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Overton
It’s been taught by many over the years that it is healthy to write one’s own obituary every once in a while to get or keep one’s life in perspective, and it is in that interest that I am attempting the following: 3/25/2007 6:05 PM
Thomas Gordon Overton, writer, journalist and public relations professional, died at 11:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2007. Until the end, he fought renal cancer that had metastasized to the lungs, ribs and spine. Because God wanted to make three new women by the old-fashioned recipe, He authorized the extraction of three ribs on Nov. 2, 2006, Tom’s 53rd birthday! He was the second son and third of six children of James Young Overton of Slaughter, LA., and Mara Lee Angell Overton of Cleveland, Texas. He grew up in Cleveland, earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at North Texas State University, and in 1977 on his first newspaper job, met broadcast journalist Judy Barton. They married in 1981 and had two children, Nathan Thomas and Matthew Ryan.
Overton was born on November 2, 1953 in the office of Dr. Melvin Anchell in Cleveland. Because the local hospital owned by Baptist would not allow Jews to practice, he was born in a small, clapboard clinic that later became a tax office (after Anchell moved to Los Angeles and wrote one of the first popular diet books), then Bob’s Deli. So when Tom told people he was born in the Elvis Room of Bob’s Deli, he was not kidding.
Tom’s first professional journalism job came in Wichita Falls, where he worked for two years for the Record News.
More significantly, he met Judy, who worked for Channel 6 News.
After Tom moved to the Houston Post (in June 1978) and Judy finished a stint at an Oklahoma City’s KTVY, they settled down in Houston and spent a lot of money on real estate and private schools for their kids.
They mostly attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where Tom reconciled with the Church in 2000.
After his journalism jobs at the Houston Post and Houston City magazine and a number of publications he freelanced for, Tom went to work for Edelman Public Relations (like, who didn’t?), the Houston Symphony Orchestra, then he spent a dozen years in the natural gas industry , working for Texas Eastern, Panhandle Eastern, PanEnergy, then Williams. Tom didn’t agree with PanEnergy’s merger with Duke and left for Rives Carlberg and Associates advertising, then for Williams Energy. He then joined the University of St. Thomas as director of public affairs in 2001 and was employed there until his death.
Tom is predeceased by his father (1987), sister, Glenn (1988) and his mother (2001). The same month his mother died, Tom became Public Affairs Director at the University of St. Thomas.
With both of his children in college, Tom took advantage of a free tuition benefit for employees and earned a Master of Liberal Arts (English literature). This was a longstanding desire on his part. Instead of submitting the usual thesis to wrap up the degree, he submitted a complete novel, Local Honey. During this same time frame, he was diagnosed with renal cancer, which provided one challenge after another to him and his family, especially his wife, Judy.
The Overton family remains grateful to the University of St. Thomas and its generous sick-leave plan. We remain grateful to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for its aggressive treatment of this ugly disease. The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to the Annual Fund of the University of St. Thomas, whose science graduates join the grade of people who are likely to find a cure for cancer. Matt is completing a bachelor’s degree at the University of St. Thomas and Judy has just begun her master’s degree there.
Survivors, along with his wife and sons are brother James Overton and wife, Julie Anne; sisters Joy Pennington and husband, Barry; Merrell Overton and Genelle Overton. Also surviving Tom are mother-in-law, Henrietta Barton, his brothers-in-law, Randy Barton and Craig Barton and wife, Rebecca; and sisters-in-law, Joanie Barton, Becky Cartier and Jackie Mynarcik and her husband, John. Tom also leaves behind several aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Tom’s life was celebrated with a rosary at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, April 22, 2007 in the chapel at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland, Texas. A funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 23, 2007 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Cleveland, Texas. His friends at the University of St. Thomas will remember Tom with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 27, in the Chapel of St. Basil, 3802 Yoakum, on the University of St. Thomas campus in Houston.
Stowe
Mrs. Frances Lorene Strange Stowe, 75 of Liberty, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2007 at home after an extended illness. She was born September 29, 1931 in Crockett, Texas to parents, Jewel Francis and Ethel Sepmoree Strange. She was a member of the Latexo High School class of 1947. She married her husband of 54 years on June 7, 1947 and had been a resident of this area for the past 48 years.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Stowe will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at Cooke Cemetery with Rev. Jeff Day officiating. Services are under the arrangements of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home, Dayton. Visitation will be Monday evening 5-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband: Johnnie Stowe. She is survived by her daughter: Jennifer Hutchins of Liberty; grandchildren: Joel and Lori Hutchins of Houston and Brent Hutchins of Liberty; Also numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Seale
Mildred Lucille Seale, “Grandma”, age 90 of Cleveland, Texas, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2007. She was born in Linden, Texas on November 12, 1917; born to Edgar and Delia E. Early and she was Baptist in faith.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Grady Seale. She is survived by her son, Jerry Seale and wife, Lynda; daughters, Joy Seale, Carey Mosley and husband, Al; grandchildren, Vicki and Wade Hawthorne, Troy and Michele Seale; great-grandson, Zachary Seale and so many other loving family members and caring friends.
