OBITUARIES

Dr. Ivan (Terry) Sanders

Published

10 years ago

09/23/2014

Dr. Ivan (Terry) Sanders
March 10, 1924 – September 21, 2014
BOWIE – Dr. Ivan (Terry) Sanders, 90, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.
A memorial service for Sanders was at 2 p.m. Sept. 23 at Newport Baptist Church in Newport with pastor Tommy Mayo officiating.
He was born in Kerens, TX on March 10, 1924 to Dr. G.H. and Bessie Coates Sanders, and throughout his life he was a hometown favorite.
At the age of three, he contracted polio which affected one of his legs and left him with a limp. He was, however, determined to overcome this obstacle and excel at sports and he did. By the time he graduated from Kerens High School, he had been named “Most Valuable Player” on the football team and was extended a scholarship to play football at Schreiner Military Academy in Kerrville.
While attending the academy, he also played violin in the orchestra and sang with a dance band. He transferred to Baylor University to pursue a pre-med degree and became a successful collegiate weight lifter. He was regarded as a very handsome young man and his Baylor yearbook refers to him as “Hercules!”
His education at Baylor was interrupted as a result of being called into the U.S. Army during a time when physicians were in great need. He was transferred to Cornell University in NY in order to expedite his education and later graduated from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He practiced medicine with his father in Kerens and served on staff at the Navarro County Memorial Hospital for several years prior to being called back into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War where he served as a military physician in Goose Bay, Labrador (far North Canada; province of Newfoundland) at the Strategic Air Command for 18 months.
His wife, Jurahee Butler Sanders, and their three small children, Karen, Bruce and Kent remained in Kerens and the day of his return is indelibly marked in each of their memories. Son, Blake, was born later.
Dr. Sanders joined the staff at the Bowie Clinic with several other beloved Bowie physicians in 1960. He served as a family physician and surgeon for approximately 30 years prior to his retirement.
During that time, he also served as sports team physician, school board member, a director of Bowie National Bank and other civic endeavors. He also held top offices in the state medical board association. He was a gifted tenor soloist and was asked to sing at many weddings, funerals and other civic musical events. Throughout his life, he raised several breeds of horses and cow dogs and was regarded across the country as an authority in many areas pertaining to horses.
During his retirement years, he and his wife, Dorothy Jenkins Sanders, enjoyed organizing and performing at musical jam sessions where he played fiddle and guitar and sang. He began the Buffalo Spring Jam Session gatherings on Tuesday evenings which have become a popular weekly gathering for country musicians in that area.
He had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of the Newport Baptist Church.
In his last days, he took great joy in talking about the Lord and he was ready to be with Jesus. His family joins together in praising God for his salvation and look forward to spending eternity with him.
His son, Bruce, went to be with the Lord in May of 2013.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dorothy, who was his sweetheart and best friend; children, Karen Morris, Fort Worth, Kent Sanders, Burleson and Blake Sanders, Midland; brother, Dr. Richard Sanders, Kaufman; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and lifetime friends who will greatly miss him.
Memorial donations may be made to Newport Baptist Church or the Young Fiddle Students Fund at the Randy Elmore Fiddle Camp.
Arrangements are entrusted to Shaw’s Funeral Home.
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OBITUARIES

