James Robert “Bob” Lester

Funeral services for James Robert “Bob” Lester, 58, of Valley View, are scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at First Baptist Church Valley View with Rev. Glen Kersey, Pastor of FBC Valley View and Chaplain Don Goforth of Bluebonnet Hospice officiating.  Interment will follow in Valley View Cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday evening, February 26, 2008 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Clement-Keel Funeral Home.

Bob Lester passed away Saturday, February 23, 2008 at his residence.  He was born in Adrian, Michigan September 8, 1949 to James Cordell and Mary Lucille Burleson Lester.  He married Risa Lynn Reed November 6, 1976 in Sand Creek, Michigan.  Bob was a veteran of the US Army, serving in Vietnam in the 101^st airborne.  He was a Telecommunications Technician for Sprint Telephone.  He was a member of the VFW Post 1922 and Color Guard, Masons Burns City Lodge #600 and First Baptist Church Valley View.  Bob enjoyed building and restoring street rods and entering them in car shows, traveling, camping, outdoor cooking, being with his family, but most of all being a grandpa.  He will always be remembered and honored having served his country and by honoring others in the color guard.

He is survived by his wife, Risa Lester of Valley View; sons and daughters-in-law, James Preston Lester of Broadman, Ohio and John Robert and Tiffany Lester of Valley View; daughter and son-in-law, Valerie Kay and Chris Peacock of Denton; granddaughter, Carlie Madison Peacock of Denton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen and Brad Gramling of Adrian Michigan, Cheryl and Tom Schrock of Adrian Michigan;

Judy Lester and Debbie Lester of Adrian Michigan; nieces, Jenny Kennedy, Emily Rupley and Lisa Schrock; nephews, Isaac Lester and Thorn Lester.  He is preceded in death by his father, Cordell Hall Lester; mother, Mary Lucille Burleson Lester; sister, Helen Lester; and grandchildren, Brittany Nicole and James Peacock

Pallbearers will be John Lester, Preston Lester, Chris Peacock, Tom Schrock, Tracy Harris and Wendel Thompson

Arrangements are under the direction of Clement Keel Funeral Home, Gainesville. 

Ansel Carey “Uncle Dutch” Holland

Ansel Carey “Uncle Dutch” Holland, 85, of Aubrey, TX went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, February 23, 2008.  He was born on September 12, 1922 in Falcon, NC, to Ancel C. and Mateie Killebrew Holland.  He married Margaret Mae Lee on June 14, 1946 in Portsmouth, VA.  He received his BSEE from the United States Naval Academy and served his country as an enlisted man in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Korean War.  He and his family moved to Texas in 1978.  He was a founding member of First Family Church in Dallas where he and his wife faithfully attended for over 25 years, and he served on the church board and executive committee during that time. 

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Slay Memorial Funeral Center.  Pastor John Ogle will officiate.  Burial will follow at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of 61 years; son, John Holland and his wife, Mary; sister, Grayce and her husband, Norwood of Florida; brother, J.B. and his wife, Holly of Chapel Hill, NC; two sisters-in-law; four grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson; one aunt; one uncle; nephews; nieces; cousins; and many friends. 

His parents; and three brothers, Wesley, Bernard and Lindsay, precede him in death.

He will be greatly missed on earth, but Heaven is sweeter with him there!

Services are under the direction of Slay Memorial Funeral Center, Aubrey, TX. 

Louis Lawson Hansard, Jr.

Louis Lawson Hansard, Jr., 62, left this earth to join his Lord in heaven on Saturday, February 23, 2008 in Gainesville.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Merwin Turner officiating.  Graveside Services will follow at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Riverside Cemetery in Wichita Falls.  The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. at the White Family Funeral Home.

