Individual Details

Death

Richard Dale Furr, 76, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011 in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Brian Mashburn, minister at Southwest Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cottage Hills Cemetery in McKinney. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Dale was born Sept. 21, 1934, in Prosper to C.L. and Jessie Furr. He grew up on a farm and ranch in Ray’s Mill. Dale earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Sam Houston State College in 1958. In 1959, he earned his Masters in Animal Nutrition from Oklahoma State University and in 1961 his PHD in Animal Nutrition from OSU also. He did research and extension work at the University of Hawaii, was superintendent of the Texas Tech Research Center in Amarillo, and was one of the original owners of Friona Industries. He was a nutritionist at Hi-Pro Feeds and had been an independent consulting nutritionist to feed yards since 1977. He was most satisfied when he had given his best to customers and any project he had worked on. Dale had authored in excess of 100 Scientific and Popular Publications primarily dealing with Beef Cattle Nutrition. Dale married Jan in August of 1985 in Hereford. They resided there until moving to Amarillo in 2000. He loved golfing on a “par 3 course,” seasonal pheasant hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Southwest Church of Christ. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Clarence G. and Ralph Furr. He is survived by his wife Jan of the home; a son, Daryl Furr of Los Angeles; a brother, Jack Furr and his wife June of McKinney; a sister, Carolyn Shaw and her husband Butch of Denton; two sisters-in-law, Dee Furr of Prosper and Pat Furr of McKinney,; three stepsons, Shannon, Kyle and Gary Prater of Canadian; and a stepdaughter, Jennifer Mills and her husband Luke of Canadian; and nine grandchildren, Kayla, Evan, Bailey, Christopher, Tanner, MadiCinn, Tripp, Sophia, and Blaze. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggest memorials be to the High Plains Children’s home, 11461 S. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79118—4119; or the Alzheimer’s Academy, c/o TTUHSC, 1400 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79106.
Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 1, 2011