obits for 1-26-2012

Bruce Gale
1962-2012
COLORADO CITY – Bruce Gale, 49, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2012 in Abilene. Graveside services were held Saturday, January 21, at 2 p.m. at the Colorado City Cemetery. Rev. James Williams officiated the service.

Bruce was born December 21, 1962, in Dalhart to parents, Richard and Betty Gale. He married Peggy Mentel at Lake Colorado City on July 4, 2009. Bruce was a member of First Baptist Church in Colorado City. He lived in Colorado City most of his life and was a manager of Higginbotham-Bartlett Company Lumber Yard. Bruce was a member of the Cotton Club Camp and very active in the 4-H association. He loved playing golf and was a Tony Stewart fan. Bruce was voted Most Wittiest in his high school class. He loved making people smile and also loved hunting and fishing.

Survivors are his wife, Peggy of Colorado City; son, Haden Brice Gale of Amherst; daughter, Cassi Shea Gale of Lubbock; father, Richard Gale and wife, Nell of Colorado City; mother, Betty S. Hammond Gale of Dripping Springs; brother, Richard Gary Gale and wife, Cheryl Danelle of Colorado City; friend, Joe “JoeJoe” Stinson of Colorado City; former wife, Gayla Gonzalez of Amherst; and many, many, many friends.
All arrangements were under the care and direction of Kiker-Seale Funeral Home.

Beeman Dockrey
1919-2012
COLORADO CITY – Beeman Dockrey, age 92, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at Mitchell County Hospital following a stroke.
Beeman was born February 1, 1919, in Lamar County to parents, Ross and Evelyn Dockrey. His family moved to Mitchell County in 1928. Beeman attended Tarleton College and the University of Texas where he played football. He married Betty Jo Pitts on December 15, 2000, in Goodyear, Arizona. Beeman worked as an independent on oil wells in the Permian Basin and Williston Basin in North Dakota. He was a participant in the American Quarter Horse Association. He was a member of the Plainview Church of Christ in Colorado City, and he also loved football.
Survivors include his wife, Jo of Colorado City and brothers, Harry Dockrey and wife, Dorris, and Kenneth Dockrey and wife, Joy, all of Colorado City.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Evelyn Dockrey; sisters, Oleta Whitt and Bobbye Furrer; and an infant daughter, Beth.

Memorial services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Colorado City on Thursday, January 26, 212, at 2 p.m. Dr. Larry Fitzgerald, pastor of the Plainview Church of Christ, will be officiating services.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Horizons Ranch (child services for disadvantaged and abused children), 500 Chestnut Street, Suite 1101, Abilene, TX 79602, or a favorite charity.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kiker Seale Funeral Home.

Joseph Ruiz
1926-2012
RICHLAND -- Joseph O. Ruiz, son of the late John and Theresa (Caillouett) Ruiz, was born May 16, 1926 in Iberville Parish, Louisiana where he grew up and attended school. 
At the age of 18, Joe entered the United States Navy and served his country faithfully in World War II. He was honorably discharged February 12, 1946.  After leaving the Navy, Joe began working for a seismograph crew in the oil industry in Texas and North Dakota and did so for 14 years. 
In 1949, Joe met the love of his life, Meredith L. Wood and they were united in marriage on October 27, 1951 at First Christian Church in Colorado City.  They were blessed of the Lord with 60 years together. Joe leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Meredith; his three children: Joseph Ruiz, Jr. (Carla) of Richmond, VA, Jana Cleveland (Lawrence) of Stoutland, MO; and Judi Leander (Dale) of Tulsa, OK; Eight grandchildren: Nathan Ruiz (Lynette), Joseph, Margaret and Meredith Cleveland; Wesley, Amy, Daniel and Bradley Leander; his sister-in-law: Ann Ruiz of Plaquemine, LA; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In 1962, Joe went into the Fire Extinguisher business and the family moved to Plainview, Texas. Joe spent the next 43 years there and was active in the community and church. In 1975 he started a Men’s Prayer Breakfast. In the fall of 2009 he started a Men’s prayer breakfast in Richland. He also served for eight years as the president of the Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship in Plainview.  He served as Scout Master for 16 years and one last year as an advisor for the Boy Scouts. Eight young men earned the Eagle Scout award during Joe’s sixteen year tenure. He also worked in Drug Prevention efforts with the Hale County Sheriff’s Department. 

In 2005, Joe and Meredith moved to the Richland area to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. Joe believed in the Great Commission and could be found passing out cards and telling his story of faith. It was always his regret that he never invited Jesus into his heart until he was 44 years old. He was baptized into Christ at that time and continued to have an excited commitment to serve the Lord in gratitude. His desire today would be to see others make the commitment he failed to make before he was 44.

Joe was carried home by the angels on Tuesday evening, January 17, 2012 at his home.  He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered but he is at home with his Savior and waiting anxiously for everyone who has invited Jesus into their heart to join him.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by one granddaughter: Meredith Anne Cleveland and three siblings: John and Raymond Ruiz and Theresa Morales.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 21, 2012 in the First Baptist Church of Richland with Pastor Bob Lilly officiating. Pianist Marleen Brown played as congregational hymns were led by Mike Freeman that included “Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know”,  “Something About that Name”, “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” and “Softly and Tenderly”. Several friends shared their fond memories of Joe. Serving as escorts were Nathan Ruiz, Wesley Leander, Bradley Leander, Joseph Cleveland, Daniel Leander and Eric Moore. Burial followed with Military Honors provided by the Missouri Honors Team.  Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the “A Flight for Bravery” (Checks payable to Stoutland School) or to the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund and may be left at the Memorial Chapel of Richland.
Online condolences may be left at www.memorialchapelsandcrematory.com.