OBITUARIES
John David Hancock
March 8, 1958 – December 15, 2022
NOCONA – John David Hancock, 64, passed away on Dec. 15, 2022 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Dec. 23 at Scott-Morris Funeral Home in Nocona. James Messer will officiate.
He and his identical twin brother, Joe were born in Perryton, TX on March 8, 1958, to David Gaunder and Mary K. Simmons. John graduated from Nocona High School in 1977. He worked in the oil and gas industry for more than 45 years where he made many lifelong friends. John had a passion for horse racing, and when he wasn’t working you could find him at the horse barn, training, cleaning stalls and riding, but probably mostly talking. John never met a stranger and didn’t have a worry in the world. He lived life by the seat of his pants, and by the grace of God, everything always worked out for the best. He married the love of his life, the late Marion Hancock, on Oct. 22, 1979.
He is survived by their two daughters, Brandy Contreras and husband Alo, Wichita Falls and Courtney Copeland and husband Jimmy, Wichita Falls; four grandchildren, Kynlee, Vanson, Truitt and Kycelynn; brothers, Joe Hancock, Nocona and Jimbo Hancock, Nocona; nieces, Jamie Frawley and husband Joshua, Frisco, Jodie Hancock and Rubye Golsen, both of Nocona; cousins, Joe Tom and Valerie Hancock, Nocona; lifelong best friend, Sam Howard, Nocona; Penny Yarbro, Wichita Falls; brother in law, Larry Gentry, Wichita Falls; Tammy Robertson and husband Kyle, Lucas, TX, Jeff Terry, Kirbyville, TX, Kyli Key and husband Chris, McKinney, Kelsi and Bradon Terry, Kirbyville, Amy Likins and husband Cody, Wichita Falls, Jill Cartwright and husband Royce, Fort Worth, Beth Brashear, Wichita Falls, Thea and Cade Frawley, Kelli Jo Weaver and husband Scott, Cypress Ann, Brady Rodriguez and wife Kelly, Marley Rodriguez, Cody, Cason and Catie Cartwright, Jolie and Jagger Brashear and many others that John loved big throughout his life.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice of Wichita Falls for their kind and compassionate care of John in his final weeks of life. He loved all of you dearly.
Arrangements entrusted to Scott Morris Funeral Home in Nocona.
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OBITUARIES
Steven Douglas Drury
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
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
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.
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