with burial in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Danita Kenzie

A memorial service to honor the memory and life of Danita Dawn Kinzie will be held at 6:30pm Friday, June 19 at Grace Christian Fellowship, 801 East Brown Street, Alpine.

Kinzie, 38, a longtime resident of Alpine and Fort Davis, died at her Alpine residence on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

All friends, colleagues, classmates, and acquaintances are welcome.

Leonor G. ‘Tia Oni’ Valadez, 89, a longtime Alpine resident who also lived in El Paso for many years, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2015.

Leonor Valadez

The Rosary is at 9am and funeral Mass at 10am Mountain Time Friday, June 26 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 408 Park Street, El Paso with Father Tovias officiating. A graveside service is 1pm Saturday, June 27 in Holy Angels Cemetery in Alpine with Father Robert Kobi officiating.

She was born April 18, 1926 in Alpine.

Leonor enriched the lives of many during her lifetime. There was nothing she couldn’t do as she was a very handy person. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, repairing, building things and telling stories. She loved the outdoors and camping, and when grilling outside she wanted to grill everything, especially when the coals were blazing hot.

She always gave thanks to God for the ability and knowledge he gave her.

Her parents instilled a strong work ethic along with a strong belief in God in all of their children. Some may have considered that very hard or uncaring but in reality they were preparing them for life and loved them all dearly.

She is survived by her sister, Conception “Concha” V. Rodriguez of Fort Stockton; and two brothers, Thomas “Junior” Valadez of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Federico “Freddy” Valadez of Winchester, Virginia; also numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tomas Carrasco Valadez and Juanita Gallego Valadez; her brothers, Robert “Beto” Valadez, Father Jose G. Valadez, Manuel “Lito” Valadez, Luis G. “Wicho” Valadez; and sisters, Sister Maria Asuncion Valadez, Maria Fierro Jojola, Bertha V. Ogas, and Ofelia G. Valadez.

Leonor will be in our hearts forever. The family extends their gratitude and special thanks to the people who provided her with care, calls, kindness, support and friendship.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph be with her and all of us always.

Ken Ragsdale, 97, a noted Big Bend historian, author, and big band leader, passed away at his Austin home Wednesday, June 17, 2015.

His first book, “Quicksilver: Terlingua and the Chisos Mining Company” in 1976 was the first major book written about Terlingua and the Big Bend area of Texas and is still considered the primary historical study of the region. He wrote again about the area with his second book, “Wings over the Mexican Border: Pioneer Military Aviation in the Big Bend” in 1984, covering the history of aviation border patrol by the U.S. Air Calvary in the early part of the 20th century. His third book about the area, “Big Bend Country: Land of the Unexpected” in 1998, was his final summing up of his personal experiences and a portrait of the larger-than-like characters, like Hallie Stillwell and Lucia Rede Madrid, that gave the region its special character.

Kenneth Ragsdale

Ragsdale also wrote two other books unrelated to the Big Bend, including a history of the Texas Centennial and Exposition that occurred in Dallas in 1936, and later became the site of the State Fair of Texas. For him, this was personal since he attended the Exposition as a young man. Incidentally, there he met one of his musical heroes, Tommy Dorsey, who invited Ragsdale to attend a performance he and his orchestra was broadcasting over the radio.

His final book, “Austin, Cleared for Takeoff: Aviators, Businessmen and the Growth of an American City,” was published in 2004.

Kenneth Baxter Ragsdale was born in Troup, Texas. As a boy, he discovered a passion for music that was to last his lifetime.

As a teen, he contracted osteomyelitis, a bone disease, that landed him in area hospitals for months at a time.

He attended Tyler Jr. College in the mid-1930s for two years. After finishing at Tyler, he came to the University of Texas at Austin in 1938 to earn a B.A. and Master’s in Music. His primary instruments were the English horn and the viola, which he played as a member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. During this time he discovered a talent for writing when he wrote music reviews for the Daily Texan, the school newspaper, where he was a colleague of Walter Cronkite, among others.

After graduating U.T., he worked as assistant manager of the Capitol Theatre in Austin. It was there he met his future wife, Janet Dittlinger, who was the cashier.

In 1944, to pursue his love of aviation, Ken and Janet moved to Dallas where he worked in route development for Braniff Airlines.

They later returned to Austin where he began working for the Austin Independent School District (AISD) in the music education department.

Also at this time, he formed his own Big Band, the Ken Ragsdale Orchestra. As the leader, he played the baritone saxophone and clarinet.

