Gabriel Peña, 39, of Presidio passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.

Gabriel Peña

He was born December 31, 1973 in Alpine to Marta Peña and Victor Carrasco Sr. A certified electrician until his disability in 2012, he was also a member of Santa Teresa de Jesus Catholic Church in Presidio.

Gabriel was an awesome dad and very loving to his kids. He was very free spirited, loved the outdoors and to barbeque. He was friendly, playful, and very well liked by everyone, young and old.

Survivors include his wife, Alba (Dominguez) Peña; a son, Alfred (Freddy) D. Pena; a daughter, Lisa Marie Peña, all of Presidio; his mother: Marta Peña of Alpine; his father, Victor Carrasco Sr.; brothers Frankie Hartnett and Victor Carrasco Jr.; and his sister, Desiree Baeza, all of Alpine.

Rosary was the evening of Sunday, April 21 at Santa Teresa de Jesus Catholic Church in Presidio. Mass of Christian burial was the morning of Monday, April 22 at San Jose Catholic Church in Redford, officiated by Father Jose Alfredo Hinojosa. Burial was in the Redford Cemetery.

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

John F. Sutton, a one-time dean at the University of Texas Austin School of Law, FBI special agent and drafter of the ABA’s Model Code of Professional Conduct, has died at age 95. Sutton died Friday of complications due to old age, his family told the Austin American-Statesman.

John Sutton

Services are 10am Saturday, April 27, at the First Presbyterian Church in San Angelo. Graveside services will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7pm Friday, April 26, at Johnson Funeral Home.

Born in Alpine in 1918, Sutton spent time as a cattle rancher before attending the University of Texas in 1936. He earned his law degree in 1941.

Sutton served with the FBI as a special agent at the start of WWII, then served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a 1st Lt. in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps during the Korean War. He was in private practice from 1950-1957 in San Angelo, a practice he maintained with his wife Nancy Ewing, who was his law school classmate, and his father, retired Judge J. F. Sutton, according to his obituary in the San Angelo Standard-Times.

Sutton joined the law school faculty at his alma mater in 1957 and taught for 46 years until his retirement at age 85 in 2003. Sutton went on to become dean of the law school in 1979 and served as dean until 1984.

From 1965-1970, Sutton was one of the original draftsman of the ABA’s Model Code of Professional Responsibility, which replaced the ABA’s 1908 Canons of Ethics. Later, Sutton consulted on the drafting of the association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

Sutton is survived by his wife of 72 years; his son John E. Sutton, who was a student of his in law school; daughter Nancy Joan Sutton Parr; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo, the San Angelo Area Foundation, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Tomasa Rios Tavarez, 78, of Alpine, passed away at her residence on Tuesday, April 23, 2013.

Visitation is from 10am-4pm Friday, April 26 at the Alpine Memorial Funeral Home Geeslin Chapel with the Rosary service at 7pm at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Funeral Mass is 10am Saturday, April 27 at the church with burial in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Mrs. Tavarez was born in Terlingua on December 21, 1934 to Inez and Lucia Rios. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her husband, Elizardo M. Tavrez of Alpine; two sons, Elizardo Tavarez Jr. of El Paso and Luis Tavarez of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister, Elena Fierro of Alpine; two brothers, Inez Rios of Alpine and Urbano Rios of Midland; also four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Quiroz Valenzuela, 90, of San Antonio passed away Monday, January 14, 2013.

Raymond Valenzuela

Born January 8, 1923 in Marathon to Anastacio and Juanita Valenzuela, Mr. Valenzuela grew up in Marfa where he met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth Robinson in 1946.

After the birth of three children, the young family moved to San Antonio.

He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Europe. He was an Electrical Engineer at Via Transit in San Antonio for more than 20 years.

He was greatly loved, had many friends and will be deeply missed.

