OBITUARIES
Nathan Ray Austin
February 9, 2022
WICHITA FALLS – Nathan Ray Austin, 49, Wichita Falls, formerly of Wood River, IL, entered into eternal rest with his Lord and Savior Feb. 9 in Wichita Falls.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on March 26 at Victory Life Church, Ardmore, OK.
Honorary pallbearers will be Craig Tucker, Dylan Howell, Bob Johnson, Ralph Leija and Delbert MacDonald.
Nathan was born in the city of Alton in Madison County, IL. He attended public schools in East Alton-Wood River, IL and Dickinson, IL. He was a philosophy major at the University of North Texas in Denton. Nathan was a skilled artist specializing in conceptual art. His most easily recognized work is available on the internet and is entitled “The Price Master.”
His hobbies were music, being an accomplished guitar player which also made him an instrument collector, woodworking including guitar luthier, bicycling and camping/hiking, often with his best friend Bob Johnson.
He was self-employed as an interior designer/remodel contractor where he utilized his exceptional artistic abilities to manifest custom building projects.
In his life, he was able to travel and make his home in many different places, including, Galveston, Portland, OR and Bahia, Brazil. He created many friendships and related many stories from his adventures in the Americas and Europe.
Nathan loved his Lord Jesus, his family, friends and his constant pomeranian companion, Foxy. He was a friend of Bill.
Nathan is preceded in death by his grandparents, Virgil and Dorothy Austin; William and Catherine Cherry; father, Steve Abel; aunts and uncles, Gary Austin, Diane (Austin) and Richard Gorton, Sharon Austin Hartline, Karen Austin San Soucie, Larry Kizer and Virginia and “Red” Cherry and cousins, Jimmy Deutsch, Brady Thompson.
His surviving relatives are his pomeranian companion, Foxy; father, Thomas Austin and wife, Jodie, Ardmore, OK; mothers, Colleen Cherry Austin Abel, League City and Mary Austin, Bowie; Ardmore, OK; sisters, Kristen Austin Baldy and husband, Bill, Rachel Austin, Lauren Austin, Ada, OK and Elizabeth Griesman and husband, Brian, Ada, OK; brother, William Douglass and wife, Haylee; uncle, Larry Austin; aunts, Jane Kizer, Wood River, IL and Nancy, Clermont, FL; nephews, Nicholas, League City, Rowen Griffin and Bennett, Plano and numerous cousins and dear friends from many places around the world.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions are made to your favorite charity.
Paid publication
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS4 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death