OBITUARIES
Melvin Hugh Anderson
Melvin Hugh Anderson
July 14, 1931 – December 30, 2014
BOWIE – Melvin Hugh Anderson, 83, passed away on Dec. 30, 2014 in Wichita Falls, TX. 
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Jan. 3 at Lunn’s Colonial Chapel with Dr. David Hartman officiating.
Melvin was born in Bowie on July 14, 1931 to Oscar Lawrence Anderson and Myrtie Keen Anderson. He married Wanda June Wright on Jan. 1, 1950 in Bowie.
Melvin was a member of First Christian Church and the Maskat Shrine Temple. He was president of the Maskat Foot Patrol in 1976 and 1988, captain of the Foot Patrol 1992 to 1997 and secretary of the Texas Shrine Patrol Association 1981-82. In 2013, Melvin received his 40 year pin celebrating his service, dedication, fellowship and fun being a Shriner. He was a member of the Royal Order of the Jesters and served as director in 1985.
Melvin was invited to join The Mavericks of Wichita Falls in 1982 and served as president from 1997-1998. Melvin served on the Board of The Mavericks for 21 years and cooked ribs for 23 years. Melvin was honored to be the first Maverick to receive a Life Membership and Gold Star in 2014.
In October 2013, Melvin became a volunteer with Meals on Wheels. He and June enjoyed their weekly visits with all the people on their route and Melvin’s smiling face will be greatly missed.
Melvin was employed by McAlister Trucking Company for 44 years where he started as a swamper and retired as executive vice president. Melvin is generally credited as being an integral part of the success of the company and he was a friend and father figure to many of the people he worked with.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Annette Anderson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, June; daughters, Beverly Bumgarner and husband, Billy, Wichita Falls, Brenda Spilman and husband, Paul, Lake Arrowhead; sister Wanda Nesser, 
Boise, ID; grandchildren, Kelly Moss and husband Ricky, Kevin Bumgarner and wife Jessica; great-grandchildren Kaycee Adams and Teegan Bumgarner, all of Wichita Falls, and four nephews and three nieces.
Melvin’s legacy of love and laughter will be greatly missed. Comments from friends and family include: “He will be missed by many but never forgotten,” “It was an honor to have known him,” “God just gained one of the greatest souls,” “He was a remarkably happy man and if you were in the same room you would feel happy too,” “He had a general warmth and charisma that drew people towards him,” and “He was one of the greatest men I ever knew.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maskat Temple Hospital Transportation Fund or to Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lunnscolonial.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home.
Paid publication 
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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