OBITUARIES
Gordon “Scotty” Daniel
October 31, 1932 – June 30, 2022
Rotan, TX – Gordon “Scotty” Daniel, 89, passed away on June 30, 2022.
A funeral service took place at 10 a.m. on July 06, at The First Baptist Church in Rotan.
Scotty was born on Oct. 31, 1932 in Houston to Roy Earl Daniel and Ethel Launa Daniel. He completed high school in 1950 in Albuquerque, NM and went on to Baylor University, where he graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He met his wife, Erma Lee Branch, while at Baylor and the two married in 1958 at the First Baptist Church of Rotan.
After graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and was assigned to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene. During this period, he flew the B-47 bomber as part of Strategic Air Command and participated in Cold War activities.
During one of his trips to Vietnam, a cargo plane full of medical evacuation patients he was flying was shot by enemy fire. Their lives were saved due to his quick actions and expert pilot skills. His heroic actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. After being on active duty in the USAF, he transitioned to the USAF Reserves in 1952. He joined American Airlines as a pilot and continued to fly in the USAF reserves once a month.
He spent most of his career as a pilot for Braniff Airlines, while living in Bowie. During his time in Bowie, he also ran a fruit farm and cattle ranch with his family. He completed his career as a pilot with Australian Airlines out of Melbourne, Australia, where he retired in 1992 from both the airline and USAF Reserves. He then moved to Rotan and lived there until his passing. During his time in Rotan, he built airplanes, inspired the community with his insights and stories, developed a wind farm north of Rotan and spent time with his beloved wife.
Scotty was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roy Earl Daniel, Jr.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of sixty-four years, Erma Lee Daniel; children, Dale and Carole Daniel and Liesel and Greg Gruben and grandchildren, Jacob Lehrer, Joshua Lehrer, Olivia Daniel and Garrett Daniel.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the church of your choice.
Arrangement entrusted to Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home of Rotan.
Paid publication
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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