OBITUARIES
Thomas Gordon St. John


December 7, 1940 – November 11, 2020
Thomas Gordon St. John, 79, passed peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Nov. 11, 2020 surrounded by his family and friends.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Pastor Tommy John Mayo and Pastor Jay Webb officiating. The burial will follow at Scrougy Cemetery in Sunset. The visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 13 at White Family Funeral Home.
His sons-in-law and grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Tim Hamm, Rayce Cantwell, Jarred Schriber, Nick McCoola, Josh Simmons, and Daniel Bush. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Jason Hamm, Logan Hamm, Reece Morgan, Colby Schriber and Zach Gilmore.
Thomas was born in Decatur on Dec. 7, 1940 to William Alvin and Ethel Cordie (Wood) St. John. After graduating from Alvord High School in 1959, he spent several years in the oil field in and around Wise and Montague Counties before starting St. John Backhoe Service in 1974. His dedication toward his business lasted for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 2019.
For over 16 years, Thomas was a member of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department after being voted in on Aug. 4, 1980. During this time, he served as a delegate to the West Texas Fireman’s and Fire Marshall’s Association and taught at the Texas Fireman’s Training School in Wichita Falls.
In 1984, Thomas was selected by his fellow firefighters as “Fireman of the Year.” A certified Jaws of Life operator, Thomas attend the Hurst Training School in New Braunfels and also attended the Texas Fireman’s Training School at Texas A&M University.
He attended Emergency Care Attendant classes and received his certification from the Texas Department of Health as an ECA on March 29, 1985.
Thomas was initiated to the Bowie Masonic Lodge No 578 AF&AM on Dec. 19, 1978. Being raised to Master Mason on Jan. 15, 1980, Thomas continued his personal ambition to become a 33rd degree Mason. During his membership, he held the Office of Senior Deacon and Junior Steward for the Bowie Lodge.
As a member of the First Baptist Church of Newport, he served faithfully as the director of music. He was well known in the community for “making music” and loved to gather with his friends and church family to pick the guitar and sing old gospel hymns. He was devoted to his family and was happiest playing with his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Greta Jones St. John, brothers, J.W. St. John, Wilburn St. John, Olin St. John, Donavan St. John, Bill St. John and sister, Vera St. John Crim.
His family left to cherish his memory are his wife of 21 years, Jan Broxson-St. John; daughters, Jackie Hamm and husband, Tim, Shelly Cantwell and husband, Rayce, JoBeth Schriber and husband, Jared and Amy McCoola and husband, Nick; grandchildren, Jennifer Bush and husband, Daniel, Josh Simmons and wife, KayLee, Jason Hamm and wife, Mindy, Logan Hamm and wife, Kenna, Reece Morgan and wife, Kyra, Colby Schriber, Zach Gilmore, Annalise Schriber, Bryce McCoola and Henlee McCoola; great-grand-children, Kelsey Bush, Karlee Bush, Bray Simmons, Brielle Simmons, Braden Hamm, Delaney Hamm, Brynleigh Hamm and Brock Hamm along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Newport, the kitchen – Meals on Wheels Wichita Falls, or Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Wade Shelton

November 24, 1929 – April 28, 2025
NOCONA – Wade Shelton, 95, died on April 28, 2025 in Bowie.
A visitation was at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at the gazebo at Molsbee Chapel Cemetery on May 5 officiated by Pastor Phillip Weitner.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1929 in Nocona to Walter Shelton and Mildred Kidwell Shelton. He was a hard-worker most of his life working mostly as an industrial machine mechanic and also managing the drive-in movie theater in Nocona. He was a member, deacon and sometimes ministered at Molsbee Chapel Church of the Brethren. He married Thelma Wright on Nov. 24, 1956 in Lubbock. She preceded him in death in 2012.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Weldon Shelton and Paul Shelton; and sisters, Oleta and Bonnie Baggett.
He is survived by his children, Serina Thomas, Bowie, John Shelton, Sunset and Steve Holcomb, Nocona; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
OBITUARIES
Fern Hollaway Caswell

July 7, 1925 – April 28, 2025
BOWIE – Fern Hollaway Caswell passed on April 28, 2025 at the age of exactly 99 years, nine months and three weeks.
A graveside service took place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at Sunset Cemetery in Sunset with Doyle Wade officiating.
Fern was born at her parents’ home just outside of Sunset on July 7, 1925, she was the youngest child and only daughter of J. A. (Jim) Hollaway and Arah Sigler Hollaway. Growing up with three older brothers, she learned quite early on how to hold her own when faced with difficulties. She graduated from Sunset High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1941. While in school, she was a talented and celebrated volleyball player on winning teams coached by J. I. (Speck) Caswell, the man who would eventually become her husband of 48 years.
Before her marriage, Fern worked at what is now known as the North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls Campus, first on the wards and eventually in the business office. After her marriage, the birth of the couple’s children, and the family’s move to Alvord in 1954, she devoted herself to rearing her daughters and working alongside her husband on the family ranch.
After the girls left home, she worked for the Lorch Company, managing their outlet stores in Decatur and Gainesville until the company closed. After her husband’s death, she began a long and varied career at DFW International Airport, driving carts and working in customs and security, all jobs which clearly suited her love of people watching. After getting up at 2 a.m. and driving to the airport three days a week for many years, she eventually retired at 89. Regardless of when and where she was working, she was always Granny and always available to the grandsons and great grandchildren she adored.
An excellent seamstress, Fern had a strong work ethic and a keen fashion sense, both of which she imparted to her daughters. An avid reader of biographies, she was also a lover of all animals, particularly Siamese cats. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Alvord, she also served as the District President of the Parent-Teachers Association of Texas.
Fern was predeceased by her husband; parents; three brothers, Berniece, Clay and Harold Hollaway; niece, Deanna Hollaway Hooper and great-niece, Tonya Davis Wallum.
She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Lana Caswell-Garcia and H.S. (Bert) Garcia, Sherman and Karen Caswell Fowler and Donald Fowler, Chico; grandsons, Wes Fowler, and Kase Fowler and his wife Leslie Bain Fowler, all of Alvord; and great grandchildren, Rachae Fowler Richey and her husband Senior Airman Hunter Richey, Colorado Springs and Keegan Fowler, Alvord; nephews, Billy Dean Hollaway and his wife Sheri, North Little Rock, AR, Bernis Hollaway, Carr, CO and Bruce Hollaway, Buena Vista, AR; and several great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Gary Leo Fergueson

November 11, 1944 – April 19, 2025
BELLEVUE – Gary Leo Fergueson, 80, died on April 19, 2025.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 24 at Vashti Cemetery with Michael Brannon and Jeff Brannon officiating.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1944 to Vera (Chappell) and Lewis Fergueson. He worked in the food and grocery industry at multiple store chains beginning in Fort Worth and ending in Bowie. He also worked as a rancher at his family farm in Vashti. Fergueson proudly served his country in the United States Army, he completed his basic training in San Fransico and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Alta Fergueson Brannon.
He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Brannon; niece, Krista Brannon Blackrock; brother-in-law Michael Brannon and a very special friend of 60 years, Helen Ulbig.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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