Published: May 16, 2008 11:29 am         

Obituaries — May 16, 2008

Rev. PATRICK E. MURPHY

Rev. Patrick E. Murphy, O.S.A., 60, entered eternal life May 14, 2008.

Patrick Edward Murphy was born March 18, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, to Thomas and Geraldine Murphy. He was baptized March 28, 1948, at St. Agnes Church, Chicago. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation April 28, 1959, at the same church.

Following graduation in 1962 from St. Agnes Elementary School, Chicago, Patrick enrolled in St. Rita High School in Chicago, where he earned his high school diploma in 1966.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 3, 1966. He professed simple vows September 4, 1967, and solemn vows June 15, 1974. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Tolentine College in Olympia Fields, Illinois, in 1971. He did his theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, earning an M. Div. in 1976. He was ordained a priest March 20, 1976.

Father Murphy did graduate studies in Industrial Relations and in Education at Loyola University, Chicago, which awarded him two advanced degrees, an M.S. in Industrial Relations and an M.A. in Education.

He taught at St. Rita High School in Chicago, during the 1971-72 school year. He then resided at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago, while pursuing theological studies. He began his Diaconate internship in June, 1975, continuing until his priestly ordination, at St. Cletus Parish in LaGrange, Illinois.

His first assignment as an ordained priest was in 1976 to Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago, as teacher and chaplain. He returned to St. Rita High School in Chicago in 1979 as teacher and chaplain. In 1983, Father Murphy was appointed principal of St. Rita High School.

Father Murphy was in 1989 named Vocations Director for the Augustinian Midwest Province, with residence at St. John of Sahagun Friary at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois. In 1990, he was transferred to St. Rita Parish in Chicago, where he served as interim pastor.

He returned to educational ministry in 1991 when he was assigned to Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was chaplain of the school and Prior of the Augustinian community.

In 1994 he was transferred to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields.

Father Murphy requested and was granted permission to live outside of community in 1996. During this time he resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He returned to community in 1999, and was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Gainesville, Texas. In 2000, he was again granted permission to live outside of community. Again he resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During this time, he ministered on weekends at St. Paul Parish in Electra, Texas, and at Christ the King Parish in Iowa Park, Texas.

In August 2004, Father Murphy was assigned to reside in the Augustinian Community at St. Mary Parish in Gainesville. His primary ministry was as teacher and administrator at Sacred Heart High School in Muenster, Texas, until June, 2006. He was named Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gainesville in August, 2006, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.

Father Murphy is remembered for his sense of humor. No matter what the occasion, he could be counted on to come up with a funny remark that would cause people to laugh. He was appreciated by the students whom he taught. He actively promoted religious and priestly vocations.

Funeral arrangements are set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. On Sunday, May 18, a Rosary directed by Knights of Columbus will be at 5 p.m.; Rosary led by Hispanic Community is at 7 p.m.; on Monday, May 19, Rosary is at 4 p.m. and a Wake Service at 7 p.m. The Rosaries and Wake Service will be at St. Mary’s Church at 805 N. Weaver in Gainesville under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Augustinian Missions; 20300 Governors Hwy.; Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.

You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.

ADV.



JAMES RODNEY ASTON

Memorial service for James Rodney Aston, 43, of Gainesville are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Don Yeager officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mr. Aston died May 13, 2008, at Dallas Methodist Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 1, 1965, in Fort Worth to James M. and Dorothy Parker Aston. He was a restaurant chef for a number of years. He was a graduate of Saint Jo High School and was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Calista Aston of Gainesville; children, Krystal Aston, James Nickolas Aston and Tabitha Aston, all of Gainesville; father, James M. Aston of Pottsboro; sister, Betty Austin of Fort Worth; brothers, Cris Aston of Muenster and Douglas Aston of Livington; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Aston; and brother, Jack Wilson.

The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church following the memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Aston Children’s Fund at the First State Bank.

You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.



ROGER PRESTON PROFFITT

Graveside service for Roger Preston Proffitt, 73, of Gainesville is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at Nelson Grove Cemetery with Rev. David Whittington, pastor of Woodbine Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Clement-Keel Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mr. Proffitt died May 15, 2008, at Renaissance Care Center.

He was born May 21, 1934, in Colbert, Okla., to Yancy Ben and Opal Lee (Smith) Proffitt. On June 6, 1959, he married Jacqueline Gunter in Whitesboro. Mr. Proffitt served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked for Guffey Oil Co. as a tool pusher. After retiring, he drove a school bus. He was a member of Woodbine Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Proffitt of Woodbine; sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Pattie Proffitt of Woodbine and Tommy and Kathy Proffitt of Gainesville; grandchildren, Larry Proffitt, Kaley Proffitt, Whitney Lemons, Aaron Lemons and Ammie Foster; and sisters-in-law, Margie McDonald of Woodbine and Norma Gunter of Woodbine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Darrell Proffitt; 3 brothers, Yancy Ben Proffitt, William Roy Proffitt, and Richard Proffitt.

