OBITUARIES
Edward Mervin Ledbetter
Edward Mervin Ledbetter
December 20, 1939 – September 17, 2019
BOWIE – Edward Mervin Ledbetter, 79, passed away Sept. 17, 2019 in Bowie, TX.
A visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 20 at The White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at The White Family Funeral Home with Pastor Chris Osborne officiating.
Ed was born on Dec. 20, 1939 in Gorman, TX to Thomas and Lois (Robertson) Ledbetter. He graduated from Albany High School in the Class of 1960. Ed married Carolyne McCart on Nov. 10, 1984 at Baptist Chapel in Plano, TX.
Ed served in the National Guard in the 60s and was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis for jungle training in South Louisiana swamp lands. Ed was an avid outdoors man, and loved to hunt, fish and play golf.
In high school Ed participated in FFA for two years, he was on the 2A State Football Championship Team in Albany in 1958. At only 165 lbs. he played both first string offensive and defensive tackle for four years, as he was extremely quick and fast. In 1957 and 1958 Ed won Tennis By-State and was awarded a college scholarship. Sadly he was unable to accept his scholarship due to his father’s untimely death.
Ed was the oldest son and took over his father’s Conoco Service Station to support the family. In 1958 he worked on the Coody Ranch in Caddo, TX. Following, Ed worked for Texas Instruments in California and Dallas. Ed’s greatest career achievement was Ledbetter Foundation, his hugely successful construction company in the Dallas Fort Worth area for 20-plus years. In his later years Ed worked at WalMart in Bowie for 20 years. Ed cherished his family and always took pride in the upkeep of his ranch.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Thomas Franklin Ledbetter and Carl Gene Ledbetter.
Ed is survived by his wife, Carolyne Ledbetter, Bowie; daughter, Michelle Albanese, Austin; son, Paul McPherson and daughter-in-law, Shannon, Austin; grandchildren, Jeff, Austin and Krystalynn; brothers, Floyd Ledbetter and wife Martha Jane, Sunset, and Carroll Dean Ledbetter and wife Rebecca, Abilene; sister, Verna Brister and husband Z.L., Abilene; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
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.
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.
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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