Paula Paul Blanton

Paula Paul Blanton

April 2, 1952 – December 22, 2024

Paula Lynn Paul Blanton was born to Robert Clyde Paul and Jan Mary Adams on April 2, 1952 in Dallas, Texas. She grew up in Dallas where she attended Lake Highlands High School. She was a member of the Lake Highlandettes drill team. After high school, Paula attended Abilene Christian University where she was a member of GATA sorority and pursued a degree in Physical Education. As divine fate would have it, she met a redhead from Amarillo, TX by the name of Pat Blanton. Patrick was the love of her life. They married on February 24, 1973 and shared over 52 years of undying devotion and marriage together which continues to leave a great impact on all.

Upon college graduation at West Texas A&M University, Paula founded a successful interior plantscaping business by the name of Plantspan Incorporated. For over 46 years, she was the CEO and President of the family-owned business, which grew under her talents with all things horticulture and creating beauty. Paula had a diligent work ethic which led to the many meaningful relationships that she formed with long-standing clients who knew just how special she was. Paula also worked for Delta Airlines for a time where she formed many lifelong friendships as well.

Patrick and Paula are the parents to their daughters Sara Brooke Blanton, Rebecca Lynn Burton and her husband Taylor, Haley Beth Blanton, and their son Stetson Patrick Blanton; grandchildren include Stella, Graham, Gray, Tatiana, Paul, and Costner.

To know Paula was to love her. It is rare that this can truthfully be said about anyone, but in her case it was the absolute truth. She cherished her family, valued her friends, and was unwavering in her faith at all times. She loved to laugh, spend time with her dogs, enjoyed watching Hallmark movies, being a part of her book club, and enjoyed all sporting events.

Paula is survived by her husband, Patrick, their three daughters and one son, and six grandchildren. She is also survived by her father, Robert Paul and her brother, Chris Paul, as well as a host of many special friends and family. Paula was preceded in death by her mother, Jan Lacey. Her legacy will be treasured by her family, friends, and loved ones. Her faith, kindness, and love will be carried on as a testament to how she lived her life.

On December 22, 2024, Paula was victorious in her 9 year battle with cancer and was given complete healing. She was a fierce warrior. This is the day the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it… for He has claimed what it His and taken His daughter home. Praise our Holy One.

A Celebration of Paula’s life will be held on January 4, 2025 at 11 am at The Hills Church, located at 6300 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. There will be a visitation an hour prior to service at 10am. A private family burial will be held afterwards. Never forget!

Kay Reed Allred

Kay Reed Allred

May 8, 1952 - April 11, 2020

Harolyn Kay Reed Allred was born May 28th 1952 and died peacefully on April 19th, 2023. Kay was the daughter of Howard and Maxine Reed of Dallas, TX, and the oldest of five children including Kathy Barnes (Joe), Fred Reed, Lisa Westbrook, and Kelli Reed. Kay is survived by her three wonderful daughters; Meredith Copley (Whit), Annie Miller (Porter), and Emily Allred, as well as her many beloved nieces and nephews. Additionally, "Kay-Kay", was grandmother to Mary Harper, Clay, Reedy, McLaine Copley, and Porter Miller, Jr., who were the absolute delight of her life. These children brought an innocence and honesty to life that gave Kay great joy and laughter. Kay came to faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 13 at Bethany Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove and enjoyed being an active member of Young Life at Lake Highlands High School and through college. Kay treasured her days at Texas Tech University, as well as her Kappa Alpha Theta sisters. She was known to be one of the kindest, most hospitable and faithful women many have ever known, and looked forward to rejoining her family in heaven, where there are no tears, and where her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ reigns supreme.

Athlete, Musician and Engineer

Charles Steven Moore

May 8, 1952 - April 11, 2020

On Saturday, April 11th, 2020, Charles Steven Moore, loving son, brother, uncle and friend passed away at the age of 67. Charles was born on May 8, 1952 in Dallas, TX to Walter and Jessie Moore. Growing up in Oak Cliff he went through a series of nicknames (Chucky, Chuck, Buster and Charlie). Charlie stuck. Charlie was a leader and stood out academically from a very early age. He was the first eagle scout of Troop 889 in Dallas in 1966 at the age of fourteen. He loved Philmont Scout Ranch and always held a leadership position in his troop.

