Page 16 • December 1, 2020 • 903-583-3280 • www.fannincountyleader.us
OBITUARIES We think of you in silence, We often speak your name, But all we have are memories, And your picture in a frame.
LOYD DAIL JOHNSON
Honey Grove, Texas – Loyd Dail Johnson, born August 22, 1936, in Ladonia, TX, went home and met his Lord Jesus on November 21, 2020 and is now with his parents Doil and Gladys Johnson, sisters Edna Ruth Pickard and Clara Nell Valentine and beloved daughter Shelby Jane Johnson. A 1955 graduate of Ladonia High School, Loyd remained a lifelong supporter and loyal Rattler, always looking forward to reconnecting with friends and classmates at the annual Ladonia Rattler Reunion, which he helped organize in later years. His friends and family will remember Loyd’s penchant for hosting a party, his perpetual humor and love of a good story and a long laugh. Loyd was a graduate several times over from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University--Commerce) having earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, with a minor in Art, and a Masters in Secondary Education, the latter of which he often reminded family that his wife of 61 years, Jane Johnson, was mostly responsible for. His teaching and coaching career began in Dodd City, Texas and eventually continued at Bells, Princeton, and Sam Rayburn ISD’s where he taught History and Science, and alternatingly coached football, basketball and track & field. In 1958 he met the love of his life, then Martha Jane Horton of Lannius, whom he married on May 29, 1959. On their anniversary each year Loyd would remind family members of proposing to Jane on the basketball court, promising her that he would marry her if she could make ten free throws in a row. Family members remain glad that he saw fit to give her several attempts. A man of seemingly endless talent and interests, and lifelong entrepreneur, Loyd always had a variety of projects and careers going simultaneously. In addition to coaching and teaching, in the 1960’s he began selling insurance and earned his Texas Real Estate Sales License. Longtime residents of Bonham will remember Loyd as the owner and operator of The Steak Out Restaurant and The Roller Rink through the 1970’s. He founded Fanninland Realty on the Bonham Square in 1974, which still operates throughout North Texas today. Loyd loved the land and working the land. He founded the LOJO Ranch in Honey Grove, Texas and was deeply proud to have helped develop a new breed of award-winning cattle, the Limoree, along with his friend and co-partner Jonas Barcellos of Uberaba, Brazil. In life Loyd enjoyed evenings fishing at a good pond, driving throughout his ranch to look at his cattle, and watching all manner of sports, especially basketball and football. He enjoyed a lifetime of traveling across the country and world, and especially enjoyed recounting his travels to family. Being blessed with wonderful friends and always sharing stories, Loyd especially relished his mornings socializing with friends at cafes and coffee shops in Sash, Honey Grove and Lamasco. Above all other pursuits in life, Loyd held his family highest and foremost. Kindhearted, considerate, and helpful to all, he was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather to the end. He spared no opportunity to tell his children and grandchildren how incredibly proud he was of them all, and how blessed he felt by his family. He was and remains deeply loved. Loyd is survived by his wife, Jane, and daughter, Tessie Johnson Nolan and husband Luke Nolan of Frisco, and son, Chris Johnson and wife Jeri Lea Hope Johnson of Bonham; grandchildren Jacob Nolan of Houston, Drew and wife Emily Nolan of Fort Worth, Audrey Jane Nolan of Fort Worth, Cole Johnson of Honey Grove, Callie Johnson of Bonham, Jessika Compton, Lauryn Compton and Aidan Straub of Bonham, and great-grandchildren, Eli Compton and Eva Ford of Bonham. Honey Grove Cowboy Church Pastor Tracy Williams of Manchester, TX presided over the celebration of life, that was held outdoors on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM at LOJO Ranch -- 11953 FM 100, Honey Grove, TX. A private burial immediately followed at Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham, TX. Pall Bearers were LOJO Ranch employees Faustino Chaverria, Roberto Chaverria, Larry Wolfe, Gary Lassiter, Craig Taylor, Wesley Ayers, Dale Horton, and longtime friend Edwin Anderson. Music was provided by Loyd’s longtime friend, cowboy musician and poet, Robert Joe Vandygriff of Lipscomb, TX. Memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church at 801 Star Street, Bonham, TX 75418, C/O Shelby Johnson Memorial Youth Fund, or Willow Wild Cemetery PO Box 159, Bonham, TX 75418.
JOE CHAT BEAZLEY JR. Joe Chat Beazley Jr. of Ely, Texas passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 24, 2020 in Hugo, Oklahoma. Joe was born in Ely on July 19, 1941 to Joe Chat Beazley Sr. and Ann Roper Beazley. He graduated from Whitewright High School in 1959. He married Alice Marie Wilson on January 18, 1964 in Durant, Oklahoma. Joe Chat came from a long line of proud farmers, farming the same land in the Beazley family since 1916. He valued the land and loved to work hard. He encouraged his sons with values of integrity and love of the land. He taught them all aspects of farming and ranching and how to appreciate the changing of the seasons and how to read the weather. He raised cotton but in the later years, he raised wheat. He was a rancher with commercial Braugus cattle. He also played hard. He thoroughly enjoyed annual deer hunting trips to Colorado. But mostly he loved taking his sons and family with him on those trips. Joe Chat was one of the founders of the Whitewright Tractor Pull which continues to this day. It was a thrill to watch Bones and Bryant compete in various tractor pulls. Above all, he treasured his wife and sons. He loved his grandchildren Joe is survived by his wife, Alice Marie Beazley of Ely, Texas; sons, Joe Chat Beazley III and wife Rhonda of Ely, Bryant Beazley of Ely; granddaughters, Katelyn Joann Beazley, Lindsey Nicole Beazley, Bailey Jean Beazley all of Ely; grandson, Wyatt Cole Beazley of Ely; sister, Babo Loe of Fort Lauderdale, Florida He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Chat Sr. and Ann Beazley; grandchildren, Christian Jacob Chandler, Laura Joe Beazley, Brooke Marie Beazley. A graveside service was held Friday, November 27, 2020 at 2:00PM at Oak Hill Cemetery in Whitewright, Texas.