He retired from teaching in 1964, and in 1976 earned a doctorate degree in UT Austin’s newly-formed American Civilization department, where his love of the Big Bend was kindled.

He revived the Ken Ragsdale Orchestra, where they still continue to play to this day.

Ragsdale is survived by his wife of 72 years, Janet Dittlinger Ragsdale; his daughter, Keith Ellen Ragsdale; and his son, Jeffrey Ragsdale.

A memorial celebrating will be held from 1:30-3:30pm July 11 at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 4001 Speedway, Austin. The Ken Ragsdale Orchestra will peform.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kenneth B. Ragsdale Memorial Music Scholarship at the University of Texas at Austin. Mail your donations to Raine Munkens, Development Office, University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music 2406 Robert Dedman Drive, E3100, Austin, TX 78712

Another worthy cause is the AISD scholarship for the purchase of musical instruments and advancement of music studies for under-privileged students at the middle and high school level. Contact Jeff Ragsdale at beecave@grandecom.net and/or 512-302-5834 if you have any questions.

Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com.

Juan U. Hernandez passed away on Sunday, June 21 at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, TX at the age of 82 due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

Juan Hernandez

Juan was born on June 24, 1932 to Francisco and Paz Uranaga Hernandez in Marfa. He was the youngest of eight children. He married Dora Hernandez on September 12, 1959. Together they had two daughters, Patricia and Cynthia. He made a living as a carpenter and cabinetmaker and spent his extra time in his shop working on wood projects. He enjoyed baseball from the time he was a little boy, and would always tell us that when he was in grade school the teacher just loved to watch him play baseball during recess. He played baseball on the Marfa Indians and old-timers baseball teams until his mid 40’s. While he had to move to Midland a few years ago due to his health, he never forgot his hometown of Marfa and his old friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dora, and his brothers Manuel Hernandez, Jesus Hernandez, Pete Hernandez, and sisters, Concha Flores, Anita Granado, and Lucia Hernandez. He is survived by one brother Nasario Hernandez of McAllen, his daughters, Patricia Cowan of Midland and Cynthia Zamora of League City and one grandson Brandon Cowan of Midland and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be on Thursday, June 25 at 10am at St. Mary’s Church with burial to follow at Merced Cemetery under the direction of The Alpine Funeral Memorial Funeral Home.

Antonio Z. Molinar, 71, of Alpine, passed away at Pecos County Memorial Hospital in Fort Stockton on Tuesday, July 7, 2015.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1pm Friday, July 10 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine. Burial will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Antonio Molinar

Mr. Molinar was born in Terlingua on May 9, 1944. He had worked as a welder for the railroad.

He is survived by his mother, Maria Bermudez of Alpine; daughters Dee Ann Lujan (Mario) and children, Ileana, and Adrian of Alpine, Priscilla Wiedwald (Nathan) and children Nathan and Axel of Alpine; sons Orlando Molinar (Karen) and child, Kendal of Benbrook, Tony Molinar (Elva) and children, Cecilia and Esai of Fort Stockton; sisters Rita Ramirez of El Paso, Alva Yochum, Emma Irizarry, Eva Hinojos of Carlsbad, New Mexico; brothers Ernesto Bermudez of Alpine and Alfonso Molinar Jr. of Carlsbad, New Mexico; also seven grandchildren.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Fr. Mel La Follette, 84, of Redford, passed away the morning of July 4, 2015 in an Odessa hospital.

Father Mel, as he was affectionately known up and down the Rio Grande on both sides of the border, was a retired Episcopal priest who came to Redford in 1984.

Fr. Mel La Follettee

He was born September 7, 1930 in Indiana.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of Washington and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. He was working on a Ph.D. in Renaissance literature at the University of California at Berkeley when he felt the call to the priesthood and enrolled at the Yale divinity school.

He also was a civilian teacher on a navy ship, teaching English to sailors in a program that Chapman University ran with the U.S. Navy.

He served Episcopal churches in New York and California before moving to south Presidio County, ministering to small Episcopal congregations at Lajitas and Terlingua Ranch Resort. He also established Mexican border missions at Paso Lajitas, Chihuahua; Boquillas; and Palomas, across the river from Redford.

He was fluent in the Spanish language.

When the teenager Esequiel Hernandez was killed by a Marine sniper in Redford in 1997, Father Mel went with other Redford citizens to Washington, D.C. to protest the presence of troops on the border.

He used to have a herd of 100 goats, the remnants of a community cheese-making project that didn’t work out.

Funeral services are 10am Thursday, July 23 at Santa Inez Church in Terlingua.