Charlie was an avid athlete.  He was a fabulous tennis player and also excelled in basketball, volleyball, racquetball and golf.  He also enjoyed camping and hiking.  Charlie camped and hiked at many of the State Parks throughout the USA.  Charlie enjoyed water sports as well.  Charlie joined the North Texas Wind Riders and started windsurfing.

Charlie attended SMU and getting his Master’s degree in mechanical engineering. It was there where he shared a Master’s thesis in solar energy with his future business partners, Tom Ashley and their professor Harold Blum. This would be the catalyst for his business career. When they discovered there were no instruments to measure the success of their project, not to be deterred, they built their own measurement device. Realizing that solar energy was an important new alternate energy, the three of them started a small business “Devices & Services Co.” which Charlie remained a part of until his untimely death (over forty years).

When the solar energy growth slowed, he partnered up with Dr. Patrick Barr to pioneer teleradiology. His compression scheme allowed high density CT and MRI images to be sent over telephone lines for remote diagnosis. This technology allowed for the very first battlefield deployment of a CT, sending images back from the Persian Gulf to the Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. Their company “Images OnCall” was the technology leader in this new field, later partnering with GE.

Charlie was a talented musician and had a great love of not only the music, but the engineering behind the musical instruments. After Charlie’s father retired, he and his father began restoring old pump organs, often having to fabricate parts along the way. As their house filled up, they branched off into small antique mechanical music boxes. When Charlie couldn’t find enough music for them, he designed and built his own device to manufacture the music cylinders to play on the music boxes. He could replicate the old original tunes or create new cylinders (cobs) with modern songs. Creating these new arrangements for music boxes with limited capability required the combination of his knowledge of music theory and his engineering skills. He ran a small cottage business “Honor Rolls”, selling these new music cobs (a labor of love).

Above all, Charlie was a family man. And his family was not limited to his relatives. A nicer, kinder man you will never find, generous to a fault. Although Charlie had no children of his own, he enjoyed the time he spent with his niece and nephews taking them on camping trips or to the skating rink. Not only was he a wonderful uncle to his niece and nephews, he was also a Great uncle to his nephew’s children. He spent his last ten years caring for ailing relatives, father, mother and aunt.

Charlie was preceded in death by his father, Walter. He is survived by his mother, Jessie, his sister, Karen Vaughn, brothers Bruce and Kevin, brother in law Steve Vaughn and sister in law Angie Moore, several cousins, a niece and three nephews.

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A Memorial Service for Charlie will be held at a later date when gatherings are permitted. 
Please provide Angie Moore at ALM@devicesandservices.com with contact information so the family can notify you when the Celebration of Charlie’s life will be held.

Richard Jackson 'Rick' Sleeper 1952-2017

SLEEPER, Richard Jackson Richard Jackson "Rick" Sleeper was born on June 17, 1952 in Wagoner, Oklahoma to Walter "Jack" Jackson Sleeper Jr. and Teresa "Tess" Angela Marie Falcone and entered into eternal rest on July 30, 2017 in Dallas, Texas.

He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1970 having been a member of the Lake Highland High School Band and Boy Scout Troop 889. Rick was an excellent drummer and played in several rock bands including Stanback. He was active in the food industry starting at Safeway and retiring as a Regional Supervisor for Gourmet Award Foods.

Rick was a skilled wood worker and creative man. An active fisherman throughout his life, Rick invented lures including the innovative "Spoon Buddy", which sold in stores and on his website: bassmanonline.com. His fishing prowess was sponsored by Skeeter Boats/Plano Marine.

Rick was preceded in death by his father Walter "Jack" Jackson Sleeper Jr. Rick is survived by his mother, Teresa "Tess" Sleeper of Dallas, Texas; 2 brothers- Thomas Michael Sleeper and wife Sherri Tan Sleeper and Jack David Sleeper; 3 children - Justin Paul Sleeper, Christopher Michael Sleeper and wife Katherine Wagner Sleeper, and Richard Jackson Sleeper, Jr.; 6 grand-children- Peyton Rae Sleeper, Krew Jaxon Sleeper, Tess Sleeper, Emma Sleeper, Mahaela Sleeper and Richard Jackson Sleeper, III; 4 nieces and 2 nephews- Morgan Thomas Sleeper, Joshua Jackson Sleeper, Julia Laura Sleeper, Angela Kathryn Sleeper, Hana Justine Felisa Sleeper and Leyla Michelle Sleeper . A celebration of Rick's life was held at 9:30 AM, Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.

