J. D. “Jake” McNeely

J. D. “Jake” McNeely, age 94, of Richardson, Texas, formerly of Denton, Texas, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Richardson.  He was born October 9, 1913, in Eastland County, Texas, the son of Joseph A. and Rosa (Noell) McNeely.  He attended Eastland High School and he married Trula Roberta Pounds on January 21, 1934.  After Roberta passed away, he married Roxie Pippin.  Mr. McNeely was a manager at Douglas Aircraft – Aerospace Division, where he retired at Vandenburg Air Force Base Douglas Facility in the early 1970’s.  He was a member and deacon of Creekside Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas.

He is survived by his daughter, Colleen Romero and her husband, Fred of McKinney; son, Ron McNeely and his wife, Carolyn of Layton, Utah; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; five great-great-granddaughters; stepdaughter, Ann Willingham; and many nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Roberta; second wife, Roxie; son, Larry McNeely; sister, Ola Rollins; and stepson, Duane Pippin.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2008, at Creekside Baptist Church in Richardson with Rev. Beryle Lovelace officiating.  Interment will follow at Justin Cemetery in Justin, Texas.  The family received friends at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home during a visitation on Thursday evening, May 15, 2008 beginning at 7 p.m.

To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.

Matilda D. Sotelo

Matilda D. Sotelo, 84, of Denton passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2008 in Denton. She was born March 14, 1924 in Floresville, TX to Frank and Ramona (Martinez) Davila.

She married Jesus Sotelo on December 7, 1940 in Brownsfield, TX. Matilda received her GED in 1958. She was a graduate of Haskell County Nursing School class of 1959. She worked at Haskell County Hospital for 12 years, Flow Memorial Hospital in Denton for 3 years, Arlington Memorial Hospital, Westgate Hospital, and the Denton State School for 12 years. She was also instrumental in starting the first Mexican Baptist Church in Denton. A Mission Church in Arlington, and several other Mission Churches in the DFW area.

A funeral service will be held Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Gateway Baptist Church in Denton. Brother Buddy Owens will officiate.

Matilda is survived by son, Gavino and wife, Isabel Sotelo; daughters, Mary and husband, Lupe Martinez and Anita and husband, Joe Mata; brother, Alexander Davila;

sister, Julia Galindo; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and three great great-grandchildren.

Her parents; husband, Jesus; five brothers; three sisters; and one grandson preceded her in death.

Karen Sue Martin

Karen Sue Martin, 66, passed on to be with her Savior and Lord on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. She was born in Port Huron, Michigan to Fred and Goldie Cook on June 1, 1941. Her parents preceded her in death.

Karen is the wife of Rev. Richard Martin and together they have served the Lord in ministry since 1967, pastoring churches in Michigan and Texas. They reside in Krugerville.

Karen is survived by her husband, Richard, and they have been joyfully married for 49 years. Together, they have had four wonderful children, Scott Richard and wife, Lona of Collinsville, Leslie Faith and husband, Brian of Denton, Michael David and wife, Darla of Denton, and a daughter, Teri Lynn, who went to be with Jesus at the age of 10, in 1971. Their children have given them eight grandchildren, Dana, Christopher, Melissa, Jennifer, Blake, Luke, Micah, Miles and Mac; and nine great-grandchildren.

Karen leaves behind two wonderful sisters, Gloria McCue of Port Huron, Michigan and Jacquelyn Manchester of Houghten, Michigan; three sisters-in-law; and a mother-in-law, Claudia Louise Martin, age 94, who has been the best ever. Karen loved her dearly.

There will be no family visitation but a memorial service will be held Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Covenant Church, Hwy. 377, Aubrey, Texas.  With Karen’s caring and loving heart, her wish was that her body be donated to Southwestern Medical Center for Scientific Study.

Special thanks to everyone who has stood by us in prayer and bringing provisions into the home during Karen’s illness. A heartfelt thanks to Southern Care Hospice for all the love, help and support. You have ministered to us more than words can express.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Peace of the Rock Ministries, P.O. Box 51, Aubrey, Texas 76227.

Carl Hager

Carl Hager, 70, of Phoenix passed away May 12, 2008 after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. Businessman, world traveler and good friend to many, Carl was born in Chouteau, Montana. He received his Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Utah, began his career with Boeing Aerospace, and spent many years at DynCorp in Fort Worth.

From early childhood and throughout his life, Carl was an avid outdoorsman and adventurer. He traveled to every continent and sought exotic experiences such as interacting with native cultures, remote fishing and hunting excursions, horseback riding and traveling with friends and family. But the main love of Carl’s life was Marion, his wife, business partner and best friend. The two traveled the globe together and began a second career operating Hager’s Journeys, a highly successful travel agency. Carl dove into his work and spent many hours in the office. His attention to detail and personal touch made the travel dreams of many come true, and now he is traveling among the angels.

Carl is survived by his wife Marion, son Carl Hager III, stepson Mark D’Argenzio, stepdaughter Debra Dyer, brother Edward Hager of Casper, Wyoming, sister Mary Jo Day of Cheyenne, Wyoming, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Friends are invited to a Memorial Service to be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 7655 E. Main Street, Scottsdale on Monday May, 19th at 10:30 am, immediately followed by a reception at Messenger Indian School Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Carl Hager Memorial Fund at the TGen Foundation, earmarked for pancreatic cancer research. Gift can be online at www.tgenfoundation.org  or by mail to TGen Foundation, 400 East Van Buren St, Suite 850, Phoenix 85004.