Obituary

Obituary of Martha Avis Wood
(C. Avis Catalog entry #677)
 

Wichita Falls, Texas Times Record News

Martha Avis Wood

Monday, October 15, 2007

Martha Avis Wood, 87, passed away on Oct. 11, 2007, in Wichita Falls.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in the First Presbyterian Chapel with Dr. Isaac Butterworth officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

Martha was born Sept. 13, 1920, to James D. and Alide (Neelley) Avis in Wichita Falls, Texas. She married Clint Wood on Oct. 15, 1947, in Wichita Falls. Mrs. Wood worked as a Librarian at Midwestern State University for 30 years, retiring in 1997. Martha was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed seeing and visiting new places, traveling extensively, including visits to the Orient. She also enjoyed knitting and collecting all kinds of interesting mementos. Martha loved animals and cherished her dogs, her joyful companions for many years.

Mrs. Wood is survived by her son, Clint Wood Jr. of Wichita Falls, Texas; a brother, J.D. Avis of Henrietta; a brother-in-law, Buck Miller of Dallas, Texas; nieces and nephews, Ann Avis Parkey, Carol Avis Griffin, Jim Avis, Madelaine Miller Singleton, Mary Lou Wiggins, Merlyn Northrup, Thomas P. Wood, and Martin F. Wood; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

The family will be at the funeral home Monday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. for visitation.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls or to Interfaith Ministries.

Tributes may be sent to the family at www.lunnscolonial.com.

Obituary of James David Avis III
(C. Avis Catalog entry #678)

Times-Record-News
Wichita Falls, Texas
Tuesday, December 9, 2008

James David Avis III

HENRIETTA, Texas — James David Avis III, passed away at his home on the ranch on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta, Texas. Dr. Ike Butterworth will preside over the funeral service at the Davis Funeral Home Chapel in Henrietta on Thursday, December 11, at 10 a.m. with burial to follow in Hope Cemetery in Henrietta.
J.D. Avis was born on January 30, 1915, at the ranch near Jolly, Texas, on a plot of land of about 4,000 acres that remained from the original Avis Ranch of 35,000 acres. His proud parents were James David Avis Jr. and Allide Neeley Avis. His grandfather, James Davis Avis Sr., or Jim, moved from Montague County to settle this land and register the lazy nines brand in 1894 at Wichita County with the headquarters at what is now 16th and Austin in Wichita Falls extending Southwest along both sides of Holiday Creek.

James David Avis III, or J.D., attended Alamo Elementary School, Zundy Junior High and graduated from Wichita Falls High School. While attending Wichita Falls High School and being a 4-H member, he showed the Grand Champion Steer at the 2nd Annual District Livestock Show in 1933, sponsored by the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. He attended Texas A&M College in the study of Animal Husbandry and succumbed to an illness so bad, that the school sent him home to die. His mother, Allide, nursed him back to health and he was the first student to pay back his student loan to the J.S. Bridwell Ag Student Loan Foundation.

During World War II, he had just bought his first herd of cattle when he was drafted into the Army. He was assigned to the Veterinary Station Hospital at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he cared for horses and mules. After the Army mobilized the field artillery, he was reassigned to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he was in charge of training pack mules to haul ammunition and guns to the Russian front by way of the mountains of Iran. Fortunately for J.D. the war was over before he was shipped overseas and he was given an early discharge to return to Clay County because his father, Dave, broke his leg unloading feed at the barn.

Sometime during 1946, he met Billie Mae Culwell of Henrietta and they later married on August 25, 1946, at the Little Chapel in the Woods on the campus of Texas Woman College at Denton, Texas. While residing with J.D.'s parents, J.D. and Billie bought 20 acres from Billie's widowed mother, Ida Culwell with an option to buy the remaining land. They began restoring the ranch house that had been vacant for 13 years at which Billie's father, William, died building. William and Ida Culwell had bought this land during the depression. This land on Bennet Creek became the new Avis Ranch since Dave and Allide Avis retired to Wichita Falls in 1958 and sold the original Avis Ranch southwest of Jolly to W.H. Hammond. With this location west of Henrietta, J.D. and Billie used this headquarters to build a successful ranch and raise three children by leasing land from other property owners and by raising quality bred cattle.

