OBITUARIES

Keith Maddox

Published

5 years ago

10/01/2019

Keith Maddox, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and businessman passed away on Sept. 4, 2019.
Keith’s Celebration of Life 10 a.m. on Oct. 4 in the Cowtown Coliseum in the Historic Stockyards of Fort Worth with a reception to follow.
Keith was born on June 1, 1945 in Weiser, ID to Dwight and Marjory Maddox. The oldest of three, Keith left the home ranch at the young of age of 16 to follow his dreams. While putting himself through school and competing in professional rodeos at 13, Keith was determined to live his life to the fullest.
Due to Keith’s skills and ability to win in the rodeo arena, he was recruited by many colleges. He first attended Casper Community College where he competed on the rodeo team and roomed with Chris LeDoux. He graduated in 1971 from Eastern Oregon University.
Keith was a man of many traits and talents, working with the world’s most iconic western brands: Tem Tex, Bailey Hats, Tony Lama Boots and Larry Mahan. He was one of the first salesmen to travel his territory as his own pilot in his plane, to beat the competition. He was never one to fail. While in Torrington, WY, he made an infamous name for the Broncho Bar, as the owner.
Keith married Susan Stear on March 19, 1988 and their love flourished for 31 years, there was no greater love. Prior to the marriage, Keith went out to build his own companies with Susan by his side, first Sierra Oil and Gas which was established in 1987, in Keller.
Later, The Best Hat Store was established in 1996, in the Historic Stockyards of Fort Worth. The store is still operating to this day. Always aspiring for more, in 2003, Keith purchased a long-sought after hat company from Conroe. Later known to many as the world-renowned American Hat Company, of Bowie.
Keith was an active member in highly regarded organizations, including Ranchero Visitadores in California, Tejas Vaqueros in Texas, the Verde Vaqueros in Arizona, where he was instrumental in building the membership with key people from around the world. In Keller, he was a charter member of the International Rotary Club and a member of the Met Church. Along with being a lifetime PRCA Gold-Card Member, Keith will be honored as an inductee into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame in October 2019.
Keith made a difference in the world and had an uncanny ability to make people feel good about themselves, while positively impacting individuals of all ages. His brand was Positive Times, and he lived by this every day. He once said, “I’ve never had a bad day. I had a bad 15 minutes one time, and I will never do that again.”
His accolades will forever live on and his contagious laugh and million-dollar smile will forever be in our hearts. As Keith’s spirit is now with us, all his memories will forever be spoken, and we know he will be looking down on us with his 1000X halo.
Keith was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marjory and Dwight Maddox. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan; their two daughters, Treasure and Mercedes; son, Bret, husband of Nichole, father of Easton, Lillie, and Sophie; sister, Vicki; brother, Dave; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been set up through the National High School Rodeo Association in memory of Keith Maddox or you can donate to a charity of your choice. Make a check out to NHSRA, put Keith Maddox Scholarship in the memo and mail: NHSRA – Attn: James Higginbotham, 12011 Tejon St, Suite #900, Denver, CO 80234
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OBITUARIES

James Brock Lyons Jr.

Published

3 days ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

April 22, 1948 – April 30, 2024
MANSFIELD, AR – James B. Lyons Jr. (Jim), 76, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Martin Funeral and Cremation. A private graveside service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Honorary pallbearers will include David Morgan, Mike Robles, Westin Corbin, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Chris Little and Michael Winters.
Jim was born on April 22, 1948 in Bowie to James “Brock” Lyons and Patsy Ruth West Lyons. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Air Force.
Jim will be greatly missed by all of his family. We will always remember his constant teasing, his great love for the Texas Longhorns (even though we are all Razorback fans) and his passion for spinning the wheel at the casino.
He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Lyons Sr.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly Boatright Lyons; his five children, Stephanie (David) Morgan, April (Mike) Robles, Brock Lyons, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche (Westin) Corbin, Charleston, AR and Dakotha Lyons, Fort Smith, AR; seven grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Winters, Cheyene (Chris) Little, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Addison Robles, Mansfield, AR, Ellie Lyons, Fort Smith, AR and Connor Corbin, Charleston, AR and five great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Easton Winters, Leena and Ledger Little and soon to arrive, Letty Little, all of Mansfield, AR. Jim also is survived by his mother, Patsy Lyons and his sister, Karen Self of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins

Published

3 days ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

August 9, 1954 – May 1, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins, 69, died on May 1, 2024.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1954. He graduated from Bowie High School, then attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he worked for years at opening and closing the church. He also worked for Walmart in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Fairy Hankins and his brother, Sonny Hankins.
He is survived by his brother, Gene Hankins, Victoria, TX; one niece; two nephews and many cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Billy James “Jimmy” Avery

Published

6 days ago

04/30/2024

bowienews

March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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