OBITUARIES
Charles Robert Owens

September 30, 1947 – June 18, 2024
MONTAGUE – Charles Robert Owens, 76, passed away at his home on June 18, 2024.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on June 29 at Bowie First Methodist Church, 1515 Jefferson St., Bowie.
Charles was born on Sept. 30, 1947 in Ardmore, OK to Glenn Alfred and Lois Evelyn (May) Owens. His given name was used by his family, however, friends referred to him as Charlie. Charles graduated from Ardmore High School in 1965 and attended Oklahoma State University on a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarship. While attending OSU he met his best friend, Sandra (Sandy) Bledsoe and the couple married on Aug. 31, 1968.
During their early years dating, Sandy referred to him as “Chuck” following Peppermint Patty’s renaming of Charlie Brown in the comic strip “Peanuts.” From that point, former friends who called him Charles or Charlie were referred to as “BS” — Before Sandy. In April of 1969 the couple celebrated the birth of their first son, Richard Channing and in May, Chuck graduated and received his commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Infantry.
By the end of the summer of 1969 the family resided at their first post, Ft. Benning, GA where Chuck graduated from Infantry Officer Basic and Airborne Training. He used to joke that his first time to ever be in an airplane was to jump out of it. In fall of 1969, he was assigned to Ft. Sill, OK as armored recon platoon leader, where he was promoted to first lieutenant in 1970 as an infantry company executive officer.
In late fall of 1970 the family briefly resided in Ft. Bragg, NC where Chuck went through Special Warefare School before going to Vietnam. He spent 1971 in Vietnam’s southern delta region as a village and regional force advisor, earning the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and promotion to captain. Upon his return to the United States in 1972, the family moved to his final post at Ft. Monroe, VA where he was assigned to the Continental Army Command Briefing Team and later as commanding officer of the 6th Military History Detachment, earning the Army Commendation Medal.
After release from Army active duty in August 1973 the family left Virginia and headed back to OSU at Stillwater, OK when their second son, Scot Christopher, was born after a brief three day stopover in Jackson, TN. Chuck earned his master’s degree in public administration in order to pursue a career in management that year.
In 1974 Chuck was hired as a management and budget analyst in Oklahoma City where he was later promoted to assistant to the city manager and finally, to director of management and budget. In 1980 he was hired as deputy city manager in the city of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
In 1985 he became city manager for Lewisville, TX helping the city grow from a population of 30,000 to almost 100,000, until his retirement in 1998 after 12 years of service. Although he helped build the city’s infrastructure, finances and service, he was most proud of his mentoring role in developing a strong staff over the years and of their leadership and commitment to serve the public.
After retirement, Chuck and Sandy built their final home on 68 acres in Montague County where they raised and sold coastal Bermuda hay and hosted “Camp Gramma” for the grandchildren and their friends. Long an advocate for the city manager form of government, Chuck continued his membership and participation in both the International City Management Association (since 1974) and the Texas City Manager’s Association (since 1985).
He also continued his commitment to Rotary International and its values which began as a high school Rotary student, followed by Lewisville Rotary in 1985 and Bowie Rotary from 2004. He kept in contact with many former Lewisville staff and council members. The deep friendships formed in Lewisville eventually developed into monthly meetings of the “Lunch Bunch” in Denton over wild stories, laughter and eggs Benedict. Chuck was deeply touched, especially in the later years, by the gatherings and the strong bond of friendship that held after so many years.
While Chuck was proud of his military service, his career in public administration and his membership in Rotary, he was most proud of his family, recently sharing that he hoped they knew how proud he was of all of them and how much they were loved even though he was not good about sharing his feelings.
Mr. Owens is preceded in death by his parents and younger brothers, Jeffrey Lynn Owens and Glenn Wesley Owens.
Chuck is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Sandy; sons, Richard Owens and wife Amy, Northlake, TX and Scot Owens and wife Amanda, Lakewood, CO; granddaughters, Emerson Owens and Olivia Owens Lane and husband Evan and grandson, Noah Owens and wife Jessica.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowie Rotary Happy Feet program.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Gary Leo Fergueson

