COUNTY LIFE
By DANI BLACKBURN
[email protected]
A local family grieving the loss of their father is trying to save the life of their brother, Clarence James Kittrell, by finding a donor for his failing kidneys.
The 40-year-old currently resides in Paradise with his wife, Lindsey, and six-year-old daughter, Ava, and has family and many friends in the Bowie area.
Kittrell, who goes by “CJ,” attended Bowie Independent School District in elementary and junior high. One of eight siblings, he was a healthy child and teenager, but his life drastically changed when he fell ill at the age of 24. Doctors scrambled to find answers for his failing health.
Near death and weighing less than 100 pounds, his doctor’s physician assistant suggested he be tested for juvenile diabetes. The test results confirmed the diagnosis, just in time to save his life.
“After he graduated he was no longer active in sports. We were told his body was maintaining because he was so active, but after he graduated he was no longer in sports and that is when the diabetes started going out of control,” explained his sister, Wanda Truax, of Bowie. “They never thought to test him for diabetes, but he had it his whole life and we just didn’t know it.”
However, even on his death bed, Kittrell never lost the spark that his family and friends love so dearly.
“He is the life of the family. He is always making jokes and putting everyone in a good mood and he is never in a bad mood. Even on his ‘death bed’, he was trying to make everyone else feel good,” recalled Truax.
Many encouraged Kittrell to draw disability after being so sick, but he took the opposite road.
“I fought it. I told others no and instead I found the hardest job I could working for Patterson Drilling as a hot shot driver working 18 to 20-hour work shifts. My dad told me never give up, and if you are going to do it give it 100 percent every time, so that’s what I do,” explained Kittrell.
Read the full feature on this family in the weekend News.
Pictured above are: CJ Kittrell is shown with his wife Lindsey and daughter Ava. The family waits for a donor kidney for CJ. (Courtesy photo)
Enjoy a free comic book day mini-convention 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 4 at the Bowie Public Library in conjunction with Freakz & Geeks of Bowie.
There will be arts and crafts, comics, a costume contest, special guests, BTXFG exclusive swag give-aways, a video game high-score tournament, vendors and more.
Whether you’re a cosplayer ready to break out your costume, a gaming fanatic looking to throw down, or simply looking for a day of family-friendly fun and entertainment, there’s something for everyone at the Mini Con.
Don’t miss out – come join the festivities and support your local Freaky Geeky community.
Gold-Burg High School’s one-act play, “Interview,” advanced out of area competition Friday earning a place on the stage for regionals along with Slidell and Avery. Saint Jo received the alternate play.
The Bears will travel to Plano on April 26 for regional 1A University Interscholastic League competition, the last stop before state. Director Linda Fitzner said she will provide additional details on times and locations as soon as they are released to her.
Corbin Gilbert received All-Star cast, Arin Turner and Levi Hellinger, received honorable mention All-Star cast and Lexie Eat received the outstanding sound award. Fitzner said she is so “Proud of our Bears.”
Read the full story that includes results for Saint Jo and Bowie in the mid-week Bowie News.
Pictured above: Gold-Burg High School’s cast and crew of its one-act play at area. (Courtesy photo)
Officials with the Nocona Chamber of Commerce, Nocona VFW and LG Lemons Art Gallery are happy to announce the first ever poetry, prose, and tall tales event called “Rhymin’ at the Justin.”
The presentations are scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 26 at the H.J. Justin Community Room at 100 Clay in downtown Nocona. Area writers such as David Smith from Waxahachie and others from as far away as Cache and Duncan, OK, Decatur, and Wichita Falls who have a passion for “wordsmithing” will read or recite some of their original material.
The event is free to the public. Table seating will be available for all and you may bring your own dinner and drinks, if you wish. No glass bottles, please. Call or text Larry G Lemons at 940-366-5782, if you need more information.
This new event joins the popular musical jam welcoming area musicians the last Saturday of each month.
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