Pallbearers are Aaron Lemons, Trent Hodgkinson, Mike Hines, Brian Hines, Clay McDonald, and Mark Gunter.

Visitation will be at the Clement-Keel Funeral Home from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodbine Baptist Church Building Fund; P.O. Box 245; Gainesville, TX 76241.

ADV.



NORMA FOWLER SWALES

Services for Norma Fowler Swales are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Whitesboro. Interment will follow at the Sadler Cemetery under the direction of the Meador Funeral Home of Whitesboro.

Mrs. Swales died May 14, 2008.

She was born in Sadler on Sept. 24, 1922, and her parents died in her childhood. She moved to Carlsbad, N.M., as a young adult. She was “foster” daughter of her minister, Pete Trone, and his wife, Sara. She moved back to Texas in 1959 and was a resident of Fort Worth for almost 50 years. She worked as a contract administrator for the U.S. Department of Defense and retired in 1985. She was a long-time member of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church in Fort Worth.

Survivors include her husband, Edwin C. Swales; sister, Loretta Fowler Fason; children and their spouses, Pamela Jones Speed, Cameo Fowler Jones (and her husband, Ron Tremblay) and Janice Jones Gibson (and her husband, Michael M. Gibson); and four stepchildren; six grandchildren; three great-granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Lillie Estelle Shires Fowler.

To sign the online registry, go to www.meadorfuneralhome.com.



LUCILLE WINTERS ANDERSON

FORT WORTH — Lucille Winters Anderson, 93, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in Fort Worth.

Service is set for 1:30 p.m. today at Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ in Arlington. Interment will be in Valley View Cemetery in Valley View. Visitation is set from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Arlington Funeral Home.

Lucille W. Anderson was born Aug. 28, 1914, in Woodbine. She was a longtime member of Southside Church of Christ in Fort Worth and was more recently with Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andy Anderson.

Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Anderson of Tool; son, Roger Anderson of San Antonio; grandchildren, Tara Goode, Kyle Kimball, Ronnie Anderson, Mitzi Morgan, Sarah Anderson and Thomas Anderson; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

ADV.



LILLIE POWERS BRYANT

Graveside service for Lillie Powers Bryant, 95, of Gainesville are set for 2 p.m. today at New Hope Cemetery with Rev. Jerry Davis of First Baptist Church in Collinsville officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Clement-Keel Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mrs. Bryant died May 13, 2008, at North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville.

She was born Feb. 12, 1913, in Burns City to Pete and Mattie (Umpstead) Powers. On July 8, 1933, she married Troy “Jack” Bryant in Marietta, Okla. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, a homemaker, and had worked for many years at the cannery in River Bank, Calif. She enjoyed quilting and playing dominoes and sewing.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Troy “Jack” Bryant; brother, Arch Powers, Val Powers, Rubert Powers, John Powers and Goley Powers; and sisters, Essie Kerr, Mamie Stevens, Birdie Faulkner, Leta Lilly, Bertha Lemons and Ollie Powers.

No visitation is planned.



ROSA L. HERRERA

Services for Rosa L. Herrera, 42, of Gainesville are set for 1:30 p.m. today at Gainesville Health & Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mrs. Herrera died May 14, 2008, at Gainesville Health & Rehabilitation Center.

You may sign the online registry by visiting our website, www.geojcarroll.com.



JON PAUL AGUILAR

WHITESBORO — Funeral services for Jon Paul Aguilar, 31, are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Central Baptist Church in Whitesboro with Dr. Joe Patterson officiating. Services are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home in Whitesboro. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at Rock Hill Cemetery in Brownsboro. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Mr. Aguilar died Thursday, May 12, 2008, at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman.

He was born on July 18, 1976, in Dallas to Ted Aguilar Sr. and Patsy Jean (Cook) Aguilar. He married Deeann Ayers on May 27, 2006, in Whitesboro.

Survivors include his wife, Deeann Aguilar of Whitesboro; daughters, Kylee Aguilar, Destinee Sandifer and Kiersten Aguilar; father, Ted Aguilar Sr. of Whitesboro; mother, Patsy Jean Cook of Chandler; grandmothers, Melba Aguilar of Whitesboro and Berniece Cook of Harlingen; great-grandmother, Oma Greer of Chandler; mother-in-law, Yvonne Ayers of Roanoke; sister-in-law, Julianne Aguilar of Plano; and a host of family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Teddy Aguilar II; and his great-grandfather, John Alvin Greer.

Pallbearers are Jerry Aguilar, Doyle Aguilar, Michael Aguilar, J. Pat Aguilar, Sean Aguilar, Houston Aguilar and Dr. Paul Hull.

Memorial contributions may be sent to 1012 Shadow Valley Rd.; Whitesboro, TX 76273.

To sign the online registry, go to www.meadorfuneralhome.com.