James Lynn Collins, 90, of the Lake Creek community, passed from this life Saturday August 3, 2013 at his residence. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday August 7, 2013 at the Enloe United Methodist Church, with Rev. Stacy Smith officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Lake Creek Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service.
James was born March 16, 1923 in McLean, Texas, a son of William Arthur and Velma Hardin Collins. He was a graduate of Arlington High School, then entered the U.S. Army, serving his country honorably at his station in Bermuda. He left military service in 1947, and began to travel the country, visiting many noteworthy places around the United States, and after a brief residence in New York, he hitchhiked back to Texas, and worked with a seismic crew. Settling back into his Texas roots, he returned to the family farm, and was introduced by his sister to who would become the love of his life, Dorothy Imogene Gladden. On February 14, 1947 he and Dorothy were married in Arlington, and shared life, family, love and memories until her death on November 25, 2009. James, as a son of the one of the founding families of Arlington, continued to work a growing cotton farm, on land belonging to the Collins family for generations. Ultimately the land became a part of the tremendous growth and development of Arlington, and was included in the massive development of highways, stadiums and amusement parks. During those years James served as a member of the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department, was active in the Webb Baptist Church, and, as his land was taken by eminent domain in 1969 for the building of U.S. Highway 360, he moved with his wife and family to Delta County, where he continued a life in farming and ranching, as well as serving as a Gin Director for the cotton gin. In his later years he was able to support his grandchildren in their sporting efforts, and was in attendance at every sporting event possible. James was loved admired and respected by the students, faculty and families of Chisum sports, as his face was always found among the attendees. He enjoyed church membership in the Enloe United Methodist Church. James will be remembered as an honest, hardworking man, who instilled that same integrity and work ethic in his children as well as other children and teenagers who either worked for him on the farm or grew up around him. He will be remembered as a mild-mannered man, who was slow to anger. He loved good food and good friends, and nothing made him happier than a good game of 42. He was an avid user of Facebook, and had logged over six thousand games of online Checkers. The world needs many more men like James Collins.
In addition to his wife Dorothy, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Brian Mohundro in 2012; and a brother, Billy Ray Collins who died as a child in 1930.
James leaves behind two children, his daughter Dianne Permenter and husband Jim, of Canton, Georgia and his son J.B. Collins and wife Lori, of Lake Creek; five grandchildren, Cori Collins, Gus Collins, Chrisy Forbes and Chelsy Forbes; six great-grandchildren, Dalton Mohundro, Dillon Mohundro, Lexi Mohundro , Katie Mohundro, Kyle Mohundro, and Faith Mohundro; four sisters, Edna Myrle Bellomy and husband George, Jo Ann Somers and husband Ray, Mary Nell Rater and husband Ed, and Kay Cannon; and a host of extended family and friends, but his last wish on earth was to spend time with a special friend “Ms. Bonnie,” and upon a final visit from her he was ready to move on from this life and into the life to come.
Named to serve as pallbearers are Gus Collins, Tommy Mohundro, Jim Permenter, Charles Gladden, Rick Sutton and Jerry Hendley.
If desired, the family requests memorial contributions to the Enloe United Methodist Church.
Friends may register in Jame’s Book of Memories at www.starrettfunerals.com
Mary Lou Alice Harned O’Neel, 90, of Powderly, died at 5:15 PM, Saturday, August 3, 2013 at her home. Funeral services are set for 10:00 AM, Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church of God in Powderly with Rev. Chris Kelley officiating. There will be no formal visitation hour observed. Burial will be in Forest Chapel Cemetery. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Mary Lou was born February 4, 1923 in Hoisington, Kansas to Roscoe Ellton and Retta Cordia Hollis Harned. She first married the father of her three children, LeRoy Doty. She later married Roy O’Neel who preceded her in death. Mrs. O’Neel was a seamstress and sewed in her home for the public. She was a member of Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church of God.
She is survived by her daughter, Betty Katherine Doty Hyatt and husband, Pete; five grandchildren, Cheryldawn E. Doran and husband, John, James Edwin Hyatt, LeRoy C. Doty III and his wife, Tonya, Christy Doty, and Cindy Doty; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands; two sons, LeRoy Clayton Doty and William Elton Doty; and three siblings.
Online condolences may be made to Mrs. O’Neel’s family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Charles Thomas Loftin, of Honey Grove, known by his family as Tommy, passed from this life Saturday August 3, 2013 at the age of sixty-four, at Red River Regional Hospital, following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Private burial arrangements were made by Starrett Funeral Home at Evergreen Cemetery in Paris. His family will host a service in celebration of Tommy’s life at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday August 6, 2013 at Honey Grove Nursing Center in Honey Grove, Texas.
Tommy was born October 10, 1948 in San Antonio, a son of Charles Edwin and Mary Carolyn Wilkins Loftin. He attended Rio Vista Grade School in San Bernadino, California prior to attending Willingham Junior High in Macon, Georgia, and graduating from Bibb County Technical School, where he specialized in auto body repair. In 1974 Tommy moved with his family to Paris, and began volunteer work with Paris MHMR for two years prior to his employment with Paris Junior College. During his time at PJC Tommy was a jack-of-all-trades, driving trucks, painting, cleaning, and grounds-keeping. After twenty-two years of service to the college, he retired due to the onset of Parkinson’s. His disease progressed, and he became a resident of Honey Grove Nursing Center, where his passion for planting and watering flowers was a favorite activity. He took pride in presenting his handpicked bouquets to his mother. Among his greatest joys were assisting staff and fellow residents, whether cleaning, grounds keeping, table and chair setup for church meetings, or wherever he could find himself useful. Tommy was a loyal employee and loved and admired by all who knew him.
Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Charles Loftin; and a nephew, JonathanLoftin.
He is survived by his mother Mary Loftin; a sister, ShirleyLoftin; two brothers, Larry Loftin and wife Renee, all of Paris and Roger Loftin and wife Kay, of Wisconsin; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Friends may register in Tommy’s Book of Memories at www.starrettfunerals.com.
