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Gerald D. Lyda

G erald D. Lyda, age 83, of Fort Stockton, Texas, died on Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. He was born near Marble Falls in January 1923 to George and Nita Lyda on a Hill Country farm. He was raised in the Burnet and Marble Falls area and graduated from Burnet High School.

As a young man, he worked on ranches and railroads, and he learned the skills of a carpenter. He married his high school sweetheart, Randa Jean Green, and they had their first son, Gerald D., in 1945. While working on the Evans Ranch near Pandora, Texas, their second son, Gene, was born.

In 1947, Gerald left the ranch life that he loved to return to construction work on the University of Texas Memorial Stadium project in 1947 — finding time to build his family a small home in northern Austin while working for Farnsworth & Chambers Inc. of Houston. Their third child, Eunita Jo, was born in Shreveport, La., in 1950.

Under his mentor, H. Alvin Lott, Gerald moved quickly up the construction ladder to superintendent and was transferred to San Antonio in 1954 to build Wilford Hall Hospital at Lackland Air Force Base. In 1959, Lyda and a Burnet County rancher named Steinmetz Darragh formed their own construction company, which eventually became Lyda Inc. Through the years, Lyda Inc. and its subsidiaries built such projects as the expansion of Memorial Stadium in Austin, Tower of the Americas, Theatre for the Performing Arts, San Antonio Convention Center (joint ventures with H. A. Lott Inc.), as well as Fiesta Texas Theme Park (joint venture with Manhattan Contruction), Texas Military Institute, Hilton Hill Country Resort, major portions of The Alamodome, Westin La Cantera Resort, Westin Riverwalk Hotel, North Frost Bank, The Fountainhead, The Forum, Uranga Towers, Union Square, Diamond Shamrock Corporate Headquarters, many military facilities and hospital, retail, office, bank and health care facilities throughout Texas.

Throughout his life, Gerald owned more than 20 different ranches, including the Ladder Ranch in southeastern New Mexico that Ted Turner eventually acquired from him. The Lyda family owned and operated many cattle ranches in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Lyda was named by Texas Monthly and Worth magazines as one of the largest landowners in Texas and the Southwest.

Three years ago, he sold his wholly-owned subsidiary, Lyda Constructors Inc., to Swinterton Inc. of San Francisco and retired with his wife, Randa, to his beloved La Escalera Ranch in Fort Stockton. He remained actively involved — purchasing real estate, building a new Escalera feedlot, and buying and selling cattle for the ranch. When he died, he had just concluded a cattle deal that included the sale of 24 tractor-trailer loads of Escalera cattle.

He was a devout Christian who credited the Lord for any successes he had enjoyed in life.

He suffered a heart attack at his home in Fort Stockton on Sunday, Nov. 13, and passed away at Alliance Hospital in Odessa in the company of his friends and family.

He was a member of Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and was twice elected president of the San Antonio Chapter of AGC. He was also a member of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) and The Builders’ Exchange of Texas. Lyda was a member of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers’ Association and the National Cattlemen’s Association.

His survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Randa Jean of San Antonio; and his beloved children, Gerald D. Lyda of San Antonio, Gene Lyda of Fort Stockton and Eunita Jo Granberg of Seymour. Grandchildren include Brett Lyda of Pasadena, Calif., Justin Granberg of Muddleberry, Ind., Holly Jo Granberg of Ada, Okla., Jene’ Asel of San Antonio and Leah Lyda of Austin, as well as Gerald D. “Trey” Lyda and Ryan Holt Lyda, both of Atlanta.

A viewing was from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the chapel at Fort Stockton Funeral Home. At 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, lunch will be served at First Baptist Church of Fort Stockton, followed by funeral service at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Afterward, burial service will occur at La Escalera Ranch , 20 miles south of Fort Stockton on the Marathon Highway.