Randall Blair Ashby 1952-2021

Randall Blair Ashby
1952-2021

Randall Blair Ashby died unexpectedly Friday, March 19, 2021. Randy was born in Gatesville, Texas on January 27, 1952 to Paul and Eleanor Ashby, the third of four boys. He was a 6th generation Texan. His mother's family, the Blairs, arrived in 1845, and the Ashby family in 1854. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in North Dallas in 1970, and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a B.B.A. in Marketing with honors. He went on to study law and received his J.D. degree from the University of Houston Bates College of Law.
Waiting for his bar results, he worked at a restaurant as a server, the job that was the most consequential of his life. It was there that he met Mary. They married in 1982 and joyfully welcomed Timothy Andrew in 1989 and Matthew Paul in 1996. Randy loved Mer and their boys more than anything, especially cherishing their time camping and hiking together in the Texas Hill Country.

Upon graduating from law school, Randy worked as an attorney with the City of Houston Prosecutor's Office, then practiced law at Ross Banks. He was a partner at Waldron & Schneider for 28 years, joining the firm shortly after it was founded.

Randy was very active in his community, serving on the boards of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the Armand Bayou Nature Center, and was a member of The O.N.E. Group.

Randy's love of singing started early when he and his brothers would harmonize together as a family. His beautiful tenor voice was enjoyed by the members of St. Rose of Lima and St. Clare of Assisi Catholic parishes. He was also a former member of the Houston Choral Society.
Randy is survived by Mary, his loving wife of almost 39 years; sons, Timothy (fiancée Angela), and Matthew; brothers, Jerry Ashby and his wife, Sharon, and Doug Ashby and his wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Tina Ashby; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Therese Behrendt, Margaret and Ben Denson, Gary and Kuniko Wahlen, Joanne and Robert Johnson, David Wahlen, and Lissa Goodwin. He is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eleanor and Paul Ashby: brother, Wendell Ashby, aunts Doris Denman and Roberta Powell; his father and mother-in-law, Hank and Gloria Wahlen; and brothers-in-law, Greg Goodwin and Frank Behrendt.

Randy was an honorable man whose faith guided him throughout his life. His gentle nature and big hugs will be missed by all.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, in Houston Texas.
If desired, donations can be made to: Armand Bayou Nature Center, PO Box 58828, Houston, TX. 77258; Birthright of Houston, 1200 Blalock Rd. Ste. 104, Houston, TX. 77055; or Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2914 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX. 75204; or a charity of your choice.
For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit josephjearthman.com.

In Memory of Linda Geller Worzer

Linda Geller Worzer

January 4, 1953 – November 28, 2020

 Linda Geller Worzer, BMED, AAHCC, IBCLC, RLC, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2020 (the day of her late son, Matthew Christopher's birthday) surrounded by her daughters, son-in-law, and faithful cat, Skeeter.

 Founder of Natural Beginnings, Cesarean Awareness of Dallas, and VBAC of Dallas, Linda served and advocated for mothers and babies since 1977. As a kind friend and passionate mentor to so many in the birthing community, Linda served as a board-certified lactation consultant, a DONA birth Doula trainer, Bradley Method Childbirth educator, and birth Doula. She was a Laleche League Leader and administrator, a charter member of Doulas of North America (DONA), served on the DONA board, received Advanced Doula Designation, attended close to 700 births, and educated thousands of parents in North Texas through her career.

She dedicated her life to serving God, her family, had a love for animals great and small, and was kind to all. A music education graduate of Texas Christian University in 1974, Linda spent her formative years at Lake Highlands High School (Class of 1970) where she met her high school sweetheart, Richard. In 1972, Linda and Richard were married. They built a family of four children and were married for 25 years before Richard's death in 1998. 

She is survived by her daughters Meagan Worzer Troquille, Whitney Worzer, and Sarah Worzer; sons-in-law Josh Troquille, Tony Petrosino, and Eric Elliott; grandchildren Hayden De La Garza, Andrew Petrosino, Isabella Troquille, and Isabella Petrosino; niece Nicole Worzer and nephew Robert Worzer; as well as a host of extended family members. She will be missed by all who knew her as she made a meaningful impact on so many lives.

