OBITUARIES
Danny Joe Nichols
March 18, 1951 – May 17, 2022
ARDMORE, OK – Danny Joe Nichols went home to be with the Lord on May 17, 2022.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on May 21 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. with lifelong friend and pastor, Mike Henson officiating.
Danny was born on March 18, 1951, in Bowie to Dean O. Nichols Sr. and Sophia Pauline Moser. He grew up in Bowie, where he attended Southside Baptist Church as a child.
He graduated from Bowie High School in 1969 and was recognized as a stellar athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track. Upon graduation he attended Howard Payne University on a football scholarship. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from North Texas University.
Danny’s career in petroleum engineering lasted for 42 years until his retirement from Schlumberger. After retiring, Danny fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling overseas, visiting England, Hungary, Jordan, Qatar, Malaysia, India, China, Japan, Australia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil in 32 days.
Prior to his passing, Danny lived in Ardmore, OK for more than 45 years where he made lifelong friends. In Danny’s spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing pool. He often traveled with a group to Las Vegas for their annual tournaments. He enjoyed exploring his property in New Mexico which often included panning for gold and metal detecting. Danny loved to read and was an avid book collector.
Danny will be remembered for sense of humor and his stories as well as his sense of adventure. He relished his friendships and was devoted to his family. It didn’t matter if he spoke with a friend daily or once in a decade; if they needed anything he would be there.
Danny is preceded in death by his parents, Dean O. Nichols Sr. and Sophia Pauline Moser and sister-in-law, Marita Wilson Nichols.
He is survived by his brothers, Dean O. “Don” Nichols and William Thomas Nichols; nieces, Lisa Nichols Lowrance and husband Michael and Lori Nichols Thomason and husband Andy; great niece, Sophia Rose Morros; nephew, Adam Thomason and friend Jan Burton as well as many other friends and extended family.
Arrangements entrusted to Craddock Funeral Home in Ardmore, OK.
Paid publication
Ardmore, OK 73401
(580)-223-2727
craddockfuneralhome.com
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
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