Obituaries

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Thelma Ball was born in Newton, Kansas on October 15, 1929 as the second of four daughters of Arthur and Marie Graber. Her father was a professor of English Literature and Debate Coach at Bethel College until the “great depression” made it impossible for them to pay teachers’ salaries. In 1934, the family moved to Wichita, Kansas where her father began working for the Federal Land Bank. A few years later, her parents purchased The American Indian Institute, which had been an agricultural school for Indian boys. The four girls were reared on the farm just adjacent to Wichita University, learning to do farm chores, operate milking machines and help harvest the crops.

Thelma attended public schools in Wichita through Wichita State University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Music Education. She was a member of Mortar Board., Mu Phi Epsilon and Pi Kappa Psi (Gamma Phi Beta). Following graduation, she accepted a position in Flint, Michigan where, as a violinist she played in the Flint Symphony in addition to teaching in the public schools. She returned to Wichita two years later where she taught at Curtis Junior High School for three years, played in the Wichita Symphony and completed her Master’s Degree in Music Education.

It was at Curtis that she met and fell in love with Arzell Ball, a fellow teacher and administrator who she married in 1954. During the summers for the next two years plus a year of residency which followed, the couple traveled to Nashville, Tennessee where Arzell completed his doctorate at The George Peabody College of Education of Vanderbilt University and she worked in the Library and played in the University Symphony there.

The couple with their two children, David and Barbara, moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1963 where Arzell held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Three years later, the family moved to Leawood, Kansas when Arzell accepted the position of Superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District. Thelma played in the Kansas City Civic Symphony and worked in her children’s schools as a volunteer in the Great Books program and the “Picture Lady” program sponsored by the Art Museum of Kansas City. The family remained in the Kansas City area for fifteen years.

In 1982, they moved to Richardson, Texas when Arzell accepted the position of Superintendent of the Richardson School District. Thelma worked in the regional offices of Becton Dickinson Vacutainer and Microbiology Systems for the next ten years. Thelma was active in the community, particularly on the Board of the Richardson Symphony where she served three terms as President and Chairman of the Board . In addition, she was Chair of the Lennox Young Artist Competition for many years. Thelma also volunteered with the Richardson Adult Literacy program and was a member of the Richardson Women’s Club and Mortar Board Alumni. She was a member of EZ Chapter of P.E.O. and Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church where she served as Deacon and Elder.

Thelma’s three sisters, Elaine Fisher, Vivian Simpson and Alice Decker preceded her in death, tragically at very young ages. She is survived by her husband of 68 years and her children and their families: David Ball, his wife, Libby Lassiter and granddaughter Alexandra of Birmingham, Alabama; and daughter, Barbara Love, her husband Richard and grandchildren, Amy, Tanner and Mallory Love of Shady Shores, TX, as well as a great granddaughter Phoebe Faye Piras. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families, who were very dear to her: Dana Knorr of Lawrence, KS, Deborah Gans of Green Mountain Falls, CO, Curtis Fisher of Wichita, KS, Glen Fisher of Rodgers, AR, and Carol Lawrence, of Salina, OK.

A memorial service will be held at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson on January 12, 2023 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the church, 3901 North Star Road, Richardson, TX 75082 for benefit of the Music Department or the Richardson Symphony Orchestra 2100 N. Collins Blvd,, Ste 310, Richardson, TX 75080.

Pat Temple, long time member of CCPC,  died on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

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She was born to Harold and Lorraine Wint on Feb 5, 1938 and landed with both feet running in Independence, KS. At age 84 she was “planted” on Nov. 15, 2022 in Richardson, TX. She lost her Mother before she was 30 and her Father before she was 40. In high school, she was a drum majorette, a contestant in the American Royal Pageant in Kansas City, a cheerleader, and a class officer. She apparently was quite a dancer and never lacked for dance partners. She also performed in a theater group, sang in the school choir and played in the school band. She had a beautiful smile. She worked at Kress’s during her years in high school where she was a Telephone Operator from 6 p.m. to midnight.

