OBITUARIES
Joseph “Joe” Burt Dial
April 27, 1936 – December 18, 2024
SAINT JO – Joseph “Joe” Burt Dial, 88, passed away on Dec. 18, 2024.
Joe was born in Kilgore on April 27, 1936 to parents, William Andrew Dial and Grace (Spaudling) Dial. Joe graduated high school from Texas Military Institute in San Antonio. He went on to the University of Texas in Austin, later getting his degree from the University of Maryland.
In his younger years he was a rancher in South Texas and was involoved in raising and promoting the Brahman breed in the United States and in other countries. Agriculture was a way of life for him in many ways.
In 1991 George H.W. Bush appointed Joe a commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He was confirmed by the Senate. Joe chose a cornfield in South Texas to be the place where he was officially sworn into office. On April 17, 1993 Joe married Marilyn Scoptt Smith in Alexandria, VA.
When Joe’s term at C.F.T.C. ended, he accepted a fellowship at Harvard University at the Institute of Politics, Kennedy School of Government. Joe and Marilyn moved to Cambridge, MA for the spring semester.
In 2000, after completing his fellowship, Joe and Marilyn moved to Dallas. Joe became active in the former Texas ranger Association in honor of his father who was a Texas Ranger. In 2004, Joe and Marilyn moved to Saint Jo. Joe served well as around the county. He was a founding member of Leadership Montague County. After returning to Texas, Joe also began consulting work with other countries, assisting them in creating or upgrading regulatory agencies for commodity markets. Joe was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. Heas the epitome of a “good and faithful servant.”
Joe is survived by his wife, Marilyn Dial and Walter Smith, Saint Jo; four children from a previous marriage, Joseph A. Dial, Catherine Dial Easly, Emily Dial Heard and Peggy Dial; five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Memorials may be made to Easy Street Animal Shelter in Saint Jo or Cal Farley’s Boy’s Ranch in Amarillo.
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OBITUARIES
Daniel Forrest Barrett
December 27, 1965 – August 12, 2026
NOCONA – Daniel Forrest Barrett, 60, died on Aug. 12, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born Dec. 27, 1965, in Spring Branch to James Harry Barrett and Opal Laverne Henderson. He played football at Northwestern and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked mostly as a stock broker.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chuck Barrett.
He is survived by his three children, Reagan, Dylan and Connor; two grandchildren; sister, Sherri Lynn Watson; two nieces; one nephew and siblings, Jesse, Rich and Cheryl.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
OBITUARIES
David Duke
July 24, 1960 – August 12, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – David Duke, 66, died on Aug. 12, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
There was a visitation from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the Abundant Life Church officiated by Pastor James Messer.
Interment followed in Terral Cemetery. Pallbearers were Randy Harris, Randy Croxton, Wiley Vanover, Zak Weaver, Bradley Lawrence and Ross Atteberry. Honorary pallbearers were David Morrison and the Red River Dozer Crew.
He was born on July 24, 1960 in Bowie to Harvey and Marjorie Romine Duke. He was a dozer operator mainly for Red River Dozer. He grew up in Terral, OK where he graduated high school. He married Micheal Heathington on Nov. 26, 1994 in Spanish Fort.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Micheal Duke; children, Leslie Halt, Kendra Grottie and Kyle Duke; sisters, Delores Weatherly and Sharon Westbrook; brothers, Ricky Duke and Ronnie Duke, and nine grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Eagle Point Cemetery Association.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
OBITUARIES
Timothy Tompkins
June 12, 1981 – August 2, 2026
DALLAS – Timothy Tompkins, 45, died on Aug. 2, 2026 in Dallas, TX.
There was a memorial service on at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Sparkman officiating. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
He was born on June 12, 1981 to Sam and Paula Tompkins in Wichita Falls. He was a driver, worked the oil industry for several years, wroked as a ranch manager and carpenter. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church. He married Christy Marie Harris on Sept. 24, 2005 in Nocona.
He is survived by his wife, Christy Tompkins, Nocona; parents, Sam and Paula Tompkins, Spanish Fort; sister, Amanda York, Wichita Falls; children, Samantha Dawn Tompkins, Stephenville, Brock Wilson Tompkins, Frisco, Deagan Brodie Tompkins, Spanish Fort, Lillian Marie “Lili” Tompkins, Spanish Fort and three nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church, P.O. Box 330, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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