Obituaries (Dec. 22)

Patsy Ruth Patterson McCleery

Services: Have been held.

Patsy Ruth Patterson McCleery, 80, of Sun City, Texas, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2005, in Temple, Texas.

She was born Nov. 21, 1925, in Mead, Okla., to Ottis and Irving M. Patterson. She attended Portales public schools, graduating in 1944. She volunteered for the Cadet Nurse Corps and trained at Breckenridge Hospital and the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. She attended Eastern New Mexico University.

She married Bobby G. McCleery in Austin, Texas, in 1947.

She was active in a Texas writer’s group and had three books published. “The Turtle Lady,” the story of Ha Loetcher’s work to save the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, won an award in the non-fiction book category.

Family members said she was an avid reader and loved gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Guy Wayne Patterson.

Survivors include her husband of Sun City, Texas; two sons, Michael B. McCleery of Midland, Texas, and Timothy W. McCleery of Hawaii; two daughters, Marsha G. Rochester of Georgetown, Texas, and M. Kay Brunner of Hewitt, Texas; a grandson, David M. McCleery, of New York City, N.Y.; three granddaughters, Heather M. Brunner and Leslie P. Brunner of Waco, Texas and Amy B. Rochester of Corpus Christi, Texas; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Irvin Patterson of Roques Bluffs, Maine; three sisters, Glenda L. Reamer of Modesto, Calif., Jacqueline Lynde of Portland, Ore., and Sue Skinner of Portales; eight nieces, Jann Waters, Jill Stewart and Lynn Corbett, all of California, Catherine Lynde of Massachusetts, Marianne and Tina Lyons of Oregon, Leslie Mullins of Roosevelt County and Deidre Flynn of Texas; and four nephews, James Patterson of New Mexico, Robert Patterson of Georgia, Ruston Lynde of Oregon, San Skinner and Jon Skinner of Portales.

Arrangements are The Gabriels Chapel in Georgetown, Texas.

Byron Wright

Services: 2 p.m. Friday at Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner.

Byron O’Lester Wright, 82, of Fort Sumner, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

He was born on Nov. 17, 1923, in Blythe, Calif., to John Bryson Wright and the former Ora Mae Peavey. He attended school in Opland, Texas, before moving with his parents to Fort Sumner during his high school years. He married Audrey Louise “Bobbye” Barnhart on Sept. 28, 1946, in Santa Rosa. He worked as a cattle broker. He was of the Baptist faith and attended church with his family at the Fort Sumner Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Richard “R.T.” Wright.

Survivors include his wife Bobbye Wright of Fort Sumner; son, Jon Wright, of Fort Sumner; granddaughter, Moneek M. Alvarado (and husband, Louis); great-granddaughter, Rosanne Alvarado, all of Clovis; and two nephews and three nieces.

Burial will take place at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers are Earl Turnbow, Patrick Turnbow, Tom Oliver, G.A. Gunn, Gary Good and Powhatan Carter. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Earnhardt, Jim Koontz, Red Renfro, Casey Turnbow and Taylor Turnbow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Children’s Home, 324 S. Abilene, Portales, New Mexico 88130.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.

Louis R. Uttaro

Services: Will be held at a later date in Las Vegas, Nev.

Louis R. Uttaro, 87, of Portales, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, at his residence.

He was born Sept.15, 1918, in Rochester, N.Y., to Frances and Salvatore Uttaro. He grew up in Rochester, where he attended school. He entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II in Europe in the 14th Armored Division. He was married to Jennie Malvaso on Nov. 4, 1941, in Rochester.

Following honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he began working as a carpenter. He was a member of the Carpenter’s Union for 50 years before retiring and moving to Las Vegas, Nev. He was a communicant of Prince of Peace Parish and was a member of the American Legion, the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and the Knights of Columbus. He had recently moved to Portales to live with his daughter, Linda.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry Uttaro; grandson, James Uttaro; and by his wife.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda Uttaro of Portales; his grandchild, Gianna Uttaro of Portales; and sister, Ann Cisterna of Rochester, N.Y.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.