She went to college at Pittsburgh State where she met her future husband, Louis. They were married in 1960 and lived in Kansas City where she taught 3rd grade. They moved to Richardson, TX in 1972, the year that her son Brett was born. He earned his college degree from TCU on a soccer scholarship. Unfortunately she lost her husband, Lou in 2001 due to heart problems after 41 years together. He died 5 days after her birthday. She is now buried next to him. She owned a gift shop, worked for several corporations (working her way up), and as a receptionist for 10 years at the Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed being a member of the Church’s Small study group, doing her weekly Crime Watch, attending the monthly Gospel sings, playing bridge and her monthly poker parties. Of course you have to eat, Keller’s Drive In with its gathering of antique cars and WHATABURGER were some of her favorite places. She joined the XI SIGMA EPSILON chapter of the BETA SIGMA PHI sorority. She has been an active member for 50 years holding many positions including President (several times), secretary and received the International Award of Distinction for 2008-2009. She has enjoyed all the many years of being with her Sorority Sisters. Unexpectedly, she was asked out on a date in 2016 by one of her fellow church members, Larry Krase. It turns out their birthdays are the same month and they were both born in Kansas. They enjoyed fellowship and became great companions during times of medical problems. They enjoyed feeding the birds including momma Mallard and baby ducklings.They were together for almost 8 years. He was with her during these last several months of doing rehab and being hospitalized. Pat is survived by her son, Brett Temple and partner Larry Krase.

October 17, 1928 – October 20, 2022

Douglas Arthur Kraus, 94, died peacefully in his residence at Masonic Homes the evening of October 20, 2022, going home to be with his beloved wife, Elsa Baker Kraus, the day before what would have been her 90th birthday.

Born to Harold and Loma Mable Kraus in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and raised in the state of his birth, Doug was an Eagle Scout who received the first “God and Country” award in that state. He graduated from LaCrosse Central High School and moved to Dallas, Texas, to attend Southern Methodist University, from which he earned a BA in 1952 and was named an ROTC distinguished graduate.  At SMU, he met and married his fraternity’s dream girl, Elsa Jean Baker, in 1953, and spent the next 59 years loving her, making a home together and traveling the world for pleasure and in the service of his country. When Elsa was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Doug cared for her in their Plano, Texas, home with unswerving devotion until her death in 2012.  Elsa and Doug had two children, a daughter, Laurie, who survives him, and a son, Scot, who died in 2003.

Doug was a career officer in the United States Air Force, serving almost 25 years in Strategic Air Command first as a bomber navigator and later as a chief of reconnaissance and intelligence.  He served in Korea and Vietnam, flying B29’s, B36’s and B-52’s, and continued his service as Chief of Intelligence on three bases in the United States in Oklahoma, Michigan, and Louisiana. He was an excellent officer, promoted ahead of grade four times. He retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel while serving his last two assignments in a position generally assigned to a full colonel. He told his daughter numerous times that he would have been promoted if only he hadn’t lost his temper and yelled at his commanding officer.  Despite this brief lapse into freedom of speech, Doug was a highly decorated and valued member of the Air Force, and was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal, numerous combat and service medals, and the Bronze Star.

Upon his honorable retirement in 1976, Doug and Elsa moved to Plano, Texas with their son Scot, where they were members of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church and long-time anchors of the church choir. Doug turned his experience in leadership and intel into service as an Elder at Canyon Creek, chairing the Board of Trustees, the Worship Committee, two pastor nominating committees and one choral director nominating committee.  A man of deep faith, Doug was also a professed doubter, never ceasing to ask deep questions about the nature of believing, belonging, life and death, and was an avid reader of progressive Christian theology, despite being a life long social conservative. For 40 years, Doug and his daughter enjoyed “lively” discussions about theology and social justice. Some of the best of these were conducted during the pandemic by Laurie, Doug and granddaughter Gillian Hollis while sharing “socially distanced” but verbally robust box lunches at the picnic tables near his Louisville apartment.