Hubert James Gray

Published

22 hours ago

05/07/2024

bowienews

July 24, 1943 – May 3, 2024
BELLEVUE – Hubert James Gray, 80, laid down his working tools on May 3, 2024 in Bellevue.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 8 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A service to celebrate Hubert’s life will be at 1 p.m. on May 9 at the Methodist Church in Bellevue. Interment will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.
Hubert was born on July 24, 1943 in Fort Worth to Earnest and Hazel Gray. Hubert grew up in Roanoke where he met his former wife Sandra Savage, and together they raised three daughters in Justin.
Hubert went on to meet and fall in love with Elizabeth Orton in Bellevue, who he wedded on March 11, 1994 in Bowie. Together the two built a joyful life full of grandchildren, adventure, travel and sweet humor.
Hubert worked as a carpenter for several decades and was an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses, having a positive impact on countless peoples life’s.
Hubert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, later becoming a member of the Methodist Church of Bellevue. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge #668 in Roanoke, where he was initiated as an Enter Apprentice on March 28, 1972, passing to the degree as a Fellowcraft on May 2, 1972. He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on June 15, 1972.
Hubert was a kind and gentle man who always put his family first. He was a jokester who’s contagious laughter and warm smile lit up every room he entered.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Hazel Gray; daughter, Sherri Fitzgerald; son, Robert Orton; grandsons, Michael Orton, Christopher Orton and James Huber and sons-in-law, Dennis McLaughlin and Chuck Sword.
Hubert’s legacy continues through his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Trinda Mulkey and husband Scott, Justin and Juli Seale and husband Rick, Blue Mound; sons, Billy Orton and wife Misty, Bellevue, Harry Orton and wife Sunie, Colorado Springs, CO and Eddie Orton and wife Evelin, Bellevue; daughter-in-law, Martha Tompkins, Van Buren, AK; brothers, Milborn Gray and wife Clay, Roanoke, Earl Gray and wife Linda, Justin and Dearl Gray and wife Joyce, Justin; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Betty J. Fuller Flinn

Published

22 hours ago

05/07/2024

bowienews

August 28, 1931 – May 5, 2024
BUFFALO SPRINGS – Betty J. Fuller Flinn departed this life and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 5, 2024.
A visitation will be from 6 – 7 p.m. on May 10 at Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 11 at Buffalo Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Waller officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.
Betty was born Aug. 28, 1931 in Pleasant Valley to Charlie and Bill Evans Fuller of Buffalo Springs. She graduated high school in Bellevue and resided most of her life in Buffalo Springs. She attended some of her school days at Midway School and also served as a teacher’s aide at Midway for several years.
Betty had deep roots in Clay County. Betty was a Clay County Pioneer Association Duchess and always enjoyed the Pioneer Reunion festivities. She received the honor, along with her husband Harry, as being the oldest married couple for three years. She also was recognized as the Oldest Native Daughter in 2023. Betty actively served her community in many ways. She was president of the Buffalo Springs Cemetery Association for a number of years. She also was a member of Buffalo Springs Rock Church and loved attending services there.
Betty was a loyal and dedicated wife and mother. She was extremely dedicated to her children and she spent her life making their needs a priority. Betty also was a talented seamstress and actively sewed all her adult life making clothes, especially western shirts, for her friends and family. Betty was known for her acts of service, her love of family, her deeds of kindness and her generous spirit. Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Betty married Harry Joseph Flinn of Bellevue on Dec. 26, 1949. He preceded her in death on Aug. 4, 2021.
They had four children: Charles Ray Flinn (deceased) and wife Sheron Clemmons Flinn, Gilmer, TX, Pamela Kay Flinn, Buffalo Springs, Roger Thomas Flinn and wife Melba Akin Flinn, Bluegrove and Clarence Lawton Flinn and wife Angel Cooper Flinn, Wills Point. Betty also is survived by her brother, Gerald Fuller and wife Patsy Davis Fuller, Wichita Falls and Pat Dunn, Bowie; nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Home of Henrietta.

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OBITUARIES

James Wilson Atkinson

Published

22 hours ago

05/07/2024

bowienews

October 11, 1944 – May 6, 2024
NOCONA – James Wilson Atkinson, 79, died on May 6, 2024.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on May 10 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
He was born in Seminole, OK on Oct. 11, 1944 to John and Georgiana Atkinson. He attended 19 schools and graduated early from Altus, OK high school. His first job was in a grocery store and he quickly worked up to manager. This experience was the basis for his bookkeeping knowledge that served him well as an entrepreneur. Throughout his career he owned a barber shop, a cafe, a gunshop and a grocery store, among many other things. He was the mayor of Healton, OK, got his pilot’s license and developed Nocona Hills.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Georgiana Atkinson and wife, Margie.
He’s survived by his brother, Martin Atkinson; two nieces and one nephew.
In lieu of flowers, send contributions in his honor to Nocona Hills Owners Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.