OBITUARIES

James Steven Fisher “Jim”

Published

4 years ago

11/10/2020

February 5, 1960 – November 6, 2020
James Steven Fisher, aka Jim, Jimbo, Dad or Grumpy, 60, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family during the early morning of Nov. 6, 2020. He fought a hard two-year battle for his health and encountered multiple medical complications during his brave fight.
A memorial will be planned for friends and family when we can all safely get together.
Jim was born in San Antonio at Lackland Air Base Hospital on Feb. 5, 1960, to Virginia Ruth Clark and James Aldon Fisher as the oldest of four kids. Jim grew up working in the family horse business that shaped and influenced his life. He was surrounded by animals, farm equipment, tools, trucks and “stuff that needed fixing.” With land to explore and a penchant for a squirrel hunt, Jim roamed the woods of South Carolina for most of his youth as a budding naturalist with a love of nature and the outside world.
Tall and strong, he served as his Dad’s “sanitary engineer” for most of his middle and high school years, meaning he scooped and spread countless tons of horse manure. During high school, he drove a school bus, played football and maintained good grades despite his best efforts to skip as much school as possible.
After high school he attended Clemson University for two years, later transferring to Angelo State University in San Angelo, where he met his future wife, Teresa, trying to make her laugh in accounting class.
Jim and Teresa discovered their mutual love of nature, dogs, kids, country life and traditional family values (not necessarily in that order) and were married on Oct. 1, 1983 at Southlake Baptist Church in San Angelo. This year marked their 37th anniversary and it was a partnership of love, laughter and mutual respect until the end.
Jim and Teresa were entrepreneurs at heart and partnered in a successful restaurant “The Wharf” in San Angelo. Jim’s talent with a lip-on ribeye, a brisket or almost any other cut of meat was perfected during this early restaurant adventure. The next adventure they tackled was ranching on a 63 section spread in Irion County. While in west Texas, they became the proud parents of two daughters. Ashley Megan was born May 12, 1986, followed by Sarah Marie on Jan. 16, 1990. In 1993 Jim and Teresa decided to relocate one last time and came to Bowie to assist Teresa’s aging parents, Tom and Kay Batchelor. This move framed the remaining chapters of their personal and professional lives.
During the past 27 years in the Bowie area, Jim and Teresa grew their business into Jim Fisher Construction, which allowed Jim to bring his work ethic, intellect for people and professional skills together to serve hundreds of customers by offering excellent work at a fair price. He took great pride in a job well done and collected many life-long friends who began their relationship with Jim either as a customer or simply a chance acquaintance. He and Teresa seldom advertised, preferring instead to rely on the all-important word-of-mouth references after a job was completed to a customer’s satisfaction.
Jim eventually finished building his family’s home where he lived for the past 18 years, tucked back in the woods surrounded by nature with plenty of space for recreation and hobbies. Building a beautiful home for his family was one of his proudest accomplishments. Countless happy memories full of love and laughter and Jim and Teresa’s incredible hospitality were made here. His family and friends never doubted that they were valued and welcome at any time.
The center of Jim’s world was his family. He was an incredible father, grandfather, husband, son, brother and brother-in-law. He modeled his own values to those around him, and pushed the people he loved to be ethical, dependable, respectful, patriotic, independent and loving. He was a role model and hero to his siblings, in-laws, children and grandchildren. He moved through his life with abundant, generous, effortless love for what he believed in and there were few people he met that didn’t remember him. He was quick-witted, funny and smart. There was a natural irreverence in him that taught all those around him to find the fun and humor in almost any situation. If you were one of the rare souls to get a word in when Jimbo was on a roll, then we salute you.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, grandparents and in-laws Tom and Kay Batchelor.
He is survived by his wife, Teresa; daughters, Ashley and husband, JJ Snider and Sarah and husband, Broddie Chaney; six grandchildren, Wyatt, Reese, Josie, Clara and Mamie Snider and Austin Chaney. He is also survived by his mother Virginia, and her husband, A.C. Lacy, Mertzon and multiple extended families from both his Clark and Fisher lineage. In addition, he leaves three adoring siblings who will miss their big brother forever, three brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews to mourn his passing.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite vocational scholarship fund in his honor.
Paid publication

