COUNTY LIFE
Reflecting on a high flying life

Dean Sanders ready to celebrate 100th

Dean Sanders celebrates his 100th birthday on July 2. He plans to spend the weekend with family and friends.
By DANI BLACKBURN
[email protected]
“I intend to live forever. So far so good” reads a comfortable sweatshirt worn by Dean Sanders at his home at Advanced Rehab in Bowie. The World War II navy veteran will come closer than many to doing just that as he celebrates his 100th birthday on July 2.
Although he proudly wears the comical sweatshirt with the famous Stephen Wright quote, he explains he never actually thought he would live to see his 100th birthday.
“Oh goodness no, I never thought I would turn 100,” said Sanders. “I’ll enjoy it, I’m sure. It’s just one of those things.”
Don’t expect the centenarian to let you in on the reason behind his longevity, because his ornery personality shines through when asked for the secret.
“Yep, I have a secret to turning 100. It’s a secret,” he laughed.
Sanders will celebrate with family and friends all weekend long.
The centenarian was born in Erath County by Stephenville to Roy Dean and Bertie Sanders as the oldest of five children. He moved with his family to Bowie as a pre-teen. Sanders graduated Bowie High School in 1936 and chose North Texas University for the next step in his education. However, before he could graduate, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
“I was still in school at the time,” recalled Sanders. “I was a prime candidate for the war because of my age, but I received a deferment until I could graduate.”
Sanders graduated in 1942 with a bachelor degree in economics and a minor in government. After the attack on the United States, Sanders also began volunteering as an aviation cadet until he received his diploma.
Read the full story in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
Panther kicker named homecoming queen

Kyler Dunn was crowned homecoming queen for Saint Jo High School Friday night and was escorted by her father Charlie Dunn. She is senior class president and kicker on the football team, among other activities. (Photo by Jordan Neal)
(Cover photo) Homecoming Queen Kyler Dunn is surrounded by the other beautifully dressed ladies of the homecoming court. (Photo by Jordan Neal)

COUNTY LIFE
American Hat’s Bowie Pro Rodeo comes to town Friday, Saturday

American Hat’s Bowie Pro Rodeo comes to town Sept. 29-30 in the Jim Bowie Arena.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Advance tickets are available online at mccoyrodeo.com.
Rodeo action begins nightly at 7:30 p.m. Organizer Cord McCoy invites guests to arrive a little early, gates open at 5:30 p.m. to see the stock.
PRCA and WPRA rodeo cowboys and cowgirls will be competing for top prize money including $9,000 added money. There will be fun for the entire family including a calf scramble and mutton bustin’.
All the traditional rodeo events will take place including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling and bulls. The ladies will be competing in barrel racing and breakaway roping.
McCoy said they also will present the Flying Arena Stars a trick riding group, which has been selected to perform at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this year.
“We invite everyone to come out and taste a bit of Vegas there in Bowie,” exclaimed McCoy. “This is our third year with the American Hat Bowie Pro Rodeo and I love the arena and the community. I feel like that rodeo could gradually grow and Bowie would have two big rodeos. We are glad to be part of this one. We also have been talking about the possibility of this being televised, which is exciting.”
COUNTY LIFE
County sheriff’s staff readies National Night Out for Oct. 3

Montague County Sheriff Marshall Thomas and members of his staff invite everyone to attend the annual National Night Out event from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 3 on the courthouse square.
National Night Out is an opportunity to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.
Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. The state of Texas and select areas celebrate the first Tuesday in October.
Guests will enjoy a free meal of a chopped barbecue sandwich and chips with a drink. There will be an inflatable BB-gun range and door prizes for the adults, bounce house and games for the kids, along with free popcorn.
Thomas said he and the staff enjoying getting to interact with local residents in a different fashion that is fun as they get to know about the sheriff’s office.
-
NEWS10 months ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS5 months ago
SO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS9 months ago
Wreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS5 months ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 months ago
Murder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS8 months ago
Bowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS10 months ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint
-
NEWS6 months ago
UTV driver killed in crash