Esther C. Killian 1904 - 2003

Esther C. Killian, 93, a retired salesperson in funeral prearranged services, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in Los Alamos, N.M.
Funeral: 1 p.m. Monday at Lucas Sylvania Chapel with Minister, Jim Hackney officiating. Visitation: 12:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday with the family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lucas Sylvania Chapel. Burial: Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery.

Esther C. Killian was born March 15, 1910, in Morgan County, the eighth of 10 children. She was a graduate of Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth.

She earned a teaching certificate from Texas Woman's College. In 1930, she married Fred Malcolm Killian. The marriage lasted 19 years and the couple had one daughter.

She worked 12 years in the millinery department of Monnig's Department Store in Fort Worth and then 22 years as a sales representative and supervisor in the circulation department of Curtis Publishing Company. She was also an interviewer for Southwest Market Research and a pre-need sales representative for Lucas Funeral Home.

An expert seamstress, she made custom designed clothing to sell to the public. She loved flowers and was an avid gardener. She was a lifelong faithful member of the Church of Christ. She moved to Los Alamos in 2000 to live with her daughter, but at the time of her death, she had been a resident of Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for almost three years.

She was preceded in death by Fred Malcolm Killian; her parents; and nine brothers and sisters.

Survivors: Daughters, Linda Killian Wood and her husband, Gerry of Los Alamos; granddaughter, Julie Beth Wood of Austin; grandson, Paul Brandon Wood and wife, Bethany of Fayetteville, Ark.; nieces, Betti Jo Saunders of Houston, Latellya Covey Smith of Fort Worth; nephew, Cyclone Davis Covey Jr.
Published in the Star-Telegram on 1/4/2004.

Contributed by: Robert Smith (Class of 1951)

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Hassie Graham Crow 1913 - 2003

Hassie Graham Crow, 90, a retired administrator at Texas Employment Commission, died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Polytechnic United Methodist Church, the Rev. Georgia Allen and Dr. Gilbert Ferrell officiating. Burial: Rose Hill Memorial Park. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home.

Pallbearers: Hunter Enis, Tolmadge Brice, Dub Graver, Jay Lackey, Dennis Moore and Scott Graham.

Memorials: Should friends desire, memorials may be given to the Polytechnic United Methodist Church general fund.

Hassie Crow was born Nov. 13, 1913, to Wesley and Georgia Scott Graham and was baptized as an infant in the Methodist Church in Springtown. She lived 90 years as a devoted, practicing Christian and was a member of Polytechnic United Methodist Church for 78 years and also a member of United Methodist Women and Entre Nous Study Club.

She was a graduate of Polytechnic High School and attended Texas Wesleyan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G. Crow.

Survivors: Son, Phillip Crow and his wife, Norma; grandchildren, Del Ann Moore and her husband, Barry, Eddie Windebank and his wife, Joy; great-grandchildren, Braden and Bryce Moore, Nelson Bylan and Beau Windebank, Caitlynn Woodson; sister, Lora Bavlak; sister-in-law, Alma Ruth Graham; and nieces and nephews.
Published in the Star-Telegram from 12/28/2003 - 12/29/2003

Contributed by: Robert Smith (Class of 1951)

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Raul Rios 1926 - 2004

1926 - 2004 7, a longtime resident of Fort Worth, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004.
Funeral Mass: 12:05 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Cathedral. Entombment: Greenwood Mausoleum. Rosary: 7 p.m. Friday in Greenwood Chapel.

Raul was born Nov. 3, 1926, in Fort Worth. He graduated from Polytechnic High School and served our country in the Navy during World War II. Raul attended North Texas Agricultural College, which became Arlington State College, and Southern Methodist University, majoring in mechanical engineering. Raul bought and flew on a primary trainer airplane after World War II and built model airplanes out of balsa wood and onion skins as a young man. He worked as a mechanical draftsman on the B-52 at Consolidated Aircraft, which became Convair and later General Dynamics. He also worked for Chance Vought, which became LTV.

Raul was preceded in death by his parents, N.C. Rios Sr. and Victoria Rios; brother, Ralph Rios; and brother-in-law, Shannon Pulido Sr.

Later in life, he helped in his father's business, N.C. Rios Custom Tailors.

