OBITUARIES
Connie Rue Thomas
October 20, 1955 – April 10, 2023
BOWIE – Connie Rue Thomas, 67, passed away peacefully at home on April 10, 2023 in Bowie.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on April 15 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on April 16 at Southside Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Post Oak Cemetery in Post Oak, TX.
Connie was born in Bowie on Oct. 20, 1955, to Jesse Wayne and Minnie Lou Geer. She was the youngest of three sisters who were all proud Bowie Jackrabbit mascots. She graduated from Bowie High School in 1974. Connie attended Draughon’s Business School and later married Nelson Thomas on May 28, 1976. They built their life together in Bowie raising three children and creating countless memories. They grew from being Mom and Dad to eventually being Mops and Pops. She spent decades as a photographer shooting weddings, seniors, sports and nature.
Connie lived and loved big. She was a true original. She lived life to the fullest in every possible way with an unmatched zest and passion for her family and celebrating life. She had a heart the size of Texas and shared it with everyone she met. She was Auntie Connie beloved by so many. She had an infectious way of always spreading joy wherever she went. The love Connie shared in her lifetime will create ripples for years to come throughout our community and afar.
She loved traveling with Nelson anywhere from Post Oak to Alaska and looked forward to her annual trips to Red River, NM and Galveston. She loved being Mops to her grandkids. She loved gardening, decorating for the holidays, reading and playing the piano. Connie loved her hometown, the community and was the Bowie Jackrabbits’ biggest fan. She created an experience around every holiday and always found a way to gather her immediate and extended family to create new memories. Connie knew how to make someone feel special, supported and she never met a stranger.
Connie had profound respect for her mom’s career in teaching and continued her legacy through the annual Minnie Lou Geer Scholarship Fund. She was proud to be a part of a family of educators and in her own way was a teacher of life, positively influencing countless people.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Samuel Shannon Campsey, Georgia Roth and Willie and Vida Geer; parents, Jesse Wayne Geer and Minnie Lou Geer and sister, Deborah Harris.
Connie is survived by her husband, Nelson Thomas, Bowie; three children, Jennifer Glover and husband Lyal Glover, Northlake, Wes Thomas and wife Linda Thomas, Denton and Chase Thomas and wife Amber Thomas, Bowie; five grandchildren, Kingston Thomas, Ian Thomas, Campsey Thomas, Jax Thomas and Crue Thomas; one sister, Martha Vincent; Bowie; 10 nieces and nephews, Wayne Leek and wife Patty Leek, Brock, Valarie Gill and husband Darren Gill, Bowie, Marcus Vincent and wife Jennifer Vincent, Huntsville, AL, Melissa Vincent, Gosford, Australia, Michelle Vincent, Bowie, TaShawna Nash and husband Darron Nash, Seattle, Aubrey Lehotta and husband Justin Lehotta, Ryley Thomas and wife Jessica Thomas, Madisen Ricoy and husband Omelino Ricoy and Jolie Thomas and a host of great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Minnie Lou Scholarship Fund can be made at Legend Bank.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Daniel Forrest Barrett
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.
OBITUARIES
David Duke
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.
OBITUARIES
Timothy Tompkins
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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