OBITUARIES
Donald Wayne Croxton
December 31, 1961 – April 11, 2026
BOWIE – Donald Wayne Croxton, 64, passed away in the comfort of his home on April 11, 2026.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on April 16 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on April 17 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie with Rowdy Hopson officiating.
A burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Donald was born on Dec. 31, 1961 in Bowie to Melvin Croxton and Melba Jean Lewis. Donald was a man who loved God and even though he didn’t regularly attend church services, Jesus always had a place in his heart. Donald broke out in the oilfield at a young age and got his thrills working the derricks. He was a bull rider in the local rodeos back in the 80s. After a paralyzing accident, all that came to an end, but he never just gave up. He spent the rest of his life beating the odds and astounding the doctors with his miraculous recoveries. Donald loved his family with his whole heart.
He is preceded in death by his son, Taylor Croxton; mother, Jeannie Yowell; stepfather, Monte Yowell; father, Melvin Croxton; stepmother, Janet Croxton; stepbrother, V-Bo Yowell and stepsister, Ceeanne Yowell.
Donald is survived by his daughter, Kacey Croxton; grandchildren, Ivey Trahern, Julia Croxton and Raiden Croxton; brother, Jackie Croxton; sister, Sheila Owens; half-sister, Michelle Croxton; stepsisters, Jana Gilmore, JayeLynn VanAcht and Kiela Stout; ex-wife and continued friend, Dorothy Jones, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Paid publication
February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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