Survivors: Brother, N.C. Rios Jr. and wife, Roberta; sister, Rachel Pulido; sister-in-law, Carmen Rios; two nieces; four nephews; and many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
Published in the Star-Telegram from 1/16/2004 - 1/17/2004.

Contributed by: Robert Smith (Class of 1951)

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Ronald D. Ballard
1932 - 2004

Ronald D. Ballard, 71, passed away Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Fort Worth.
Graveside service: 10 a.m. Tuesday in Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park. Burial: Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Crusaders Chapel, 2813 Sappington Place, Fort Worth 76116.

Mr. Ballard was the founder of The Crusaders Chapel, a church for the physically disabled, in January 1956. Early after his disability he was very active in working with the disabled.

Survivors: Numerous friends.
Published in the Star-Telegram on 1/19/2004.

Contributed by: Robert Smith (Class of 1951)

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LeRuth Roquemore Powell 1920 - 2004

LeRuth Roquemore Powell, 83, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004.
Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Monday in Greenwood Chapel. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Meadowbrook United Methodist Church or the Community Hospice of Texas.

LeRuth was born June 7, 1920, in Morgan Mill. She graduated from Polytechnic High School and attended the University of Texas at Arlington and Austin. She was a lifelong member of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, where she was a member of United Methodist Women. She also belonged to several book clubs, the Super Chicks, the PTA and the Meadowbrook Neighboorhood Association. She was active with Meals on Wheels and served as a precinct judge. LeRuth was an accomplished designer and seamstress.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry B. Powell.

Her family members wish to express their appreciation for the loving care given by Community Hospice of Texas and the Hospice House at James L. West Center.

Survivors: Daughter, Diane Peyton of Houston; son, Harry L. Powell and wife, Kara, of Euless; grandchildren, Warner and Kayla Powell; sisters, Marilyn Dabney and husband, Bill, and Annelle McGuire and husband, Mac, all of San Antonio, and Elna Faye Ford and husband, Robert, of Dallas; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Published in the Star-Telegram on 1/30/2004.

Contributed by: Robert Smith (Class of 1951)

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William Joseph "Bill" Sousae 1934 - 2004

William Joseph "Bill" Sousae, 69, passed away Thursday, April 1, 2004, at a Keller care center.
Graveside Service: 11 a.m. in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

Bill was born August 3, 1934 in Troup and moved to Fort Worth in 1942. He retired in 1985 from Frigette Corporation, where he was director of sales. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Matthew Sousae and Edra Attebery Sousae.

Survivors: Sisters, Doris Sousae Baldwin, and Iris Sousae Woodall and husband, Bill, all of North Richland Hills; nephews, Bill Baldwin, Jr., Dan Baldwin, Jerry Baldwin, Don Woodall; and niece, Debra Woodall Lawrence.
Published in the Star-Telegram from 4/2/2004 - 4/3/2004.

Contributed by: Clayton McKay (Class of 1952)

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Beverly Jeane Slocomb 1939 - 2004

Beverly Jeane Slocomb, 65, a photographer, died Sunday, April 18, 2004, in San Antonio after a courageous battle with leukemia and lymphoma.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday at Cates Street Church of Christ. Burial: Entombment in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Home.

Jeane attended schools in the Polytechnic area, graduating from Poly High School in 1957. She married Vernon Slocomb on March 6, 1959, in Fort Worth. Jeane was a member of the Cates Street Church of Christ, the former owner of Rainbow Cleaners and the owner/operator of The Package Store and Memories by Jeane in Bridgeport. Jeane was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 30 years. Her surviving family members are the longest living family in Runaway Bay, having resided there since 1965. She was an accomplished photographer. Her twin grandchildren were her favorite subjects.

Survivors: Her husband of 45 years, Vernon Slocomb; daughters, Sandra Ford and husband, Keith, Nancy Eaton and husband, Billy Joe; grandchildren, Billy Joe Eaton III, Lacy Eaton, Kaitlyn and Parker Eaton; sisters, Beth Tanner and husband, Chuck, Sharon Rich and husband, Jim; brother, Marvin Balch and wife, Janey; sister-in-law, Kay White and husband, Joe; brother-in-law, Steve Slocomb and wife, Kathy; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Published in the Star-Telegram on 4/21/2004.