Burial was in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter, Yolanda Garza and her husband Armando, his daughter, Elizabeth Lopez and her husband Lee; siblings Felipa Ramos, Alfred Valenzuela and wife Sara; sisters-in-law Dora Sanchez and Viola Duke; grandchildren Stephanie Lopez Keller and husband Carey, Jacob Valenzuela, Aimee Garza Lopez and husband Frederick, Jason Valenzuela, Aaron Lee Lopez, Celeste Garza Santoyo and husband Paul, Leah Mullett-Kinder and husband Gerald, James Christopher Garza, Paul Matthew Lopez and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Raymond Valenzuela Jr., and his siblings, Elidia Martinez, Claudio Valenzuela and Beatrice Gonzales.

T.C. Knecht,  72, resident of Fort Davis since 1990, passed away peacefully April 29, 2013 after a lengthy illness.

Born April 30, 1940, in Dallas, he is survived by wife Anita of Fort Davis and sons Michael McNeel of Alpine and Joshua Stracener.

Mr. Knecht was a combat decorated Marine Corp veteran who took part in the Cuban missile crisis blockade, of which he was very proud. He will be sorely missed by all who loved and cared for him.

Services will be at 3pm Friday, May 3, 2013, at his home, 4.3 miles North of Fort Davis on Hwy 17. Burial will follow in the family cemetery.

Services were entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home.

Charles Bruce Colvin, 69, of Fort Davis, died April 23, 20-13 in Lubbock.

He was born July 10, 1943 in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of William Bear and Norma Lee Harold Colvin. His stepfather was W.M. Colvin.

Mr. Colvin was a graduate of Ellinwood High School and Colorado College. A Fort Davis resident the past nine years, he previously lived in Alpine, New York City, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Baltimore, Maryland.

He retired after 32 years as a professor in the Department of Art History and Design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

Survivors include a sister, Lynn and husband Gary Huncovsky of Agenda; two aunts, Ruby Herold of Longmont, Colorado and Mitzi Colvin of Tulsa, Oklahoma; an uncle, Don Herold of Wichita; a niece, Christine Huncovsky of Overland Park; a nephew, Todd (Amy) Huncovsky; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather.

Funeral service was the afternoon of Friday, May 3, in Barton County, Kansas with the Rev. Kasey Crobsy and Willie Dunlap officiating.

Kimple Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements, and memorials are suggested to the Ellinwood Public School and Library Foundation.

On Monday, April 22, in Los Lunas, New Mexico, Rosa Calderón de Hernández peacefully slipped into eternity where her new life is being celebrated by her husband, parents, and siblings in the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The first of ten children, Rosa was born to Andrea Baéza de Calderón and Felipe Calderón on November 6, 1906 at Portales Ranch, which is located between the two small Texas towns of Ruidosa and Presidio. Her siblings included three sisters (Apolonia Calderón, Petra Calderón de Palma, and María Calderón de García) and six brothers (Urbano Baéza Calderón, Dolores “Lolo” Baéza Calderón, Elias Baéza Calderón, Jesús “Chuchi” Baéza Calderón, Manuel Baéza Calderón, and José Baéza Calderón).

Rosa initially attended school at Portales Ranch, where she was raised. She later attended a neighboring school at a ranch called El Indio.

On March 31, 1940, Rosa Calderón married José Tavárez Hernández at Santa Teresa Catholic Church in Presidio. They had one daughter, Aurora Hernández. José Hernández passed away on May 10, 1990.

This kind and gentle lady whom Aurora called Mamá, was known as Comadre Rosa, Tía Rosa or Doña Rosa to others. She was a devout Catholic who loved The Lord and His people. Her life revolved around prayer. She prayed the rosary daily. She also had many novenas that she prayed.

Rosa Calderón de Hernández was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Also, just as she welcomed each of her siblings into this world, Rosa bade each of them goodbye as they departed from this life.

Left to cherish her memories are her daughter Aurora Hernández and many nieces and nephews with whom she had special relationships.

What a beautiful life Rosa Calderón de Hernández led. She made so many of us feel special! She had so much love to give, and it was reciprocated. She was truly an Angel in disguise, and now she is watching over us from heaven.

A rosary was held on Sunday, April 28 at Santa Teresa Catholic Church in Presidio, followed by burial on Monday, April 29 at Indio Ranch Family Cemetery.

