GENTRY/DECATUR OBITUARIES

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Leland Lucas

Leland Lucas, 68, of Siloam Springs, died March 14, 2010, at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital.

He was born Dec. 28, 1941, in Woodward, Okla., to Harry and Myrle Secreist Lucas. He lived most of his life in Northwest Arkansas. He was a farmer and construction worker. He married Wanda Gibson in Miami, Okla., on May 4, 1983.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Leroy Lucas.

He is survived by his wife of the home; three children, Harry Gibson and wife Anita of Colcord, Okla., Don Gibson of Columbia, Mo., and Juanita Melton and husband David of Herculaneum, Mo.; five brothers, Myron Lucas of Jay, Okla., Wayne Lucas and wife Nell of Tulsa, Okla., Charlie Lucas and wife Anita of Broken Arrow, Okla., Ray Lucas and wife Sue of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jim Lucas and wife Jan of Boise, Idaho; and four sisters, Margaret Gordon of Cypress City, Texas, Thelma Norsthworthy and husband A.T. of Roundrock, Texas, Rea Grisham and husband Don of Renton, Wash., and Faye Sheppard and husband Roger of Siloam Springs.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., March 18, at Wasson Memorial Chapel in Siloam Springs with Rob Williams and Harry Gibson officiating. Burial will follow at Bell Cemetery in Watts, Okla.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. March 17, at Wasson Funeral Home.

Arrangements are by Wasson Funeral Home.

Frank Phillip Nash

Frank Phillip Nash, 93, of Gentry, died March 12, 2010, at his home.

He was born July 25, 1916, in Canton, Texas, to Frank and Susie Taylor Nash. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service during World War II. He moved to the Gentry area in 1972 from Wichita, Kan. He was an auto mechanic. He also worked for Roadway Freight before retiring. He was a member of the Teamsters’ Union of Wichita. He married Lorraine Vaughn in Fayetteville, Ark., on July 17, 1943.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jay Stephenson; a greatgrandson, Gunner Bromley; two brothers, Charlie Nash and Floyd Nash; and a sister, Eva Lockhart.

He is survived by hiswife of the home; three daughters, Frances Stephenson of Mountainburg, Phillis Pace and husband Tom of Rudy, and Lori Smith and husband Kirk of Siloam Springs; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Nona Curtsinger of Farmington.

Graveside services were held March 15, at Weddington Cemetery in Weddington, with Kevin Boldra officiating.

Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.

Lela L. Patton

Lela Patton, 75, of Decatur, died March 12, 2010, in Bella Vista.

She was born Feb. 20, 1935, in Craig, Colo., to Carroll Dana and Fern Culp. She lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1967. She was a care giver at Gravette hospital and the surrounding area.

She was preceded in death by four children, a brother and a sister.

She is survived by three daughters, Jan Perdue and husband Larry of Fayetteville; Doyce Sprinkle of Sulphur Springs; Lorrie Kirk of Decatur; three grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Jerry Dana of San Antonio, Texas.

Graveside services were held March 16 at Butler Creek Cemetery near Sulphur Springs.

Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs.

Ronald L. Pessa

Ronald L. Pessa, 49, of Gravette, died March 9, 2010, in Gravette.

He was born April 12, 1960, in Pasadena, Calif., to Raymond Louis and Virginia Lee Haynes Pessa. He was a machinist and loved children and animals.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Pessa of Gravette; one stepson, James and his wife, Katrina Sontag of Gravette; two stepdaughters, Kristina Sontag of Centerton, Jennifer and husband Richard Wood of Gentry; two brothers, Bob Pessa of Yuca Valley, Calif., Ray Pessa of Yuca Valley, Calif.; one sister, Margo Howlett of Temple City, Calif.; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service was held March 13 at the First Baptist Church in Gentry, with Robert Andrews and Eric Roberts officiating.

Arrangements were by Callison-Lough Funeral Home of Bentonville.

For The Record, Pages 4 on 03/17/2010