OBITUARIES
Thomas “Clyde” McMurray II
Thomas “Clyde” McMurray II
December 7, 1938 – February 9, 2016
BOWIE – Thomas “Clyde” McMurray II, 77, passed away Feb. 9, 2016 in Bowie, TX.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 11 at The White Family Funeral Home.
A funeral service was at 11 a.m. Feb. 12 at the First United Methodist Church of Bowie. Burial followed at 2:30 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Clyde was born Dec. 7, 1938 in Fort Worth to Tom and Mattie Belle (Collins) McMurray. He married Janet Joyce Gough on July 22, 1961 in College Park, MD.
Clyde was a graduate of Decatur High School in 1957, Texas Christian University in 1962 and he received a masters of education from the University of North Texas in 1966.
He served his country in the 49th Armored Division of the National Guard and later served in the 49th Armored Division in the United States Army during the Berlin Crisis with the Russians in 1961.
Clyde was a member of the Wise County Veterans, Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.
He was active in the Texas Christian University Frog Club, Bowie Main Street, Chicken and Bread Days, Montague County Retired Teachers Association, Tarrant County Junior College Board and president of the Lions Club.
Clyde spent most of his career in education as a teacher/coach and principal/administrator in Alice, Killeen, Whitewright, Memphis, Dalhart and Bowie. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. His greatest love was his children and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mattie McMurray; fraternal grandparents, Thomas Clyde and Charlie A. Thompson McMurray; maternal grandparents, Charles Collins and Vera Estelle Whatley Collins Brennan; and aunt, Mary Estelle Collins DeWolfe.
Clyde is survived by his wife, Janet McMurray, Bowie; son, Thomas Monroe McMurray and wife Charlotte, Corinth; daughter, Susan E. McMurray Semmelmann and husband Marc, Decatur; grandchildren, Madeleine, Emily-Anne and Marcus Semmelmann, Decatur, and Thomas Christian McMurray and Chloe Kemp, Corinth; brother, Pat McMurray, Irving; sister, Diane McMurray Scaling Pegg and husband Jim, Fort Worth; nephews, Bill Scaling and wife Beverly, Dallas, Tom Scaling and wife Leisha, Dallas, and Arthur Klaunberg, VA; and nieces, Bettie Scaling Bosworth and husband Bob, Fort Worth, Martha Scaling Creasy and husband Roland, Denver, CO, Mary Scaling Hubbard and husband John, Dallas, Brenda Klaunberg, and Irene Klaunberg Seifert and husband John, all of Maryland.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bowie at P.O. Box 778, Bowie, TX 76230.
Arrangements were entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home in 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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