OBITUARIES
James ‘Jim’ F. Gafken
January 4, 1936 – April 2, 2022
FORESTBURG – James ‘Jim’ F. Gafken, 86, died on April 2, 2022 at the Renaissance Care Center in Gainesville.
A celebration of life luncheon was on May 21, at the Lazy Heart Grill in Saint Jo.
Gafken was born at the Union Mission in Charleston, WV on Jan. 4, 1936 and was adopted by Chuck and Helen Gafken. He attended Marietta College in Marietta, OH on a football scholarship and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree with a major in petroleum engineering. While at Marietta, he married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Proffitt.
After college, Gafken went to work for Magnolia Petroleum for 42 years. He became a world class expert on oil and gas production and was in charge of start-ups in Indonesia and offshore platforms in the United Kingdom, Norway and the Netherlands.
In 1983, Gafken married Virginia Lathrop and they moved to Argyle. He began buying land in Montague County when he came home from overseas assignments. He retired in 1996 and in 1997 began cattle ranching full time.
Gafken is survived by his wife, Virginia; two daughters, Becky Bachman and Kimberly Douglass; nine grandchildren; sister, Mary Jane Blustein, Lynnwood, WA; one niece and one aunt.
Memorial dontaions may be made to the Museum of the Stonewall Saloon, 100 N. Main Street, Saint Jo, TX 76265.
Arrangements entrusted to Scott Funeral Home in Saint Jo.
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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