Category: Howe News Bulletin

Jesse Lee Farrer went home to be with his Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of April 7th after battling cancer for over a year.

Jesse was born in Sherman, Texas on November 12th, 1970 to Jesse and Paula Farrer of Howe. He is survived by his wife, Brandi Miller Farrer, daughters, Abby and Chloe, all of Tom Bean. Parents, Jesse and Paula Farrer, sister, Clarissia Doty and husband Michael, all of Howe. He is survived by many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Angela Farrer Garner and grandparents, Opal and Julian RL Hill and Jesse and Thelma Farrer.

Jesse was a proud Bulldog, graduating in 1989, from Howe High School in Howe Texas. Upon graduation, he attended Grayson County College and East Texas State University. In 1994, he married the true love of his life, Brandi Miller. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters. He was such a proud dad always coaching his daughters in their sports and in life! His love of the outdoors led him to work for Grayson County Precinct 1 as a Foreman for 20 years. In 2015, he retired from Grayson County and then began with Community Bible Fellowship Church in Howe as Associate Pastor. He cherished working with youth, counseling soon to be married couples, witnessing his faith to others, and just being around people so that he could profess his love of God.

While Jesse loved being a Bulldog in his early years, his family made the choice to reside in the community of Tom Bean. It is here where his voice could be heard announcing games, preparing athletic fields, serving his community and Tom Bean ISD as a member and President of the School Board since 2017, and so much more. He had incredible respect and love for educators and the families of the Tom Bean community.

His passion and zest for life included family, softball, people, the outdoors, and most importantly his love of sharing God’s promise. Jesse was the kind of friend that inspired others to be a better person.

Jesse was also known as the coach who taught his players values, hard work, and determination but he also had a passion for winning games. His favorite saying was, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”

A man of honor and integrity, Jesse Farrer valued the idea of service. He served his family, people and God and had unshakable convictions that he learned from the Holy Bible.

We shall miss him but know that we will see him later. As he always said, “Love ya and see ya in a little bit.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Bible Fellowship Church, Tom Bean Youth Sports Association, or to the Jesse Farrer Memorial fund (Independent Bank).

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Sherman Bible, 2515 W. Lamberth Rd. Sherman, TX. 75092. with Pastor Jeremy Moore and Ed Lantz, officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Cemetery, in Tom Bean, TX. Visitation for Jesse will be held at Community Bible Fellowship (415 S. Collins fwy. Howe) on Monday, Apri 12, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Jesse will be lying in state from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM without family present if you are unable to attend the visitation but would like to pay your respects and sign the guest book.

Born July 28, 1941 in Dallas, Texas, to Margaret Dailey Middleton and Arthur John Middleton. Died April 2, 2021 after a valiant battle with throat cancer.

 Survived by wife Jane Ann Cooper Middleton, daughter Jamie Middleton Washington and son-in-law George Washington of Alexandra, Virginia, two granddaughters Quinn Bailey Washington and Shay Elise Washington, brothers Clark Middleton and wife Madeleine, Paul Middleton, Steve Middleton, and sister Peggy “Bunny” Middleton Guest, and nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Sue Janway and husband Billy, and Paz and Yvette Kohavi.

 Predeceased by parents, Arthur John and Margaret Middleton, in-laws Dorothy and Elwyn Cooper, and daughter Janet Middleton Kohavi.

 Mike was a retired Air Force Major, a meteorologist and former Hurricane Hunter. He then pursued a teaching career at Leonard High School, Tom Bean High School, Van Alstyne High School, and Howe High School. After retiring from teaching Mike loved to spend time substitute teaching at Howe High School, working out with his buddies at Core Fit Gym, and entertaining his granddaughters. Mike was a long-time member of and greeter at First United Methodist Church in Howe and a member of the ACT Sunday School Class.

