Bennie Cruse

Bennie Cruse

Bennie Cruse, 87, of Amarillo, passed away surrounded by his loving family March 27, 2023.

He was born August 26, 1935, in Lelia Lake, Texas to Clyde Henry and Jessie Mae (Bullard) Cruse. Bennie graduated from Amarillo High School in 1953. After graduation, he joined the US Air Force serving Active Duty and Reserves and proudly served for over 20 years retiring in 1984 as a Senior Master Sergeant.

After retiring from the Air Force, he worked at Pantex and retired from Mason & Hanger Fire Department as a Lieutenant.

Bennie’s hobbies included fishing and gardening. He enjoyed building and designing. Together with his parents, he built a commercial greenhouse in Claude, Texas and he also built and designed three homes.

He was known by many names: Son, Brother, Dad, Daddy, Granddad, G-Daddy, Grand-daddio, and friend. He was kind, caring, patient, wise and smart. He was loved by and respected by all who knew him.

Bennie was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Jessie Cruse.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Cynthia Wisdom and husband Kevin from Cisco, Texas, DeLynn Hudson and husband Kevin from Goodnight, Texas, Kelly Lewis and husband Michael from Keller, Texas; his sister, Juandell Ritter; his former wife, Maurice; ten grandchildren; 21 (plus) great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Bennie’s life will be held at 4:00 Saturday, April 8, 2023, in the Lighthouse Funeral Home Chapel, 3707 Wolflin Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79102.

Kirby Lee Hickman

Kirby Lee Hickman

Kirby Lee Hickman, 76, of Cimarron, New Mexico was called to his heavenly home on March 25, 2023
while surrounded by his family in Amarillo, Texas.

Kirby was born on May 12, 1946, to Carl Ray Hickman and Kathryn Eunice Johnson. Kirby is preceded in
death by his brothers, Ronald and Richard, his parents, Carl and Kathryn, and his daughter, Aiyana Leigh Hickman.

Kirby is survived by his son, Brandon Hickman (Hisae Hickman), daughter, Linnea Hickman, sisters
Carolyn McCoy, and Christina Biasini, six grandchildren, (Linnea) Andrew, Joshua, Samuel,
(Aiyana) Zachary, Shawna, and Jonathan, many nieces and nephews, and friends he considered family.

Kirby was not only a beloved member of Cimarron, New Mexico for more than 30 years, he was a highly
decorated Vietnam Veteran, and a true New Mexico Cowboy. He may have been a little bit stubborn
and set in his ways but, he gave the best advice to anyone in need of his wisdom, and was a patient,
loving, and funny friend, father, and grandfather. He was a best friend to so many people in his
community. He touched the lives of everyone who knew him, and will be greatly missed.

A memorial will be held sometime this summer in Cimarron, New Mexico, details to come soon.

Kirby Lee Hickman

Julio Burgos

Julio Burgos

Julio Burgos, 54, de Amarillo fallecio el 27 de marzo, 2023, en Hereford, Texas. Julio nacio en San Salvador, El Salvador el 20 de abril, 1968 a Joaquin Rodriguez y Maria Cecilia Burgos.

Un servicio cristiano comenzará a las 3:00 pm. jueves 30 de marzo de 2023, en la iglesia Templo Horeb Asambleas de Dios,1202 N. Fairfield, en Amarillo.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Iglesia Templo Horeb, Assembly of God Church, 1202 N. Fairfield.

Julio nació en San Salvador, El Salvador el 20 de abril, 1968 a Joaquín Rodríguez y María Cecilia Burgos. Julio creció en Apopa, El Salvador donde conoció a su esposa, Eva Chávez. Ellos se casaron en 1993.

Julio siempre fue una persona muy noble, de gran corazón y muy servicial hacia su familia y amigos. Julio siempre daba su mejor esfuerzo para poder darle lo mejor a su familia quien amaba profundamente. Julio era un fanático al deporte soccer. Su equipo favorito era el Barcelona. Julio conoció a su primera nieta y estaba emocionado por ser abuelo.

Fue precedido en la muerte por su padre, Joaquin Rodriguez.

Le sobreviven su querida esposa de 30 años, Eva Esmeralda Chávez de Burgos; su mama, Maria Cecilia Burgos; sus hijas Caroline Burgos y esposo Donald Logan y Karen Lopez y esposo Jonathan, y su nieta, Adelyne Logan.

Sammy Clark

Sammy Clark

Sammy Clark, 63, of Canyon passed away March 20, 2023. He was born April 18, 1959 in Hale Center, Texas to Charles and Virginia (Ragsdale) Clark.

Sammy met Kimberly in Hereford, Texas. They were set up on a blind date in 1985. When they met, Sammy was a cowboy working in the feedlots of Hereford. He and Kimberly hit it off and were married in February 1986. They just celebrated their 37th Anniversary.

Once Sammy quit working in the feedlots, he became a long-haul driver for ten years or more. He often took his wife and children on the road with him, however, he longed to be home more, so he left life on the road. He came back to Amarillo and began working as a heavy-equipment operator until he could no longer work.

Sammy was a jokester. He reveled in either making someone laugh or irritating them. He enjoyed it either way!

“Pappy” as his grandchildren lovingly referred to him loved spending time with his family. He was a devoted grandfather. He enjoyed fishing and working on cars. Sammy loved his miniature poodle, “Shadow.”

Sammy was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Virginia Clark, and two sons, Charles and Travis Clark.

He will forever be remembered by his loving wife of 37 years, Kimberly; his children, Samantha Clark and fiancé James Daniel, Ethan Clark and wife Cynthia; five grandchildren, MicKayla, Zachary, Addison, Ryleigh, and Cannon; one brother, Donnie Rhyne and wife Terrie; his uncle Joe Ragsdale and wife aunt Jean, from Vivian, Louisiana, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services are pending.

Vida Sue “Susie” Miller

Vida Sue “Susie” Miller

Vida Sue “Susie” Miller, 81, of Tucumcari, New Mexico, made her journey to her heavenly home in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, following a brief illness. She was born May 27, 1941, in Lovington, New Mexico to Jasper and Maggie Odessa (Hester) Smith.

Susie lived a rich and full life ~ a life of laughter, joy, hardship, hard work, and at times, a hard life. She was full of grit and optimism most days, and almost always the life of any party. When she walked into her home, the home of someone she was visiting, or even her place of work, you knew she was there! She was loud with laughter, humor, and constant comedy. It was her approach and philosophy of life to have faith in God in all situations, and to keep her “chin up” and nose to the grindstone when the challenges of life seemed overwhelming. Of course, she always found the humorous points in any of life’s challenges. Needless to say, she was loved beyond what mere words can express. Her childhood was packed with stories of fun-loving, at times dangerous mischief. Her family all heard tales of the things she did growing up with her two brothers and five sisters. The stories are chock-full of adventures that could fill novels and film!

Susie spent her life in service to others, waiting tables, hairdressing, cleaning houses, or working in home health. She also held jobs farming, driving feed trucks, and working in retail. Whatever she was doing, her work ethic included humor, creativity, and getting the job done right. Susie lived big and loved big. She loved her make-up, her bleached hair, false eyelashes, garage sales, thrift stores, country gospel and Mexican music. Most of all, she loved her family. Family, laughter, and being with people she loved were the essence and strength of her life.

“We are thankful for the memories of every day we had with her. Because of the imprint of love and laughter she left in our lives and in our hearts, we will thankfully never be the same.”