OBITUARIES
Leon Jones
July 14, 1930 – December 28, 2021
DEER PARK, TX – Leon Jones of Deer Park, TX passed away on Dec. 28, 2021.
A funeral service was conducted by Pastor Jacob Perry of Trinity United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2022 at Newport Cemetery in Newport, TX.
He was born on July 14, 1930, in Weslaco, Hidalgo Co., Texas. He was the son of George V. and Annis I. (Rose) Jones of Dewey County, OK. He attended school and lived in Dewey County until his enlistment into the U.S. Army on March 21, 1947. He underwent basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington, and served with the 25th MP and Recon Company, 25th Infantry Division, in Osaka and Shinodayama, Japan, and was discharged Jan. 31, 1950, at Ft. Hood.
Leon and Dorothy Gossett, daughter of Frank and Ida Gossett of Newport and Bowie, TX, were married Dec. 9, 1950 in Borger, Hutchinson County, TX. They had one son, Gary Stephen, who was born Nov. 20, 1951.
Leon moved with his family to Houston, in November, 1953. In 1957, they built their home in Deer Park, where they lived until he moved to Fort Worth in 2012. He met Dorothy while working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Borger, TX. He spent 14 years working with Phillips Chemical Company in Borger and Pasadena, TX, before attending the University of Houston. Leon retired from Schlumberger Well Services in 1985 after 20 years of service.
Leon and Dorothy were landowners in Montague County and one of his great joys in life was overseeing the family property as a wildlife management area and hunting lease. Leon was a passionate genealogist and enjoyed traveling across the country in his RV researching he and Dorothy’s family histories.
He authored two books: Our Jones’-Coast to Coast and Somewhere Along The Way, and edited Dorothy’s book Elijah Gossett – Texas Pioneer. Leon improved and maintained the directory for the Newport Cemetery for many years. He loved traditional Japanese music, storytelling, Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream, whittling, and a cool breeze on the screen porch at his cabin.
Leon was proceeded in death by his wife, Dorothy Jones of Deer Park; brothers, Robert E., Raleigh, NC., Alvin M. of Fritch, TX., Paul W. of New Mexico, and sister, Valda Davis of Fritch, TX.
He is survived by his son Gary Stephen and his wife Donna Kaye of Fort Worth; grandson Ryan Daniel and his wife Jennifer C. of San Antonio, TX and their children Ava Elise and William Crew, and grandson Brandon Wayne and his wife Emilee Marie of New Braunfels, TX., and their son Houston Wayne.
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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