Mildred Lois Cotton Farris passed away Monday, May 13, 2013, at home in Addington, Oklahoma, at the age of 79 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mildred, the daughter of W.B. and Blanche Cotten was born August 8, 1933, in Andrews. She attended and graduated from Andrews High School in 1951. She obtained a degree in physical education from Sul Ross College in Alpine in 1955, where she was a member of the rodeo team.

On May 31, 1955, Mildred married fellow rodeo contestant John Farris and the two eventually made their home on the Farris Family’s Ranch outside of Addington, Oklahoma.

Mildred joined the Texas Barrel Racers Association where she won the championship in 1955-1956-1957. In 1958, she joined the Girls Rodeo Assn. (GRA), that later became Women’s Professional Rodeo Assn. (WPRA). She served as a Director, Vice President and President in 1965 through 1971. She qualified for the National Finals 13 times and was a runner-up to the Champion three times, posting the fastest time. She was selected “WPRA Women of the Year” in 1996.

For 17 years, Mildred carried the American Flag at the opening of the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. She carried the American Flag for the Cowgirl Hall of Fame opening in Las Vegas in 1997. Mildred was elected to the Sul Ross Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2008, Mildred and John were jointly inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado and inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton in 2004. In 2010, the couple was inducted in to the Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Mildred served as Secretary of the Texas Circuit Finals, 17 times.  She also served as Rodeo Secretary for the Fort Worth Rodeo for 30 years. Mildred is a five-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo secretary, a five-time Wrangler NFR assistant secretary and a 15-time Wrangler NFR timer. She served as secretary of the Women’s National Finals Rodeo seven times and has been named PRCA Secretary of the Year nine times and twice by the Women’s Professional Cowgirls Association. She served on the PRCA Contract Personnel Executive Council from 1988-2002. Mildred most recently was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas in October 2012.

Mildred along with her husband John worked as a team for several stock Contractors; Tommy Steiner, Neal Gay, James Harper, Mack Altizer, Scotty Lovelace & Stace Smith, Don Gay, Mike Cervi and others. They were known for running the best rodeos. There was never a problem with pay-offs and the arena was always clean and safe. The stock was loaded in the correct chutes and in proper sequence.

Mildred is preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Dorothy Daugherty (of Alpine) and LaVida Faye Simpson and one brother Ralph Arnold Cotten.

Survivors include her husband of almost 58 years John Farris; two sons, Bill Farris and wife, Sally, of Nobel, Oklahoma and Johnny Farris and wife Jan, of Addington, Oklahoma. Four grandchildren Chelsea Dorward and husband Russell, of Clifton, Texas, Dell Farris of Comanche, Oklahoma, Matthew and Ben Farris of Nobel, Oklahoma. Siblings include Helen Morris and husband Jack of Odessa, Texas; twin brother Melvin Cotten  and wife Carol of Kena, New Mexico; brother Gayle Cotten and wife Kay of Hereford, TX and sister Barbara Finney and husband Bob of Muleshoe, TX, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, or the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth.

Funeral service was the afternoon of Wednesday, May 15 at the First Baptist Church of Waurika, Oklahoma with Dr. Stacy Conner and  Mike Mathis officiating. Burial was in Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home. Visitation was at the Dudley Funeral Home.

Joseph R. Clark, 90, the father of Carolyn Mangrem of Alpine, passed away May 7, 2013, at St. Joseph’s Manor in Bryan, Texas.

Joseph Clark

Joe was born October 23, 1922, in Handley, Texas.  He spent his youth in Stephenville, Texas. He was in the class of 1944 Texas A&M University. World War II interrupted his college years. He piloted a B-17 over occupied Europe, flying 33 missions with the 306th Bomb Group, based in Thurleigh, England.

Joe returned to A&M, graduating in 1947.  Joe then left for Saudi Arabia, where working for ARAMCO and the royal family, he was a foreman and then general manager of extensive farming operations at the historic Wadi al-Kharj.  Returning to Stephenville on leave in 1950, after a 28-day courtship, he married Wynon Smith.  This resulted in a beautiful romance that lasted 62 years.  The couple then returned to Saudi for several years.

