OBITUARIES
Charles H. Blanton “Sonny”

November 7, 1933 – March 29, 2024
BURKBURNETT – Charles H. Blanton “Sonny”, 90, met Jesus in Wichita Falls on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.
A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on April 3 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Joe Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Charles was born on Nov. 7, 1933 in Caddo, TX (Stephens County) and grew up in Newcastle. He played football and was known around the area for his talent. After graduating high school, he and his best friend took off for Texas A&M. However, it didn’t take long for him to realize he wasn’t an Aggie and he and the friend left in the middle of the night. They ended up at Ranger Junior College where he played football and met his wife, Peggy Lee Russell. They were married on June 5, 1954 and would have been married 70 years this June.
Charles and Peggy moved to Lubbock where Charles again played football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and could finally claim life-long loyalty. After earning his degree in education, the Blantons found themselves in San Antonio where Charles served in the Army during peace time. Recently someone asked his rank, and his son answered ‘Half-Back’ as that is where they really needed him… on the football team. Outside of football he worked in the dermatology department.
He moved to Levelland, TX after his service in the Army where Charles got a football coaching job. Their daughter Kim was born in 1959. In 1963 they moved to Bowie where they would spend the next 50 years. Their son Rusty was born there in 1967.
Charles was an educator, football Coach and high school Principal in the Bowie school system for more than 30 years. He was a beloved part of the school and was known for his ‘hugs’. To this day, people still mention his good hugs when remembering him. He was also a ‘quarter dispenser’ as the students knew they could get some spare change if they needed it.
During his time in Bowie, Charles was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for many years as well as heading numerous committees. He was a long time member of the Bowie Kiwanis Club and spent many hours at their playground mowing and trying to repair that old equipment, and probably kept many of Bowie’s children from getting life threatening injuries. After retirement, he worked as an interim superintendent of schools in and around North Texas. But his real love was working with students. He much preferred that over the business of running schools and dealing with parents.
Charles loved working with his cattle and fishing. He caught and fried many a catfish for family and friends, and made hundreds of freezers of homemade ‘Big Red’ ice cream.
In 2013, Charles and Peggy decided to move to Burkburnett, to be close to their son and his family. Their grandson was young and into all sports, and Charles was burning up the road between Bowie and Burkburnett to keep up. There, not only did they enjoy being close to Rusty’s family, but also met many new friends at the First Baptist Church of Burkburnett.
Charles was an avid sports fan but particularly enjoyed the Red Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and in later years the Kansas City Chiefs because… well Mahomes was a Red Raider too. That gave him a lot of enjoyment. We know he is looking forward to visiting with his old coaching buddies so they might finally be able to put their heads together and figure out what is wrong with his beloved Cowboys.
Charles life long faith tells his family exactly where he is kneeling today and because of his example they know they will be seeing him again someday in Glory.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Maranna Blanton.
Charles is survived by his wife of 70 years, Peggy Russell Blanton, Burkburnett; daughter, Kim Ferguson and husband Mike, Dallas; son, Rusty Blanton and wife Jamie, Burkburnett and grandchildren, Ashlee Carlson and husband Jeffrey, Dallas, Camille Blanton, Austin and Cayden Charles Blanton, Burkburnett. He is also survived by his sister, Bettye Pinkerton, Winters, TX; brother, Dan Blanton and wife Trini, Mansfield and multiple nieces and nephews who all loved ‘uncle Sonny.’
Should friends desire, memorials can be made in honor of Charles to Hospice of Wichita Falls or the Bowie Educational Foundation.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
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.
Paid publication
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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