J.D. Avis signed the original note to start building Tex Richard Arena and served several terms on the Nine-Man Board of the Clay County Pioneer Association. He served several terms as Rodeo Secretary for the Nine-Man Board. He was honored as president of the 1997 Clay County Pioneer Association. He helped start the Clay County Beef Committee. He was a long-time contributor to FFA, Clay County Junior Livestock Association, Henrietta Volunteer Fire Department and Disabled Veterans. He served several terms on the Board of Henrietta ISD. He was a contributor and Board Member of the Clay County Historical Society. He served as a Trustee and was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wichita Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Piner D. Avis; his sisters, Helen Avis Miller and Martha Avis Wood; and his wife of 49 years, Billie Culwell Avis.

He is survived by his children, daughters, Ann Avis Parkey and husband Jack of Dundee, Texas, and Carol Avis Griffin and husband Dr. Frederick of Birmingham, Ala.; son, James David Avis IV and wife Jill Eckert Avis of Henrietta, Texas; brother-in-law, Buck Miller of Dallas, Texas; seven grandchildren, Dr. Robert and Katie Parkey of Henrietta, Texas, David and Vanessa Parkey of Mergarel, Texas, Jennifer and Todd Herring of Archer City, Texas, Mathew and Meredith Griffin of New York City, N.Y., Ashley and Rob Kittle of Henrietta, Texas, and Kenneth James Avis of Wichita Falls, Texas; and seven great-grandchildren, Rachael, Alex and Ellen Parkey, Victoria and Isabel Parkey, Maeley and Jack Herring.

Those desiring may make memorials to Hospice of Wichita Falls, Clay County Historical Society, Clay County Senior Citizen's Center, Clay County Memorial Hospital or to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation of Wichita Falls.

Special thanks to Hospice, Care Partners, Gino Guidry and staff of the Clay County Senior Citizen's Center for their loving care and assistance in the past few months.

Obituary of W. W. Collins
(C. Avis Catalog entry #665)

Thursday, October 13, 2005 p. 7B
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

 

William Wolcott Collins

FORT WORTH - William Wolcott Collins, 86, died peacefully Friday afternoon, Oct. 7, 2005.
    Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday at Ridglea Presbyterian Church, 6201 Camp Bowie Blvd. Interment to follow in Greenwood Memorial Park.
    Visitation: Following services in the cemetery, the family will receive friends at River Crest Country Club.
    Mr. Collins' bearers will be Bob Bowen, Dr. Gordon Kelly, Dr. Bill Lorimer, Cecil Munn, Dr. Robb Rutledge, Tom Seymour, Earle Shields, Grady Shropshire, Terrell Small and Marc Smith.
    Memorials: Mr. Collins' family suggests friends may honor his memory by making contributions to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe, Houston, Texas 77030; the Tarrant County Historical Society; or the Tarrant County Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
    
Robertson Mueller Harper
1500 Eighth Ave.. (817) 924-4233

Obituary of Ralph Dunkelberg
(C. Avis Catalog entry #398)

R. C. DUNKELBERG FUNERAL FRIDAY

Private Services to Be at 2:30 P. M.

Last rites for Ralph C. Dunkelberg, 39, prominent Fort Wayne Democrat who died at 3:15 o'clock Wednesday morning at St. Joseph's hospital after a two-month illness, will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the residence at 4306 Drury lane, Rev. George William Allison officiating.  Burial will be in Lindenwood cemetery, The services will be private.

The body is at Getz & Cahill's funeral home, Creighton and Fairfield avenues, where friends may call until 10 a. m. Friday when it will be removed to the residence.

Pallbearers will be Dr. L. Stanford McKeeman, Alfred Randall, Willard Shambaugh, Scott Snyder and Wayne L. Thieme, all of this city, and Charles Sessions of Ann Arbor, Mich.

The deceased founded and served as president of the Royal Manufacturing company here. He was a Democratic candidate for public office during two elections, and served as president of the Crusaders, an organization active against prohibition.

