June 2025

Gary Stephen Barclay, 66, of Gun Barrel City, passed away at his home May 31, 2025 following a battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 5, 1958 in Carthage to Milton Wayne Barclay and Marjorie Overton-Barclay. 
Growing up, Gary lived in Seagoville where he attended Seagoville High School and graduated in 1977. 
In 1994, Gary began his respected career as a Licensed Real Estate Home Inspector, which he excelled at. In 2008 he relocated to Gun Barrel City. 
After meeting cherished wife, Lisa Schmidt, in 2004, they were married Oct. 20, 2018 in Destin, Fla. 

Laura Lea Strickland, 63, beloved daughter, sister and aunt, was called to her eternal home May 24, 2025. 
Laura, daughter of Donald and Thelma Strickland, was born Sept. 4, 1961. She was raised in Baton Rouge, La., but later moved to San Antonio to receive her BBS from Texas Bible Institute. 
She loved serving the Lord through serving and teaching others. After a varied career in ministry, her final destination was as HR Director at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas. 

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Eustace High School’s three time state archery champions Kenadie Tanner (from left, front row) Mariah Reed, Gabby Key, Lexi Cleek, Kayla McCallister, Ashlyn Regan, Amber McCallister, Maggie Jenkins, Coach Amanda Cooper (from left, back row), Keagan McGraw, Dustin McCray, Andrew Womble, Ty Logan, Tatum Burks, Collin Russell, Tyler Patterson and Coach Kenneth Carpenter are recognized during the Eustace ISD Board of Trustees meeting May 27.

Monitor File Photo/Russell Slaton
Eustace High School’s Rhett Dyer, a graduated senior shown playing Feb. 17 against Rice, is named First Team All-District as a pitcher.

Betty “Nanny” Conway passed away peacefully at her home May 22, 2025.  She was born Feb. 2, 1931, in Quinton, Okla., to Charlie and Etta Weathers.  
Her family traveled across the country and settled into Winnsboro where she graduated from Winnsboro High School in 1949. She moved to Fort Worth where she met and married James Conway in 1955.  
She worked and retired from Square D Electrical after 40 years of dedicated service. She didn’t “retire” for long, as she worked as a bus monitor for the HEB ISD for five additional years.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Students who began their educational career in Pre-K at Central Elementary now moving on to the Intermediate School led the Pledge of Allegiance at the May 19 School Board meeting. Holden Wilkerson (front row from left), Laney Williams, Collin Chappell, Jaxon Zmolik, Prayleigh Scrimshire (second row from left) Layken Trull, Mallory Goode, Hudson Goodwin, Reid Teague, Maverick Conrad and Levi Whetstine are officially fifth graders at the Intermediate School.

KAUFMAN COUNTY–Capital murder fugitive Trevor McEuen was taken into custody following the execution of a coordinated search warrant by the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), in collaboration with multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, in the early morning hours of Monday, June 2.