In 1954, with a baby daughter born in Saudi, the young family moved to Pecos, Texas.  Over the next 40 years, Joe farmed, ranched, and developed land and businesses far and wide.  During the “Pecos” period the family lived in Carlsbad, NM and Clarksville, TX for a couple years each. Joe and Wynon next moved to Granbury, TX in 1985, where they enjoyed semi-retirement and continued their travels throughout the world.  In 2006, they moved to Bryan to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Joseph Clark

Joe loved his wife and family, flying, business challenges, reading, and travel.  His family and friends will never forget his unconditional love, selfless generosity, great humor, and true wisdom.

Survivors include his loving wife; and his children, Carolyn Mangrem of Alpine, Mary Waldson of Gause, TX, Annie Clark  of Mineral Wells, TX, and John Clark of Bryan, TX; sons-in-law, Tom Mangrem and Jim Waldson; and daughter-in-law, Janice Clark; his grandchildren, Jesse, Sarah, Joe, Natalie, Sally, Zoey, Andrew and Angie and great-grandson, Peyton.

Special thanks to the many caregivers that helped Joe during his last years including Maurice, Freddie, Angela, Alice, Vera, and Tamara.  Also, many thanks go to the wonderful nurses and staff of St. Joseph’s Manor and Hospice Brazos Valley. One last and very special thanks to Tony and Pam Geishauser for their care and friendship.

Choosing cremation, there will be no formal service.  Family and friends will meet together later in the year at “the ranch” to celebrate the life, well lived, of this very unique man. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 W. 26th, Bryan, Texas 77803 or on-line at www.hospicebrazosvalley.org.

Manuel “Manny” H. Lujan, 66, a lifetime resident of Marfa, passed away at the Veteran’s Hospital in Big Spring on Friday, May 17, 2013.

Manny Lujan

Services are pending for a later date.

Manny was born in Marfa on January 28, 1947 to Josefina and Manuel L. Lujan. He was a U.S Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam era as a Sergeant. He owned and operated Lujan’s Automotive in Marfa for 34 years, was a former Marfa municipal judge, and was active in local veterans affairs.

He is survived by his wife, Genoveva “Jeanie” Lujan of Marfa; daughters Krista N. Lujan and Candida Lujan Viera, both of Odessa; sisters Lorrina Ragsdale and her husband Sammy of Dallas and Carmen Pena-Alfaro and her husband Jaime of Austin; grandsons Donny Rey “Papoose” Martinez Jr., Jacob Zachary “Zack” Martinez, and Dustin Rene Martinez, all of Marfa.

Manny was preceded in death by his parents, Josefina and Manuel Lujan, and his brother, George Lujan.

Services were entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home.

Former Brewster County attorney Richard E. Bowers, 82, died May 11, 2013 at his residence in Houston.

Dick Bowers

He graduated from Markham High School in 1949 and attended Southwestern University in Georgetown before entering the US Air Force during the Korean War.  Later Richard earned BBA and JD degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his law career in the Arthur Harris Law Firm in Bay City in 1959.

Later he moved to Austin and practiced for the Texas Employment Commission, the State Securities Board, and then became an Assistant Attorney General under Waggoner Carr.

In 1963, he moved to Alpine and was elected to serve as Brewster County Attorney for 21 years, also operating a private law practice from 1963-1991. In Alpine he was the Charter President of the Alpine Kiwanis Club, served on the Texas District and County Attorneys Board of Directors, was a member of American Legion Post 79, served as an Elder of First Presbyterian Church and served on the Board of Directors of Alpine Main Street and the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend.

Richard married Janette Lawhon Cornett on June 3, 1967 and they settled in Alpine for 34 years where they raised their six children.  They lived in Horseshoe Bay for 10 years and in Houston for the past three years.

They have found a lot of joy and happiness in their new church home, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.

Richard is survived by his wife, Janette;  son, George (Donna) Bowers; daughter Kelly Albrecht; step-children Connie Cornett (Betty), Clay Cornett (Deb), Cole Cornett (Cathy), Casey Cornett (Susan); grandchildren Chris and Amy Brinker, Colby and Colton Cornett, C. P. and Vivian Albrecht, Marshall and Stuart Cornett, Haley and Sydney Bowers; brother Adrian (Naomi); sisters Jackie Kieschnick and Carol Rehfield of Gruene; “adopted” daughters Barbara Bowers and Angie Hendershot Boothe and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, G. T. and Blanche Bowers; brothers Ray (Helen), Verner (Elva), Weldon (Tommy), Hubert; sister Lillian (Jack) Almon; and infant sister Kathleen.

