OBITUARIES
Robert William Vahle
September 1, 1956 – August 30, 2021
BOWIE – Robert William Vahle, 64, Bowie, TX passed away on Aug. 30, 2021 in Decatur, TX.
A memorial service will take place at Haltom City Fire Station 1 in Haltom City and local memorial service will take place at the Montague County Cowboy Church at a later date.
Robert was born on Sept. 1, 1956 in Melbourne, FL to Al Huff and Dorcas Moore. As a teenager, he became the youngest volunteer firefighter, at the age of 14 while living in High Springs, FL. Robert and his family then moved to Bowie in the mid-1960s, where he graduated from Bowie High School in 1975. Then as a young man, he joined the Coast Guard Reserves and was stationed in Bodega Bay, CA for a year.
He then attended Weatherford College, being the first male to graduate with an LVN from the school. In January 1984, Robert married Belinda Kelbley. In 1985, Robert pursued a career as a firefighter and paramedic, which was a job he loved dearly, retiring in 2007. Robert then went to work on offshore ships as a paramedic and safety officer for various companies in Louisiana working in the gulf.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Dorcas Roberta Vahle; sister, Rhonda Lee Grooms and grandmother Clara Detjen.
Robert is survived by his wife, Belinda Vahle, Bowie; children, Elizabeth Vahle, Bowie, Brandon Vahle and fiancée, Lorena Gonzalez, Saint Jo and Courtney Maisto and husband, Nick, Lead, SD; grandchildren, Gracie Vahle and Emmy Castillo both of Bowie, Averian Maisto, Lead, SD and Araya Romine, Bowie; brother, Kenneth Huff and wife, Lisa, Bowie; sister, Dorretta James, Wichita Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert loved being a papa to not only his grandchildren but to their friends and enjoyed taking them out for dinners and buying them things, just as if they were his own blood.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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(940) 872-9993 www.thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com
December 27, 1965 – August 12, 2026
NOCONA – Daniel Forrest Barrett, 60, died on Aug. 12, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born Dec. 27, 1965, in Spring Branch to James Harry Barrett and Opal Laverne Henderson. He played football at Northwestern and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked mostly as a stock broker.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chuck Barrett.
He is survived by his three children, Reagan, Dylan and Connor; two grandchildren; sister, Sherri Lynn Watson; two nieces; one nephew and siblings, Jesse, Rich and Cheryl.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
July 24, 1960 – August 12, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – David Duke, 66, died on Aug. 12, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
There was a visitation from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the Abundant Life Church officiated by Pastor James Messer.
Interment followed in Terral Cemetery. Pallbearers were Randy Harris, Randy Croxton, Wiley Vanover, Zak Weaver, Bradley Lawrence and Ross Atteberry. Honorary pallbearers were David Morrison and the Red River Dozer Crew.
He was born on July 24, 1960 in Bowie to Harvey and Marjorie Romine Duke. He was a dozer operator mainly for Red River Dozer. He grew up in Terral, OK where he graduated high school. He married Micheal Heathington on Nov. 26, 1994 in Spanish Fort.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Micheal Duke; children, Leslie Halt, Kendra Grottie and Kyle Duke; sisters, Delores Weatherly and Sharon Westbrook; brothers, Ricky Duke and Ronnie Duke, and nine grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Eagle Point Cemetery Association.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
June 12, 1981 – August 2, 2026
DALLAS – Timothy Tompkins, 45, died on Aug. 2, 2026 in Dallas, TX.
There was a memorial service on at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Sparkman officiating. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
He was born on June 12, 1981 to Sam and Paula Tompkins in Wichita Falls. He was a driver, worked the oil industry for several years, wroked as a ranch manager and carpenter. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church. He married Christy Marie Harris on Sept. 24, 2005 in Nocona.
He is survived by his wife, Christy Tompkins, Nocona; parents, Sam and Paula Tompkins, Spanish Fort; sister, Amanda York, Wichita Falls; children, Samantha Dawn Tompkins, Stephenville, Brock Wilson Tompkins, Frisco, Deagan Brodie Tompkins, Spanish Fort, Lillian Marie “Lili” Tompkins, Spanish Fort and three nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church, P.O. Box 330, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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