Louis was born July 26, 1945 in Joliete, Illinois, the first of three boys, to Louis Hansard and Elizabeth Van Buskirk Hansard.  Louis was an Eagle Scout, a 1963 graduate of Wichita Falls High School, and a 1972 graduate of Midwestern State University.  He served in the Army National Guard, was a member of the Wichita Falls Rotary Club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow.  He worked for many years in the Hansard family business, Cessco Rental and Sales, in Wichita Falls.  He also worked alongside his wife, at Texas Pride Rental and Sales in Bowie, Texas.  Louis will be remembered most for his genuine and selfless heart, his fun-loving sense of humor, and his passion for his family, friends, and food. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Dale Hansard and Charles Hansard. 

Louis is survived by his wife, Debbie Hansard of Bowie; daughters, Katie Griffin and husband, Eric of Sanger, Cassie Freeman and husband, David of Muenster and Jill Pfalser and husband, Clinton of Van; sons, Lawson Hansard of Bowie and Thor Thornhill and wife, Alissa of New Braunfels; grandchildren, Chris Griffin, Karlie Griffin, Callie Freeman, and Brock Freeman.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the ALERT Academy or Sky Ranch Christian Camps.

Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Howard Dale Clark

Howard Dale Clark, 69, a lifelong resident of Gainesville, Texas, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2008, surrounded by his loving family and friends.   He fought a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services are set for 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Clement-Keel Funeral Home in Gainesville.  Rev. Danny Shafer will officiate.  Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Mountain Springs.  Visitation will be at Clement-Keel Funeral Home Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 7 - 8 p.m.

He was born March 12, 1938 to H.P. “Buster” Clark and Lena Brown Clark.  He married Rita Hott on May 24, 1958.  Howard was a manager in the grocery industry, with Safeway for 31 years and Burrus for 13 years.  He retired in October 2000.  He was a member of Pioneer Baptist Church in Valley View. 

He is survived by his wife, Rita Clark; daughters, Vicky Clark of Gainesville, Kathy Hootman of Sanger and Janet Bland of Gainesville; five grandchildren, Nicholas Kubis, Amber and Matthew Bland and Kyle and Katelyn Hootman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold and Linda Clark and Larry and Janie Clark of Gainesville; uncle, L.D. Clark of Smithville, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Buster and Lillian Clark, and mother, Lena Clark; grandparents, Tom and Ruby Clark, George and Mollie Brown; and uncles, M.T. (Buddie), Caroll, Gerald, and Doug Clark.  

Pallbearers are Parker Clark, Chad Day, Jason Clark, Kevin Harvick, Lance Carri, A.J. Beyer, Joey Bland, and Mike Kubis.  Honorary pallbearers are Phil Clark, Pat Clark, David Freeman and Tim Boaz.   

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Widow’s Fund, Pioneer Baptist Church, 100 Cumberland Trail, Valley View, TX, 76272.

Albert Bill Grubbs Sr.

Albert Bill Grubbs Sr., 88, of Denton passed away Sunday, February 24, 2008 at Denton Regional Medical Center.  He was born November 6, 1919 in Dawson, Navarro County, Texas to Ernest Henry and Minnie Elizabeth Grubbs. At the age of 16 Albert left school and moved to West Texas to live with his uncle on a farm. In

addition to working for his uncle on the farm, he worked in service stations, restaurants, and a moving company. He joined the Civilian Conservation Caverns and the famous Prairie Dog Town in Lubbock’s McKenzie Park providing income for his family due to service with this depression era agency. Later, he was employed as a truck driver in Lubbock prior to the war.

He married Margaret Violet Mesaros in Vancouver, Washington on October 7, 1942.  He joined the United States Army in February 1942. He was training as a tail gunner in bombers before it was halted due to ear problems. He served in the 1886th

Engineering Aviation Battalion as a heavy truck driver. Albert served his time in Oregon, California, and Pacific Theater including Guam and Okinawa. His citations include, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon and Victory Medal.  He was honorably discharged in November 1945.

