Category: Howe News Bulletin

Marsha Gail Key passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on July 3, 2024. A Howe native, Marsha was born to Bob and Eva Lois Smith on March 6, 1951, in Sherman, Texas. Marsha graduated in 1968 from Howe High School and enjoyed doing clerical work at Howe State Bank and Austin College before retiring from Fisher Controls after over thirty years of service. Marsha loved having fun with her friends, playing the piano, reading, shopping, eating out, and spending time with her grandchildren, Levi and Holly Cavender, which she considered the “lights of her life.” Marsha was a wonderful mom and “maw-maw” to her kin and like a mother to many. She also leaves behind many devoted friends. Marsha was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Lois Smith, her sister Linda Smith White, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Survivors include her younger sister Ellen Pearce (Tim) of Azle, Texas, her only daughter Sandra Cavender (Matt) of Howe, TX, her grandchildren Holly and Levi Cavender of Howe, Texas, one nephew Brad Pearce (Carissa), and two great nieces Mackenzie and Robin of San Antonio, TX. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Denison Animal Welfare Group, Wounded Warrior Project, and to Home Hospice of Grayson County. Special thanks to Donya Davis, RN and staff of Home Hospice of Grayson County, and all the amazing staff at Silver Leaf Assisted Living in Denison, TX

Raymond was born on September 5th, 1937 in Van Alstyne to parents N.R. and Irene Langford. He met the love of his life, Vala Hopper, and was married in 1970. He accepted Jesus at the age of nine and was baptized at the Forest Avenue Baptist Church in Sherman. He moved his letter to FBC Howe in the 1970s.

Raymond grew up in Sherman and graduated from Sherman High School in 1955. He attended College at Texas Tech, proudly joined the army, and was part of the Geodetic Survey Det. 32nd Engineer BN 2nd US Army Msl Cmd M. From his training in the US Army, he secured a job surveying the construction of NORAD. He passed peacefully to his heavenly home. He later worked for Langford Construction Co. and Owned and Operated Howe Concrete until retiring in 1995. He enjoyed Family, Classic Cars, Sports, and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Vala; son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Candy; and Two grandchildren Valerie and Nowlin. Brother-in-law and wife Robert and Essie Hopper; Richard and Donna Hopper; Sister-in-law and husband Vickie and Kimm Castro. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Graveside Service will be Friday, July 5th at 10 am at Cedarlawn Memorial Park Sherman, TX. Following the graveside services the family will receive friends at the fellowship hall at the First Baptist Church of Howe, for lunch and visitation.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FBC Howe or “Feed My Sheep”

Gary Edward Dunkel, 75, of Howe, Texas went to his heavenly home surrounded by family on November 15th, 2023.

Gary was born in Newton, Kansas in 1948 to John Edward and Marie Mildred Dunkel and spent the majority of his childhood at shooting competitions with his father.  Gary graduated from K-State Technical Institute with his associate’s degree in engineering.  He spent the majority of his working years at Texas Instruments/MEMC where he eventually moved into a managerial role.  Gary’s free time was spent loving his children, working in his wood shop or riding his motorcycles.

Gary was reunited in Heaven with both his parents, grand babies that never had an earthly life and one that passed shortly after birth, brother-in laws Rod Clausen, Jim Neely and his partner in crime Noel Crume. 

Gary is remembered by his children Michael Watts and wife Pamela, Dovey LaPee’ and husband Aaron, Kristi Foust and Husband Joe and Amanda Atkins and husband Luke. Six grandchildren Hannah Diaz and husband Dr. Edward Diaz Jr, Athena LaPee’, Heaven LaPee’, Ethan Duer, Elias Foust and Kenzie Atkins.  Five sisters Joyce Neely, Jean Fundingsland and husband Ron, Maureen (Skeeter) Fike and husband Steve (Gary’s favorite road trip partner), Kathy Crume and Kristy Jones.  Along with a plethora of nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly and his caretaker Bertti Dunkel.

Celebration of life will be held on Friday June 21,2024 at the First Baptist Church in Howe, Texas from 4pm-6pm, 100 Davis St., Howe, Tx 75459

Graveside will be held on Sunday June 23,2024 at the Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Kansas at 12:30

Please send flowers to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary and Monuments, 610 N Maple St., Russell, KS 67665

Or in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to M.D. Anderson

Elma Jo Cain Gray, 92, of Howe, Texas entered heaven on the night of June 12, 2024. Jo (also known as Mother, Mama, Grandma, Mawmaw, Mama Jo, Aunt Jo, and Jodie) was known for her love of the Lord, the close relationship she had with her loving family, the delicious meals and desserts she shared at her table, and how she modeled an extremely strong work ethic to all who knew her.

The youngest child of Chester and Elma Grantland Cain, Jo was born on September 30, 1931 in Tom Bean, Texas. She attended school in Tom Bean, where she was very active in all sports. Jo graduated from high school in 1948 and soon after married the love of her life, Wayne Gray. They continued to live in Grayson County for their 63-year marriage, with the exception of the year Wayne served in the U.S. Navy. When he returned home, they purchased a small farm east of Howe. It is there that they raised their three sons, Garry, Lenny, and Joe, and where Jo still called home until she passed.

Jo worked for Safeway stores over a span of thirty years, where she made many friends. She often commented on how those friends made her life so enjoyable. Jo and Wayne loved to travel, spending time in the cool mountains of Cloudcroft, New Mexico over many summers. They were also able to visit all 50 of the United States as they traveled with the Good Sams Club and other friends. Jo continued to travel with her family after Wayne’s passing, most recently traveling to Europe for her first time.

Jo is survived by her sons Garry Gray and wife Karla of Howe, Lenny Gray and wife Debbie of Pilot Point, Joe Gray and wife Honey of Allen; by her grandchildren Allan Gray and wife Stephanie, Kevin Gray and wife Dawn, Sean Gray and wife Ashley, Brad Gray and wife Melissa, Brent Gray and wife Margot, Chelsea Farmer and husband Matt, Chance Gray and wife Courtney; by her great grandchildren Riley Hargrove and husband Paul, Sydney Bush and husband Jacob, and Garrett Gray; Cheyenne Wooten and husband Ronnie, and Mika Gray; Jase and Janie Gray; Skylar, Landry, and Cooper Gray; Zoey and Reese Gray; Dylan and Grayson Farmer; Shepherd, Josiah, and Isaac Gray, with Walker Gray due in October; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents Chester and Elma Cain, her loving husband Wayne Gray, her siblings Mary Asbill, C.A. Cain, Lavada Smith, Jim Cain, Cecil Cain, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the Howe Methodist Church, with Pastor J.B. Bryant officiating. Interment will follow at Akers Cemetery in Sherman. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Howe Methodist Women group of Howe Methodist Church, a group that was close to her heart.