Graveside services were the morning of Monday, May 13 in the Hawley Cemetery in Matagorda County. A memorial service was the afternoon of Tuesday, May 21 in the sanctuary of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston.

Donation in Richard’s memory may be made to the Caring Forever Foundation, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079; First United Methodist Church; 1101 Bluebonnet Drive; Marble Falls, TX 78654; First Presbyterian Church; 103 Lockhart Ave.; Alpine, TX 79830 or a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.

Jack Delano Bates, 44, of Charles Town, West Virginia, passed away Friday, May 17, 2013 at his residence.

JD Bates

Born March 9, 1969 at Bad Cannstatt Military Base, Stuttgart, Germany, he was the son of Sharon Bennett Stilley Bates and the late Joe Kent Bates.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Agent Bates was a proud member of the U.S. Border Patrol. He was a 32nd degree Mason of Frontier Lodge No. 766, A.F& A.M. in Alpine. J.D. was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. For nine years he fought a battle with cancer with great fortitude and finished well, departing this life on the ninth anniversary of “Livestrong Day.”

Bates and Presidio port director David Lambrix worked together through headquarters, when Lambrix was responsible for the emergency management for the commissioner. He worked with JD in Teaching Incident Command Systems around the world for CBP. They were the first to teach a joint CBP and Mexico ICS class.

He survived by his loving wife, Tasha, at home; one daughter, Jessica Stafford of Austin; one son, Bradlee Bates, at home; and mother, Sharon Stilley and husband Vern of Fort Stockton.

Services, with full honors, was the afternoon of Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, Harpers Ferry/Charles Town, West Virginia with Bishop Gordon Harmon officiating. A Texas service is 10:30am Friday, May 31 at Broke Mill RV Park, 6069 US 90 West in Del Rio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Johns Hopkins Camp Kesem or to Florida State University Camp Kesem at www.campkesem.org or to the National Law Enforcement Memorial at www.nleomf.com.

Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jodie H. Webb, 76, formerly of Marfa, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2013, in Comanche County, Texas.

He was born on June 16, 1936, in San Antonio, to Jodie Herbert Webb, Sr. and Junya (Lough) Webb and was raised on a ranch in the Carrizo Springs area.

On January 9, 1971, he was united in marriage to Delores Parker at First Christian Church of Marfa. He was a graduate of Texas A & M University, Class of ’58, and was a member of the National Rifle Association and Texas Rifles Association and a member of Marfa Volunteer Fire Department.

Jodie was a District Supervisor for U.S. Fish and Wildlife in the Trans Pecos Region. He spent the last ten years of his working career with Safe Tire Disposal Odessa. He was a deacon in the First Christian Church of Stephenville.

He is survived by his wife, Delores (Parker) Webb of Comanche; three sons, Mike Webb and Susie of Giddings, Matthew Webb of Dallas, and Alex Webb of Kopperl; three granddaughters; one grandson; and sister and brother-in-law, Junya and Earl Craig of Dennison.

He was preceded in death by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Sharon Webb; and parents, Jodie, Sr., and Junya Webb.

A Memorial Service was held May 26, 2013, at First Christian Church of Stephenville, with Rev. Rice Lows and Shannon Grubbs officiating.

If desired, memorials may be made to Marfa Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 846, Marfa, Texas 79843; or First Christian Church, 405 W. Tarleton Street, Stephenville, Texas 76401.

View and sign guest book at www.comanchefh.com.

Alene H. Esch, 87, of Alpine, beloved wife of the Rev. Walter W. Esch, went to be with the Lord on May 21, 2013. She passed from this life at Pecos County Memorial Hospital in Fort Stockton after a lengthy illness.

Alene Esch

She was born in Hempstead County, Arkansas on January 9, 1926 and graduated from high school in Hope, Arkansas in 1944. She attended college at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas from 1946-1947. It was during her college experience that she met a fellow student, Walter W. Esch, whom she later married on January 24, 1949. In 1951, she and Walter moved to Alpine where together they pioneered the First Assembly of God Church in Alpine in 1954. The church grew from having services in their residence to constructing a new church sanctuary where services have been held since 1960. They pastored the church until 1979.