Pallbearers will be Greg Carrasco of Las Cruces, N.M., Jim Kollman of Odessa, David Tipton of Balmorhea, Glenn McCorkle of Fort Stockton, Jesse King of Fort Stockton and Mack Williams of San Antonio.

Larry Joe Lujan

Larry Joe Lujan of Fort Stockton passed away on Friday, July 15, 2005, in Dallas, Texas. He was born to Larry and Mary Lujan on Jan. 17, 1982, in Kermit, Texas. He was 23 years old. Larry was a college student and lived lifelong in Fort Stockton, Texas. He was a Catholic.

Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. The rosary will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Saint Joseph Church in Fort Stockton.

He is survived by his parents, Larry and Mary Lujan; a brother, Michael A. Lujan of Fort Stockton; a sister, Mallarie M. Lujan of San Angelo; uncles Pete and Rosie Hernandez of Kermit, Manuel Hernandez of Odessa, Henry Hernandez of Kermit, Joe and Patsy Hernandez of Big Spring, Mingo Hernandez of Las Vegas, Nev., Chris and Julie Hernandez of Fort Worth, Ruben and Leticia Lujan of Jal, N.M., and Raul Lujan of Abilene; aunts Florence and Willie Garcia of El Paso, Eraldo and Margie Dominguez of Kermit, Octavio and Toni Valenzuela of Burleson, Texas, Ed and Birgina Reballo of San Antonio, Irene Lujan of Kermit, and Lorraine King of Abilene.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Lisa Marie Lujan; aunt Sylvia Hernandez in September 2004; maternal grandparents Francisco Hernandez in September 1993 and Maria Hernandez in June 1996; and paternal grandparents Manuel Lujan in February 1984 and Mary Lujan in March 1977.

Juan G. Lechler, Jr., 41, Fort Stockton, died Friday, April 7, 2006 in Ojinaga, Mexico. Born January 5, 1965, in Fort Stockton, Juan was the son of Juan M. Lechler Sr. and Marcela Lechler. Juan and Hilda Gonzales were united in marriage September 15, 1983 in Fort Stockton.

Surviving is: his wife, Hilda Lechler, Fort Stockton; his son, Juan Diego Lechler, Fort Stockton; his daughters, Lindsay Lechler and Lexi Lechler, both of Fort Stockton; his father, Juan M. Lechler, Sr.; his brother, Horacio Lechler; his sisters, Marcie Lechler and Dora Lozano, both of Fort Stockton, Corina Garcia, Midland, Josie Knight, San Antonio Delma Munoz, McCamey and Lilly Solis, Lajitas.

He was preceded in death by: his mother, Marcela Lechler; his brother, Alfredo Guzman; and his nephew, Arnold Lozano.

A rosary was held April 11 at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 12 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Fort Stockton. Father Floro Hinacay officiated. Interment was in the Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery . Arrangements were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home, Fort Stockton.

Arnaldo "Arnold" Guzman Lozano, 29, Fort Stockton, died Sunday, March 19, 2006 in Odessa. Born October 24, 1976, Arnaldo was the son of Abelardo and Dora Lozano. Arnaldo and Sylvia were united in marriage October 27, 1995 in Fort Stockton.

He was preceded in death by: his maternal grandmother, Marcela Lechler; his maternal grandfather, Sigifredo G. Guzman; and his uncle, Alfredo Guzman.

Surviving Arnaldo is: his wife, Sylvia Lozano, Fort Stockton; his daughters, Alexia Marie Lozano, Victoria Andrea Lozano and Julieta Colomo, all of Fort Stockton; his son, David Garcia, Fort Stockton; his parents, Abelardo and Dora Lozano, both of Fort Stockton. He is also survived by: his brothers, Abelardo, "Abe" Lozano, Jr. and Gabriel Lozano, both of Fort Stockton; his sister, Patricia Lozano, Fort Stockton; his nephews, Christian Lozano and Alec A. Galindo, both of Fort Stockton; his nieces, Allyssa R. Lozano, Aimee Fuentes and Brianna B. Lozano, all of Fort Stockton.

