Houston Fire Departments
Obituaries 2007

 JASON WHITE TEAGUE, 34, of Friendswood, Texas passed away June 20, 2007. He was born on October 20, 1972 to Roger and Karen (White) Teague. He was the husband of Marysol (Salazar) Teague. Jason was a fireman with the City of Houston, Station # 26, B shift. The visitation will be held Monday, June 25, 2007 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 311 N. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com. The funeral service will be Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Grace Community Church, 14505 Gulf Freeway, Houston, Texas 77034. Burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Jason Teague's name to Texas Children's Hospital, Pediatric Cardiology Department, P.O. Box 300630, MC4-4483, Houston, Texas 77230-0630, (832) 824-6806, www.texaschildrenshospital.org. Condolences may be sent to the Teague Family in care of jeter@flash.net.

Captain George Earl Lowdermilk was born August 20, 1923 in Mauldin, Arkansas and died January 12, 2007 in Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nelda Lowdermilk and by 3 children, Sheri Lynn, Alana Beth and Kenneth Earl Lowdermilk, and by 6 grandchildren, Edward Westerman and wife Amanda, Lisa Brosowske and husband Scott, Jason Haugen and wife Amy, Nicholas, Skylan and Kendall Lowdermilk, and 4 great grandchildren, George, and Griffin Brosowske and Jake and Lily Westerman.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and served 55 years as a Houston Fire Fighter, longer than anyone in department history. He retired on January 4, 2005 as a Senior Captain. He served 40 years on the Houston Fire Fighters Relief and Retirement Fund. He served on the Board of the Dennis Holder Scholarship Fund, and the Board of the Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union. He was a member of the Memorial Fund and was instrumental in the creation of the memorial constructed at the Pension Fund Complex.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest contributions be directed to the Dennis W. Holder Scholarship Fund c/o Donny Myers, 4225 Interwood Parkway, Houston, Texas, 77032

KENNETH RAY JUDD, 72, went to rest in the loving arms of our Lord January 7, 2007 after a short, courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Judd, born on July 29, 1934 in Halletsville, Texas, was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Marcela Waterwall Judd; their three children, Donald Ray Judd, Oscar Garcia and wife Silvia, Christella Whitcher and husband Charles; 6 grandchildren, Brittany Rae Judd, Jeffrey, Jennifer and Jeremy Garcia, Carrie Whitcher Sanguinetti and husband Fredy and Charles Alan Whitcher; 5 great grandchildren, Arielle, Fredy (Trey) and Roger Sanguinetti, Maddyn and Jordan Johnson along with many nieces and nephews. Mr. Judd retired from the Houston Fire Department in 1994 after 32 years of service. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957 aboard the USS Shangri-La (CVA 38 ). In 1984, Mr. Judd earned the Subline Degree of a Master Mason and in 1990, he joined the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in the Arabian Temple. He was an avid fisherman and hunter but his passion was Texas Holdem poker. He will be dearly missed by all. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at Woodlawn Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM , Wednesday, January 10, 2007 in the Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home. Interment to follow in Woodlawn Garden of Memories.
                                                              
 
 

LEE DITTA passed away peacefully on January 1, 2007 at 81 years of age. Lee was born July 15, 1925 to Frank and Salvatrice Ditta. He was the last surviving child of thirteen. Lee served in the Houston Fire Department for 35 years and retired as a Senior Captain. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Rosella Ditta. Lee's true joys in life came from his Grandchildren. As he always told anyone who would listen, "they are my Heart and Soul" and each and every one of them cherished their Paw Paw. Survivors include his children, Theresa Lynn Whatley and husband Larence, Lee Ditta, Jr., Frank Carl Ditta and wife Kelly and Lisbeth Ann Dunn and husband Keith; Granddaughters, Peggy Michelle Brignac and Katherine Mary Whatley. Grandsons, Larence Mack Whatley, III, Garrett Ditta Whatley, Michael Lee Ditta, Brian Taylor Ditta, Keith Woodbury Ditta, Matthew Isaac Brignac and Michael Joseph Brignac. Numerous special nieces and nephews. Friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation, Thursday, January 4, 2007, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 5, in the Main Chapel of Forest Park Lawndale. Father Charles Samperi, Celebrant. Grandsons serving as pallbearers, Larence Whatley, III, Michael Brignac, Garrett Whatley, Michael Ditta, Brian Taylor Ditta and Keith Ditta. Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

