Laura June Close (Stubblefield)

Laura June Stubblefield Close died on September 15, 2010 at HospiceCare Center in Louisville, Colorado. She was 74 years old. She was born on June 22, 1936 in Amarillo, Texas to Robert Earl and Evelyn (Cline) Stubblefield. June was the second of four children.

June graduated from McLean High School in 1954. She attended West Texas State University and Southwest Oklahoma State University, obtaining her degree in Education. She later also obtained her Paralegal Degree. She spent over 20 years teaching in elementary and middle schools in Lela and McLean, Texas and in Oklahoma.

June was united in marriage to Bryan Close on December 27, 1956 in McLean, Texas. They made their home on a ranch near Shamrock, Texas. The ranch life was home to three children Alan, Bence, and Laura. In 2001, she married Garth Thomas of McLean, Texas.

June was active in numerous churches in Texas and Oklahoma, serving as pianist, organist, and Sunday school teacher. She was also active in the Shamrock and Texas Grand Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron and Fraternal Correspondent. In addition, June was Mother Advisor in the International Order of Rainbow Girls.

June thoroughly enjoyed cooking and entertaining guests. She was always eager to provide meals to hunters visiting the ranch and also enjoyed processing and preparing the fish and game. Enjoyment and care for wildlife and nature was always a big part of June’s life. She was an avid reader, particularly of history and evolution of modern Africa, and also enjoyed poetry.

June was preceded in death by her son Alan Close, her parents, her brother Jerry Stubblefield, and granddaughter Bobbi Lee Close.

She is survived by her son Bence Close and wife Kim of Mead, Colorado; daughter Laura Close of Frederick, Colorado; granddaughters Taylor and Lexi Close of Mead, Colorado; her husband Garth Thomas of McLean, Texas; her brother Robert Stubblefield of Bryan, Texas; sister Donna (Stubblefield) Light of Amarillo, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the Lovett Memorial Library, P.O. Box 8, McLean, Texas 79057 or American Cancer Society, 3915 Bell Street, Amarillo, Texas 79109. Cremation and arrangements have been entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Cremation Services in Longmont, Colorado. A memorial service and celebration of June’s life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 9, 2010 at Calvary Christian Fellowship, 913 S. Main Street in Shamrock, Texas with Pastor Joe Jernigan officiating.

Please share your thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.