A rosary will be held Friday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Agnes Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m. in St. Agnes Catholic Church. Reverend Deacon Reuben Reyes will officiate. Interment will follow in the Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery . Arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home, Fort Stockton.

Marcela Garcia Lechler, 76, Fort Stockton, died Thursday, January 12, 2006. Born January 14, 1929, at Terlingua, she was the daughter of Manuel and Francisca Baiza Garcia. Marcela and Moralez Lechler were united in marriage October 12, 1963 in Fort Stockton.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Manuel and Francisca Garcia; her son, Alfredo Guzman; and her brother, Juan Garcia.

Surviving her is: her husband, Juan Moralez Lechler, Fort Stockton; her sons, Juan Garcia Lechler Jr. and Horacio Garcia Lechler, both of Fort Stockton; her daughters, Dora Lozano and Marcie Gonzales, both of Fort Stockton, Josie Knight, San Antonio, Lilly Solis, Lajitas, Delma Munoz, McCamey and Cora Garcia, Midland. She is also survived by: her sisters, Manuela Bernal, Paula Chavez and Belia Wislar, all of Fort Stockton; her brothers, Armando Garcia and Francisco Garcia, both of Fort Stockton, Hector Garcia, Midland, and Santos Garcia, of Mexico; 31 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A rosary was held January 14 at Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services were held January 15 at Apostolic Tore Fuerte Church. Pastor Juan Rodriguez officiated. Interment was in Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery . Arrangements were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home

Vernon R. ``Sandy'' Leverett Jr., 54, of Fort Stockton, manager of Midtown Exxon, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998, after a motorcycle accident. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Church of Christ with Harold Durham officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born in Abilene and had lived in the Fort Stockton area since 1969 after moving from El Paso. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

SURVIVORS: Wife, Judy Leverett of Fort Stockton; father, V.R. Leverett Sr. of Abilene; son, Stuart Leverett of Hesperia, Calif.; brother, Jimmy Leverett of Farmington, N.M.; sister, Sharon Qualls of Abilene; and two grandchildren

Jose P. Loera, 78, of Fort Stockton, a retired farm foreman, died Thursday, March 26, 1998, at Medical Center Hospital. Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. today at Fort Stockton Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born in Matehuala, Mexico, and had lived in Fort Stockton since 1960 after moving from Uvalde. He was Catholic.

SURVIVORS: Wife, Graciela Alvarez Loera of Fort Stockton; sons, Jose Luis Loera Jr. of Odessa, George Loera and Joel Loera, both of Fort Stockton; daughter, Rosie Loera Holland of Fort Stockton; and five grandchildren.

Ruth L. Laye, 81, a superintendent of manufacturing at Amity Plastic Company, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 1998. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Agnes Church with Sarah Garnett officiating. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Funeral arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Chicago, Ill., and had been a resident of Fort Stockton since since 1985.

SURVIVORS: Sons, Dennis Houren of Fort Stockton and Harry Houren of Chicago, Ill.; daughters, Karen Tucker of Chicago, Ill., and Lucille White of Golden, Colo.; sister, Henrietta Trump of Phoenix, Ariz.; 19 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren

Amelia L. Lee ( JPEG)

Funeral services for Amelia L. Lee, 87, were held Friday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dave McFadden officiating. Burial followed at East Hill Cemetery under the direction of Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lee was born Aug. 16, 1903 in Blackwell and had been a resident of Fort Stockton for 50 years, moving here from Amarillo. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Stockton and was preceded in death by her husband, Warner Lee, on Jan. 21, 1981.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie Butz of San Antonio and Betty Jean Craig f Phoenix, Az.; one brother, W. T. Hazelwood of Amarillo; one sister, Lula Miller of California; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family asks that donations, in lieu of flowers, be sent to the First Baptist Church for the purchase of new hymnals.