OBITUARIES
Paul Henry Prater
Paul Henry Prater
July 30, 1928 – March 30, 2015
BOWIE – Paul Henry Prater, 86, passed away March 30, 2015 in Bowie, TX.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. April 6 at the First United Methodist Church, 1515 N. Jefferson St. Bowie with pastors Mona Millard and Elizabeth Turner Talbert officiating.
Paul was born on July 30, 1928, one of nine children to W.H. and Anna Belle (Ratliff) Prater. He graduated from Bowie High School in 1947 and was awarded a four year scholarship to play basketball at Texas Wesleyan College in Ft. Worth. There he received his degree in PE/Science and later a masters in education from the University of North Texas in Denton.
He served two years in the Army. In 1954 he and Bettie Broom were married at the First Methodist Church in Bowie. After teaching 31 years, he retired in 1990. He and Bettie enjoyed square dancing with the Jim Bowie and Swinging Stars for 25 years. They traveled throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.
They also visited and photographed all 254 county courthouses in Texas. Although he loved to play golf, his health prevented him from this after 2003, but not before he shot a hole-in-one, his dream!
Paul is survived by his wife, Bettie Prater, Bowie; children, David and Sandy Prater, Crowley, Lydia and Richard McMullen, Dallas, and Paula Prater, Austin; grandchildren, Trenton and Christy Case, LaPorte, Brittany Case, Dallas; Lauren Prater, Ft. Worth, Chris and Alysia Prater, Boulder, CO. and Aubre Ferguson, Dallas; sister, Anna Morris, Tyler; sister-in-law, Shirley Prater, Georgetown; brother-in-law, John Canon, Orangedale, CA; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 778, Bowie, TX 76230 or Alzheimer’s Association at Wichita Falls Region 901 Indiana, Suite 350, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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