Her professional career included being a Linotype operator for three different newspapers as well as a 27-year career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.  She didn’t officially retire until the age of 70.

Her personal accomplishments included being a loving wife for 64 years and a mother to four children.

She is survived by her husband, Walter W. Esch of Alpine; four children, Rosetta Love Douthitt and husband Tom; Thomas Esch; Gary Esch and wife Nicole; and Rhonda Martin; also five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Porter and Willie Thomas Hair; two brothers, Val Gene Hair and George William Hair; and two sisters, Dorothy Mae Anderson and Jewel Dean Fortson.

Visitation was the afternoon and evening of Friday, May 24 in the Geeslin Chapel. Services were the morning of Saturday, May 25 at the First Assembly of God Church. Burial was in Elm Grove cemetery.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Aubina M. Portillo, 97, of Odessa and formerly of Lajitas, passed away Friday, May 24, 2013 at her residence.

Aubina Portillo

Funeral services will be at 10am today, Thursday, May 30 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Odessa with burial in the Rose Hill section of the Ector County Cemetery.

Visitation was Tuesday, May 28 and Wednesday, May 29 at the Martinez-Smith Funeral Chapel.

Mrs. Portillo was born March 1, 1916 in Lajitas to Juan and Felicitas Miranda. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She married Roberto R. Portillo in Odessa. They were married 45 years before he preceded her in death in 1992. Also preceding in death are son, Roberto Portillo Jr.; parents Juan and Felicitas Miranda; brothers Gilberto Miranda and Juan Miranda Jr.; and sisters Concha Sanchez and Rita Muñoz.

Aubina loved staying active and had several hobbies. She loved to quilt for her children and grandchildren, who all have quilts handmade by her. Gardening was another of her treasured hobbies. Her garden was always full of beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees that she lovingly tended. She loved cooking for her family, and everyone looked forward to the delicious meals she would prepare.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who loved staying with their “Mima” because she always devoted her time to them and made them feel special. She was a wonderful mother who taught her children how to parent by her example of devotion, loving care and kindness to her family. She always had a shoulder to lean on, was a wonderful listener, and had excellent advice to share with us.

Aubina was blessed by being very intelligent and having a keen sense of humor. Many times during a conversation, it would appear as if she had not heard a comment, and then she would respond with a quick-witted comment that everyone would find humorous.

She is survived by her son, Ruben M. (Corina) Portillo of Richardson; daughters, Olga P. Sanchez of Richardson and Norma L. (Matthew) Tumbusch of Midland; sisters, Margarita Muñoz and Petra Baca, both of Odessa; six grandchildren, Christopher and Priscilla Portillo, Christina and Michelle Tumbusch, Genevieve Denney and Stephen Nicholas (Raquel) Sanchez; and 2 great-grandchildren, Brooke and Alexander Denney.

Martinez-Smith Funeral Home of the Permian Basin is in charge of arrangements.

Chale Martinez

Wenceslao “Chale” Bustamante Martinez, 81, of Marfa, passed away Friday, May 31, 2013 at Hospice House in Odessa.

A memorial service will be held at 10am Saturday, June 8 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa.

He was born September 28, 1931 in Mexico to Cresencio and Herminia Bustamante Martinez.

He was a rancher in the cattle industry and a Catholic.

Wenceslao is survived by his wife, Maria “Cuca” P. Martinez of Marfa; sons Bodie Martinez of Hobbs, NM and Oscar P. Martinez of Colorado Springs, CO; daughters Maribel Martinez of Coeur D’Alene, ID and Veronica Martinez of Hobbs, NM; brothers Rodrigo Martinez of Odessa, Hector Martinez of Artisea, NM, Juventino Martinez of Odessa, and Elias Martinez of Orlando, FL; sisters Francesca Stephens of Salt Lake City, UT, and Esperanza Alvarado of Odessa; and 11 grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his sisters Victoria Prieto and Luciana Marquez.

