OBITUARIES
Dr. Max Gordon Latham MD
December 8, 1938 – November 6, 2020
BOWIE – Dr. Max Gordon Latham, MD, 82, passed away on Nov. 6, 2020.
Dr. Latham was born Dec. 8, 1938 in Weatherford to Nathalie and Curtis Dixon Latham. He was an avid Scouter obtaining the rank of Eagle at age 14. He remained active in Scouting as an adult serving as a Scout Master during the time his sons earned their Eagle ranks. Dr. Latham served in various leadership positions with the BSA, including two terms as President of NETSEO Trails Council. He graduated from Bowie High School in 1956 and served as student body president his senior year.
Dr. Latham enrolled at North Texas State College, now known as North Texas State University. He graduated in three years with a bachelor of arts degree. He was accepted in Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and received his doctor of medicine degree in 1963. He began an internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth followed by Family Practice Residency as chief resident. He moved into private practice in Suphur Springs with a career spanning 38 years. Dr. Latham twice served as Chief of Staff as well as Mayor pro tem of Sulphur Springs City Council.
Survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of an over 65-year courtship and marriage, Margin Stovall Latham; son, Greig Stovall and Katie, Tyler, daughter Kathryn Keese Threadgill and husband, Brad, Rockwall, and son, Robert Lee and wife, Debbie, Black Mountain, NC. Beloved grandchildren, Major Garret Stovall Latham, a doctor in philosophy and wife, Elizabeth, Fort Sam Houston, Stuart William Latham and wife, Abrielle, Tyler, Quincie Elise Latham, Black Mountain, NC, and John Gordon Latham, College Station, Texas student at Texas A&M University, Bryce Butterfield, Fort Bragg, NC and Kayla Michele Butterfield, College Station student at Texas A&M University. Great-grandchildren, Benjamin Stovall Latham, Michael McRae Latham, Lucas Henderson Latham, and Julianna Elizabeth Latham, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. Beloved brother and life-long hunting buddy, Joel Pat Latham and wife, Judy, Mansfield. Beloved cousins, nieces and nephew.
Dr. Latham served his country in the National Guard Captain in the Medical Corps.
Max served as a long-time Deacon of Shannon Oaks Church of Christ in Sulphur Springs, Texas and Carter Lake Road church of Christ, Bowie Texas. Max was an avid life-long hunter and fisherman worldwide. Many years of travel to Texas A&M University attending Corps of Cadets March-ins for son Greig and grandchildren Garrett and Stuart. In addition, “take-out for supper” times with John and Kayla, students at Texas A&M University. Upon retiring from private medical practice in Sulphur Springs, Margin and Max returned home to Bowie. Max spent the next 20 years as a traveling doctor and emergency room physician at Kell West, Wichita Falls. From the age of five, Max wanted to become a physician and absolutely loved the profession. He studied different areas and always practiced innovative techniques. In retirement, he begins a career in woodworking. Several beautiful items produced, passed from “The Shop on the Hill” to family and friends. His major projects were building bedroom suites for all grandchildren upon their marriage. Four have been completed and are cherished reminders of their grandaddy Max’s love.
Memorial flower donations can be made to 211 Koonce Rd, Bowie, TX. Those wishing to make a donation can give to Bowie Educational Foundation PO 992 Bowie, TX.
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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.
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.
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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