Obituaries: 1/26/13
Written by Phil Cerroni
Arrangements by Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home, 972-254-4242
Betty Ann Baxter, 72
October 27, 1940 – January 18, 2013
Vicki Lane, 61
October 18, 1951 – January 17, 2013
Claude “Red” Hill, 86
February 24, 1926 – January 22, 2013
J. Edward Cherryholmes, 81
July 25, 1931 – January 17, 2013
Arrangements made by Chism-Smith Funeral Home, 972-259-7644
Gramham William Ross, 62
August 29, 1950 - January 15, 2013
Melanie Dionne Stephens, 44
December 4, 1968 - January 15, 2013
Arrangements made by Donnelly’s Colonial Funeral Home, 972-579-1313
Arlene Taylor
June 29, 1923 – January 17, 2013
Douglas R. Grogan
June 9, 1923 – January 22, 2013
Duane C. Cleere
Duane C. Cleere, of Irving, passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2013. He was born July 20, 1922 in Paris, Texas. He was a veteran of the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, and a Navy Cross Recipient. He was a lifetime member of The U.S. Submarine Veterans of WWII; USS HOE. Duane was a retired member of Ham Radio. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Irving. He was a 50 year Mason. His hobbies included music, painting, old war movies, and traveling, and he loved to spend time with his wife. Duane is survived by his loving wife Estelle Cleere of Irving; family Jennifer Grimes and husband Daniel, Vicki Shelley, Reta Higgins and husband Stanley, Sharon Trainer, Suzanne Dedman and husband Allan, Stephen Higgins and wife Amy, Michael Higgins and wife Margaret, Quentin Higgins, Ryan Trainer and wife Rachel, Derek Trainer and wife Dorothy; sister Sudie Worsham and husband Gordon; and Laura Worsham, along with several other nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11 AM Friday, January 25, 2013 at First Baptist Church in Irving with Rev. Wayne Watkins officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 403 S. Main St., Irving, TX 75060, or Irving Masonic Lodge #1218 A.F. & A.M., P.O. Box 170397. Arrangements made by Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home.
Robert Lynn Fillmore
Robert Lynn Fillmore, 77, passed away at his Hilltop Lakes home. He was born on November 18, 1935 to Harvey Louis & Dee Etta Ruth (Mullins) Fillmore in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Fillmore was a former longtime resident of Irving where he was a longtime member and deacon of First Baptist Church Irving. He was the owner of Fillmore & Associates, CPA, a member of Irving Masonic Lodge #1218 A.F & A.M.. Gideons International and a present member of Hilltop Lakes Chapel. He was the Past President of Irving Kiwani’s Club, Past Treasurer of Irving Symphony, and Past Treasurer of the Irving Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Fillmore was preceded in death by his wife, Carol (Holland) Fillmore and son, David Fillmore. He is survived by his two daughters, Cynthia Ann Moore and husband, Dennis of Warrensburg, Missouri and Janet Fillmore Scott and husband, Dave of Lake Charles, Louisiana; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; sister, Raedell Weatherl of Owasso, Oklahoma; and sister-in-law, Susan Morrison of Victoria, Texas. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 1:00PM at First Baptist Church of Irving, the visitation was held from 12:00PM- 1:00PM prior to services. Masonic Rites followed at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving, Texas.In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or Gideons International.
Samuel Leighton Van Landingham
Samuel Leighton Van Landingham, 77, passed away on January 06, 2013 in his Midland, Texas home. He was born on August 25, 1935 to Grady & Winnie (Fry) Van Landingham in Iraan, Texas. Sam had been a resident of Midland for many years where he had worked as a consultant as a geologist and biologist and was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Texas Tech, Master's Degree from the University of Kansas and held two PHD's from the University of Louisville. Sam was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, Bill Van Landingham and wife, Judy of Irving, Texas; two nieces, Jennifer Downey and husband, Ray and Sally McClure and husband, John of Mansfield, Texas; nephew, Rick Van Landingham of Denton, Texas; and six great nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at Restland Coppell Chapel at 1:30PM and on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Midland at 11:00AM. Interment followed at Resthaven Memorial Park at 1:00PM in Midland, Texas.
Gaylon E. “Mac” McGuffin
Gaylon E. “Mac” McGuffin, passed away January 18, 2013. He was born June 6, 1950, to Don and Mildred McGuffin in Altus, OK. He was a driver for Lonestar Plywood and Door, of Irving for over 25 years. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Beyonkia. Survivors include his wife Susan, daughter Tandy McGuffin of Oregon; son, Michael and wife Lavrisa of Gene Autry, OK; grandchildren, Susan, Andrew, Michael and Tommy; Mom, Mildred Walker of Gene Autry, OK; brothers, Jimmy McGuffin of Gainesville, Stanley McGuffin of Gene Autry, OK, and his special companion “Lady”; with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. The family received friends 6-8 PM Monday, January 21, 2013 at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home.
Joe Edward Ragland
Joe Edward Ragland, of Grand Prairie, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013, with his wife Sabrina by his side. He was born November 23, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee. Joe worked for Continental Airlines for 30 years. After retiring from the airline industry, he went to work for Expert Riser Solutions out of Louisiana. He was a member of the Irving Elks Lodge, #2334 and he loved hunting and 4-wheeling. Joe loved Country & Western music and also the Blues. His favorite artist was Merle Haggard and he knew every song he ever wrote or sang. He enjoyed John Grisham novels. He loved Jack Nicholson and was an avid History buff. Joe loved to dance and was known for his “Joe Shuffle”. He never met a stranger and loved to talk. He is preceded in death by both sets of grandparents and is survived by his wife Sabrina Gregory Ragland of Grand Prairie; daughter Tearnie Jo Ragland of Grand Prairie; son Trey Allen of Grand Prairie; granddaughters “his special princess” Aaliyah Denice, and Natelee Rene, both of Grand Prairie; grandsons Nathan Lee, Colby Ray, and JT, all of Grand Prairie; parents Roland Cooper and Mary Ann Ragland of Fischer, Texas; father and mother-in-law Douglas and Joyce Gregory of Irving; sisters Cissy and husband Lonnie, Cindy and husband Michael, and January and husband Brock; brother, Ronny Ragland and wife Johnnie; numerous nieces, one nephew, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and many friends. Funeral services held at 3 PM Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Grace Pointe Church in Irving. Burial following at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to Emma’s House, 920 Bluebonnet Dr., #101, Irving, TX 75060. Arrangements made by Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home.
Kelly Troyce Suckla
Kelly Troyce Suckla passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2013. He was born on April 10, 1969 in Dallas and was a lifelong resident of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Kelly graduated from Irving High School then attended DeVry University for two years. Kelly was an outdoorsman, enjoying hiking and other outdoor sports. He worked for Lanier Enterprises and later acquired the company from his step-father. Kelly was a devoted father, son, brother and uncle. Kelly is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Lee Suckla; step-father, Floyd Benton Lanier and grandmother, Trudy Bell Pate. Survivors include; daughter, Rachel Jordan Suckla; son, Jonathan David Suckla; mother, Charlotte Lanier; sister, Tracy Buck; brothers, Allen Suckla, Tony Suckla, Shane Suckla and wife Cheryl; uncle, Richard Pate; nieces, Athenia Montgomery, Krista Phillips; nephews, Allen Suckla, Jr., Matthew and Nathan Phillips. Everyone who knew Kelly knew of his love for his family and his friends. A Memorial Service was held on Friday, January 25th at Chism-Smith Funeral Home.
