Wayne Couch

SERVICES: 2:00 PM Thursday, May 17, 2007, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa, with Rev. Fines Marchman, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Skellytown, officiating.BURIAL: Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa with military rites courtesy of U. S. Army, Ft. Hood, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Couch was born March 6, 1924 in Goree. He was the youngest of four children born to Bill & Leah (Mamma) Couch. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He graduated from high school in Goree. He joined the U. S. Army in April of 1943 in Abilene, Texas and received his boot camp training at Camp Hood in Killeen, Texas. Sgt. Couch was a squad leader serving with the 41st Division in the South Pacific, SOU Philippines in World War II. He earned an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, Combat Infantry badges with two Bronze Stars, one Bronze Arrowhead, and a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat on March 21, 1945. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946. Wayne married Jean Howard on July 4, 1947 and moved to Pampa where he worked for Cabot Corp. He retired from Cabot Tech Service in 1988. Jean preceded him in death in 1990. He owned and operated Couch's Café in Skellytown from 1989 until 1996. He belonged to the First Baptist Church of Skellytown. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and belonged to the Pampa Masonic Lodge #966 AF & AM. SURVIVORS: 1 Son: Bill Couch of Buda. 3 Grandchildren: Wm. Jared Couch and Leah Jean Couch, both of Buda, and Chelesa Couch Nietenhoefer and her husband Alan, and 2 great-grandsons, Austin and Kellan all of Perkins, Oklahoma, and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Manchaca Optimist Youth Sports Club, P.O. Box 444, Manchaca, Texas 78652