Obituaries

Ray Steakley
Services for Lewis Ray Steakley, 69, Kemp, were held Dec. 22, 2009, at the Anderson-Clayton Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Kemp with Rev. Dub Henry officiating. Interment followed in the Baker Cemetery near Kemp under the direction of Anderson Clayton Brothers Funeral Home.
Steakley was born Aug. 15, 1940, in Borger, to the late Ruth Wilson and William L. Steakley and died Dec. 19, 2009, at his residence in Tool in the presence of his loving wife, Glenda.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Ella Mae Steakley, son Jimmy Steakley and a granddaughter Nicole Steakley.
He was Baptist by faith and married Glenda Day Dec. 18, 1975, in Dallas.
He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. serving as a tank commander and firefighter and was a glazier in glass construction for more than 35 years.
He worked on nearly every building in downtown Dallas. His career also took him to several places, including Saudi Arabia in the mid 1980’s to install glass for the Royal Family of Saudi.
After his retirement, he worked construction in the sheet metal industry along side his brother, Richard.
During his career he served as the Business Agent for Glaziers Local No.1837 for many years.
He also was a member of the Elks Lodge for numerous years. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers and was very devoted to and loved his entire family with all of his heart.
Survivors include his wife Glenda, Tool; daughters Carla Richards and her husband David, Kemp; Patty Reed and husband Terry, Kemp; and Diane Day and companion Willie Moore, Payne Springs; sons, Raymond Steakley and wife Shannon, Mabank; Billy Steakley and wife Lisa, Louisiana; Bobby Day and wife Michelle, Kemp; Mike Day and wife Lori, Kaufman; and Mark Steakley, Kemp; 18 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother Richard Steakley and wife Sharon, Mesquite; and niece Laurie Helm and husband Jason, Forney; as well as numerous other friends and relatives.
Pallbearers were Trey Steakley, Cody Reed, Kyle Steakley, Jeffrey Reed, Billy Wayne Steakley, Kory Steakley, Kevin Day, Dylan Day and Blake Hazelip. Honorary pallbearers were Travis Pitts, Warren Wade and Danny Brown.

George Blaine
Memorial services for George Blaine, 88, Gun Barrel City, were held Dec. 21, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Gun Barrel City with pastor Byron Jones officiating under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Blaine was born Aug. 24, 1921, in Joplin, Mo. to Ethyl and Walter Blaine and died Dec. 18, 2009.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jim and Bob and sister Betty.
He graduated from the Central High School in Tulsa, Okla. in 1939. He married Betty Jo Nations Nov. 22, 1941.
He served in the Army Air Force during World War II, having graduated from Officer Training School as a second lieutenant.
He achieved the rank of Captain as a flight instructor and trained as a pilot on B-17 and B-29 bombers at Stockton, Calif. before the war ended.
He spent his business career in sales of oil field equipment, and in 1989 formed his own company, Blaine Dynamometer Services.
After retirement, he and his wife relocated to Gun Barrel City to be near their son John and his wife, Pam.
Betty and George Blaine were active members of First Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City, where he delighted in singing in the Hallelujah and Sanctuary choirs.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; sons Jim and John; daughter-in-law Pam; and a host of friends.

Martha Baker
Services for Martha Baker, 87, Seven Points, were held Dec. 30, 2009, at the Eubank Funeral Chapel with Bro. Pat Satery officiating. Burial was in King Cemetery in Aley under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.
Baker was born Feb. 13, 1922, in Kaufman County to Hattie Blanche Hunt and Ivon Burches Jones and died Dec. 26, 2009, in Gun Barrel City.
She was preceded in death by husband Readus Baker, parents, grandson Ronald Lynn Baker, sister Bertie Splawn, and brothers Leonard and Andy Jones.
She was a member of the Kemp Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She married Readus Baker March 4, 1942. He died in 1984.
She loved to working in her flower beds and rearing her kids and grandchildren. She lived in Seven Points for 40 years.
Survivors include daughters Frances Myers, Gun Barrel City; Sue Rushing, Kemp; Loretta Allen, Kemp; and Molly and husband Robert Robison, Kemp; sons Nolan and wife Edna Baker, Gun Barrel City; Earl Baker, Eustace; Troy Baker, Kemp; and Billy Baker and wife Paula, Gun Barrel City; 28 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; brothers Leland Jones, Kemp; and Buford Jones, Arcadia; and sister Anna Florence Thompson, Mesquite.
Pallbearers were Joey Baker, Marc Collier, Daniel Renberg, Gerald Taylor, Gary Turner, Buddy Coleman, Craig Jones and Jeff Baker.

Richard Bouffard
Services for Richard Joseph Bouffard, 60, Mabank, were held Dec. 26, 2009, at the Eubank Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Carlton Young officiating. Burial was in Haven of Memories Cemetery in Canton, under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.
Bouffard was born June 20, 1949, in Marlboro, Mass., to Madelyn Flemming and Dolor Charles Bouffard and died Dec. 22, 2009, in Athens.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Peggy McManus and brother Dennis Bouffard.
He was Baptist by faith and was married 32 years to his precious wife Pat. He enjoyed working in his shop and outside in the yard. He also enjoyed bowling and reading. He loved his family and friends.
Survivors are his wife Patricia A. Bouffard, Mabank; daughter Melody Ann Edwards; brothers Raymond Bouffard, Maine; Charles Bouffard, Massachusetts; and Jimmy Bouffard, California; grandson Daniel Lewis Edwards, Maridian, Miss.; other relatives and friends.

Randy Matheson
Memorial services for Randy Dale Matheson, 45, Gun Barrel City, will be held at the Harbor Baptist Church in Payne Springs with the Rev. George Yeager officiating under the direction of Moorhead-Epps Funeral Home of Gun Barrel City.
Matheson was born Nov. 5, 1964, in Dallas to Dorothy Barton and James Charles Matheson and died Dec. 20, 2009, at his home with his family by his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Patsy Oden.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years Tracy Matheson; children Kimberly Nichole Matheson and her fiancée, Bradley Briggs; Cristel Kae Praytor and husband, Casey Sr.; grandchildren Casey Praytor Jr., Timothy John Praytor and Kairi Nichole Briggs; brothers James Charles Matheson and Terry Lynn Matheson; sisters Elaine Gervers, Janie Davis, Glenda Mattison and Dorothy Fisher.

Jerry Prewitt
Services for Jerry Floyd Prewitt, 69, Wortham, were held Dec. 24, 2009, at the Post Oak Cemetery in Malakoff with the Rev. Irvin Anthony officiating under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Prewitt was born May 28, 1940, in Dallas and died Dec. 20, 2009, in Mexia.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was Baptist by faith.
Survivors include his son Jerry Floyd Prewitt Jr., Ennis; brother, Billy Prewitt and wife Anita, Waxahachie; nieces, nephews other family and many friends.