OBITUARIES
Iris Leah Craft
Iris Leah Craft
May 27, 1925 – January 24, 2016
CORPUS CHRISTI – Iris Leah Craft, 80, passed away on Jan. 24, 2016.
A visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Terral Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be graveside at the Terral Cemetery at 2 p.m. Feb. 1 with the Rev. Mona Millard of the First United Methodist Church of Bowie officiating.
She was born May 27, 1925 in Yale OK to Ira and Billie Canfield. Iris graduated high school in Stillwater OK in 1953 and continued her education at Oklahoma State University. From there she graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon PA in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Iris met her husband, Tom Craft while attending Oklahoma State, and from there the adventures began. In their early years, they lived in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Later, they settled in Arizona and stayed there until retirement. They finally moved to Bowie, where they spent many happy years together in retirement.
While on their many adventures, Iris was very active in the community. She was a leader in the 4H, served on the board and wrote articles for the Sunburst newspaper. She was active in support of the city of Phoenix and worked on Rose Moffatts campaign in Arizona. Also very active in her church, she held many positions of leadership throughout the years.
Iris was a devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Iris is survived by her husband Thomas Craft; daughters, Susan Giesing and Amy Craft; son, Jeff Craft all of Corpus Christi; two sisters, Cynthia Barnes, Oklahoma City and Judi Simon, Memphis, TN; sister-in-law, Helen Gunter, Terral; brother, Bill Canfield, Tyler; five grandchildren, Felicia Lasso, Alexandra Lasso, Jeremy Lasso, Declan Craft, Augustin Craft; one great grandchild, Bentley Lasso; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Condolences may be sent to terralfh@pldi.net.
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Comanche Funeral Home
203 Church Ave., Comanche, OK 73529
580-439-8822 | comanchefh@pldi.net
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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