Doug never met a stranger, spent most of each day calling everyone he knew to see how they were doing, and routinely embarrassed his family by making endless jokes with random strangers in not-always-appropriate settings. His humor sustained him, and those near him, through his final days. Throughout his life, Doug established and maintained countless deep friendships across the country and the world and was devoted to his family and to the adult children of his closest friends, sustaining a family of birth and choice whose everyday doings and accomplishments were an endless source of interest and pride to him.  He will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held on December 17, 3 pm, at Springdale Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY. His ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The link for online participation in the service is:  https://www.facebook.com/springdalechurch

Those who wish to remember Doug might join him in his life-long passion for righting the historic wrongs perpetuated against Native Americans, through a gift to the Native American- Alaskan Native Peoples Fund held at the Presbyterian Foundation of Presbyterian Church (USA). Information or donations at: https://wwwpresbyerianfoundation.org/nativeamericanchurches/

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George Phillip “Phil” Craver went home to Jesus on June 5, 2022, after a courageous, ten-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Phil was born on June 30, 1954, in Midland, Texas, to William Lionel Craver and Emelene Watts Ingram Craver.

He was a standout athlete at Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City. Always adventuresome, at age 17 Phil and his friend John Caskey hitchhiked around Europe for six weeks. He also went to the Boy Scouts Jamboree in Japan. He went on to Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and then to the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona. It was during his junior year in Paris, France, where he met his wife, Nancy Blair from Iowa, also studying abroad. They were married while still students on July 9, 1977, in Anamosa, Iowa.

Left to cherish Phil’s memory are Nancy, son Ryan (Mikaela) Craver, daughter Jillian (Jasen) Smith and grandchildren Sawyer and Lexi Smith. He is also survived by brothers Lionel Craver, Tom (Karen) Craver, Jim (Carol) Craver, sister Mary Craver, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was the youngest in his family – 15 years younger than his oldest brother.

Phil was employed at EDS in a variety of roles before moving to EDS Credit Union (later In Touch Credit Union), eventually becoming its CFO & SVP, a job he took in part for the limited travel so that he could be home with his wife and children. He loved his work and enjoyed the people he worked with and their respect. He was a great provider, making it possible for Nancy to be a stay-at-home mother, but he also always made sure that she felt fulfilled, lifted up, and essential. When he hit his 30-year mark at the credit union, he was given a choice of gifts to mark the occasion. Instead of choosing for himself, he gave the choice to Nancy, thanking her for her support.

He always found time to be the hands-on Dad that his children fondly remember. He was active in Indian Guides, Indian Princess, and Boy Scouts, and he took Ryan on the Scouts’ Philmont adventure trek. He loved the outdoors and would camp and hike regardless of the weather, spending many wonderful sojourns with the family at their cabin in Eagle Nest, New Mexico – skiing, snowmobiling, and exploring. One of his favorite sayings was, “Don’t we have more fun than anybody?!”  Generally shy at first, Phil made life-long friends wherever he went. He was adventurous, always ready to try new and different things.

He made life fun for his family and friends. He would make up elaborate treasure hunts for his kids with riddles for clues. At the end, there would always be something for the family to have fun with together. One year, the treasure was a set of kites, which they flew for the rest of the day. He was always happy to be silly when that was called for, including wearing a crazy musical hat when serving the ladies at CCPC’s Sisters in Christ’s annual Christmas dinner, a role he was pleased to keep up several years after his diagnosis. Always creative, one year he asked Nancy what she wanted for Christmas. When she said, very practically, that all she needed was new underwear, he took piles of cash and folded and taped it in the form of undies. He was addicted to M&Ms, once bragging to Nancy that he had only consumed one bag of M&Ms that day – eventually admitting it was a family-size bag.

Phil was a 36-year member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, Texas, where he was active in the Friendship Group, Sunday School classes, Men’s Bible Study, and the Tozer Small Group. He will be remembered for his devotion to serving as Usher Captain for many years.

