OBITUARIES
Frank Massey
Frank Massey
September 5, 1934 – May 6, 2018
RINGGOLD – Frank Massey, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 6, 2018.
A celebration of his life will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 19 at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 West University and Denton. A private interment will be in the future.
Frank was born Sept. 5, 1934, in Johnson County to Edgar and Leota (Stephens) Massey. He was raised in Burleson along with his brothers, Clymoth, Billy and Charles, and a sister, Helen.
Frank graduated from Burleson High School in 1951. He was proud to be his senior class president, as well as being an accomplished basketball player. He received basketball scholarships to Decatur Baptist College, and later to Texas Wesleyan College, where he graduated in 1956.
Frank began his career at Humble Oil. Soon after, he began his teaching and coaching career at Gold-Burg High School. He loved coaching boys and girls’ basketball, track and baseball. He took the girls basketball team to the state championship tournament in 1965.
In 1967, Frank was approached about becoming the first State Farm representative in Bowie. He was an immediate success, and in 1977 was appointed to agency manager. He continued working for State Farm until his retirement in 1995.
He received many honors and awards, including being an 11 time millionaire qualifier, and seven-time Legion of Honor qualifier. Frank always said he was most proud of the fine people he brought into the agency with State Farm.
In 1955, Frank married Stella Morris in Decatur. They were blessed with three sons, Lee Ray, David and Steven. Frank and Stella raised their family in Bowie. Frank often spoke about how thankful he was that his boys graduated from Bowie High School.
He was especially grateful for their mother, and the many great teachers and coaches at BHS that kept them on track. He was very proud of the boys academic and athletic successes while at BHS and he treasured his memories of those years.
Frank was also blessed with four grandsons, Blaine, Landon, Carson and Nathan, and he loved them all dearly. He cherished his time with them and was so proud of the fine men they have become.
Frank later moved to Denton after marrying his second wife, Kathy. He was an active member of Trinity Methodist Church and loved to play golf at Denton Country Club. Frank was also blessed to be a part of Kathy’s children’s lives, Ward, Chuck, Wes and Chris, and their families.
Frank moved to Ringgold in 2005, where he spent his last years with his special partner and companion, Kathy Frank. His family is forever grateful for all of the love and care taking Kathy provided Frank.
In his spare time, Frank enjoyed golfing, and was very proud of having scored three holes-in-one. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially those his grandsons were playing, and spending time outdoors with his special dogs, Biscuit and Molly. He also enjoyed the periodic trip to Winstar Casino.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Leota Massey; brothers, Billy Massey and Charles Massey; sister, Helen Wilson and a dearly loved niece, Renee Bruce.
He is survived by his three sons, Lee Ray (Kristine), David (Jackie) and Steven (Dawn); his four grandsons, Blaine, Landon (Delaney), Carson and Nathan; his brother, Clymoth (Jeannie) Massey; Stella Massey Helf; Kathy Massey; Kathy Frank; and several nieces and nephews.
Paid publication
DeBerry Funeral Directors
2025 W University Dr, Denton, TX 76201
940-383-4200 | www.deberryfuneraldirectors.com
November 20, 1938 – June 16, 2025
BOWIE – Roger Leon Swaim, 86, went to be with his Lord on June 16, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.
A graveside service took place at 10 a.m. on June 19 at the Sunset Cemetery in Sunset.
Roger was born Nov. 20, 1938 to Jim and Eunice (Henton) Swaim in Sunset. He attended school in Alvord. After graduation, he joined the United States Army and spend 18 months in Germany. Roger married Glenda Hamilton in 1965. He worked as an oil field pumper. Roger was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church in Bowie. During his last years here on earth his greatest joy was watching his seven beloved great-grandchildren grow.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Anita Clayton and husband Junior; brother, Nelson and wife Velda; sister-in-law, Janice Swaim; friend who was like a brother, Eldon Hunter and wife Margaret; and three nephews, Johnny, Bobbie and Gary Clayton.
Roger is survived by his wife Glenda; sons, Jason Swaim, and Jared Swaim and wife Michele; four grandchildren, Kaylynn Wood and husband Tanner, Madison Hardy and husband Gary, Dillon Swaim and Jadon Swaim; brother, Carroll Swaim; and seven great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
Paid publication
June 27, 1954 – June 22, 2025
NOCONA – Randy Bowles, 70, died on June 22, 2025 in Wichita Falls, TX.
There was a visitation from 6-7 p.m. on June 25 at Jerry Woods Chapel.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on June 26 at Abundant Life Church in Nocona, officiated by Pastor James Messer.
Interment will follow in Nocona Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cody Messer, Craig Carminati, Dusty Bowles, Ty Bowles, Kirk Bowles and Brian Cagle. Honorary pallbearers will be Rusty Messer and Jeff Boutwell.
He was born on June 27, 1954 in Nocona to Rowland and Barbara Musick Bowles. Bowles worked for Montague County as a foreman for 36 years. Before that he worked at the Nocona Boot Company. He was a member of Abundant Life Church and Jean’s Men’s Bible Class in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Carlton Bowles; sister, Barbara Jeanene Bowles Williams, and niece, Amanda Jeanene Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Robin Bowles, Nocona; children, Scott Bowles, Henrietta, Toby Bowles, Nocona, Brady Bowles, Iowa Park, Rowdy Graham, Lewisville, Angie Blackwood, Burleson, Candy Brasier, Burleson and Misty Buckingham, Cleburne; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Jean’s Men’s Bible Class, c/o Scott Hamilton, 601 Main St., Nocona, TX 76255.
August 29, 1963 – June 5, 2025
NOCONA – Brenda Sue Durham Jones, 61, died on June 5, 2025 in Nocona, TX with her sisters and niece by her side.
A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. on June 29 at Terral First Baptist Church in Terral, OK with Pastor Mark Kunkel officiating.
She was born on Aug. 29, 1963 in Bowie to Curtis Don Durham and Emma Nell Reynolds.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Nell Durham; grandparents, Earl and Ruby Reynolds; and brother, Jerry Durham.
She is survived by her husband, Allan Gann, Nocona; children, Misty Torres, New Mexico, Lisa Jones, Gordonville, Chris Jones, Whitney and Tony Jones, Bowie; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; sisters, Beverly Jones, Bowie, Barbara Foster, Bowie, Betty Patton,Waco, Becky McCullar, Stoneburg and Bobbie Barnett, Stoneburg; brother, Curtis Durham Jr., Bowie and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS2 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS3 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint