Published in the Hazard Herald 28 Sept. 2011 ***************************************** Jack Coomer Jack Coomer, 71, departed this life on Friday, September 23 at the Hazard Hospice Care Center. Jack was born in Perry County, the son of the late Nancy Ellen Stacy, and was also preceded in death by granddaughter Jessica Rose. He was a lifelong resident of Perry County and owner of Coomer's Grocery in Lothair for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, Alma Coomer of Lothair; daughters Jackie Coomer and Cathy Coomer Rose, both of Lothair; sisters Doris Combs of Jeff, Ethel Campbell of Jeff and Shelby Jean Grigsby of Winchester; granddaughter Paige Rose and great-grandson Jackson Blake Rose, along with a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted on Monday, September 26 at the Engle-Walker Funeral Home of Hazard with H.C. Robertson officiating. Burial followed in the Combs & Cole Cemetery at Lothair. ***************************************** Omar Gillum Snyder Lt. Col. Omar Gillum Snyder (Ret.) passed peacefully on September 18 in New Braunfels, Texas. He was born to Elsie Lolita Gillum Snyder and James Frederick Snyder on January 18, 1929, delivered by his grandfather and uncle, at the Hurst-Snyder Hospital in Hazard, Kentucky. He spent his early years in Hazard working at his father's ice house and Budweiser distributorship, delivering ice via pickup truck to rural Perry County. He also spent extended time in Jackson, Kentucky with a special grandmother, Maude Ewen Gillum, where he often attended school. After graduating from Hazard High School in 1947 and a brief stint at the University of Louisville, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served honorably for 26 years. During this time he fulfilled numerous overseas commands, with two tours in Vietnam, and received multiple awards and commendations, including the Airman's Medal. Omar became an expert aircraft mechanic and squadron leader in the field of C-5s, C-130s and helicopters. He was also squadron leader for a team of rescue helicopters during tours in Vietnam. Subsequent to his Air Force career, he worked for Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a gun enthusiast who over the years maintained his Expert Marksman status and was a member of the NRA. His other passions included fishing, restoring and collecting antique coffee mills and cast iron cookware. Omar is preceded in death by his only sibling, Charles Dana Snyder. He is survived by his children Frederick Raymond Snyder and wife Meg of Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico; Karen Snyder Nolen and husband Hunter of New Braunfels, Texas; grandchildren Robert Branham Snyder, Miranda Elizabeth Snyder, Marshall Hunter Nolen and Marina Katherine Nolen; a nephew and two nieces. He is also survived by Jean Snyder Bianchi of Somerset, Kentucky; Mary Ann Fitzpatrick Miller of Nicholsville, Kentucky, Ann Hobbs Quillen, Elizabeth Snyder Duncan, and B.J. Ewen of Hazard, Kentucky. Visitation was held at Zoeller Funeral Home on September 26 with full military honors and burial to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, at 1:45 p.m. ****************************************** Wanda Fugate Wanda Faye Fugate, 76, of London, died Tuesday, September 20 at The Heritage in Corbin, Kentucky. She was born on November 21, 1934 in Perry County, the daughter of the late Howard and Mabel Marshall Dunsil. She was united in marriage to James Elmer Fugate, who preceded her in death. She is survived by six children: Rose Wilson of London, Sandra Wyatt and husband, Johnny of Corbin, Diana Grigsby and husband Tony of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Robert J. Fugate and wife Deb of Viper, Jeffrey Fugate and wife Connie of Jamestown, Kentucky, and Chris Fugate of Vine Grove, Kentucky; sisters Alice Branson of Maces Creek, Coleen Sparks of Las Vegas, Nevada, Betty Lou Morgan of Hazard, Marsha Campbell of Beattyville, and Yvonne Dunsil of Lexington; brothers Alvin Dunsil of Clearwater, Florida, Joel Howard Dunsil of Hazard, and Darrell Dunsil of Lexington, along with 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, plus a host of other friends and relatives to mourn her passing. In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by one brother, Chris Dunsil, and sisters Billie Jean Ritchie and Ruth Ann Hurt. She was a retired x-ray receptionist at Hazard ARH. Funeral services were conducted on Friday, September 23 in the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel with Rick Hamilton officiating. Burial followed in the Callie Farler Cemetery at Viper, Kentucky. Pallbearers were Joshua, Matthew, Shane, Wesley, and James Fugate and Jeffrey Wilson. ****************************************** Donna Hubbard Donna Kaye Day Hubbard, 45, departed this life on Thursday, September 22 at the Hazard Hospice Care Center. Donna was born