 The family has decided to postpone a formal memorial service for Mike until later in the summer due to concerns related to the pandemic. For those wishing to honor Mike with a remembrance, the family suggests “Feed My Sheep” food pantry, First United Methodist Church in Howe, 810 N. Denny Street, Howe, TX 75459, or a charity of your choice.

 The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.

Kenneth Lyndbergh Stuteville, whom everyone knew simply as Bergie, went home to his Lord and Savior in the early hours of March 15th, 2021 at the age of 88. Bergie was born on July 30th, 1932 and raised in Whitewright, Texas to Charles Holmes and Fannie Mae (Hall) Stuteville and eventually moved to Van Alstyne at an early age to open a Dry Goods Grocery Store with his family and remained a proud citizen of Van Alstyne and a VA Panther for the remainder of his life. He was an avid football, basketball and baseball fan but not only did he love sports, his true passion was the Boy Scouts of America and at the time of his passing he was the oldest living Eagle Scout in the Nation originally obtaining his Eagle Scout in 1948 at the age of 16 while being a member of Troop 44 in Van Alstyne, the nation’s 5th Scout Troop to be created. Following Graduation from Van Alstyne High School in 1949 and Graduation from North Texas State College (now known as The University of North Texas) in 1953 with a General Business Degree, Bergie then Joined the Army serving his country at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, AL and played halfback for the Redstone Rockets Football Team during his tenure in the Military. Bergie then worked for Magnolia Petroleum (now Mobil) until he began his service of 29 years as the Financial Manager for the City of Sherman and in his time there created award winning budgets and financial planning for the city that are still used to this day. Bergie would eventually help start Troop 45 in Howe and remain one of its key members until his passing. Bergie was the embodiment of the Boy Scouts law by living his life Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent at all times to anyone and everyone. After his retirement Bergie worked for Grayson County as the custodian of Loy Lake Park and as a volunteer for the National Parks Service at Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado during the summers planting plants and cleaning trail systems. Bergie lived a large life and everyone around him was considered a true friend. You always knew Bergie by his simple greeting of a very loud “HEYYYY!” that would preface any greeting that brought smiles to those who knew him. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Howe, Texas and volunteered as the Financial Officer and with the Feed My Sheep Food Pantry with the church bringing his life full circle with the grocery business. Bergie also enjoyed raising cattle on his farm and living a simple life of selfless service to God.

Bergie is survived by his wife Nancy Stuteville of Gunter. Son, Kevin Stuteville of San Jose, California. Son and Daughter in law, Steve and Kathy Stuteville of Arlington, Texas. The Mother of his Son’s Barbara Dorene Stiles, of Garland, Texas. Son and Daughter in law, Edward and Cynthia Ward of Pottsboro, Texas. Daughter and Son in law, Jeanine and Paul Wolf of Oglesby, Texas. Many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews. He is also survived by his brother BJ and sisters Charlene, Patty Ann and their respective Spouses and Family Members. Bergie was preceded in death by his Parents. His Sister Laura Mae Brown. His Grandson Roston Ward, whom he would call his best of friends. The Family would like to ask that in lieu of flowers that Donations be made to the Autism Society of America by calling 800-328-8476 option 3 to support finding a cure for people, like his beloved Grandson Roston, that live with Autism and the challenges that they face every day.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church of Howe, located at 810 N Denny St, Howe, TX 75459. Burial will be held at a later date. You may sign the online register book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.

On May 11, 1986, the Howe Lions Club sponsored a PRCA Rodeo on the grounds of what is now the Howe Youth Softball Fields. The rodeo was the final event of the first-ever Founders Day Festival which was in conjunction with the Texas Sesquicentennial.

Professional Wrestling came to Howe, Texas at Bulldog Stadium in July 1984 thanks to the Howe Public Library.

The first Howe Founders Day Festival was held on May 10, 1986 in conjunction with the Texas Sesquicentennial Celebration. The festival was complete with a parade, music by Kirby, Freddy Holcomb, tobacco spitting contest.