OBITUARY: Pete Melvin Ussery, 89, of Llano dies March 8, 2014
Pete Melvin Ussery, the son of Pete J. and Lillie (Chambers) Ussery, was born Feb. 14, 1925, in Gorman, Texas, and died after a long illness on March 8, 2014, in Llano, Texas, at the age of 89.
He attended school in Alameda, Gorman and Pioneer, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. In January 1946, he returned to his family now living in the northern Texas Panhandle. He attended and graduated from Guymon High School in Guymon, Okla., where he met the love of his life, Miss Helen Imler. Pete and Helen were united in marriage on Nov. 1, 1946, in Hugoton, Kan.
Pete Melvin followed his father into employment with the Phillips Petroleum Co., where he worked for 38 years. He worked in the Texas Panhandle and later in the area of Warda, Texas. He retired in 1985, and he and Helen moved to the retirement home they built in Llano County.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifton, TW and Lee Ussery; sister Francis Nesbitt; nephews Earl, Wayne and Byron; and granddaughter Rachael.
He is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Helen Ann McCollum and Joe Ussery; grandchildren Pete, Lee and Wayne; and great-grandchildren, Rachael, Ryan Pete, Hayden, Nolan and Bella.
He never met a stranger and was loved and cherished by many friends.
A graveside service is 2 p.m. March 12 at Pioneer Cemetery with Pastor Leslie Tomlinson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.
Arrangements by Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 307 E. Sandstone in Llano, (325) 247-4300. Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net with condolences.