Curtis Harlan O'Rear, of League City, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at his home in League City at the age of 87. He was born on September 6, 1936 in Clarendon, Texas to John and Esther O'Rear.
Curtis was an accomplished musician. As a young man he learned to play the coronet and trumpet. He was first chair in the Sam Houston Jr. High and the Amarillo High School bands. He later played in a Swing Jazz Band during his college years. After he and Suzy were married, he played with her in the Suzy Lee Trio Band where they performed at venues like the Amarillo Club.
Curtis graduated from Amarillo High School in 1955 and then from Texas Tech in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering:
Curtis met Suzanne (Suzy) Lee in High School and then reunited after they both returned from college at the Silver Grill where Suzy played the organ and piano as entertainment for the patrons of the restaurant. Curtis and Suzy married later on September 8, 1961.
Curtis and Suzy raised two sons, John Curtis O'Rear and Charles Vaughan O'Rear in Amarillo, Texas. Curtis worked for Diamond Shamrock (Maxus Energy) for 36 years. Curtis retired and pursued several other endeavors including real estate sales.
Curtis and Suzy moved to Kentucky in 2011 to be close to their son Charlie and then back to Texas in 2018 for the same reason where they have resided to now in Houston.
Curtis had four grandsons: Michael Curtis O'Rear and Sean Reeder O'Rear from his son John and his wife Shelly; Matthew Lee O'Rear and David Avery O'Rear from his son Charlie and Julie O'Rear. Curtis loved spending time with his grandsons.
Curtis has one great granddaughter, Brielle Ann O'Rear, from his grandson David and Samantha.
Curtis loved the outdoors. Palo Duro Canyon was always one of his favorite places. He hiked there with his sons Charlie and John on many occasions and also with his grandsons later on. One of his favorite places to vacation was Red River, New Mexico where he enjoyed time with his family.
We his family all love him and are sad to see him go, but happy that he will be safe in God's loving arms.
Curtis, you will be missed!
Memorial may be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, 2914 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204 https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/donations/.
Jesus Espinoza Jr., known to most as Junior, aged 73, of Bovina passed away February 27, 2024 in Amarillo. Viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM with Vigil Services at 6:00 PM Wednesday, March 6, 2023 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 PM March 7, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Bovina with Brother Felix Sanchez officiating. Burial following at the Bovina Cemetery in Bovina by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Junior was born November 20, 1950, in Eagle Pass, Texas to Jesus Espinoza Sr. and Andrea Arce Espinoza. After moving to Bovina, he worked as a farm hand for approximately 57 years. Junior always loved staying busy and loved working on his yard, going hunting, watching the Dallas Cowboys play, and working on his trucks. He loved and cherished everyone in his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents Jesus Espinoza Sr. & Andrea Arce Espinoza, 1 brother Erasmo Espinoza of Greenfield, Oklahoma and 2 sisters Virginia Avitia of Bovina, Texas and Ninfa Leal of Friona, Texas.
Those left to mourn his passing include his wife of 52 years, Elevinia Garza Espinoza of Bovina, Texas, daughter Cesaria "Cesa" Melissa Thoresen and husband Kenneth Thoresen of Castle Rock, Colorado, son Andrew "Andy" Jesus Espinoza and wife Felicia Espinoza of Amarillo, Texas, and along with his 4 grandchildren: Everett Roger Thoresen, Sonja Mercedes Thoresen, Jocelyn Eve Espinoza, and Yasmine Danielle Espinoza. Junior was also a caregiver to Santiago Vargas and his children. He is also survived by his brothers: Jose Espinoza of Bovina, TX; Hugo Espinoza of Uvalde, TX: Mario Espinoza of Happy, TX, Valentine "Billy" Espinoza of Greely, CO , Guadalupe "Satch" Espinoza of Dumas, TX; David Espinoza of Downey, CA, Paul Espinoza of Geary, Oklahoma, Carlos Espinoza of Dallas, TX; along with 2 sisters: Carolina Dulin of Port Clinton, Ohio and Beatriz Meza of Uvalde, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book exclusively at: hansardfamily.com
LeVada lost her battle with dementia and its horrible effects on February 20th, 2024. She was blessed with an outward beauty and an inward full measure of kindness and caring. She passed all of these attributes, along with intelligence and determination, to her 3 boys, Lance, Rick, and Randy. She was the family's symbol of strength and common sense and truly understood the meaning of love and compassion. In the next printing of Webster's Dictionary, under the word remarkable, they might want to consider putting her picture in as an illustration of what that word really means.
She was a graduate of Friona High School, where she played on state championship basketball teams as well as running track and playing tennis. She and her athletic teammates even approached the football coach about playing but were discouraged from participating. It just shows she was always a little bit ahead of her time. Her inquisitive nature, at age 8, led her to operate on a horned toad (sorry TCU fans) just to see what a beating heart looked like. Suffice it to say the operation was a success but the patient didn't survive.
She attended Texas Tech University and there she met Herman "Dub" Bush of Lubbock in Dr. Donovan's World History Class. They married on August 28th, 1964, in her family home in Friona and started making their own history.
