Obituaries

In-page image(s)

Donald Gee Smith

Body

Donald Gee Smith was born Oct. 24, 1934, in Longview being the only son of Sam B. and Pearl Smith.  
Donald passed away May 3, 2022, at the age of 87.  
He graduated from Wortham High School in 1953, was employed as a Dallas firefighter from 1955 to 1968, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1961 and attended SMU law school from 1963-1965 while working in the fire department.  
He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1966 and practiced law in Dallas County until 1978 when he moved to Cedar Creek Lake where he lived and practiced law until the present.  

James R Green

Body

James R Green passed peacefully May 4, 2022 at his home. He was born Jan. 19, 1926 in Quanah to Randolph Green and Jewel (Richardson) Green.  
He was married to Marilyn Reeves in 1948 in Denton while both were students, he at North Texas State University and she at Texas State College for Women.
James served in WWII and had a long career with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. After living in several midwestern and eastern U.S. cities he and his family returned to their home state of Texas residing in Tool for 53 years.

Theda Jean Kettler

Body

Theda Jean Kettler, 76, of Mabank passed away May 2, 2022. Theda was born Feb. 4, 1946, in Bellville, Ill. 
She was the baby of the family, with 11 older brothers and sisters. Theda grew to be a hardworking and successful woman who devoted 27 years of her life to serve her country. 
This proud Army Veteran had been stationed in Greece, Germany and Africa under the Vietnam Conflict as the secretary of the Ambassador of the State Department. 
She loved to travel. Theda had a skilled and intelligent mind, she was highly involved in politics and a member of Mensa. 

In-page image(s)

Peggy Davidson Whisenant

Body

Peggy Davidson Whisenant was born Oct. 18, 1933 in Chanute, Kan., a daughter of the late Frank and Mildred Moon Davidson.  
One of five children, Peggy grew up in Chanute where she was a graduate of Chanute High School in 1951.  
After graduating high school, Peggy completed several college business courses in Tulsa, Okla.  

In-page image(s)

Joshua Ryan Murphy

Body

Joshua Ryan Murphy was diagnosed at the age of 2-1/2 years with Mucopolysaccharidosis or MPS, a very rare disease affecting one in 25,000 births.  
He was expected to live 13 years. MPS took him at 21 years of age. Joshua passed away April 25, 2022.  He was born Jan. 29, 2001, in Garland to parents Stephen Ray Murphy and Ruth Margaretha Jesse Murphy.
Joshua was a vibrant, energetic, laughing, smiling child. He never met a stranger. He loved hugs, balls and hats, especially unusual hats.  

In-page image(s)

James “David” Oldham

Body

James “David” Oldham, 74, of El Dorado, Ark. and Tool passed away April 19, 2022 at his home in El Dorado.  
David was born Jan.9, 1948 in El Dorado to the late Lillie Faye Clifton Oldham and Jack Oldham.  
David was a retired machinist and airplane mechanic, having worked 40 plus years in these fields before his retirement. 
He loved to cook, deer hunt and especially enjoyed collecting working on International Scouts.  He was an avid animal lover and had a heart for taking in stray dogs.
David was preceded in death by his parents.

In-page image(s)

Harold Eugene Evans

Body

Harold Eugene Evans, 55, formerly of Gun Barrel City, passed away March 27, 2022. Harold was born Feb. 13, 1967 in Dallas to parents Harold Ray Evans and Rita Evans.
Harry married Maria Hernandez May 4, 2018 and they shared wonderful moments together until his passing. 
Harry worked as a Truck Driver. In his spare time he enjoyed race cars, hunting and his grandchildren. 

In-page image(s)

Lonnie Loyd Avant

Body

Lonnie Loyd Avant was born to parents, Irene (Melton) and John T. Avant Oct. 6, 1950. He entered into eternal rest April 16, 2022 at the age of 71. 
Lonnie married his best friend and love of his life, Cindy, May 18, 1973 and together they built a beautiful legacy with their family. 
Lonnie was a devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather, dedicated brother and uncle. His family was the absolute most important part of his life. 

In-page image(s)

L.E. “Ed” Creel, III

Body

L.E. “Ed” Creel, III was born in Huntsville, Ala., Sept. 23, 1937, to L.E. Creel, Jr. of Albertsville, Ala., an Alabama lawyer and at his retirement, a Federal Administrative Judge for the Federal Trade Commission and June Oldacre Creel of Cullman, Ala. 
Ed was raised in Washington, D.C. except for the duration of World War II when he lived with his schoolteacher mother and his maternal grandmother and grandfather in Cullman, Ala., while his father was serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, stationed throughout the Pacific as a commander of landing craft.