Obituaries

Charles Seabourne, fondly known as Poppy, was born June 19, 1937, and died peacefully with family by his side Feb. 18, 2026, at the age of 88. 
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, teacher, coach, Sunday school teacher and friend and lived a life full of love for family, nature and his church. 
Charles lived in Eustace most of his life. As past students described, he was a favorite teacher and coach, with storytelling and problem-solving skills that would impact their lives for years to come. 

John G. McKean, born March 3, 1945, in Marion, Iowa, to Allen B. and Evelyn McKean, passed away Dec. 9, 2025.
John was a 1963 graduate of Marion High School, where he was known for his sense of humor and athleticism on the basketball court, football field and track.
In 1968, John married Judy Lewis from Cedar Rapids. They eventually moved to Ely with their family and for 13 years owned and operated a Pepperidge Farm business. 
In 1985, the family moved to Texas, where they owned Texas Hydro Sports for 35 years on Cedar Creek Lake

Calvin Lindsey Childers Jr., 67, passed away Jan. 18, 2026 in Tyler. He resided in Gun Barrel City.
Born Jan. 27, 1958, in Carrollton, Miss., Calvin was the son of Calvin Lindsey Childers of Howell, Ark. and Amanda Wilene Bowan of Hot Springs, Ark.
Calvin was a devoted son, brother, husband and above all, a loving father who cherished his family deeply. Known to many as “Chili,” he was a kind-hearted, funny and generous soul—someone you were fortunate to have in your corner.

William (Bill) Frederick Trenary of Mabank was born May 8, 1960 to George and Eris Trenary in Dallas.
Bill passed peacefully from this earth in the arms of his loving wife Jo Trenary Jan. 18, 2026.  He was 65 years young.
Bill spent most of his life in the Mabank area, graduating from high school in Eustace and then working for Cedar Creek Carpets in Seven Points.  
After learning the business, he and Jo eventually bought the company and successfully managed it for some 36 years.  

Johnas Gene Minshew, 50, passed away Jan. 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. 
Johnas was born March 2, 1975, in Killeen. He graduated from Copperas Cove High School in 1994. 
In 1993, he met the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Stefanie Lee. The two shared a lifelong bond and were married Jan. 30, 2002, building a marriage rooted in loyalty, love and unwavering support.

Tara Lynn (Pruett) White, 67, of Memphis, Tenn., passed away Jan. 2, 2026 in Tyler. She was born March 5, 1958 to James A. Pruett and Patricia Joyner Lirette.  
Tara was a friend to anyone she met, had a rock-and-roll soul and an adventurous spirit. 
Tara was a graduate of Southaven High School in Mississippi and attended TVCC in Texas with a focus on childhood development.  
She will be lovingly remembered as a devoted and selfless daughter, sister, mother and grandmother. 

Vickie McLauchlin Rose, 68, of Dallas passed away Dec. 23, 2025. She was the wife of David Neal Rose.
Born Jan. 20, 1957, in Athens, Vickie was a daughter of the late Albert Winston McLauchlin and the late Mae Pearl Dickerson McLauchlin.
Vickie was a graduate of Eustace School and spent many years working for Bank of America, retiring in 2023. She was happily married to David for 42 years and together they built a life centered on love and family. 

James "Sonny" Gardner, 85, passed away Jan. 5, 2026, in Kemp. He was born Sept. 14, 1940, in Aley to parents Pauline (Bridges) and James Monroe Gardner, Sr.
Sonny graduated as valedictorian of the Kemp High School Class of 1958. After high school, he proudly served his country with four years in the Army and an additional ten years in the Army National Guard.
Family meant everything to Sonny. He stepped up as a father and was a good dad, always present and always caring. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren and took great pride in each of them.

James Michael Brantley went to meet the Lord Dec. 28, 2025, following a heart attack and stroke. 
In his passing, James gave the gift of life through organ donation, helping others in need. As of today, three individuals have received these life-saving gifts, with the possibility of helping many more.

Funeral services for Marvin Leamon Rogers, 91, of Malakoff were held Jan. 7, 2026, at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home Chapel in Athens with Tony Murry officiating. Burial followed at Malakoff City Cemetery. 
Leamon passed away in Tyler Jan. 3, 2026. The lifelong resident of Malakoff was born April 27, 1934, to Tom and Mamie Rogers. He retired after 47 years of employment at Texas Clay/Acme Brick in January of 2001. 
He then continued working for another 20 years for Green River Resources retiring at the age of 86.