Nancy Louise Palmer Edelmon, 85, of Friona, Texas, passed away on October 20, 2021. Viewing will be held from 9:00AM to 8:00 PM with family visitation beginning at 6:00 PM Friday, October 29, 2021 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY with Celebration of Life Services scheduled for 11:00 AM Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the Union Congregational Church of Friona, Jeff Procter, minister of the Sixth Street Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will follow in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona, Texas.
Nancy was born on January 25, 1936 in Houston, Texas to Arthur B. (Swampy) and Martha Frances Miller Palmer. She spent her childhood years in Houston and in Lafayette, Lousiana, ultimately graduating from San Jacinto High School in Houston. She attended Texas Christian University, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Elementary Education.
Following college graduation, she ventured with friends to Hawaii, where she met a young 2nd Lieutenant in the US Navy. James Von Edelmon won her heart, marrying her on November 23, 1957. They cherished and took care of one another for almost 60 years, parted only by his death on August 12, 2017.
Nancy and Von lived in Dallas, Texas, for the first seven years of their marriage. Four children were born, Lisa, Mark, Karen and Brian. Von was a mechanical engineer at Texas Instruments, but one day came home and informed Nancy, a city girl, that he wanted to return to the farm where he grew up, in Friona, Texas. The family of six moved in 1966. As was her usual, Nancy involved herself in the Friona community from the time of their move, and Friona is better for it.
After her own children were in school, she began teaching first grade at the Friona Primary School. She finally graduated to second grade by the time she retired after many years of service and dedication to the students of Friona. Nancy was always excited to see former students acknowledge her as one of their first teachers. She was proud of their accomplishments and looked forward to seeing all of them.
Nancy had no greater love than for her family, including those who came before her. Much of her retirement time was spent in search of her family heritage. She never tired of telling stories from her past and sharing what she had learned of her ancestry. Her house is filled with memories of those family members. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly, encouraging all of them in their activities and dreams. Nancy enthusiastically attended many ballet and piano recitals, spelling bees, orchestra concerts, sporting events and graduations and was their greatest cheerleader on the side-lines. Most recently, her grandchildren could count on her catching up with them on all of their latest activities and adventures.
Nancy was honored by the Friona community as Teacher of the Year in 1982 and Woman of the Year in 1998. She has been an active member of the Union Congregational Church. She was a dear friend to many and an encourager to all who crossed her path. Though she came to Friona somewhat less than enthusiastically, she came quickly to love what has been her home for 55 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Von Edelmon, her sister, Diane Andrews, and her grandson, Cory Reed Stewart.
Nancy is survived by her children, Lisa Veggeberg and husband Neil of Amarillo, Mark Edelmon of Austin, Karen Burns and husband John of Enumclaw, Washington, and Brian Edelmon and wife Gretchen of Austin; her grandchildren Eric, Amy and Kevin Veggeberg, Sierra and Mariah Edelmon, Travis Stewart and Kendrick Burns, and Graham and Meredith Edelmon; her great-grandchildren, Jackson and Logan Stewart, and Jane and Dalia Veggeberg; and her niece, Suzanne Andrews.
Nancy's family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Friona community and the many of Nancy's friends who supported her in her most fervent wish to be at home. She loved Friona, but now she is dancing with Daddy.
The Edelmon family continues to support Cal Farley's Boys Ranch Foundation, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174-0001.
you may send condolences to the family and sign the online guest book at: hansardfamily.com
Elaine "Shorty" Tapia, 48 of Bovina passed away October 19, 2021 in Amarillo. Viewing was held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday October 22, 2021 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY and Celebration of Life Services were held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Bovina United Methodist Church with Manny De Los Santos, officiating. Cremation and arrangements by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Elaine was born March 9, 1973 in Muleshoe and in her 48 years of life touched many people. She was known to be strong, independent and giving of herself, especially to her family who remembers the beautiful eyes to match the special spirit, and especially their family Wednesday fun days. She loved K-Love radio, her dogs, Lifetime TV movies, Baby Groot, and was a 49ers fan. Her American National Insurance clients also held a special place in her heart.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, and aunts and uncles.