You always felt a sense of warmth and comfort in her presence. She was an extremely supportive wife, mother, and grandmother, attending untold numbers of track events, soccer and baseball games, choir and band concerts, and related school functions on behalf of her children and grandchildren. And she did so with a smile and always with a word of encouragement. She took pride in others accomplishments, no matter how big or how small. She was equally at ease in the presence of general officers and congressmen as a result of her husband's job with AAFES. The farm girl from Friona wowed them all.
Growing up on a farm out in the country, she learned a little bit about plumbing, construction, wiring, painting, etc. out of necessity, working with her father and brothers. Later in life, she used those skills to produce some "over the top" Mother/Daughter banquets at the Duncanville Church of Christ. Along with friends, Debbie McDaniels and Sarah Larr, they rolled out backdrops and themes that are still talked about. Who could forget the hand-sewn hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling celebrating the New Mexico Balloon Fest?
Determination could have easily been her middle name. Her first two sons were delivered by Dr. Fain, in Littlefield, TX, although she never lived there. Another story for another time. However, following her husband's career, she found herself pregnant in Seattle. Sounds somewhat like a movie title. She called Dr. Fain, made arrangements to fly back with her two boys and have him deliver number three. He commented he had never had anyone commute in before to have a baby. Six weeks later she returned with the three urchins in tow. Her comment was that number three, Randy, "would never have forgiven me if he wasn't born a Texan."
And she was determined that all three boys would go to college. She told them they could go anywhere they wanted to but her check for registration/tuition was going to Texas Tech. As if by magic they all decided to attend Tech. And to make sure they got off to a great start following graduation, she took a full-time job as a travel agent so they could graduate without the burden of student loans. Their graduation and subsequent successful careers are a testament to her love, her drive and her determination.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, L.R. (Monk) Hand and Dimple, of Friona, brothers Burke of Friona, and Nick of Dumas. She is survived by brother Mike Hand of Friona, husband Dub of Duncanville, TX, sons Lance of New Orleans, La, Rick of Plano, TX and Randy of Mansfield, TX, daughters-in-law Debbie and Shelley and grandchildren Marcus, Kylee, Emma, Abby, and Declan.
Many heartfelt thanks to the owner and staff of Anchor Way Senior Care in Crowley, TX as well as Alev Hospice, and nurse Angela Dillon for the comfort and care they provided in a most difficult time for LeVada. They prepared her well for the words she is now hearing. "Welcome home my good and faithful servant." In lieu of flowers/gifts please consider a donation to: Anchor Way Senior Care 10805 W. Cleburne Rd Crowley TX, 76036.
A celebration of life was held at Cross Point Church of Christ in Grand Prairie, TX on March 2nd, 2024. Visitation was at 10 a.m. and Memorial at 11 a.m. A private family ceremony will be held at a later date.
Lorraine Gesina Rieken Jarecki passed away February 28, 2024 in Friona. A private family celebration will be held at a later date. Arrangements by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Lorraine was born February 1, 1929 in Platte Center, Nebraska to Oliver and Elizabeth Borchers Rieken. She graduate from Platte Center High School in 1946. On November 28, 1947 she married Florian Jarecki and they were married 53 years until he passed away in 1999. They lived in Nebraska until they moved to Friona in 1956. She was a member of the Friona Methodist Church, Her love for Jesus was demonstrated in countless acts of kindness to many people. She also was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her parents- Oliver and Elizabeth Rieken, husband-Florian Jarecki, children-Tom Jarecki, Larry and Debbie Johnson, and Les Jarecki, great-grandsons-Jordon Levario and Nathan Johnson, and siblings Laura Rieken Sullivan and an infant brother.
Those that mourn her passings include a a daughter- Pam Steward and husband Mike of Lamesa, grandchildren-Heidi Douglas and husband David of Lubbock, Abby Fawver and husband Lewis of Whitharral, great-grandchildren- Rieken and Rett Douglas, Grace, Faith and Bliss Fawver, daughter-Susie Burton and husband Rob of Lubbock, son-John Jarecki and wife M'Lynda of Friona, grandchildren-M'Kell Jeter and husband Justin of Friona, J'Lond Jarecki and wife Jordan of Friona, great-grandchildren-Kaden and Brice Jeter, Jace, Jesalyn and Jett Jarecki, daughter-in-law-Penny Jarecki of Gainsville, Texas, grandchildren-Brooke Wells and husband Tim of Stephenville, Texas, Whitt Jarecki and wife Lacy of Sherman, great-grandson-Ty Jarecki, grandsons- Joshua Johnson and wife Kendra of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Jeff Johnson and wife Jourdan of Atlanta, Georgia, great-grandchildren-Atleigh and Tristan Johnson of Las Cruces, Case Ayden and Beacon Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia, granddaughter-Marsha Bruce of Clarendon, great-grandchildren-John Anthony Levario and wife Megan of Altus, Oklahoma, Christopher Bruce and Kaylee Bruce of Amarillo, and grandson-Thomas Jarecki of Clarendon.
Special thanks to the staff of Prairie Acres Nursing Home of Friona, and Bluebonnet Home Health and Hospice of Friona.
Memorials can be made to Friona Methodist Church 301 East 8th St. Friona, Texas 79035, or Friona Public Library 109 West 7th St. Friona, Texas 79035.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book at: hansardfamily.com