OBITUARIES
Troy Orlo Thornton

Troy Orlo Thornton
May 11, 1926 – December 13, 2015
CHICO – Troy Orlo Thornton, 89, previously of Bowie, died Dec. 13, 2015 at home in Chico, TX.
A church service will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 27 with Pastor Joe Gambill officiating. A memorial service will follow at the First Presbyterian Church of Bowie.
Troy was born May 11, 1926 in Haskins Ohio to George and Loretta Thornton. He was married Dorothy A. Thornton on Dec. 27, 1947 at the Haskins Federated Church.
Troy grew up on a farm in Haskins Ohio during the depression. During his senior year he enlisted in the Navy and upon graduation served during WWII on a ship in the pacific. He was present for the invasion of Iwo Jima and gave support off shore.
When the war was over and Troy returned home, he and Dorothy dated and married a year later. They continued to farm and started a family. Dorothy and Troy lived in various places from coast to coast and in between until they came to settle in Texas in 1980.
Troy was trained by National Cash Register which started his long career in computers. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church and still loved singing in the choir. Troy and Dorothy helped crew for their sons’ hot air balloons when they attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
He was active in the community of Bowie, delivered meals on wheels for years with Dorothy and they helped with the pancake breakfast at the Bowie Senior Center where he earned the title “Pancake King.”
He loved to read and could be found at the Chico Library picking out books. He was active in the Wise County Veterans where he showed his love of country.
He was a dedicated family man and believed in strong family values who was still in love and wasn’t afraid to show it on a daily basis. He and Dorothy still held hands and said “I love you” until the day she died.
He was preceded in death by his parents George and Loretta Thornton; sister, Olive Green; brother, Brice Thornton and his wife, Dorothy married 67 years.
He is survived by sons Ronald and wife Carol, Mark and wife Bobbi, Dana and wife Denise; daughter, Carol Fatheree and husband Gary; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Even in death his work is not done. He willed his body to UT Southwestern in hopes of helping medical studies. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
To honor Troy and Dorothy, love your family, respect them and cherish the time you are able to spend with them whether they are near or far. Be active in your community, give to others and try to make a difference in the lives of others.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Pedro Leon Olvera

May 19, 1976 – May 11, 2025
NOCONA – Pedro Leon Olvera, 48, died on May 11, 2025.
There was a rosary at 6 p.m. on May 18 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at noon on May 19 at St. Jospeh’s Catholic Church in Nocona.
He was born on May 19, 1976 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato to Juan Olvera and Felixa Leon. Olvera was a part of a big family and hard-worker all of his life. He worked mostly in agriculture as a rancher. He loved working on cars in his spare time, especially with his son. He married Blanca Torres in 1995 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosa and Juana Gomez; and nephew, Juan Gomez Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Blanca Olvera; Nocona; son, Pedro Jr. Olvera, Nocona; daughter, Mariana Hampton, Gainesville; sisters, Yolanda, Nocona and Margarita, Mexico; brothers, Juan, Luis, Santiago and Francisco, all of Mexico; a grandson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
OBITUARIES
Shirley Ann Mayo Graves

July 23, 1949 – May 17, 2025
NOCONA – Shirley Ann Mayo Graves, 75, died on May 17, 2025 in Plano, TX.
There was a visitation from 1 p.m. until time of service on May 21 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at Jerry Woods Chapel officiated by Brother Ricky Kerr. Interment followed in Nocona Cemetery. Pallbearers were Frank Tuggle, Mike Martin, Mark Murphey, Hank Reed, Ralph Conner and Tommy Mayo.
She was born on July 23, 1949 in Electra to Carl E. Mayo and Margie Childress Mayo. She worked at the Burger Barn for more than 11 years in Nocona. She was a Christian and a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Saint Jo. She married Richard Graves on April 17, 1969 in Nocona.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and son, Michael Lee Graves.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Graves, Nocona; children, Bill Graves, Nocona and Lori Hernandez, Wichita Falls; brothers, Albert Mayo, Vernon, Jackie Mayo, Dallas and Tommy Mayo, Breckenridge; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, 242 FM 677, Saint Jo, TX 76265 or The Capenter’s Shop, 400 Boston, Nocona, TX 76255.
OBITUARIES
Robert Edward Adams Jr.

August 14, 1952 – May 5, 2025
RICHARDSON – Robert Edward Adams, Jr., 73,
died on May 5, 2025 in Richardson, TX.
A memorial service was at 2 p.m. on May 10 at
Trinity Christian Academy in Addison.
He born on Aug. 14, 1952 in Ashtabula, OH to
Robert Edward Adams, Sr. and Janet Morehouse
Adams. At the age of 10, his mother sent him to a
Christian boy’s camp, Deerfoot Lodge, in the Adirondack
mountains just north of Speculator, NY.
Adams graduated from Colorado State University
in 1976 with a bachelor of science in natural resources.
He remained in Colorado for several years
teaching before moving to Dallas.
In 1984, he received his master of science in
education and biology from North Texas State University.
After receiving his master’s, he began a 35-
year career teaching at Trinity Christian Academy
in Addison. He taught biology I and II, and taught
the marine and field ecology curriculums in both the
middle and high school. In his early TCA years, he
coached football and wrestling. In March of 1988,
he married Rhonda Ice Adams. Subsequently, they
were blessed with three daughters, Aubrey, Brianna
and Autumn.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Rhonda;
children, Aubrey Fults, Brianna Hein and Autumn
Adams; three grandchildren; and sister, Ruthie
Shook.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations
be made to Trinity Christian Academy’s
Student Tuition Aid program or Deerfoot Lodge.
-
NEWS2 years ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS2 years 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