Arrangements are by Martinez-Smith Funeral Chapels in Odessa.

Wallace Peters, 70, of Louisiana and formerly of Alpine, passed away May 30, 2013.

Wallace Peters

He was born November 6, 1942, in Alpine and grew up there.

He graduated from North Texas State University 1967 in business administration. He spent most of his adult life in Dallas until he discovered the country life in Haughton, Louisiana.

Wallace enjoyed spending time with family and enjoyed the constant challenge of improving his golf game.

Wallace was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Loyce Peters, and brothers Kenneth and Keith Peters.

Wallace is survived by his wife, Julie Peters of Haughton; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Randall Baggett of Texarkana; son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Amy Peters of Frisco; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Katrina Peters of Frisco; daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Jim Hall of Navarre, Florida; also, grandchildren Kaylie Harrison and husband Brandon, Kristen Griffin, Jackson Peters, Abby Baggett, Eli Baggett, Breelee Peters, Hadley Peters, Channing Peters and Asher Hall; also great-grandchildren Landon and Ava Harrison; best friend Ron Ryle; and loyal companion Titus.

Wallace hoped his participation in cancer research would help others in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite cancer charity, to M.D. Anderson in Wallace’s memory, or to the Kenneth Peters Memorial Scholarship Fund at Sul Ross State University in Alpine.

The family will have a memorial service in Dallas in the near future. Details will be posted at www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.

Jesse R. Rojas, 90, of Fort Stockton and formerly of Marfa, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

Jesse Rojas

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am today, Thursday, June 6 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa with Father Rolando Fonseca officiating.  Burial with full military honors will be in Merced Cemetery provided by the U.S. Army from Ft. Bliss and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Rosary was recited the evening of Wednesday, June 5 at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Stockton.

Pallbearers are Guadalupe Rojas Jr., David Rojas, Benjamin Rojas, Leonard Rojas, Johnny Rafael Rojas and Robert Rojas. Honorary pallbearers are Chuy Garcia and Martin Cobos Jr.

Mr. Rojas was born October 8, 1922 in Cisco, Texas to Micaela Reyes and Baltazar Rojas.

He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during World War II. He was part of the invasion of Normandy at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, D-Day. During his service for his country, Jesse achieved the rank of sergeant. He served tours in Central Europe, the Rhineland, and Ardennes. His military occupation specialty was as a crewman with Heavy Mortar Unit #1607.

While in the service, Jesse was awarded the American Theater Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the Bronze Star.

Jesse was a proud American who answered his country’s call. He had his own business as a produce wholesaler. He was a Marfa City Commissioner, and president/chairman of many local organizations and fundraisers, especially for St. Mary’s School and parish.

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

Survivors include his daughters; Grace R. Garcia of Fort Stockton and Nicole R. Cobos of San Antonio; two sons, Glenn Rojas of Marfa and Jordan Rojas of Denver, Colorado; a sister, Juanita R. Miller of Alamo, Texas; two brothers, Raymundo R. Rojas of El Centro, California and Augustine R. Rojas of Marfa; three grandchildren, Joshua Garcia, Lorraine Rojas and Darius Cobos; one great-grandchild, Jaida Grace Garcia; also several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Baltazar and Micaela Rojas; brothers Guadalupe R. Rojas, Leonardo R. Reyes and Leroy R. Rojas; and a sister, Catalina R. McNeill.

Arrangements are by Memorial Funeral Home of Fort Stockton.

Edward Sykes, 80, passed away quietly at the residence of his sister on Saturday May 25, 2013.

Ed was born in Stafford Springs, Connecticut on September 12, 1932. The family moved to LaPorte, Indiana where he farmed for 50-plus years.

In 2002, he retired to Fort Davis where he lived with his sister and her late husband Russ.

He is survived by his sister, Martha Sykes Hansen of Fort Davis and Lincoln, Vermont.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Vera Sykes of La Porte and a brother, James Richard Sykes of Brownsville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, P.O. Box 905, Fort Davis, TX 79734 or a favorite charity.

Arrangements were made by the Alpine Memorial Funeral Home.

Services are pending in Presidio for Presidio native Arturo Ochoa, 82.

He passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2013 in El Paso.