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OBITUARIES

John Claudus (J.C.) Stephens

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January 30, 1936 – June 2, 2023
SAINT JO – John Claudus (J.C.) Stephens passed away peacefully at home on June 2, 2023 at the age of 87 after a brief illness.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 4 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on June 5 at the Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie, with David Hall and Jon Page as the officiants. Pallbearers were Charles Stephens, Michael E. Stephens, Michael D. Stephens, Cameron Turner, Liam Turner and Fred Bost. Burial followed at Greenbrier Cemetery near Nocona.
J.C. was born Jan. 30, 1936 near Capps Corner (Montague County) to Charles Harmon Stephens and Zela Marguerite Walters Stephens. He graduated from Capps Corner High School and went to work in the oil field. Later he worked building the B-58 for Convair. He also served as a Warrant Office for Saginaw. He finished 36 years at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth where he retired. J.C. returned to where his family started in Saint Jo, revisiting many friends and igniting new relationships. He was a member of Freemasonry.
He married Beverly Denton on June 17, 1957 in Bowie and they had two sons, Charles and Michael. Family was important to J.C. He enjoyed family outings and reunions. He always was willing to help family and friends. For many years he would help his father move houses on his weekends off. Being mechanically minded, he could operate and repair any machine or vehicle. This aptitude swayed some family and friends in their career choices.
J. C. and Beverly enjoyed camping in Colorado and other places in the States. He earned his Private Pilot’s license and had several airplanes through the years which he enjoyed. He wanted his family to enjoy planes and ensured that Beverly and the boys were able to earn their licenses. They attended many airshows and eventually joined the Commemorative Air Force where he marshaled at air shows. Beverly also became a leader in the Women’s Pilots organization, the “99’s.”
He enjoyed his church family. J.C. had a strong faith in the Lord and was willing to witness to others. He finished the vision his parents had in donating property to their church home. After a life of hard work and servant attitude the Lord has surely welcomed him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Zela Stephens; brothers, Ace and Benny Stephens and sister, Betty Brady.
J.C. is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Charles Stephens and wife Shirley; son, Michael Stephens; grandson, Michael D. Stephens; granddaughters, Stacy Snyder and Terri Turner; five great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Billy James “Jimmy” Avery

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March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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Karen Kilcrease Dow

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October 16, 1947 – April 28, 2024
BOWIE – Karen Kilcrease Dow, 76, loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to many, left this life on April 28, 2024.

A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 1 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on May 2 at Elmwood Cemetary in Bowie with Kristi Roland Hand officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Godwin, Taylor Hall, Mike Mayfield, Todd Airington, Brad Reese and Cody Romine, posthumously. 


Karen was born Oct. 16, 1947 in Henrietta to C.A. and Erma Ruth (Lowrie) Kilcrease. She graduated from Nocona High School in 1966 and later received her bachelor of arts degree from Sam Houston State University. After college she married her high school sweetheart, Dale Dow, on Dec. 19, 1969.
Karen and Dale moved to Bowie in 1970 where they, along with Dale’s brother, owned and operated Widlake Brothers Auto Supply. In the late 70s they ventured into the oil and gas business and started D&J Resources, Inc which they owned and operated until her death. She was an avid reader, football fan and enjoyed gardening and planting beautiful flowers each and every spring, as well as watching each of her five grandchildren play their favorite sport. 


She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 41 years, Dale Dow; son-in-law, Cody Romine and her beloved dog, Luke.


Karen will be sorely missed by her daughters, Brooke Dow and Courtney Riddle; five precious grandchildren, Zoe Romine and partner Isacc Barcenas, Baley Romine, Ava Romine, Parker Riddle and Finn Riddle; great-grandchild, Rowen Barcenas; brother, Kyle Kilcrease and wife Betty; sister, Kody Kilcrease and husband Bill Mullan; several nieces, nephews, cousins and two aunts. 


Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Lois Undean McLinsky

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November 5, 1926 – April 20, 2024
BOWIE – Lois Undean McLinsky, 97, died on April 20, 2024.
A funeral service was at 9:30 a.m. on April 30 at Sunset Church with David Hall as the officiant. Burial followed at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Denison.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1926 to Arthur Trainer Caldwell and Seletha Van Hooser-Caldwell in Bonham, TX and married the love of her life, Frank Joseph McLinsky, on July 28, 1944 sharing 42 years together.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank McLinsky; son, Ray Frank McLinsky; daughter, Lynell Kay Shaw; brothers, Ray Neal, Ralph and Truman Caldwell and sister, Blanche Rowland.
She is survived by her son-in-law, Harry Shaw; brothers, Newman and Arthur Caldwell; six grandchildren; great and great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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