Linda was preceded in death, joining her husband Richard, son Matthew, and parents Fern and Carl Geller in heaven.

Thank you to everyone who supported Linda with prayers, gifts, and love over the final years of her life as she courageously faced colon cancer. Your outpouring of love and community of care made a difference in her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JDRF of Dallas: https://www.jdrf.org

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A viewing will be held Wednesday, December 2 from 1pm-5pm at Williams Funeral Home, 1600 S. Garland Avenue, Garland, Texas 75040.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 3 at 3pm. Due to safety restrictions, attendance is limited to immediate family but we invite everyone to join us in celebration of Linda via LiveStream at https://www.fumcr.com/live or https://www.youtube.com/fumcr

Stephen Michael Johnson

Steven Michael Johnson, age 68, passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2020, after a hard-fought battle against cancer and accompanying health issues. Steve was born in Kansas City, MO to Charles and Anna Lee Johnson on December 10, 1951. He Spent his childhood all over the Midwest until settling in Dallas, TX for his best high school years. There he was a proud member of the Lake Highlands Wildcat Football Team and graduated with the class of 1970.

After high school Steve attended UTA in Texas before moving to California where he majored in English Literature at US Santa Barbara. He was born bibliophile with a true passion for book and poetry. His other great love was music. Steve loved discovering new bands/singers/song writer before they were famous. If you asked him, he basically discovered Bruce Springsteen.

In 1978 Steve bought a lawnmower which led to the establishment of Steve Johnson Landscaping and a successful 40 year career creating natural works of art to bring to people joy. He was meticulous with his work and enjoyed getting to know his customers. His earliest business cards offered “Intellectual Conversation Free of Charge!” Steve loved nothing more than meaningful conversations and making other laugh with his quirky sense of humor.

He loved his landscaping business and being part of his community. For many years, Steve enjoyed teaching citizenship and landscaping classes at night through the South Bay Adult School. He was also an active member of AA for decades and treasured his “Manly Man” meetings as he called them. Our family would like to thank his AA family, especially his sponsor, for saving and supporting him; you helped him to feel a part of something much bigger than himself.

in 2011, Steve was diagnosed with Throat cancer. He endured unforgiving treatment and went into remission, but it left his body vulnerable to complications. He fought incredibly hard for his daughter, for his sisters and for time with his granddaughter. When he had exhausted his body and spirit, Steve passed away at home comfortably and peacefully, just the way he wanted.

Our Dad was not a religious man, but if we were to paint a picture of heaven for him, it would consist of: great literature, the perfect cup of coffee, a vast record collection, long meandering drives, strolls through botanical gardens, the Browns winning the Super Bowl, visits with friends and family, and more time with his granddaughters. We love him and will forever miss him, his humor, his illness… he was one of a kind. He was ours.

Steve will be missed by sisters Linda, Judy and Jennifer; daughters Corie (Kyle) and Stephanie, and grand daughters Wyatt and Heidi.

David Power in Memory

David Richard Power, age 67, of Wimberley, Texas was born in Victoria, TX on May 20th, 1952 to James Talford Power II and Doris Jean Britton Power. He passed away on April 17th, 2020.

David graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, TX in 1970. While attending high school at Lake Highlands he was a drum major and was a two time member of the all state band in 1969 and 1970. After graduating he went on to attend college at the University of Texas at Austin where he was a member of the Longhorn band from 1970-1971, a member of the University of Texas Symphonic band from 1970-1973 and a member of the University of Texas Symphonic wind/string ensemble in 1973. He graduated from UT in 1974.

David married Mary Beth Evans on October 2nd, 1976. They welcomed their son, Ben on November 22nd, 1986. David retired from the State of Texas with 23 years of service in October 2009. David was a man of honesty and integrity. He will be sorely missed by many friends and family members.

He is survived by his son Ben; brother, James, sister in law Alyson Anderson and her husband Rodney, brother in law Terry Evans and his wife Donna and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. David's funeral service were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas. A Memorial Service will be conducted in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of choice. God bless David and may he rest in eternal peace.

Published in Austin American-Statesman on May 11, 2020