OBITUARIES

John Edgar Doak

Published

4 years ago

02/25/2020

John Edgar Doak
October 28,1926 – February 22,2020
MONTAGUE COUNTY, TX – John Edgar Doak, 93, proprietor of Doak Orchards, passed away on Feb. 22, 2020.
A graveside service was at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Salona Cemetery in Bowie with Danny Russell officiating.
John was born on Oct. 28, 1926 on a farm in Gallatin, MO to Edgar and Grace Doak. He was the fourth of seven siblings, who grew up “free range” in the country.
The mission of his life was to love and serve family and country. He is most frequently described as “gentle, loving and kind” by family members.
When his father became ill, he deferred his plans to enter the U.S. Army Air Corps, and instead took care of farm and family. After his father’s death, he joined the United States Army on Oct. 6, 1946, proudly wearing his uniform with the Eisenhower jacket. During his tour of duty in Germany, he sent home most of his salary to support family. In 1948, he enrolled in the University of Missouri. There he earned a degree in agriculture.
In the summer of 1950, he met Helon McClesky, sister to his brother Richard’s bride, Virginia. They were married Dec. 22, 1950. After his children, Suzann and Mark, were born, John worked multiple jobs to provide for his family. His primary occupation was as Soil Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
He also served in the Army Reserves, National Guard, sheared sheep and was a photographer. He was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After many years, he retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Upon retirement from the USDA he purchased a farm and a fruit orchard. Until almost the age of 90, he delighted in delivering peaches to loyal customers in Bowie, Denton and Fort Worth.
He is survived by daughter, Suzann Armitage and son-in-law Joe, Dallas; grandson, John Armitage, New York City, NY; daughter-in-law, Linda Huff Doak and grandson, Colton Doak, both of McKinney; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
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OBITUARIES

James Brock Lyons Jr.

Published

3 days ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

April 22, 1948 – April 30, 2024
MANSFIELD, AR – James B. Lyons Jr. (Jim), 76, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Martin Funeral and Cremation. A private graveside service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Honorary pallbearers will include David Morgan, Mike Robles, Westin Corbin, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Chris Little and Michael Winters.
Jim was born on April 22, 1948 in Bowie to James “Brock” Lyons and Patsy Ruth West Lyons. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Air Force.
Jim will be greatly missed by all of his family. We will always remember his constant teasing, his great love for the Texas Longhorns (even though we are all Razorback fans) and his passion for spinning the wheel at the casino.
He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Lyons Sr.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly Boatright Lyons; his five children, Stephanie (David) Morgan, April (Mike) Robles, Brock Lyons, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche (Westin) Corbin, Charleston, AR and Dakotha Lyons, Fort Smith, AR; seven grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Winters, Cheyene (Chris) Little, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Addison Robles, Mansfield, AR, Ellie Lyons, Fort Smith, AR and Connor Corbin, Charleston, AR and five great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Easton Winters, Leena and Ledger Little and soon to arrive, Letty Little, all of Mansfield, AR. Jim also is survived by his mother, Patsy Lyons and his sister, Karen Self of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins

Published

3 days ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

August 9, 1954 – May 1, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins, 69, died on May 1, 2024.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1954. He graduated from Bowie High School, then attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he worked for years at opening and closing the church. He also worked for Walmart in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Fairy Hankins and his brother, Sonny Hankins.
He is survived by his brother, Gene Hankins, Victoria, TX; one niece; two nephews and many cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Billy James “Jimmy” Avery

Published

6 days ago

04/30/2024

bowienews

March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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