Connect with us

OBITUARIES

Thomas Gordon St. John

Published

on

December 7, 1940 – November 11, 2020
Thomas Gordon St. John, 79, passed peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Nov. 11, 2020 surrounded by his family and friends.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Pastor Tommy John Mayo and Pastor Jay Webb officiating. The burial will follow at Scrougy Cemetery in Sunset. The visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 13 at White Family Funeral Home.
His sons-in-law and grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Tim Hamm, Rayce Cantwell, Jarred Schriber, Nick McCoola, Josh Simmons, and Daniel Bush. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Jason Hamm, Logan Hamm, Reece Morgan, Colby Schriber and Zach Gilmore.
Thomas was born in Decatur on Dec. 7, 1940 to William Alvin and Ethel Cordie (Wood) St. John. After graduating from Alvord High School in 1959, he spent several years in the oil field in and around Wise and Montague Counties before starting St. John Backhoe Service in 1974. His dedication toward his business lasted for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 2019.
For over 16 years, Thomas was a member of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department after being voted in on Aug. 4, 1980. During this time, he served as a delegate to the West Texas Fireman’s and Fire Marshall’s Association and taught at the Texas Fireman’s Training School in Wichita Falls.
In 1984, Thomas was selected by his fellow firefighters as “Fireman of the Year.” A certified Jaws of Life operator, Thomas attend the Hurst Training School in New Braunfels and also attended the Texas Fireman’s Training School at Texas A&M University.
He attended Emergency Care Attendant classes and received his certification from the Texas Department of Health as an ECA on March 29, 1985.
Thomas was initiated to the Bowie Masonic Lodge No 578 AF&AM on Dec. 19, 1978. Being raised to Master Mason on Jan. 15, 1980, Thomas continued his personal ambition to become a 33rd degree Mason. During his membership, he held the Office of Senior Deacon and Junior Steward for the Bowie Lodge.
As a member of the First Baptist Church of Newport, he served faithfully as the director of music. He was well known in the community for “making music” and loved to gather with his friends and church family to pick the guitar and sing old gospel hymns. He was devoted to his family and was happiest playing with his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Greta Jones St. John, brothers, J.W. St. John, Wilburn St. John, Olin St. John, Donavan St. John, Bill St. John and sister, Vera St. John Crim.
His family left to cherish his memory are his wife of 21 years, Jan Broxson-St. John; daughters, Jackie Hamm and husband, Tim, Shelly Cantwell and husband, Rayce, JoBeth Schriber and husband, Jared and Amy McCoola and husband, Nick; grandchildren, Jennifer Bush and husband, Daniel, Josh Simmons and wife, KayLee, Jason Hamm and wife, Mindy, Logan Hamm and wife, Kenna, Reece Morgan and wife, Kyra, Colby Schriber, Zach Gilmore, Annalise Schriber, Bryce McCoola and Henlee McCoola; great-grand-children, Kelsey Bush, Karlee Bush, Bray Simmons, Brielle Simmons, Braden Hamm, Delaney Hamm, Brynleigh Hamm and Brock Hamm along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Newport, the kitchen – Meals on Wheels Wichita Falls, or Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication

1418 Highway 59 N,
Bowie, TX
(940) 872-9993
thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com

Continue Reading

OBITUARIES

Hubert James Gray

Published

on

July 24, 1943 – May 3, 2024
BELLEVUE – Hubert James Gray, 80, laid down his working tools on May 3, 2024 in Bellevue.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 8 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A service to celebrate Hubert’s life will be at 1 p.m. on May 9 at the Methodist Church in Bellevue. Interment will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.
Hubert was born on July 24, 1943 in Fort Worth to Earnest and Hazel Gray. Hubert grew up in Roanoke where he met his former wife Sandra Savage, and together they raised three daughters in Justin.
Hubert went on to meet and fall in love with Elizabeth Orton in Bellevue, who he wedded on March 11, 1994 in Bowie. Together the two built a joyful life full of grandchildren, adventure, travel and sweet humor.
Hubert worked as a carpenter for several decades and was an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses, having a positive impact on countless peoples life’s.
Hubert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, later becoming a member of the Methodist Church of Bellevue. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge #668 in Roanoke, where he was initiated as an Enter Apprentice on March 28, 1972, passing to the degree as a Fellowcraft on May 2, 1972. He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on June 15, 1972.
Hubert was a kind and gentle man who always put his family first. He was a jokester who’s contagious laughter and warm smile lit up every room he entered.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Hazel Gray; daughter, Sherri Fitzgerald; son, Robert Orton; grandsons, Michael Orton, Christopher Orton and James Huber and sons-in-law, Dennis McLaughlin and Chuck Sword.
Hubert’s legacy continues through his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Trinda Mulkey and husband Scott, Justin and Juli Seale and husband Rick, Blue Mound; sons, Billy Orton and wife Misty, Bellevue, Harry Orton and wife Sunie, Colorado Springs, CO and Eddie Orton and wife Evelin, Bellevue; daughter-in-law, Martha Tompkins, Van Buren, AK; brothers, Milborn Gray and wife Clay, Roanoke, Earl Gray and wife Linda, Justin and Dearl Gray and wife Joyce, Justin; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

Continue Reading

OBITUARIES

Betty J. Fuller Flinn

Published

on

August 28, 1931 – May 5, 2024
BUFFALO SPRINGS – Betty J. Fuller Flinn departed this life and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 5, 2024.
A visitation will be from 6 – 7 p.m. on May 10 at Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 11 at Buffalo Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Waller officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.
Betty was born Aug. 28, 1931 in Pleasant Valley to Charlie and Bill Evans Fuller of Buffalo Springs. She graduated high school in Bellevue and resided most of her life in Buffalo Springs. She attended some of her school days at Midway School and also served as a teacher’s aide at Midway for several years.
Betty had deep roots in Clay County. Betty was a Clay County Pioneer Association Duchess and always enjoyed the Pioneer Reunion festivities. She received the honor, along with her husband Harry, as being the oldest married couple for three years. She also was recognized as the Oldest Native Daughter in 2023. Betty actively served her community in many ways. She was president of the Buffalo Springs Cemetery Association for a number of years. She also was a member of Buffalo Springs Rock Church and loved attending services there.
Betty was a loyal and dedicated wife and mother. She was extremely dedicated to her children and she spent her life making their needs a priority. Betty also was a talented seamstress and actively sewed all her adult life making clothes, especially western shirts, for her friends and family. Betty was known for her acts of service, her love of family, her deeds of kindness and her generous spirit. Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Betty married Harry Joseph Flinn of Bellevue on Dec. 26, 1949. He preceded her in death on Aug. 4, 2021.
They had four children: Charles Ray Flinn (deceased) and wife Sheron Clemmons Flinn, Gilmer, TX, Pamela Kay Flinn, Buffalo Springs, Roger Thomas Flinn and wife Melba Akin Flinn, Bluegrove and Clarence Lawton Flinn and wife Angel Cooper Flinn, Wills Point. Betty also is survived by her brother, Gerald Fuller and wife Patsy Davis Fuller, Wichita Falls and Pat Dunn, Bowie; nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Home of Henrietta.

Paid publication

Continue Reading

OBITUARIES

James Wilson Atkinson

Published

on

October 11, 1944 – May 6, 2024
NOCONA – James Wilson Atkinson, 79, died on May 6, 2024.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on May 10 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
He was born in Seminole, OK on Oct. 11, 1944 to John and Georgiana Atkinson. He attended 19 schools and graduated early from Altus, OK high school. His first job was in a grocery store and he quickly worked up to manager. This experience was the basis for his bookkeeping knowledge that served him well as an entrepreneur. Throughout his career he owned a barber shop, a cafe, a gunshop and a grocery store, among many other things. He was the mayor of Healton, OK, got his pilot’s license and developed Nocona Hills.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Georgiana Atkinson and wife, Margie.
He’s survived by his brother, Martin Atkinson; two nieces and one nephew.
In lieu of flowers, send contributions in his honor to Nocona Hills Owners Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.

Continue Reading
Ad
Ad
Ad
Ad
Ad

Trending