OBITUARIES

James ‘Jim’ F. Gafken

Published

4 years ago

08/09/2022

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.

OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Drury

Published

7 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

John Wayne Shelton

Published

7 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.

OBITUARIES

Weldon Ray Duff

Published

7 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.