OBITUARIES
Warner “Sonny” James Ritter Jr.
Warner “Sonny” James Ritter Jr.
June 20, 1950 – November 9, 2018
BOWIE – Warner” Sonny” James Ritter Jr., 68, passed from this earthly home and entered into his heavenly home on Nov. 9, 2018.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 at The White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service are at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15 at the Old Country Church in Bowie with Pastors Doyle Wade and Charles Reed officiating.
Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Sonny was born June 20, 1950 in Stroud, OK to Warner James Sr. and Robbie (Stubblefield) Ritter.
He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from July 1969 to July 1973. Sonny married Lana Kay Smith in July 8, 1972 in Bowie. He worked for Peterbilt Motors for 25 years and retired as a finish painter in 2013.
Sonny enjoyed hunting, remodeling homes and piddling around his shop; but most of all his favorite thing was spending time with his four grandchildren, he truly was their best playmate. Sonny loved being the life of the party and making people laugh.
Sonny leaves us with two important legacies. First, that we all need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to accept him as our Lord and Savior. Second, to laugh at whatever life hands you, whether it be good or bad. During his fight with cancer he did just that, touching many, many lives.
He is preceded by his parents, Warner James Sr. and Robbie Ritter; grandchildren, Daniel Warner Ritter and Meagan Louise Ritter; and niece, Andrea Dawn Hoppes.
Sonny is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lana Kay Ritter, Bowie; son, James C. Ritter and wife Tracy, Colorado Springs, CO; daughter, Heidi Bruhgett Ritter Fox and husband Chad, Bowie; grandsons, Matthew James C. Ritter and Zachary Steven Ritter both of Colorado Springs, CO; granddaughters, Kynleigh Kay Fox and Jewel Kessiah Fox, both of Bowie; sisters, Robbie Hoppes, Judy Haubert, Shelia Murrison, Betty Carroll and Ramona Braden; brother, Randy Ritter; and a host of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Daniel Forrest Barrett
December 27, 1965 – August 12, 2026
NOCONA – Daniel Forrest Barrett, 60, died on Aug. 12, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born Dec. 27, 1965, in Spring Branch to James Harry Barrett and Opal Laverne Henderson. He played football at Northwestern and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked mostly as a stock broker.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chuck Barrett.
He is survived by his three children, Reagan, Dylan and Connor; two grandchildren; sister, Sherri Lynn Watson; two nieces; one nephew and siblings, Jesse, Rich and Cheryl.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
OBITUARIES
David Duke
July 24, 1960 – August 12, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – David Duke, 66, died on Aug. 12, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
There was a visitation from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the Abundant Life Church officiated by Pastor James Messer.
Interment followed in Terral Cemetery. Pallbearers were Randy Harris, Randy Croxton, Wiley Vanover, Zak Weaver, Bradley Lawrence and Ross Atteberry. Honorary pallbearers were David Morrison and the Red River Dozer Crew.
He was born on July 24, 1960 in Bowie to Harvey and Marjorie Romine Duke. He was a dozer operator mainly for Red River Dozer. He grew up in Terral, OK where he graduated high school. He married Micheal Heathington on Nov. 26, 1994 in Spanish Fort.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Micheal Duke; children, Leslie Halt, Kendra Grottie and Kyle Duke; sisters, Delores Weatherly and Sharon Westbrook; brothers, Ricky Duke and Ronnie Duke, and nine grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Eagle Point Cemetery Association.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
OBITUARIES
Timothy Tompkins
June 12, 1981 – August 2, 2026
DALLAS – Timothy Tompkins, 45, died on Aug. 2, 2026 in Dallas, TX.
There was a memorial service on at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Sparkman officiating. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
He was born on June 12, 1981 to Sam and Paula Tompkins in Wichita Falls. He was a driver, worked the oil industry for several years, wroked as a ranch manager and carpenter. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church. He married Christy Marie Harris on Sept. 24, 2005 in Nocona.
He is survived by his wife, Christy Tompkins, Nocona; parents, Sam and Paula Tompkins, Spanish Fort; sister, Amanda York, Wichita Falls; children, Samantha Dawn Tompkins, Stephenville, Brock Wilson Tompkins, Frisco, Deagan Brodie Tompkins, Spanish Fort, Lillian Marie “Lili” Tompkins, Spanish Fort and three nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church, P.O. Box 330, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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