OBITUARIES

Keith Maddox

Published

5 years ago

10/01/2019

Keith Maddox, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and businessman passed away on Sept. 4, 2019.
Keith’s Celebration of Life 10 a.m. on Oct. 4 in the Cowtown Coliseum in the Historic Stockyards of Fort Worth with a reception to follow.
Keith was born on June 1, 1945 in Weiser, ID to Dwight and Marjory Maddox. The oldest of three, Keith left the home ranch at the young of age of 16 to follow his dreams. While putting himself through school and competing in professional rodeos at 13, Keith was determined to live his life to the fullest.
Due to Keith’s skills and ability to win in the rodeo arena, he was recruited by many colleges. He first attended Casper Community College where he competed on the rodeo team and roomed with Chris LeDoux. He graduated in 1971 from Eastern Oregon University.
Keith was a man of many traits and talents, working with the world’s most iconic western brands: Tem Tex, Bailey Hats, Tony Lama Boots and Larry Mahan. He was one of the first salesmen to travel his territory as his own pilot in his plane, to beat the competition. He was never one to fail. While in Torrington, WY, he made an infamous name for the Broncho Bar, as the owner.
Keith married Susan Stear on March 19, 1988 and their love flourished for 31 years, there was no greater love. Prior to the marriage, Keith went out to build his own companies with Susan by his side, first Sierra Oil and Gas which was established in 1987, in Keller.
Later, The Best Hat Store was established in 1996, in the Historic Stockyards of Fort Worth. The store is still operating to this day. Always aspiring for more, in 2003, Keith purchased a long-sought after hat company from Conroe. Later known to many as the world-renowned American Hat Company, of Bowie.
Keith was an active member in highly regarded organizations, including Ranchero Visitadores in California, Tejas Vaqueros in Texas, the Verde Vaqueros in Arizona, where he was instrumental in building the membership with key people from around the world. In Keller, he was a charter member of the International Rotary Club and a member of the Met Church. Along with being a lifetime PRCA Gold-Card Member, Keith will be honored as an inductee into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame in October 2019.
Keith made a difference in the world and had an uncanny ability to make people feel good about themselves, while positively impacting individuals of all ages. His brand was Positive Times, and he lived by this every day. He once said, “I’ve never had a bad day. I had a bad 15 minutes one time, and I will never do that again.”
His accolades will forever live on and his contagious laugh and million-dollar smile will forever be in our hearts. As Keith’s spirit is now with us, all his memories will forever be spoken, and we know he will be looking down on us with his 1000X halo.
Keith was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marjory and Dwight Maddox. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan; their two daughters, Treasure and Mercedes; son, Bret, husband of Nichole, father of Easton, Lillie, and Sophie; sister, Vicki; brother, Dave; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been set up through the National High School Rodeo Association in memory of Keith Maddox or you can donate to a charity of your choice. Make a check out to NHSRA, put Keith Maddox Scholarship in the memo and mail: NHSRA – Attn: James Higginbotham, 12011 Tejon St, Suite #900, Denver, CO 80234
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OBITUARIES

Michael Dale Leonard

Published

4 days ago

04/26/2024

bowienews

October 6, 1958 – April 23, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Dale Leonard, 65, died on April 23, 2024 in Dallas.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 26 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on April 27 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Ben Weiss, chaplain of Southlake Fire Department, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakhill Cemetery in Stoneburg.
He was born on Oct. 6, 1958 in Pampa and grew up in Moore, OK until moving to Nocona where he graduated in 1977. On Aug. 26, 1978 he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Bratcher in Bowie.
He worked several years in the oilfield before he found his calling as a firefighter/paramedic. He began his career in Bowie and in 1997 he found his second home as a Southlake fireman until his retirement in January 2021. He also was an entrepreneur. He built multiple businesses throughout his lifetime, including Mike & Mom’s Grocery Store in Nocona and later ML Construction. He built his first log cabin in 1998 and continued building log cabins throughout North Central Texas for more than 15 years.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Betty Pope Leonard and his mother- and father-in-law.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Debbie Leonard, Bowie; sons, Kris Leonard, Bowie and Brandon Leonard, Ponder; two grandsons; father, Bill Leonard; sister, Elecia Chancellor; brothers, Gary Leonard and Mark Leonard; one brother-in-law; many extended family members and numerous friends.
Memorials can be made at Jacksboro National Bank to the Mike “Pappy” Leonard First Responder Scholarship account or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Shirley Lajuana Beggs

Published

4 days ago

04/26/2024

bowienews

December 10, 1943 – April 20, 2024
NOCONA – Shirley Lajuana Beggs, 80, died on April 20, 2024 in Wichita Falls.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at the First Baptist Church of Montague with Pastor Mickey Mills officiating.
She was born Dec. 10, 1943 in Graham to James Haskel Rushin and Mildred Pauline (Thomas) Rushin. She graduated from Graham High School then started a career in the title business and served for 35 years. She married Ted Beggs on Feb. 14, 1970 in Fort Worth. Together they owned and operated the Corner Store in Montague for several years, and in 1999 they opened Mine & Yours Feed Store in Bowie. She also kept herself busy operating Shirley Beggs Pet Grooming for many years as well as Linda Ross Book Keeping.
She is preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter.
She is survived by her husband, Ted Beggs; children, Amanda Reeves, Nocona, Darrel Beggs, Hillsboro and Dale Beggs of Henrietta; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Minnie Mae Duchaine

Published

7 days ago

04/23/2024

bowienews

November 8, 1932 – April 18, 2024
BOWIE – Minnie Mae Duchaine, 91, passed away on April 18, 2024 after a brief illness.
A graveside service took place at 10 a.m. on April 23 at the Montague Cemetery with Chaplin Phillip Weitner officiating.
Minnie was born on Nov. 8, 1932 to Johnie and Ethel (Hise) Dalton in Montague County. She lived the majority of her life in Bowie. On Dec. 17, 1949 Minnie married Joseph G. Duchaine. The couple went on to have three children, Connie J. (Molly), Norma J. (Nunn) and David R. Duchaine. She had five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Connie; two brothers, Hershel and Johnny and her sister, Colleen LaMascus.
Please make a donation to St. Judes or Shriners Hospital in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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