Obituaries

Jean Evelyn Cole (née Lane) passed away peacefully Sept. 12, 2024, in Gun Barrel City at the age of 93. She was born May 13, 1931, in Lubbock. 
Jean's long life was marked by her warmth and dedication to her community. She loved reading the Bible and having Bible study with friends. As a Christian, she spent her life witnessing to as many people as she could. She was very active in her community at the assisted living she called home.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and brother Billy Lane.

Betty Grace Haley Starek, 89, passed away Sept. 10, 2024, in Kemp, surrounded by her family.  She was born July 20, 1935, in Mabank the youngest daughter of 15 children to parents James and Rose (Shew) Haley. 
Betty married Jerry Starek, he truly was the love of her life for 69 year, and they settled in Kemp where they raised their children Dennis, Linda, Larry, Jerry and Jamie.  

Curtis Alan Webster, 79, of Haslet passed away peacefully Sept. 3, 2024. 
Curtis was a dedicated husband, father, brother, and friend and his life was defined by service, love for his family and a commitment to his community and country.
Curtis was born in Salem, Ill., to Morris and Helen Louise Webster in 1945. He attended Permian High School in Texas and was proud to be a cheerleader for the Panthers. 

Roald Theo “Skip” Gustafson from Mabank passed away Aug. 26, 2024 at 84.
Born Feb. 23, 1940 in Chicago, Skip took an early interest in aviation.  After a brief stint in the Army, he flew at Ozark Airlines before beginning a career at American Airlines in 1967 and retired in 2000.  
Skip is survived by his wife Julie (Mangus), sons Joel and Scott, daughters Cea and Beth and grandchildren.

Gary Lynn Whitley, a cherished father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully at home Sept. 5, 2024. Born April 30, 1949, in Dallas, to Paul Reid Whitley and Bernice Ethel McCoy, Gary lived a life marked by dedication, compassion and humor.
A proud graduate of Sunset High School in 1967, Gary's talent for music shone brightly as he earned letters in orchestra for his skillful playing of the viola and piano. His deep connection to the Dallas area lasted throughout much of his life, though he eventually found tranquility in retirement in Gun Barrel City.

Michael James Langford born Aug. 26, 1942 in Jefferson, Iowa passed away peacefully Aug. 23, 2024 at Legend Oaks Nursing Home in Ennis. 
Mike worked in sales for the majority of his life until retiring to the Cedar Creek Lake area in the early 1990s, with retirement not keeping him satisfied he created Cedar Creek Consierge a property management business around Cedar Creek Lake. Mike and Alice very much enjoyed their time living in Gun Barrel City making many friends in the area.

Bernard Andrew “Cotton” Meyer passed away peacefully on the morning of Aug. 12, 2024 at the age of 89.
Cotton was born June 1, 1935, on a dairy farm in Booker. From a young age, Cotton began working on his parents’ farm which began his lifelong love of gardening and plants. 
He met the love of his life, Sue, while they were in grade school. He and Sue both attended Booker High School. They went on to marry Aug. 16, 1953. 

Truman “Greg” Cooley, Jr., 81, of Cedar Creek Lake was born Aug. 16, 1942  to Truman and Sidnah Cooley of Shreveport, La. and passed away Aug. 6, 2024. 
He attended Byrd High School in Shreveport and graduated from LSU with a business degree in 1966. He earned his Master’s in Finance from Amberton University.
Truman worked for IBM as a sales manager for 33 years and went on to be Vice President for Keylink and Pioneer Standard software sales. 

Thomas Taaffe, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend was called home to heaven Aug. 3, 2024.
He was born Dec. 28, 1937 in Trinidad to Robert and Ruby Taaffe.
Thomas served in the Marines and went on to earn a masters degree in engineering from Texas Tech University, studied in the PhD program and later graduated from the TCU Ranch management program. 
In 1968 he began his 39 year career teaching at Tarrant County junior college. 

William "Cooter" Wyatt Davis, 88, of Mabank, passed away Aug. 1, 2024, in Athens.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 at Roselawn Funeral Home concluding outside in the cemetery with military honors and a short committal service.