Upon discharge from the United States Army he resided in Glouster, Ohio and was employed in coalmine operations as a truck driver. Later, he was employed driving trucks transporting new cars, and then delivering freight driving large trucks. He was a

longtime member of the Teamsters Union participating in organizing, elections, and other union activities.  He provided for his family by also earning money doing part-time auto repair; selling used automobiles, driving taxis, working as a security guard, providing

tractor mowing service, and as a service station operator.

With a wife and two children he moved his household in a Ford Model A to Dallas in 1946. Due to the housing shortages the family lived with relatives until they

were able to relocate to government housing in converted Quonset Huts on the grounds of the Veteran Hospital in Lisbon, Texas. In 1949 the family moved into their own home with the assistance of a veteran’s mortgage loan in South Oak Cliff where he lived until

the early 1960’s. The family relocated to Lake Dallas then Corinth before settling in Denton in the early 1970’s.

Living in Denton County he was active in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Knights of Columbus; he was a 3rd and 4th degree Knight of

Columbus and Color Corp. Commander for several years.  He attended church regularly at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary at mass with his children just this past October.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 6 – 8 p.m. with a Rosary being read at 7 p.m. at Denton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday,

February 27, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Denton. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Survivors include his loving wife, Margaret; children, Albert Bill Jr. and wife, Mary of Denton, Tommy Lee of Denton, Jerry Lewis and wife, Nancy of Austin, and

Margaret Ann of Denton; grandchildren, Albert Billy III, Jack, Kathy, Kristie, Jerry, Jennifer, and Monica; great-grandchildren, Brian, Sophie, Pierce, Marlon, Margaret June, Grace, Hanna, Aaron, Emma Leigh, Camryn, and Hudson; brothers, Oscar Otto, Henry

Ernest, and David Franklin; sisters, Minnie Josephine Sisfiar, Geneva Eveline, and Emma Pauline.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Samuel Walter, Luther Leon, Carl Stein, Zolar D., Tommy Chester, and William Harlan; sister, Fay Lorine; and daughter-in-law, Alma.

Services are under the direction of Denton Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Kammie Jo Gatlin Carico

Kammie Jo Gatlin Carico, 39, a teacher died February 23, 2008 in Sanger, Texas. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, at Slidell First Baptist Church. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

Kammie was born December 28, 1968 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to James and Lois Stidham Gatlin. She married Terry Carico on August 24, 1990 in Slidell, Texas where they have lived the past 18 years. Kammie graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has taught at several local schools.

Left behind to cherish her memory is her husband of 17 years, Terry Carico of Slidell; parents, James and Lois Gatlin of Slidell; 2 daughters, Gayl Gatlin of Slidell, Jennifer Shumate and husband Josh of Sanger; 3 granddaughters, Brooke and Emily Rudder, and Eden Shumate all of Sanger; 1 brother, James L. Gatlin and wife Tonya of Greenwood; grandmother, Mable Stidham; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and a host of friends.

Reverend James Perry George

Reverend James Perry George, 86, of Argyle, passed away February 23, 2008 at Harris Methodist Hospital in Bedford. He was born April 2, 1921, to Perry Tillman George and Matilda Seltzer George in Sanger, Texas. He was a graduate of Sanger High School. He was first married to Laila Jay George on July 8, 1938 and she preceded him in death in June, 1992. He married Opal Pauline Edwards in 1992. He was a Minister and a member of Faith Harvest Church in Argyle, Texas.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 26, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Faith Harvest Church in Argyle, 202 Cook Street. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at 1 p.m. in the Faith Harvest Church with Reverend Jeff Long officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.

He is survived by his wife, Opal Pauline George of Argyle; daughters, Barbara Jackson of Quinlan; Helen Long of North Richland Hills and Beverly Wright of Krum; son, Johanna George of Mesquite; sisters, Mammie Ruth Coffey of Sanger and Lillie Pearl Logan of Gainesville; 16 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters and 3 brothers.

Services are provided by DeBerry Funeral Directors of Denton.