COUNTY LIFE

Published

6 years ago

10/27/2018

By DANI BLACKBURN
dani@postoakmedia.net
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“After he graduated he was no longer active in sports.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)

COUNTY LIFE

Gold-Burg prepares for area one-act play

Published

3 days ago

04/10/2025

bowienews

Gold-Burg High School students will perform at area one-act competition at 9:30 a.m. on April 11 at Grayson County College.
Director Linda Fitzner said they present “Lady Precious Stream” followed by Newcastle, Irivium Academy, Sulphur Bluff, Avery and Bryson. She called it a “tough, tough area” as Bryson was at state the year before. Gold-Burg also has made a state run last year.

COUNTY LIFE

Nocona Library staff presents Easter storytime

Published

3 days ago

04/10/2025

bowienews

Nocona Public Library and Friends of the Library will be hosting a children’s Easter story time at 10 a.m. on April 11.
Dean Prine will be reading to the children before they make a craft. Dean always makes it a fun story time. All children are invited to attend.
Summer is quickly approaching and the library is already making plans for our summer reading program. Starting June 1, the children can pick up their reading logs. A professional story teller will be visiting the library in July. More details will be released as time gets closer to summer.
The library has received several new books in the last week. “In To Deep” by Lee Child, “Paranoia” by James Patterson and “Far From Home” by Danielle Steel, are just a few new ones that are available for checkout.
Did you know that the library is not all about books? The library staff can make copies and send faxes for a small fee. It has computers for the public to use. Stop by and see what all you can do at the library. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

COUNTY LIFE

Bowie High one-act advances to area

Published

3 days ago

04/10/2025

bowienews

Bowie High School’s one-act play, “View From The Bridge,” advanced out of bi-district to area after competing this past week.
Teacher and Director April Word said area will be on April 12 at Clyde High School. Bowie performs as the final play of the day.
Other schools performing will be Holliday, Early, Clyde, Ingram Moore and Jim Ned. Plays begin at noon that day and cost to watch is $10.
“The students were amazing at bi-district and had a tremendous performance. I could not have asked for more from them,” said Word.
At bi-district Lia Meier was named best performer, Corban Word was named to the All-Star Cast and Corben Wolsey, honorable mention All-Star Cast.
Aowyn Word received the All-Star Tech and the tech crew was named best overall. Crew members are Elise Fitch, TJ Ferguson, Keller Dosch, Adamari Alonso and Aowyn Word. “Break a leg” Jackrabbits.