OBITUARIES
Ernest Earl “Turk” Largent
Ernest Earl “Turk” Largent
March 20, 1940 – November 24, 2023
BOWIE – Ernest Earl “Turk” Largent, 83, died surrounded by his family on Nov. 24, 2023 in Bowie.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 29 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with the Rev. Mike Henson officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Turk was born March 20, 1940 in Bridgeport to Ernest and Grace Largent. From 1963 to 1966, he served as an MP in the Army and was stationed in Germany for most of his deployment. Turk retired as a car hauler and truck driver after 33 years of service with Auto Convoy in Mesquite where he held the position of Union Steward. He served the City of Bowie on the city council for several years.
Turk was an active member of First Baptist Church of Bowie and for more than 30 years and maintained the buses as well as drove for the Enerjetics department on out of town trips. For more than a decade, he was the head cook at Falls Creek for the FBC youth department and also cooked on mission trips to New Mexico. He loved serving his church and God.
Turk had a commercial pilot license and flew as a hobby. He thoroughly enjoyed motorcycle rides on his Gold Wing with friends all over Texas and occasionally across the USA.
While Turk had a successful career, was an active member of the community, and cherished his church family, his greatest honor was being a husband to wife Martha and Papaw to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Turk considered family his most valuable asset.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Bob Largent and Alvin Largent.
Turk is survived by his wife of 44 years, Martha Largent, Bowie; daughters, Angelia Dean, Bowie, Taylor Short, McKinney and April Burney, Waco; four grandchildren, Malleri McGee, College Station, Miranda Stringer, Petty, Hunter Thymes, Waco and Adriana Turcu, Wichita Falls; and four great-grandchildren, Jaydon Burnett, Jackson Robertson, Kaia Short and Emerson Turcu.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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