While Phil’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis at the age of 58 was a shock for the family, Phil retained his good cheer, sweet disposition, and positive outlook. The blow was eased when WFAA-TV aired a story about his situation, and family, friends, and complete strangers funded a trip for Phil and Nancy back to Paris where they had met decades earlier.

An avid runner for years, Phil kept running after his diagnosis as long as he could. His mantra was, “Don’t spend energy regretting what you can’t do. Focus on what you can do and try to enhance it.” With help from the Center for Brain Health’s Discovery Group class, he was able to do just that. His Alzheimer’s battle was made easier by the generosity and many visits and other kindnesses of friends Jeff Collins, Andy Lockridge, David Cope, James Arthur, Lavoy Hooker, and Terry Langfitt. Special thanks also go to Betty Langfitt for creating an Alzheimer’s support group for Nancy and other caregivers, and to Jo Bryan for facilitating Memories in the Making art classes for those with Alzheimer’s so that their caregivers could attend the support group.  Also thanks to the Tozer Small Group, who constantly gave love, support, encouragement and meals. They kept Nancy and Phil connected even when all they could do was disconnect. Nancy is so grateful for how they have been “family” all along the way.

Phil didn’t take his diagnosis any more seriously than he had to. He would joke that now he could watch his favorite movies over and over and it was always like the first time! He didn’t mind talking about his challenges, reminding callers, “We have to go slow, because I don’t process very well.”

His dog Juno seemed to recognize the change in Phil, realizing that he was not himself. She almost never left his side, going with him on his walks and runs. The hardest part about having to enter the group home was not being able to take her along. Nancy would bring Juno when she visited Phil, who always greeted her with a hug and kiss.  He only had to stop running when he couldn’t find his way home once.

Phil’s ashes will be scattered by his family on the grounds of their cabin in New Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Phil's memory may be made to the Center for Brain Health to support the Discovery Group at https://brainhealth.utdallas.edu/donate or mailed to 2200 W Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75235. All funds are used for Alzheimer's programing, from which Phil and his family benefited greatly. Memorials may also be made in Phil’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association or Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church.

Dorotha Lorene Black Lotridge, age 94 years, was promoted to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, July 28, 2022.  She was surrounded by her loving family in her last days. Lorene was a longtime resident of Richardson, TX until moving to Tulsa, OK in 2017 to live with her daughter, Joanna.  Lorene and her husband, Bob Lotridge, Sr., were active members of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church during their 51 years in Richardson. 

Lorene had a significant impact on the lives of her family.  Her special bond with her granddaughters was unequaled.  As she was fond of saying regarding her granddaughters, she was low in quantity but high in quality.

Lorene was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Robert D. Lotridge, Sr., her daughter-in-law, Randall Gwenyth Jones Lotridge (wife of Robert Jr.), and Major Steven C. Beaulieu (husband of Jessica).

Lorene is survived by her sons Robert D. Lotridge, Jr. of The Woodlands, TX and Stanley W. Lotridge of Frisco, TX, and her daughter, Joanna Lotridge Pickard (Tom) of Tulsa, OK. In addition, Lorene is survived by her granddaughters Lt. Col. Jessica A. Lotridge of Colorado Springs, CO and Chandler W. Lotridge Bundren (John) of Fort Worth, TX. 

Lorene was the youngest child of 12 born to Henry Warren Black and Joanna Belle Graves Black in the Redbird Community of Montgomery County, AR on March 15, 1928.  Her great grandparents homesteaded on the South Fork of the Ouachita River circa 1870. 

After the US Forest Service purchased much of the Redbird Community’s land,  the family relocated to Norman, AR on the Caddo River, buying a farm on Huddleston Creek.  Soon after the move to Norman, Lorene’s father died when she was three. Her mother, Belle, was assisted in raising her by her 8 surviving older brothers and sisters who remained remarkably close their entire lives.  Her numerous nieces and nephews were like her little brothers and sisters and have always been a significant part of her life.

