Published: May 19, 2008 11:07 am      

Obituaries — May 18, 2008

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.

Father Murphy is survived by: his sister and brother-in-law Bette and Robert Mroz; sister and brother-in-law Michele and Greg Kurkowski; sister-in-law Eileen Murphy; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Murphy and parents Thomas and Geraldine Murphy.

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.



STEVE RANEY

ROSSTON — Services for Steve Raney, 47, of Rosston are set for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Rosston Methodist Church, with Harold Bowles officiating. Burial will follow at Rosston Cemetery under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home.

Mr. Raney died May 16, 2008, at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.

He was born April 3, 1961, in Odessa to Forrest Samuel and Shirley Buchanan Raney Jr.

He was a welder and craftsman for 40 years and was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching wrestling. He loved to spend time with his dogs.

He was a graduate of Era High School and attended college in Austin.

Survivors include: His mother; sisters Brenda Marshall, Linda Raney and Donna Raney, all of Era; grandmother Angie Raney of Rosston; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: His father, Sam Raney, on Dec. 14, 1998; grandparents Clifford and Pearl Buchanan; and his grandfather, Forrest Raney.

Pallbearers include Dan Richardson, Mark Erwin, Jimmy Raney, Brian Raney, Wally Lanier and Roy Raney.

Honorary pallbearers are Jim Raney, Cecil Raney and Charlie Henderson.

Visitation is set for 7 p.m. Monday at the Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home.

An online registry may be signed at www.geojcarroll.com



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 restautant 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.

An online registry may be signed at www.geojcarroll.com.



ROGER PRESTON

PROFFITT

Graveside service for Roger Preston Proffitt, 73, of Gainesville is set for 2 p.m. today 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, Lacy Proffitt, Kaley Proffitt, Whitney Lemons, Aaron Lemons and Ammie Foster; brother, Ernest Proffitt of El Paso; 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.



ONUS “O.C.” BLANKS

COLLINSVILLE — Memorial service for Onus “O.C.” Blanks, 67, is set for 2 p.m. Monday at Dixie Baptist Church in Whitesboro, with Elder Robert Bolden officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home in Whitesboro.

Mr. Blanks died Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman.

He was born Aug. 24, 1940, in Pilot Point to E.C. and Myrtle (Carlyle) Blanks. He married Margaret Pugh in December 1994. He was the owner and operator of his own trucking company. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Collinsville, the Christian Motorcycle Association, and the NRA.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Blanks of Collinsville; four step-sons, Steve Lynch, Michael Mathews, Cliff Mathews, and Jeff Mathews; and sister and brother-in-law, Pearl and Lee Ray Walker.

An online registry may be signed at www.meadorfuneralhome.com.