OBITUARIES

Charles Robert Owens

Published

11 months ago

06/21/2024

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.

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OBITUARIES

Wade Shelton

Published

1 week ago

05/07/2025

bowienews

November 24, 1929 – April 28, 2025
NOCONA – Wade Shelton, 95, died on April 28, 2025 in Bowie.
A visitation was at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at the gazebo at Molsbee Chapel Cemetery on May 5 officiated by Pastor Phillip Weitner.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1929 in Nocona to Walter Shelton and Mildred Kidwell Shelton. He was a hard-worker most of his life working mostly as an industrial machine mechanic and also managing the drive-in movie theater in Nocona. He was a member, deacon and sometimes ministered at Molsbee Chapel Church of the Brethren. He married Thelma Wright on Nov. 24, 1956 in Lubbock. She preceded him in death in 2012.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Weldon Shelton and Paul Shelton; and sisters, Oleta and Bonnie Baggett.
He is survived by his children, Serina Thomas, Bowie, John Shelton, Sunset and Steve Holcomb, Nocona; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

OBITUARIES

Fern Hollaway Caswell

Published

1 week ago

05/07/2025

bowienews

July 7, 1925 – April 28, 2025
BOWIE – Fern Hollaway Caswell passed on April 28, 2025 at the age of exactly 99 years, nine months and three weeks.
A graveside service took place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at Sunset Cemetery in Sunset with Doyle Wade officiating.
Fern was born at her parents’ home just outside of Sunset on July 7, 1925, she was the youngest child and only daughter of J. A. (Jim) Hollaway and Arah Sigler Hollaway. Growing up with three older brothers, she learned quite early on how to hold her own when faced with difficulties. She graduated from Sunset High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1941. While in school, she was a talented and celebrated volleyball player on winning teams coached by J. I. (Speck) Caswell, the man who would eventually become her husband of 48 years.
Before her marriage, Fern worked at what is now known as the North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls Campus, first on the wards and eventually in the business office. After her marriage, the birth of the couple’s children, and the family’s move to Alvord in 1954, she devoted herself to rearing her daughters and working alongside her husband on the family ranch.
After the girls left home, she worked for the Lorch Company, managing their outlet stores in Decatur and Gainesville until the company closed. After her husband’s death, she began a long and varied career at DFW International Airport, driving carts and working in customs and security, all jobs which clearly suited her love of people watching. After getting up at 2 a.m. and driving to the airport three days a week for many years, she eventually retired at 89. Regardless of when and where she was working, she was always Granny and always available to the grandsons and great grandchildren she adored.
An excellent seamstress, Fern had a strong work ethic and a keen fashion sense, both of which she imparted to her daughters. An avid reader of biographies, she was also a lover of all animals, particularly Siamese cats. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Alvord, she also served as the District President of the Parent-Teachers Association of Texas.
Fern was predeceased by her husband; parents; three brothers, Berniece, Clay and Harold Hollaway; niece, Deanna Hollaway Hooper and great-niece, Tonya Davis Wallum.
She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Lana Caswell-Garcia and H.S. (Bert) Garcia, Sherman and Karen Caswell Fowler and Donald Fowler, Chico; grandsons, Wes Fowler, and Kase Fowler and his wife Leslie Bain Fowler, all of Alvord; and great grandchildren, Rachae Fowler Richey and her husband Senior Airman Hunter Richey, Colorado Springs and Keegan Fowler, Alvord; nephews, Billy Dean Hollaway and his wife Sheri, North Little Rock, AR, Bernis Hollaway, Carr, CO and Bruce Hollaway, Buena Vista, AR; and several great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Gary Leo Fergueson

Published

3 weeks ago

04/23/2025

bowienews

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.