Graduating from Norman High School in 1945 as Valedictorian, Lorene received her degree from Arkansas College (now Lyons College) in Batesville, AR.  She was influenced personally and the beneficiary of the work of Rev. John T. Barr of whom Barr Memorial Presbyterian Church in Norman is named. Dr. Barr was a pioneer in providing educational opportunities in the Quachita Mountains prior to the establishment of public schools.

She was the first of her family to earn a college degree.  Several nieces and nephews followed her path to Arkansas College. Her older brother, Gene, was in college at Arkansas A&M when WWII began, but left school for pilot training where he died in a training accident. She met her husband, Bob, in college and they married in 1950.  Bob was part of the wave of WWII veterans filling the colleges and universities after the war.  After graduation, Lorene taught business studies at Cushman High School near Batesville as Bob finished his college requirements.  Later, they both taught at Hickory Ridge, AR for two years where their son Robert Jr. was born, and then Vanduser, MO.

When Bob made a career change and went to work for DuPont in Louisville, KY, the family moved to New Albany, IN and then Sellersburg, IN. Lorene used her business teaching degree working as a bookkeeper for a Louisville firm as their family grew from one boy to another, with the birth Stanley. Bob became involved with Boys Clubs of America in Louisville while working for DuPont. This led to him being offered the opportunity to open a new Boys Club in Magnolia, AR.

With the move to Magnolia, Lorene and Bob added a girl, Joanna, to complete their family of five.  Lorene was very active in the Garden Club, Boys Club Auxiliary, Newcomers Club, and the First Presbyterian Church.  She supported Bob in his position as Director of the Boys Club and nurturing their three growing children.  She kept her skills through substitute teaching and bookkeeping positions. True to her roots, Lorene was always, canning berries, fruit, and beans.  She was an excellent and creative cook.  Her children all learned how to pick blackberries, strawberries, muscadine grapes, plums, and how to snap beans and shell peas.  They also learned that she always had their backs, regardless of the circumstance.  Lorene never wavered when it came to supporting her children.

Bob was offered the Directorship of the El Paso, TX Boys Clubs and accepted the challenge. One year later, he was offered a management position with Boys Clubs of America which led the family to move to Dallas, and later to Richardson, TX, in 1966.

Beginning in Dallas, Lorene worked as a bookkeeper for the Shakey’s Pizza franchise, which was very popular with her children and their friends!  She later joined General American Oil Company for many years before retiring as a bookkeeper for SVI Property Management.

Their home at 501 Dover was known for Lorene’s beautiful flowers that graced the corner lot. A gifted gardener, she, and Bob enjoyed the compliments of the neighbors and those passing by. 

Lorene’s duties as a dance, football, track, swimming, baseball, Cub Scout and Blue Bird mom, primary proofreader of school papers, and official cheerleader of her children’s activities kept her on the go.  She remained active in Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church serving in several leadership positions. 

Lorene was an avid reader, enjoyed bridge, and her women’s bible class. She loved to travel whether it was a grand adventure or exploring locally with her family and siblings.  The time spent with family at her beloved cabin along the Caddo River in Arkansas created many special memories.  Season tickets to the Dallas Summer Musicals, museums, historical sites, and gardens large and small were a great pleasure to her. After Bob had a bout with cancer, Lorene volunteered one year to Co-Chair the American Cancer Society fundraiser for Richardson. 

Lorene lived the life of the greatest generation, losing a brother in the war and being a part of the tranformation from rural America to the urban America we know today. Her faithfulness to Jesus Christ and her steadfast love for her family, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews is her legacy.

A memorial service will be held in Norman, AR on October 8, 2022 at Barr Memorial Presbyterian Church.  Lorene will be laid to rest a few miles from where she was born, along the South Fork of the Ouachita River.  She will join five generations of loved ones at Gaston Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations for Barr Memorial Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 7, Norman, AR 71960  and/or  the Gaston Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 942, Mt Ida, AR 71957 would be greatly appreciated.