in Hazard. the daughter of Jim Day and JoAnn Cole Day, and was a lifelong resident of Perry County. She was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Jeffrey Day. She is survived by her husband, Bill Hubbard of Hazard; daughter Brandi Jo Danielle Hubbard of Hazard; father Jim Day of Morehead; mother JoAnn Day of Hazard; step daughter Gena Christine Hubbard of Ypsalanti, Michigan; special sister Khristy Kahrig of Ashland, Ky.; aunt Martha Sparkman of Christopher; special cousins Karen Feltner and Gina Bates; special friends Danny and Francis Saul, and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, September 25 at the Engle-Walker Perry County Chapel on Morton Blvd. with Mike Barnett and Danny Saul officiating. Interment followed in the Resthaven Cemetery located at Jeff. ******************************************* Debra Kay Messer Debra Kay Messer, 38, of Hazard, passed away Wednesday, September 21 at the Hazard ARH medical center. She was the daughter of the late Ernest Coots and Mary Coots. She is also survived by her husband, Willie "Bo" Messer, Jr.; daughters Brittni Marshelle Hardcastle, Elizabeth Leeann Hardcastle and Crista Ernie Mechelle Messer; son Andrew William Messer; brother Mark Coots; grandchildren Gregory James Bailey, Jayden Bo Messer and Payton Ann Wilson, along with a host of family and friends. Arrangements were handled by Maggard Brothers Funeral Home of Hazard where the family received friends on Saturday, September 24. Services were held on Sunday, September 25 with Earl Oliver officiating. Interment was at Messer Family Cemetery at Scuddy. ******************************************** Emma Doris Hatfield Emma Doris Hatfield, 82, of Hazard, died Thursday, September 22 at Mary Breckenridge Hospital in Hyden. She was the daughter of the late Lewis Clevenger and the late Alyce Johnson Clevenger, and was also preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Hatfield; stepmother Maxie Clevenger and brothers Ralph and Jack Clevenger. She is survived by daughters Billie Susan Hatfield and Judy Lindon and husband Jimmy; sisters Joyce Freels and Mary Hatfield; brothers Bruce Clevenger; sister-in-law Zettie Ratliff and husband Bob; special friend Flara Lewis; grandchildren Taylor McKee (Tyler Wilson), Jason (Traci), John (Cindy) and Joey (Tori); great-grandchildren Cailin Lindon, Rayce Lindon, Brylei McKee, Rylen Lindon and Rydge Beverly; along with a host of family and friends. Arrangements were handled by Maggard Mountain View Chapel of Hazard where the family received friends on Saturday, September 24. Services were held on Sunday, September 25 with Henry Clay Robertson officiating. Interment was at Hatfield Cemetery at Meta, Ky. ********************************************* Larry Edward Walker Larry Edward Walker, 52, of Hazard, passed away Saturday, September 24. He was the son of the late Walter Walker and Geraldine Walker, and was also preceded in death by his brother, Walter Dwayne Walker, and sister Rebecca Gwen Akers. He is also survived by his daughter, Billie Jean Walker; sons Jonathan Walker and Ora Lee Walker; brothers Terry Walker and Timothy Walker; grandchild Ebony Walker and a host of family and friends. Arrangements are being handled by Maggard Mountain View Chapel of Hazard where the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27. Services will follow with Merrill David Collins officiating. Interment will be at Walker Family Cemetery at Lotts Creek. *********************************************** Vernia Brewer Vernia Hicks Brewer, 91, passed away Monday, September 19 at the Hazard hospice care center. She was the daughter of the late Ezra Hicks and the late Polly Combs Hicks, and was also preceded in death by her first husband, Sidney Gayheart; second husband McKinley Brewer; step sons Henry, Jonas and Bill Brewer; brothers Chester, Elijah and Eldon; and sisters Mabel and Vada. She was a lifelong resident of Perry County and a member of the Dwarf Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, senior citizens and going to church. She is survived by sons Wallace Patrick and wife Mary of Middletown, Ohio, Everett Cox and wife Jan of Germantown, Ohio, Harold Gayheart of Hazard, J.C. Brewer and Gladys of Dwarf, Mack Brewer and wife Sheryl of Dwarf, Ezra Brewer and wife Mary of Dwarf and Albert Dale Brewer and wife Shella of Dwarf; daughters Polly Roberts and husband Roscoe of Georgetown and Blanche Everage and husband Daymon of Emmalena; brothers Carter, James, Curtis and Curlis Hicks; sisters Irene Cundiff Burge, Maggie Smiley, Emaline Combs and Evetta Dickerson; 54 grandchildren, 106 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, September 22 noon with Randall Combs officiating. Burial was in the Brewer Cemetery located at Dwarf. Arrangements were handled by Engle Walker Funeral Home of Hazard. ***********************************************