STEVE ALLEN JONES
for General Cable, DeRose Trailer Plant, and Encore Wire in McKinney until he retired in 2015. Neely was a Passmaster of the Masonic Lodge #13 in Bonham. Above all his amazing accomplishments, he loved being a cowboy-Wick will be missed by all. Willis is survived by his wife Sharon Neely of Bonham; Daughter Billie Pearl NeelyReichart and husband James of Bonham, Texas; Son Skipper Revell and wife T.J. of Fulton, Texas; Son Danny McElroy and wife Kristi of Aransas Pass, Texas. Seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home Bonham, TX. To convey condolences or sign an online registry, please visit www.coopersorrells.com
REVEREND RALPH BROWN 12/1/20
WILLIS “WICK” ELVIN NEELY
Bonham- A Celebration of Life for Reverend Ralph Brown, age 72, of Bonham, TX will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Fannin
Bible Baptist Church. Bro. Louis Holmes and Dr. Bobby Glaze officiated. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home Bonham, TX. Mr. Brown left his earthly life and entered his eternal life on Friday, November 13, 2020 with his family by his side. Ralph Lynn Brown was born on September 10, 1948 in Borger, TX to James Almer and Bessie Lee (Chumley) Brown. He married Peggy Charlene (Voyles) Brown on March 16, 1973 in Lubbock, TX. Ralph served from April 68 to April 72 and was a Vietnam Veteran. He attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Theology. Ralph was a church planter, the first church that he established was the Heritage Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, TX he also established the Houston Street Baptist Church in Pottsboro, TX. Ralph is survived by wife, Peggy Brown of Bonham, TX; son, Robert Zas and wife Michelle of Janesville, WI; son, Jeffrey Brown of Bonham, TX; son, James Brown and wife Ashley of Bonham, TX; brother, Kenneth Brown of Bonham, TX; brother, Raymond Brown of Lubbock, TX; brother, Don Wilks of Bonham, TX; sister, Merle Morton of Lubbock, TX; sister, Evelyn Louderback of Pottsboro, TX; grandchildren, Grace, Robert, Jacob, Johnny, Justin, Brytni, Autumn, Bailey, and Aaron He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Peggy Glaze, and brother, Jimmy Brown. To convey condolences or sign an online registry please visit www.coopersorrells.com.
Obituaries Continued on page 17
JERRY R. DRACHENBERG JR. Bonham- Steve Allen Jones, age 73, of Windom, TX was born on September 14, 1947 in Big Spring, TX to Albert John and Dolly (Zook) Jones. He passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Texoma Medical Center Denison, TX. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home Bonham, TX. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Steve Allen Jones married Sarah Geneva (Newman) Jones on December 15, 1967 in Chihuahua, Mexico. He worked at the Dodd City School for 35 years before retiring. Steve enjoyed working at the school with the children, he also enjoyed talking to people 12/1/20 and going to the Windom Feed Sack. Steve loved keeping his yard and building things; there was not anything that he could not do. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend; he will be greatly missed. Steve is survived by wife, Sarah Jones; son, Albert Jones; son, Kelly Allen Jones; daughter, Jannifer Rena Jones; grandchildren, Jessica Wilson, Jerry Wilson, Jamie Wilson, Steven Jones, Daniel Jones, Alex Jones, and Zachary (Jones) Hank; 4 great grandchildren, brother, Vernon Jones; sister, Elizabeth Wise; sister, and Lilly Jones Teal. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jimmy Jones and sister, Eunice Faye Jones. To convey condolences or sign an online registry please visit www.coopersorrells.com
Willis “Wick” Elvin Neely, a true Cowboy, left this earth on November 20, 2020 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Mack Willis Neely and Lillie Pearl Herd-Neely. He graduated from Bonham High School and worked at Bonham Livestock Sale Barn from the age of 14 until he moved on to attend Grayson County College in Denison and A&M College of College Station. He married the love of his life Sharon King Neely on July 31, 1972 in Durant, Oklahoma and celebrated 48 loving years. They had three children together and he loved them dearly. Wick was a hard-working employee
Jerry R. Drachenberg Jr., age 64, of Bonham, Texas passed away Monday evening, November 23, 2020 at The Terrace at Denison in Denison, Texas. Cremation arrangements were made under the direction of Wise Funeral Home. Jerry was born on August 10, 1956 in Kodiak, Alaska, the son of Jerry Rowland Drachenberg Sr and Chloe Louise Manes. He was a member of Ector Baptist Church in Ector, Texas. His favorite thing to do was fish. Jerry had a kind, caring, and giving heart. He was always helping family and would never refuse to help a person in need. Jerry will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Pearl Conley and her husband Chris Conley. Jerry is survived by his daughter Bethany Hager and husband Karsten of Ector, Texas; brother, Tony Drachenberg; sister, Grace Nakamura of Malakoff, Texas; granddaughter, Cynthia Hager; and great grandson, Michael Diaz. Online guest register at www.wisefuneralhome.com