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Obituaries

Dalton Kimberly Caffey

Dalton Kimberly “Kim” Caffey of Friona, Texas died at home at age 78 on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

Kim was born in Ft. Stockton, TX, December 28, 1940, the son of Dalton Caffey and Estelle Cadle of Imperial, TX. The Caffey family moved to Friona when Kim was six years old. He attended Friona Schools throughout his youth.

Kim served in the United States Army from 1963-1965, stationed in Germany. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Texas A&M University. He followed in his parents’ footsteps—both educators—and pursued a career in education. His mother, Estelle, was a teacher and, his father, Dalton Caffey, served as school superintendent in Friona for many years. Under Dalton’s leadership, Friona became the first town in the state of Texas to integrate its schools in the 1950s. Kim was a teacher and assistant principal in the El Paso Independent School District. Upon his retirement, he returned to his beloved hometown of Friona to help his mother, Estelle, who was in poor health at the time.

Kim had a passion for cars and motorcycles. He was an avid music lover and was known for his beautiful bass voice, singing in quartets and choirs throughout his life. Kim also loved Bloys Camp Meeting and was honored in 2017 for 50 consecutive years of service on the board of directors for the Burnett Camp.

Kim was preceded in death by his parents, Dalton and Estelle Caffey. He is survived by his sister, Cynthia Caffey Cotton (Eldon) of Santa Monica, CA, his nieces Sarah Cotton Nelson of Dallas, TX and Blythe Cotton Maling (Chris Maling) of San Marino, CA and nephew Miles Cotton (Kelli Cotton) of Santa Monica, CA, five great nieces and great nephews—Will and Abby Nelson, McKenzie and Sloane Maling and Carter Cotton—and cousins Nancy Caffey Smythe of El Paso, TX, Jean Caffey Lyles of Chicago, IL, David Caffey (Mary) of Lubbock, TX, Marilyn Welch of Anson, TX, Mildred Welch of Bonham, TX, Ronny Welch (Freida) of Bonham, TX, Jackson Welch (Donna) of Houston, TX, Rhonda Caffey Ward (Leon) of Snyder, TX and Mitch Caffey (Lisa) of Seattle, WA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Bloys Church Camp of Ft. Davis, 125 Bluebriar Lane, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609

Margaret Juanita Demel Ruzicka

Margaret Juanita Demel Ruzicka passed away peacefully Saturday, July 13, 2019. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 6025 82nd St, Lubbock, TX, followed by a reception. Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life of 90 years at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A tribute of Margaret “Mike” Ruzicka’s life may be found at www.memorialdesigners.net, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family. 

Margaret “Mike” was born on April 11, 1929, to the late Mathias J. and Emilia (Glumpler) Demel.  Her mother died when she was only four years old.  She had six brothers Conrad, Norman, James, Adam, Max, and Ralph; and four sisters Lily Sommer, Ethel Burt, Viola Miller, and Rosina Marie Demel, who died at birth.   

Margaret married the love of her life, Leo Ruzicka on August 17, 1948, in Pep at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church. They reared their family at Hub near Friona where they owned and operated West Hub Cotton Gin. She was an active member of the Altar Society at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, Bovina. They have resided in Lubbock since 1976. She shared her love for God‘s creation through gardening and beautiful paintings. “Mike” remained mentally sharp through her avid reading, crossword puzzles, and competitive spirit of playing Scrabble.

Margaret “Mike” was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers; four sisters; husband, Leo of 59 years; and son, William “Bill” Ruzicka.

Left to cherish her memories are her children, Rhonda Cutair and husband, Ray Fournier; Donna Pevehouse and husband, Billy; Linda Herbert and husband, Kevin; and Margaret “Noni” Love and husband, Cody; daughter-in-law, Victoria Ruzicka; 14 grandchildren, Greg Cutair, William Michael Ruzicka, II and wife, Jessica; Allison Ruzicka-Langdon, Christina Ruzicka, Paulina Ruzicka, Natalie Huey and husband, BJ; Jared “JB” Pevehouse, Camille Dittemore and husband, Adam; Jessica Chilcoat and husband, Dillon; Luke Herbert, Trevor Sherry, Lauren Love, Jacob Love, Joshua Love; 7 great-grandchildren, Adam Cutair, Savanna Cutair, Leo James Ruzicka, William James Bacon, Jacquilyn Langdon, and Jonathan Langdon; and Eleanor Dittemore. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Bea Ruzicka. 

Her generous heart will be missed by her family and friends, especially her caregiver of 27 years, Marisela Trevino.

The family sends special thanks to Marisela Trevino, Comfort Keepers, Compassion Assisted Living, Beyond Faith Home Health and Beyond Faith Hospice for their loving care of our mother.

David A. Soto

David A. Soto 66 of Amarillo passed away July 7, 2019 in Amarillo. Celebration of Life Graveside Services were scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Bovina Cemetery in Bovina with Rev. Joe Frank Soto, officiating. Burial followed in the Bovina Cemetery by Hansard Family Funeral Home of Friona.

David was born February 19, 1953 in Lovington, New Mexico to Frank O. and Julia Arenivas Soto.

Those to mourn his passing include 3 brothers-Daniel Soto of Amarillo, Joe Frank Soto of Farmington, N.M., and Paul A. Soto of New Braunfels, and 1 sister-Rosa Garcia of Colton, California.

You may send condolences to the family and sign the online register book at www.hansardfamily.com

Socorro Gallego

Socorro Gallego, 48 of Friona passed away July 13, 2019. Viewing was from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday, July 15, 2019 with Rosary Services scheduled for 6:00 P.M. in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of Hansard Family Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial Services were scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Friona with Father Gregory Bunyan as Celebrant. Cremation and arrangements by Hansard Family Funeral Home of Friona.

Socorro was born December 1, 1970 in Mexico to Delfino and Silveria Aragones Loya. She later married Arnulfo Gallego June 18, 1988 in Mexico.

She was a camera operator for Cargill Meat Solutions. She was known as a beautiful soul that loved her family, friends, and life. Because of that, her laugh was contagious and had a smile that could light up any room.

Those to carry on her legacy include her husband of Friona, 2 daughters- Melissa Gallego, Julissa Gallego and future son-in-law Francisco Velarde, of Amarillo, 3 brothers-Delfino Loya of Friona, Jesus Loya of Dodge City, Kansas, Robert Loya of Woodward, Oklahoma, 4 sisters-Guadalupe Estrada of Friona, Virginia Loya of Friona, Lourdes Loya of Dodge City, Kansas, and Maria Arguelles of Lovington, New Mexico, her furr babies-Beasley, Olive and Ceniza.

You may send condolences to the family and sign the online register book at www.hansardfamily.com