1418 Highway 59 N,
Bowie, TX
(940) 872-9993
thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com

OBITUARIES

William Donald Cleveland

Published

3 days ago

11/22/2024

bowienews

October 4, 1948 – November 20, 2024
BOWIE – William Donald Cleveland was born Oct. 4, 1948 in Bowie to Donald Dean and Betty Isabella Cleveland. He died Nov. 20, 2024 at age 76 at his home in Bowie.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Nov. 23 at First Baptist Church of Alvord with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at Alvord Cemetery.
One of his treasures in life was growing up in Post Oak with his sister, Marsha, having the advantage of their Papaw Cleveland living with them and sharing his love, wisdom and love for the Lord. His mentor and pastor Tom Urrey, “Tinker” held a special place in his heart and life as well.
He graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1967. He then went to Howard Payne on a track scholarship, graduated from Midwestern University with a bachelor of arts in English, attended Southwestern Theological Seminary and later worked toward a masters degree in psychology at Midwestern University.
He began his career while attending Howard Payne as youth minister at First Baptist Llano, TX. He then became youth minister at Southwest Baptist Church in Jacksboro,while attending Seminary. Next, he was youth minister at Sunnyside Baptist in Wichita Falls, then on to First Baptist Childress as music and youth minister. He then established Cleveland Electric in Bowie while serving several churches part time.
In 1994, he began his ministry at First Baptist Alvord and served as pastor for 28 years. He was instrumental in overseeing the building of a new sanctuary in 2009 along with many members who did most of the work themselves. His one request was that the building have a cornerstone that had the name “Jesus” inscribed and built into the building. His wish was that no man take the glory except God. God used Bill to lead many people to Christ through his preaching, counseling, hospital visits, vacation bible schools, bible studies, youth mission trips and ski trips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Betty Cleveland, Sara Bayard and Andrea Wood.
Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Paula; his “little” sister and “big” brother Marsha and Mike Robinson, Jacksboro; children, Shawn Cleveland and wife Stephanie, Plano; Shanna Cleveland, Boston, MA; grandchildren, Claire, Christopher and Cole Cleveland. Also, Barry and Rhonda Clark, Kent and Pam Wood; grandchildren, Melissa and Zeke Dorr, Macie and Cody Rollins, Kregg and Jordan Wood, Kyle and Lorraine Wood and great-grandchildren, Clark and Nicholas Dorr, Callie and Sadie Rollins, Hallie and Cooper Wood and Grayson Wood.
Memorial contributions should be made to the First Baptist Church Alvord building fund.
His request was to have the word Tetelestai on his headstone, meaning, “It is finished.”
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Gloria Kay Bell

Published

6 days ago

11/19/2024

bowienews

October 23, 1946 – November 15, 2024
Little River-Academy, TX – Gloria Kay Bell, 78, went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 15, 2024.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Bowie with the Rev. Lavern Janssen and the Rev. Mark DeYoung officiating. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Stoneburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Gloria was born on Oct. 23, 1946 in Bowie to Russell and Linda (Roth) Johnson. She married the love of her life, Ronnie Bell on July 5, 1969 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, where she also was baptized and confirmed. Ronnie and Gloria shared 55 happy years together.
Gloria loved little children and her family. She loved to sing, participating in school choirs and also church choirs where she attended worship. She also loved to paint, selling several paintings and having her artwork displayed in galleries. People from all over are still enjoying her talent.
She retired from First Financial Bank of Abilene where she worked in several different departments which kept her on her toes, but she loved her job and working with the public.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Gloria is survived by her husband, Ronnie Bell, Little River-Academy, TX; son, Brian Bell and wife Shanna, Wagoner, OK; daughter, Lori Johnson and husband Brandon, Winchester, KY; brother, Steven Johnson and wife Joslon, Nocona; sister, Doria Counts and husband James, Graham; grandchildren, Hailey Bell and Hayden Bell and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Rhonda Duncan Ford

Published

6 days ago

11/19/2024

bowienews

August 15, 1951 – November 15, 2024
NOCONA – Rhonda Duncan Ford, 73, died Nov. 15, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A graveside service will be at noon Nov. 21 at the Joy Cemetery, 8830 Old Joy Shannon Rd, Henrietta, TX 76365, with Bro. Rex Cobb officiating
She was born on Aug. 15, 1951, to J.M. and June Duncan in Amarillo. She attended Vernon Regional Junior College obtaining her nursing license as a licensed vocational nurse. She worked for many years at nursing homes around Bowie. In the 90’s she went to work for Dr. Len Dingler in Nocona and the Nocona General Hospital for a while. She married Bobby Ford on Aug. 10, 1979.
She is preceded in death by her parents, J.M Duncan and June Duncan; her husband of 41 years, Bobby Lee Ford; sister, Gail Schenk; daughter, Teresa Quillen nd newborn son, Floyd Alan Ford.
She is survived by children, Kenneth Ford, David Ford, Clarissa Fletcher and Amie Mankhambira; one son-in-law; 14 grandchildren; sisters, Jamie Baack, Mica Duncan Thomas and Sharla Gallion; one sister-in-law and many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.