Death Notices

BROWN
WAYNE J. BROWN "BROWNIE"
MAY 27, 1927--JANUARY 10, 2011

Wayne J. Brown "Brownie" passed away peacefully at the La Hacienda care facility.

He had been in declining health following a knee replacement in 1997 complicated by several other surgeries. He was a resident of La Posada and La Perla where he received kind and compassionate care since 2003.

Brownie was the younger of two sons born to Frank and Margaret Brown on a small farm near Hugoton, Kansas. After high school and summer labor for Northern Natural Gas, he enrolled in Kansas State and then he enlisted in the Merchant Marines for two years service in Europe 1945-1946.

As a forty year employee of Northern, the predecessor of Enron, he worked in the Pipeline Division and then Gas Supply for the Permian Basin retiring in 1984. He lived in Liberal, Kansas, Hobbs, New Mexico and Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1960 he married widow Lazine Selby Dutton with two children, George and Sally.

After retirement in 1984, Brownie and Lazine moved to Green Valley, Arizona where he became a member of Valley Presbyterian Church serving as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee and as a church Elder. He was active in and supportive of the Stephen Ministry. Brownie was also involved with the Elks, the Shrine and the American Legion.

Brownie was preceded in death by Lazine, his loving wife of thirty eight years, and his brother Richard.

Trying circumstances and ill health failed to diminish Brownies's spirit. He never complained and always had a smile and a pleasant greeting for everyone.

Brownine is survivived by George (Phyllis) Dutton, and Sally (Stan) Davis. He was a wonderful grandfather to Shirley (Mark) Vaughan, Stacey (Eric) Kramer, Any (Jim) Conn, and Andy (Caitlin) Davis. He will also be missed by Great-Grandchildren Derek, Cooper, Matty, and Michael.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at the Valley Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, January 25th at 11:00 a.m.

In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to the La Posada Foundation, 350 East Morningside Road, Green Valley, AZ. 85614, or the Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 South Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, AZ. 85662

HELM
Evelyn Selby Helm passed away June 4, 2007. She was born December 3, 1922, in Keota, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband O. L. "Buster" Helm. She is survived by her children, Larry and Kathy Helm of Dallas, TX, and Leslie and Sam Hocker of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Thomas and Julie Hocker of Dallas, TX, Matt and Christie Helm of Chicago, Il, Marci Hatcher of San Antonio, TX, David Hocker and Gisela Burghi of Dallas, TX, and Mary Margaret Hocker of Denver, CO; greatgrandchildren, Jonathan Harrison and Madison Helm of Chicago, IL, Mary Caroline and Hannah hatcher of San Antonio, TX, Ryan, Reid and Lily Hocker of Dallas, TX. A private burial for family will take place at Shiloh Cemetery, Shady Shores, Texas. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM during a visitation at home, 6154 Yorkshire, Dallas, TX 75230. Memorials made be made to The Saint Michael's Woman's Exchange, 5 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205. To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit http://www.tjmfuneral.com

PARKS
JAMES PATTERSON PARKS was born in Dustin, Oklahoma on October 6, 1920 and departed this life in Prague, Oklahoma on March 16, 2003.

James was the son of Lonnie Parks and Mayme (Patterson) Parks. He graduated from Dustin High School with the class of 1938. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he held several offices in the Sigma Chi fraternity and was named "Big Man on Campus." He was a nationally recognized member of the OU debate team placing second in the nation in 1942. He was also a member of the Delta Sigma Rho and Delta Sigma Phi honorary fraternities.

Following his graduation from OU, he was commissioned into the United States Navy, serving overseas until the end of Word War II. Following his separation from active duty, he moved to Okemah, Oklahoma where he and his uncle, W.R. Parks, founded Parks Hardware and Parks Funeral Home. In 1974, he acquired Okemah Lumber Company. He was a partner in the acquisition of Parks Brothers Hardware and Funeral Home in Prague and the subsequent merger with Curry Funeral Homes. He had remained active in the business until recently when his health forced his retirement. While in Okemah, James was active in many civic affairs. He served two terms as President of the Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Kiwanis Club, and a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

Shortly after moving to Okemah, he met Mary Jane (Selby) Reilly. They were married in Okemah on November 5, 1950. She preceded him in death on February1, 1988. He then married Margaret (Kezer) Bannister in Prague, Oklahoma on June 15, 2001. He and Margaret made their home in Prague shortly after their marriage. His parents, one infant daughter, and one son-in-law also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Parks, Prague; one daughter, Mary Margaret Greene, Allen, Texas; three sons and daughters in law, Bob and Connie Reilly, Okemah; Joe and Shari Parks, Okemah; Jim and Janet Parks, Prague; one step-daughter and her husband, Jenny and Earl Cody, Edmond; two step-sons and their wives, Rev. David and Anna Faye Rose, Oklahoma City; and Morri and Jennifer Rose, Midwest City; 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 1 step great-grandson.

A celebration of James' life will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, March 19, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Okemah. Interment will follow in the Prague Cemetery. The family will host a reception to receive friends in the community room of Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague immediately following the burial.

GREENE
ANTHONY EDWARD "TONY" was born August 17, 1942 in Norway, Maine and departed this life at Baylor Hospital in Richardson, Texas on March 24, 2002 at the age of 59 years, 7 months and 7 days. Tony was the son of Roy Everett Greene and Emma Irlene (Harney) Greene. He graduated from Sun Oak Cliff High School with the class of 1960. He attended Texas Tech University and proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard. Tony was well known in the pressure sensitive label industry having worked for and founded several label companies over the past 30 years. He was married to Mary Margaret "MM" Reilly on April 25, 1970 in Okemah, Oklahoma. His grandchildren were the lights of his life. His parents preceded him in death. Survivors include: His wife: Mary Margaret Greene, of the home, Son: Anthony E. Greene II, McKinney, TX, Daughter: Shannon Gahagan, Allen, TX, Grandchildren: Reilly Gahagan, Ryan Gahagan, Sister: Karen Jaramillo. Family requests that you honor Tony's life by giving the gift of Life - become an organ donor. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2002, 2:30 P.M. at the Fairview Baptist Church in Fairview, Texas, with Chaplain Patton of the Fairview Fire Department officiating. Services under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Prague, Oklahoma.

BROWN Lazine (Selby) Brown -- March 1, 1914 -- January 2, 1998

Sadly, I must report that my Aunt Lazine passed away after a short stay in a convalescent hospital in Arizona. The whole family sends their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to her husband Wayne (Brownie) Brown, her children Sally Davis and George Dutton, and to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lazine will be greatly missed by all of us.
Terry Belcher