OBITUARIES

Ronald Tarver Bailey

Published

9 years ago

11/10/2017

Ronald Tarver Bailey
July 2, 1931 – November 8, 2017
FORESTBURG – Ronald Tarver Bailey, 86, passed away Nov. 8, 2017 in Bowie, TX.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 11 at The White Family Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie. Burial will follow at Perryman Cemetery in Forestburg.
Ron was born July 2, 1931 in Wheeler County to John Henry (Jack) Bailey and Juanita Idelle Bonner Bailey. His family moved to his grandfather’s place in Forestburg in 1933. He married Betty Jean Anderson in 1956 in Lubbock.
Ron graduated from Forestburg School in 1948. He played basketball four years and was selected as all district guard his senior year. He earned a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Abilene Christian College. He was employed by the Soil Conservation Service in Lubbock and then the Lubbock Children’s Home as campus manager.
In 1962 Ron and his wife purchased Sentinel (Bailey’s) Bookstore in Lubbock. During the 38 years they owned and operated the bookstore, Ron was elected to the board of directors, vice president and president of Christian Booksellers International, also serving as chairman of the ethics committee.
He was a member of Southwest Rotary Club of Lubbock where he received the William H. Tinney Ethics Award and was also named a Paul Harris Fellow, an international Rotary award. As a small business owner, he tirelessly promoted entrepreneurship, teaching and developing multiple education programs for elementary school through college.
He served two years in the U.S. Army as a sergeant during the Korean War, where he taught anti-aircraft and guided missile school. He was an instructor for Dale Carnegie Courses.
What many family deeply appreciate about Ron is his 40 year practice of daily Bible reading. He loved God’s word. He taught Bible class from his 20s through his 70s, teaching children through adults. Having an avid interest in training Bible teachers, Ron had more than 500 Bible teacher training and workshops and directed more than 40 vacation bible schools. He served more than ten years as the volunteer education director for the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock.
After retiring to his home place in Forestburg in 2001, Ron developed an enthusiasm for purple martin birds; he conducted more than a dozen purple martin workshops. He collected a display of 30 horse-drawn farm equipment implements. Ron enjoyed helping with community activities such as the Watermelon Festival, Education Foundation, the Spring Banquet, Forestburg Community Watch and opening their home for fellowship gatherings.
Ron is survived by his wife, Betty; three children, Becky Jean Bailey Hankins, Roger Lee Bailey and Bonnie Jean Bailey Holleman; 10 grandsons and two great grandchildren.
Arrangements have been entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Daniel Forrest Barrett

Published

4 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

December 27, 1965 – August 12, 2026
NOCONA – Daniel Forrest Barrett, 60, died on Aug. 12, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born Dec. 27, 1965, in Spring Branch to James Harry Barrett and Opal Laverne Henderson. He played football at Northwestern and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked mostly as a stock broker.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chuck Barrett.
He is survived by his three children, Reagan, Dylan and Connor; two grandchildren; sister, Sherri Lynn Watson; two nieces; one nephew and siblings, Jesse, Rich and Cheryl.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.

OBITUARIES

David Duke

Published

4 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

July 24, 1960 – August 12, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – David Duke, 66, died on Aug. 12, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
There was a visitation from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the Abundant Life Church officiated by Pastor James Messer.
Interment followed in Terral Cemetery. Pallbearers were Randy Harris, Randy Croxton, Wiley Vanover, Zak Weaver, Bradley Lawrence and Ross Atteberry. Honorary pallbearers were David Morrison and the Red River Dozer Crew.
He was born on July 24, 1960 in Bowie to Harvey and Marjorie Romine Duke. He was a dozer operator mainly for Red River Dozer. He grew up in Terral, OK where he graduated high school. He married Micheal Heathington on Nov. 26, 1994 in Spanish Fort.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Micheal Duke; children, Leslie Halt, Kendra Grottie and Kyle Duke; sisters, Delores Weatherly and Sharon Westbrook; brothers, Ricky Duke and Ronnie Duke, and nine grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Eagle Point Cemetery Association.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.

OBITUARIES

Timothy Tompkins

Published

4 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

June 12, 1981 – August 2, 2026
DALLAS – Timothy Tompkins, 45, died on Aug. 2, 2026 in Dallas, TX.
There was a memorial service on at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Sparkman officiating. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
He was born on June 12, 1981 to Sam and Paula Tompkins in Wichita Falls. He was a driver, worked the oil industry for several years, wroked as a ranch manager and carpenter. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church. He married Christy Marie Harris on Sept. 24, 2005 in Nocona.
He is survived by his wife, Christy Tompkins, Nocona; parents, Sam and Paula Tompkins, Spanish Fort; sister, Amanda York, Wichita Falls; children, Samantha Dawn Tompkins, Stephenville, Brock Wilson Tompkins, Frisco, Deagan Brodie Tompkins, Spanish Fort, Lillian Marie “Lili” Tompkins, Spanish Fort and three nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church, P.O. Box 330, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.