Bro. Byron Reeves and Bro Bobby Trayal both conducted the e service held Tuesday, April 24, 2007, 11:00 a.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Cleveland, Texas with interment at Ryan Cemetery.
Solis
Luis Manuel Solis, 68, of Magnolia, Texas died peacefully Monday, April 23, 2007 in Beaumont after an extended illness. He was born July 21, 1938 in Brownsville, Texas to parents, Jose Angel and Maria Del Refugio Solis. He graduated from Brownsville High School and continued his education at Pan American University where he received a Batchelor of Arts degree. Before retirement Mr. Solis worked in management for AT&T for 22 years. He enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Pan American Golf Association.
Services for Mr. Solis will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 27, 2007 at Kenefick Baptist Church with Rev. Jeff Day officiating. Interment will follow at 1:45 in Houston National Cemetery under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home, Dayton. The family will receive friends Thursday evening 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by sons: Luis M. Solis, Jr. and wife Kathy of Dacula, Georgia and Cesar J. Solis, Sr. and wife Crystal of Tomball; daughters: Lisa M. Solis of San Antonio and Martha T. Solis and Brian Modisette of Dayton; Grandchildren: Olivia Joan Towers Solis, Lori Madonna Solis, Luis Manuel Solis, III, Antonio Roberto Solis, Tara Lynn Modisette, Skylar Rene Modisette, Colton Keith Modisette, Cesar Javier Solis, Jr., Taylor Rebecca Lett, and Anyssa Lachelle Solis.
In lieu of flowers contribution may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Curry
Joann Curry, 81, of Dayton passed away Thursday, April 26, 2007 after an extended illness. She was born January 15, 1926 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to parents Robert and Mabel Tenbrook Reynolds. She had been a lifelong resident of this area and was a member of the Assembly of God Church. Mrs. Curry enjoyed her church, yard and crochet. She previously owned and operated Jo’s Resale Shop and will be remembered as a loving dear friend to many.
Services for Mrs. Curry will be Sunday, April 29, 2007 at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charles Pierce officiating. Interment will follow at Magnolia Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday evening, 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Jimmie Curry; two grandchildren: Sandra R. Shanks and Norman K. Shanks, Jr.; and one brother. She is survived by her daughter: Dianna C. Ashby and husband C.D. of Kennedale, TX.; her sons: Jimmy Curry of Dayton, Donnie L. Curry of Dayton, and Bobby Curry and wife Carolyn of Skiatook, OK; seven Grandchildren, ten Great-grandchildren, and three Great Great-grandchildren.
Fenton
George “Norm” Fenton, 61, of Daisetta passed away Friday, April 27, 2007 in Baytown after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 30, 2007, at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home with burial following at Oakdale Cemetery in Daisetta. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.
Norm was born January 6, 1946 in Liberty, to parents; Bill H. and Ida Jane Sumrall Fenton, and has resided in the Daisetta area throughout his life. He was a graduate of the Hull-Daisetta High School, had attended Lee College, was a former employee of the Champion paper mill after 22 years of employment, had been a machinist for Cooper-Cameron of Liberty, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, riding 4-wheelers, and especially spending time with family and friends.
Mr. Fenton was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of three years: Merle Majors Fenton of Daisetta, daughter: Chandra Deanne Parker and husband Jay of Liberty, sons: Thomas Fenton and wife Roxanne of Dayton, Brian Fenton and wife Kimberly of Daisetta, Chris Fenton of Daisetta, and David Fenton and wife Casey of Liberty, step-daughters: Angie Taylor and husband David of Liberty and Kimberly Mayben and husband Robert of Springtown, step-sons: Tony Moore and wife Tina of League City and Nick Benedict and wife Julie of Kerrville, brothers: James Fenton and wife Tina of Batson and Ray Fenton and wife B. J. of Nacogdoches, 16 grandchildren, close friend: Buddy Tanner of Daisetta, and numerous other relatives, and friends.
