Velda Clayton Romans

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home’s Chapel of Memories with the Rev. Tommy Fulgham officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40.

Velda was born Dec. 31, 1933, in Bowling Green, Ky., to James Walter and Ann Wilson Romans. He grew up and attended school in Bowling Green. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy. He was a flight engineer with Mad Foxes. His squadron was in charge of doing “erosion studies” up and down the Russian coastline. He married Martha Gayle Swindle on Jan. 26, 1961, in Port Charlotte, Fla.

He received his associate degree from Amarillo College. He worked for Clarksville Base and then moved on to work at Pantex for more than 35 years in the field of metrology. He worked with 4-H children in all the shooting sports, hunter safety and shooting competitions. He loved woodworking, camping, fishing and gardening, but, most of all, Velda was a hippie at heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Jimmy Romans.

Survivors include his wife, Gayle; a son, Henry Romans and wife Jana of Amarillo; a daughter, Darenda Keeton and husband Danny of Amarillo; a very special family friend, Randy Whetzel and wife Luci Hayes of Amarillo;

a sister, Betty Martin of

Chino Hills, Calif.; and five grandchildren, Allyson, Ashley, Olivia, Charlie and Grace.

The family suggests memorials be to the Food Bank of the High Plains, 815 Ross St., Amarillo, TX 79102; or M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute, 1515 Holcomb Blvd., Houston, TX 77030.

Sign the online guest book at www.memorialparkamarillo.com.