James Gordon. Miller Jr., passed away on Monday, April 10, 2006, at the age of 60 after a 7-month battle with cancer. He was born July 4, 1945 in the community of Temple Springs, Texas to Amy Lucille Lee and James Gordon Miller, Sr., who preceded him in death while he was a small child. James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son-in-law, brother and uncle who will forever be in our hearts. James graduated from C.E. King High School in 1965 and was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corp in January, 1966. He served 2 years during the Vietnam War and was the recipient of 2 purple hearts before receiving his honorable discharge. After the Marines he entered the Houston Fire Department where he served 35 years before retiring in November, 2003 with the rank of Senior Captain. After retiring from the Fire Department he spent his time building a retirement home on the lake that is a tribute to his hard work. James leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 40 years, Linda Miller; his sons, Kelly James Miller and Allen Roy Miller, his daughter-in-law; Tiffani Miller and granddaughter; Kaila Brooke Miller. He is also survived by his sister, Bonnie Walker, loving in-laws; Roy & Doris Williams and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives. He was loved by everyone who knew him. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 17th at 2:00 PM at the Cooperfield Church located at 8350 Highway 6 North. This will be a Fire Department tribute to a loving and caring man. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in James' honor to the following organizations. The Last Alarm Club, 1907 Freeman Street, Houston, TX 77009.
Published in the Houston Chronicle from 4/14/2006 - 4/16/2006.

Austin Pevy. Kennada, 84, passed away on Feb 18, 2007 born Sept 18, 1922 in Lockridge, Texas to parents David W. and Maudie A. Harrell Kennada of Tennessee. He was a World War II Vet. serving with the 36th Division, Army "T-Patchers". He was a P.O.W. survivor, 17 months in Germany. He was a member of Houston VFW Post 581. He began his career with the Houston Fire Fighters/Fire Prevention in 1956. He retired Chief of Inspectors, Houston Fire Dept in 1983. Survived by brother Grover H. (Mickey) Kennada, sister Leodell Foster, niece Cathleen Kennada, niece Cynthia Averrett Nieto & husband Frank Nieto, nephew Jack C. Averrett III & wife Ruby G. Averrett, all of Houston. Viewing to be held Thursday Feb 22, 2 pm til 9 pm in the main chapel, Forest Park Lawndale. Service to be held Friday Feb 23, 11 am in main chapel with burial following. Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Ave, Houston, Texas.
Published in the Houston Chronicle on 2/21/2007.

 William Ray Young

EL CAMPO - William Ray Young, age 76, of El Campo died Feb 6, 2007 in Houston. He was born Aug 16, 1930, in Marshall, to the late Walter and Verna Hall Young. He served in the U.S. Navy, was a retired fireman for the Houston Fire Deptartment, and then worked for the city of El Campo before his second retirement.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Wood Young of El Campo; daughter, Laurie Hoelscher of El Campo; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family will be at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. tonight to receive visitors.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Wheeler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joyce McCormick officiating.
Burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of Wheeler Funeral Home, El Campo, 979-543-3512.

DOYLE HOLDER, (54, born Sept. 15, 1952) beloved husband and father, went to be with his Lord, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007 after a brave battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Judy and their two daughters, Robyn Beasley and husband Jason, Kimberly Elliot and husband Daniel; sister, Evelyn Parrish and husband Gene; father-in-law, John Denton; sister-in-laws, Peggy Connally and husband Hulit, Sandy White and husband Gordon, Sue Gates and husband Larry; numerous nieces and nephews. Doyle retired from the Houston Fire Department last year after 35 years of service. He and Judy traveled and enjoyed their grandchildren, Bailey Elliott, Rebecca and Tyler Beasley very much. His "babies" were the highlight of his day and they will miss their `Papa's" regular trips to the mall for the carousel ride and cookies. The family would like to extend appreciation to The Odyssey House Hospice Unit of Conroe for their loving support and care during this time. Visitation will be from 5:30-9 :00 PM Feb. 27, 2007, at Brookside Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted at 10 AM, Feb. 28, 2007, at Brookside Chapel. Interment to follow at Brookside Memorial Park.

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DAVID LYNN MARTIN, age 74, passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2006 in Houston, Texas. Survived by his daughters, Marlene and Chuck Portwood and Joyce Matthews; son, Jack; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; mother of his children, Jean Turner. David served in the US Navy in the early 1950's, retired Houston Fire Department and was a loyal member of the American Legion. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 16, 2006 at Earthman Resthaven, 13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery.

Wayne Collins -THOMASTON - Funeral services for Wayne Winford Collins, 63, will be 1P.M., Friday, November 17, 2006 at Thomaston Church of God with burial in Crystal Hill Cemetery. -Survivors include daughter, Dawn Chaffin; son, Dane Collins; four grandchildren; brothers. -Visitation will be tonight from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home.
Published in The Telegraph on 11/16/2006.