November 11, 1944 – April 19, 2025
BELLEVUE – Gary Leo Fergueson, 80, died on April 19, 2025.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 24 at Vashti Cemetery with Michael Brannon and Jeff Brannon officiating.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1944 to Vera (Chappell) and Lewis Fergueson. He worked in the food and grocery industry at multiple store chains beginning in Fort Worth and ending in Bowie. He also worked as a rancher at his family farm in Vashti. Fergueson proudly served his country in the United States Army, he completed his basic training in San Fransico and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Alta Fergueson Brannon.
He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Brannon; niece, Krista Brannon Blackrock; brother-in-law Michael Brannon and a very special friend of 60 years, Helen Ulbig.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Dr. Calvin Charles Carmen

November 8, 1939 – April 19, 2025
BOWIE – Dr. Calvin Charles Carmen, 85, died on April 19, 2025 in Bowie, TX
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on April 26 at the Bowie First Methodist Church. Interment will be at the DFW Military Cemetery.
Dr. Carmen was born Nov. 8, 1939 in Niagara Falls, Ont. to Florence Delia and Charles Carmen. Dr. Carmen attended New York schools until 1957 when he dropped out to join the Navy at just 17 years old. While in the Navy, he completed high school and was selected for officer candidate school. He graduated with the rank of second lieutenant and served as a communications officer aboard the naval battleship USS Hailey for four years. He later served as a naval reserve chaplain.
Dr. Carmen received his bachelor and master degrees from Central Bible College, and his Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO. He then earned his PhD in clinical psychology from Union Graduate School. As a clinical psychology intern at the Tufts University Behavioral Health Unit in Boston, MA, he received a commendation for outstanding service to his patients. He completed his postgraduate studies at Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Dr. Carmen served as pastor of South Park United Methodist Church in Buffalo, NY for nine years, and was pastor at Plymouth Bay Assembly of God in Pembroke, MA for an additional nine years.
Dr. Carmen then accepted the position of clinical director at Houston Medical Center. From there, he established Dr. Carmen and Associates, a practice serving the greater Houston area. He was then called to initiate a graduate counseling and psychology program at Nelson University (formerly Southwestern) in Waxahachie. There, he authored textbooks on counseling, psychology and the Christian faith.
Nelson University awarded Dr. Carmen both the distinguished professor award and professor emeritus award. He was a member of The American Association for Counseling and Development, the Christian Counselors of Texas, the American Psychological Association, and Psi Chi, National Honor Society. Dr. Carmen served several years as a member of the Texas state board of certification for licensed professional counselors. At his passing, he was the associate pastor of Bowie First Methodist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Carmen.
He is survived by his wife, Annette (née Gruppo) Carmen; daughter, Noelle Carmen; son, Benjamin Carmen and nine grandchildren.
Donations will be gratefully accepted to Nelson University on behalf of the Dr. Calvin C. Carmen Counseling and Psychology Scholarship Fund online at: nelson.edu/give.
Arrangements through the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Daniel Morris Butler

January 28, 1940 – April 8, 2025
CANYON LAKE – Daniel Morris Butler, 85, died on April 8, 2025.
A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on May 3 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Stoneburg.
He was born on Jan. 28, 1940 to Lena (Lyons) and Dave Butler. He married the late Barbara Jameson Nov. 23, 1964, in Houston. Together they raised three children. He worked as an electrician at Mauch Electric and later owned and operated DB Electric from 1989 to 2002.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara Butler and son, Kenneth Patrick Butler.
He is survived by his children, Diana Craig and James Butler, both Canyon Lake; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.
-
NEWS2 years ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS1 year ago
Suspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years ago
SO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years ago
Wreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS2 years ago
Murder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years ago
Bowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint