OBITUARIES
Robert E. Brown
August 19, 1949 – September 13, 2020
SILVER LAKES – Robert E. Brown, 71, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Silver Lakes Ranch near Sunset, TX. on Sept. 13, 2020.
Robert will be buried at sea with a ceremony by the United States Navy. It will take place when the ship is deployed out of the Port of San Diego/Coronado Island where he did his basic.
Robert was born August 19, 1949 in Cleburne, TX. to Robert H. and Mary (Smith) Brown, grandson to “Gilley” Brown. All whom have preceded him in death.
He graduated from Cleburne High School in 1967 where he was voted “most flirtatious” of his senior class. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a “Frogman,” Underwater Demolition Team 11, in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. During that time, “Brown Aye,” as his team called him, was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal twice, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Basic Parachute Insignia. He was thankful for the Navy as they taught him scuba diving and survival skills. As an avid scuba diver he used those skills until the day he passed even getting his grandson Carson certified diving at age 10.
He retired with 38 years of service from the ATSF/BNSF Rwy. Co. in August 2008. He started on a signal gang and worked his way up through the ranks retiring as a director. He attended Montague County Cowboy Church after he moved to Silver Lakes Ranch in 2007. He loved his SLR and MCCC “families” and in return was definitely loved by them! He was known as a kind, generous, funny and loving guy by all that were fortunate enough to have known him through the years. No one was a stranger to him. He was “bigger than life itself!”
Robert is survived by his wife, Debra K. Goodson, Silver Lakes Ranch; stepmother, Betty Brown, Dallas; mother-in-law, Loretta Bailey, Fort Madison, IA; siblings, Rita “Skeeter” Tidwell and Richard (Mary) Brown, both of Cleburne; step-siblings, Jerry (Christine) Holley, Carol Vathis, both of Dallas, Beth (Biff) Rippenkroeger and Jeff (Jackie) Walsinger both of Fort Madison, IA.; son, Dasan Brown, Alvarado; daughter, Dawn (Jerry) Chaparro, Fairview; grandchildren, Alecia Rene, South Carolina, Jerry Padilla, Fort Worth, Adam Elarnaouty, Lake Dallas and Carson Brown, his “special dive buddy,” Alvarado; three great-grandchildren; five nephews; three nieces; several great-nieces and nephews; great friend, Mike Elarnaouty, Lake Dallas; dog, Jessie; and cat, Marmalade.
Donations may be made in his name to: Bowie Animal Shelter 1504 E. Wise St. Bowie.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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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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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.
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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