Those to mourn her passing include her mother-Lupe Garcia and husband Faustino of Bovina, 1 daughter-Promise Tapia of Amarillo, 1 son-Anthony Tapia of Friona, 2 brothers-Jerry Garcia and wife Sandy of Amarillo, and Marko Garcia of Bovina, her nephew "The Rock", numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the online guest book at: hansardfamily.com
Earlene Jordan McCreary, 94 passed away October 19, 2021 in Amarillo. Viewing and family visitation was at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church of Friona and Celebration of Life Services were held at 11:00 AM with Rev. Lance Herrington and Rev. Gary Johnson, officiating. Burial followed in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Earlene was born August 5, 1927 in Bovina to David Henry and Bessie Drucilla LLoyd Wilkerson. She was 1 of 9 children, 4 girls, and 5 boys. Earlene was an identical twin to Catherine. There is one surviving brother Billy Wayne Wilkerson of Amarillo. She later married Marvin Jordan January 10, 1947, and they were married over 40 years. They had 3 children, Bobby Jordan of Snyder, Judy Michels of Amarillo, and Ken Jordan of Coolidge, Kansas. Marvin passed away April 7, 1991.
There are 3 grandchildren, Kyle Michels of Amarillo, Todd Jordan of Rotan, Lori Jordan Herrick of Abilene, 2 great-granddaughters, Gabby Michels of Amarillo, Jordan Herrick of Abilene.
Earlene was also a second mother to 2 very special nieces, Carolyn Rife of Austin and Barbara Vick of Bowie.
Earlene was a farm wife and was a great cook, cooking special meals for her family. She lived on the farm until she married Ed McCreary on February 13, 1993. They lived in Amarillo until his passing on September 12, 2020. They were married 27 years.
A special thanks to Phillas Rich, Mary Carrassco and staff, and BSA Hospice for their special care of Earlene.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make memorial donations to the Friona Cemetery Association.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the online guest book at:hansardfamily.com
John H. Gammon, Jr (Johnny), 82, passed away in the early morning hours of October 4, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona, after an extended fight against the COVID-19 virus and its many devastating effects. Johnny was born in Plainview, Texas, to John H. Gammon, Sr. and Grace Jennings Gammon on January 18, 1939. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Lou Gammon (Bender), his two daughters Marisa Harris and Mariela Grace Gonzales (Bobby), grandchildren Ashlynn Harris Boomer (Joe), Reece Harris, Connor Harris, and Christina Grace Gammon-Gonzales as well as nieces Savannah Gammon McDonald (Thomas), Melissa Briggs Eggers (Lance), and Melinda Briggs Andrews (Fred) and nephew David Briggs (Sue). He was predeceased by sister and brother-in-law Jean Louise Briggs and Joe K. Briggs, and younger sister Marianna Jennings Gammon. He is also fondly remembered by numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and dear friends he made throughout his life.
Johnny grew up on the plains of West Texas working his family ranching operation of raising Hereford cattle and growing crops to feed them. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agricultural Engineering which came in handy when the extended family moved to Arizona around 1964 and established their farming and ranching operations in the Bonita area of Graham County. It was there that they decided to plant apple and other fruit trees, eventually turning the apple orchards into u-pick and then commercial apple operations. During these years, he also served in the Army National Guard of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.
Meeting his teacher wife influenced his career path change when he decided that his true calling was in teaching, particularly teaching mathematics to middle school students. He completed his master's degree in education from Northern Arizona University and taught for many years in the Camp Verde, Vail, and Pearce School District Middle Schools. He loved the cattle, but he really loved his students, and they reciprocated by keeping in touch with him over the years with several getting their degrees to become math teachers just like Mr. Gammon. He was recognized for this dedication to his students with the honor of being the Cochise County Middle School Math Teacher of the Year.
Johnny was laid to rest in the Sunset Cemetery on October 16, 2021, with services at the Willcox Church of Christ and funeral arrangements completed by Mr. Dan Douglas of the Willcox Westlawn Chapel and Mortuary. Condolences to the family may be posted at www.westlawnchapelmortuary.com/obituaries.
The family wishes to thank those who sent flowers, cards, and good wishes, and to especially give appreciation and love to Jeff Taylor and Ed Curry who conducted the services. Please accept sincere gratitude to those friends who provided help with the services and support for the family.
Kenneth Ray Watkins of Rio Communities, New Mexico, passed away in Belen, New Mexico, on October 25, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was born June 23, 1931, in Friona, Texas. He was 90 years old.
He married Thelma Agnes Mayo on November 7, 1952, and they lived for MANY years in Friona. He was a Navy Seabee Veteran. He barbered at Taylor's Barber Shop for many years before becoming a bookkeeper for Paco Feed Yard until he retired.
Kenneth is preceded in death by 2 sisters and 2 brothers. He is survived by his son, Harry "Butch" Watkins of Los Lunas, New Mexico, and several nieces and nephews.
No services are scheduled at this time. He is to be cremated and have his and Thelma's ashes buried in Santa Fe National Cemetery for Veterans. May they RIP. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choosing.