He was an official of the federal housing administration here until last November, when he resigned. He served as secretary of the Allen county Democratic committee in 1934.

A veteran of the World war, Dunkelberg served in the aviation corps of the U. S. Navy from March 1918 until the close of the war. He was an active member of First Presbyterian church, and American Legion Post No. 14.

Survivors include the widow, Ruby A.; a son, Ralph, Jr., at home; the mother, Mrs. Anna C. Hoover of l Springfield, III., and a brother, Charles of this city.

The deceased was born in Pennsylvania, but resided here most of his life. He attended Fort Wayne public schools, graduated from Central high school in 1916, and attended Culver Military academy, Tome school and the University of Michigan. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at Michigan. He spent three years in the oil industry at Wichita Falls, Tex., following his graduation from the University of Michigan before returning to Fort Wayne.
 

Obituary of Fred Weeks (1977)
(C. Avis Catalog entry #395)
 

Fred Weeks dies in Tyler

W. Fred Weeks, 89, prominent attorney and oilman who left Wichita Falls in 1931 with only $30, then built another fortune in Tyler, Texas, died in Tyler today after a short illness.

Weeks came to Wichita Falls in 1909 and shortly thereafter married the former Katie Lou Avis. She died in 1969.

Weeks and his brother, Harry, gave 266 acres to Wichita Falls which is now known as Weeks Park. He founded the law firm of Weeks, Morrow, Frances and Hankerson here which occupied the entire 11th floor of the Staley Building during the Burkburnett oil boom.

In 1925 Weeks began construction on the $500,000 Weeks Mansion, which today houses the Market Place on Kell Boulevard. The 14,000 square foot manor was a show place for North Texas, with its 20-inch thick walls, 13 fireplaces—most of them Italian marble—nine bathrooms and individual window balconies.

During the depression, Weeks lost his fortune and was forced to give up his law offices and home. He and his wife moved into a tiny, second-story office over a small restaurant. He practiced law in the front and the couple slept on a day bed in the back.

He sold the half million dollar mansion for about $70,000.

He and his wife moved to Tyler in 1931 with $30 between them. "Oh yes, and I had my law degree and ~no attorney is broke as long as he can hang.up~his shingle," Weeks said in a speech-here in 1963.

Weeks worked for 12 years in Tyler before buying another home, but paid £or it~in cash.

He established the law firm of Weeks and Hankerson in Tyler, continuing his 68-year career in law and eventually acquired the nickname of "Judge" although he never served as a judge.

Weeks was born on Sept. 13,1888 in Arlington, Tex. and earned a degree in law from the University of Texas School of Law. He went to Yale University for additional work.

He belonged to the First Presbyterian Church in Tyler and the American, Texas and Smith County Bar Associations.

Services will be at 12 30 p.m. Friday' at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler, with the Rev. L. P. McCord officiating. Entombment will be at 3 p.m. in Hillcrest Mausoleum in Dallas.  Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Katherine Weeks Bridewell of Tyler; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Curtis Weeks, Douglas Conner, Ralph Dunkelberg, Bill Wise, }Boren Hildebrand, Kelly Walker, Charles Potter, Robert Bracken, James Lewis and Tommy Waggoner.

Obituary of Katie Lou Avis Weeks
(C. Avis Catalog entry #402)

WIFE OF PIONEER OILMAN DIES IN TYLER

Mrs. W. F. Weeks, wife of former Wichita Falls attorney and oilman Fred Weeks, who gave Weeks Park to the city in 1927, died at her home in Tyler, Tex., about 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Thursday in the Lloyd James Funeral Home at Tyler with burial in the Rivercrest Mausoleum in Dallas.

Mrs. Weeks, the former Miss Katie Lou Avis, a native of Wichita Falls, had been a resident of Tyler 38 years.  The family moved to Tyler in 1931.

During the Burkburnett oil boom, Week's law office in Wichita Falls covered the entire 11th floor of the Staley Building and included seven attorneys.

Mrs. Weeks married the Texas attorney shortly after he graduated from Yale University and moved to Wichita Falls in 1909.

Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mrs. Bobby Bridwell, Tyler; two sisters, Mrs. Lillian Avis Baum, Wichita Falls, and Mrs. Ruby Dunklberg, Wichita Falls; one brother, Jake Avis, Austin; and three grandchildren.

 

Obituary of Jake Avis, Jr.
(C. Avis Catalog entry #393)

Former Resident Dies At Austin

Dr. Jake Avis Jr., 38-year-old former Wichitan, died Tuesday afternoon at his home in Austin.  

He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jake Avis, Sr., also former residents of Wichita Falls.

Dr. Avis was born in Wichita Falls and resided here until moving to Austin with his parents.

He attended the University of Texas and Texas A. & M.  Dr. Avis also served in the Marine Corps during World War II.

A practicing dentist in Austin, Dr. Avis was on the board of deacons of the University Presbyterian Church in Austin.

Funeral services for Dr. Avis are pending in Austin.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Peggy Avis; two sons, Mart Avis and Charlie Avis, both of Austin; and three aunts, Mrs. Ruby Dunkelberg, Mrs. Lillian Baum and Miss Jennie Robertson, all of Wichita Falls.

Wichita Falls Times, Wichita Falls, Texas 5/15/1959
(C. Avis Catalog entry #399)

p. 11

Death Claims Mrs. Dave Avis

Mrs. Dave Avis, 72, wife of a pioneer rancher, died Thursday night in a Wichita Falls hospital following a short illness.

A member of First Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Avis and her husband operated a ranch near Jolly before moving to 1572 Carol Lane.

Survivors include her husband, Dave Avis; two sons, Piner D. Avis and J. D. Avis III, Wichita Falls; two daughters, Mrs. Clint B. Wood and Mrs. Buck J. Miller, Wichita Falls; two brothers, E. D. Neeley and Ernest Neeley, Waco; three sisters, Mrs. N. S. Brook, Waco; Mrs. Susie N. Rhodes, Vancouver, B. C., and Mrs. Sallie Clark, Waco, and five grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:30 a. m. Saturday in Hampton-Vaughan-Merkle chapel with Dr. Earle W. Crawford, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Crestview Memorial Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian building fund.

Obituary of Gretchen Avis McCutchen
(C. Avis Catalog entry #254)

Mrs. W. U. McCutchen Succumbs to Illness

Mrs. Gretchen McCutchen, 36, a Wichitan since birth, died in a local hospital late Wednesday night after an illness of only two days.

Mrs. McCutchen, the wife of William U. McCutchen, assistant cashier and trust officer of the First National bank, became seriously ill Tuesday morning at the McCutchen home, 1917 Speedway, and a physician was called.

Wednesday morning she was taken to a hospital here, but her condition became rapidly worse.  A Dallas brain specialist, Dr. D'Errico, was hurried to Wichita Falls, but she continued to sink rapidly, Wednesday night shortly after 10 o'clock she died of a brain hemorrhage.

Mr. McCutchen was with his wife when she died and numerous friends filled the lobby of the hospital after they had heard of Mrs. McCutchen's serious illness.  Her two children, Jean, 12, and Billy, 7, were at home.

Mrs. McCutchen was born in Wichita Falls in 1900 to Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Avis.  She continued to live in Wichita Falls after she was married to Mr. McCutchen, who went into the employ of the bank in 1917.

Her parents were among the pioneers of this part of Texas, having settled in Montague county in the latter part of the 19th century and moving to Wichita Falls soon after the city was begun.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian church.

Funeral arrangements, in charge of Merkle Undertaking company, are incomplete.  The mother, Mrs. Avis is in Fort Wayne, Ind., visiting, and other relatives live in distant parts of the United States.  Services will be planned Thursday when word from relatives is received.

Survivors besides the immediated family and the mother include three sisters, Mrs. Fred Weeks of Tyler, Mrs. Harry Baum of Georgia and Mrs. Ralph Dunkleberg of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and three brothers, Jake Avis of Austin, and Piner and Dave Avis of Wichita Falls.  The father died here less than a year ago.