Frankston Area Obituaries — 1999-Present

Here are the obituaries posted for the current month from information provided courtesy of local and area funeral homes and published on their websites or those submitted by families. If an obituary is overlooked and it is desired that it be posted, please inform us at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Families may request changes or additions, if required. If you have an obituary for a person who has connections with someone or some family in the Frankston-Poynor-LaRue or Lake Palestine area that you want posted to this month or to the archives, and is not currently posted, please let us know at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Obituaries selected or submitted should follow a format which is essentially consistent with other obituaries posted here or by funeral homes and follow standard grammatical style. Through arrangements with funeral homes and/or the families, we will publish pictures with current obituaries. We will add pictures to archived obituaries from the print version of The Citizen newspaper prior to September 2019 when available. Pictures with archived obituaries posted after that will be added in cooperation with funeral homes or on requests from families.  As was the tradition of the Citizen newspaper, obituaries are published at no charge.

(Obituaries listed chronologically by date of death or funeral service.)

Adam Patrick Zulick

Adam Patrick Zulick, 33, of Austin ended his battle with cancer on Jan. 25, 2014.

He was born on Feb. 26, 1980, in Washington, Pennsylvania.

Adam lived most of his childhood in Frankston where he was active in the boy scouts.

He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout while often enjoying camping and fishing. During this time, Adam completed a 150-mile hike through the mountains of New Mexico.

Shortly after graduating from Frankston High School, Adam started working at National Oilwell Varco (NOV) as a field service technician from the Tyler location.

Adam's career really started to move forward when he became one of the original service center engineers at NOV's Cedar Park location where he quickly advanced into field engineering.

Adam was most recently operations project engineering manager where he managed a number of senior field technicians who work projects across the country and globally.

In his various positions, Adam mentored, trained and made many great connections with NOV employees and vendors alike -- not only in Cedar Park, but around the world.

Adam was an avid snowboarder and always enjoyed the outdoors. He always made efforts to spend time with his family and plan trips with his friends.

Among other activities, Adam was a devoted fan of the Pittsburg Steelers and loved getting together to watch football. He also played the guitar some and on occasion would pick up a little jam session with his neighbors.

Adam will always be remembered as a very caring and loving son, grandson, brother, friend, boyfriend and manager.

He was a great leader and always believed in doing right by folks. He was completely loyal, honest, sometimes a clown and very fun loving. Most of all, he will be the man that never met a stranger and his kindness and thoughtfulness brought sunshine on the cloudiest of days to anyone who crossed his path.

Adam is survived by his mother Paula Diane Jackson and spouse Lonnie A. Jackson; grandmother Joan D. Fleck of Tyler; father John Michael Zulick and spouse Susan Marie Zulick; step-sister Susan Kay Lee and spouse Vaughn Lee of Waco; step-brother William David Lawrence and spouse Renate Lawrence and their children Mathew Dean and Alyssa Christine of Crawford, Texas; aunt Pat DeVries and spouse Tom DeVries with their daughters Stacey Rowe with children Hailey, Cadence, Christopher and Brandi Devries Schinder with children Dante and Damon of Arizona; grandmother Sophia Zulick of Show Low, Arizona and uncles Bill V. Fleck of Illinois and family and Gary S. Fleck and family of Kentucky.

Adam is preceded in death by his two grandfathers Paul G. Fleck of Tyler and Sam Zulick of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

The family would like to thank all of the friends and co-workers that supported Adam in his brave fight.

Adam always thought fresh cut flowers helped make a home. Flower donations can be sent to Beck Funeral home in Round Rock, Texas.

After his service, flowers will be delivered to the Texas Oncology Infusion center where he received his chemotherapy for the patients who continue to endure this journey and for the staff who continue to take great care them.

If you’d like to do more, Adam always admired the mission of Team Rubicon: http://teamrubiconusa.org/donate/ and donated to them.

Services in Austin will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at Hill Country Bible Church, Building A, located at 12124 Ranch Road 620 N.

Services in Tyler will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 4900 Kinsey Dr.

Alvis ‘Al’ Amundson

Alvis “Al” Amundson passed away Feb. 4, 2014, in Tyler.

He was born Aug. 4, 1947, in Dallas Texas.

He served in the Navy during the Viet Nam war.

He was a former commander at the Frankston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5073 and was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Frankston.

He is survived by his wife Vicki; daughter Amy, her sons Austin and Brandt; his son Philip and wife Monica and daughters Julia and Natalie; and sister Barbara Kirkpatrick.

The family requests any donations be made to the Rainbow House Food Pantry in Frankston or Hospice of East Texas.

Melvin Elrod

Melvin Elrod, 86 of Tyler, formerly of Brushy Creek passed away Feb. 5, 2014.

Services were held Saturday, Feb. 8, at Bailey-Foster Chapel with the Rev. Larry Krohn and the Rev. Craig Harris officiating.

Burial followed in Olive Branch Cemetery in Brushy Creek.

Services were under the direction of Bailey & Foster.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Jo; daughter Melanie Elrod Canant and husband, Ross; sons Wyman Elrod, Tracy Elrod; grandchildren Travis Elrod and wife, Elysia, TraciAnn Elrod, Angela Kay Elrod; great-grandchildren Ryleigh Wilcox, Grace Ann Banuelos, Jacob Elrod and Kimora Elrod.

He is also survived by numerous other relatives, nieces and nephews.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Cullen, Joe, J.C., and twin, Elvin Elrod; sisters Clyde Starley, Grace Dean, Emily Shuptrine, Texas Culver, Mary Lou Smith, Faye McIntyre; and grandson Josh Wilcox.

Melvin was born to George Oscar and Amanda Pearly Cook Elrod on Aug. 30, 1927.

He graduated from Frankston High School and served 2 years in the Navy as a pharmacist mate caring for the wounded during WWII. In 1947 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jo Ballard.

They moved to Pasadena where Melvin worked for Champion Paper Co. for 35 years and they were active members of Golden Acres Methodist Church. He enjoyed coaching little league baseball for 12 years and was a jogger, logging over 25,000 miles. He loved sports, especially baseball.

Melvin was from the “old school” of hard work, integrity and a man of his word.

“Mr. Dependable” he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family.

Upon retirement, he and Mary Jo returned to his birthplace, built their home on the Elrod farm, raised cattle and enjoyed 30 years there.

He was active in the community, serving on the Elmwood Volunteer Fire Dept, Brushy Creek Water Board and in the Brushy Creek United Methodist Church.

He never told a pastor no when asked to serve. He served positions from sweeping the sidewalks to chairman of the board, president of Methodist Men and treasurer of the church and of the Brushy Creek Arbor Homecoming Association.

He was always faithful to his Lord and loved his churches and the work he was involved in. He loved to sing gospel music and sometimes would throw in a Johnny Cash or Jim Reeves song.

He remembered the great revivals at the Arbor and how truly grateful he was for having a part in it. Melvin was proud to be a member of the Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods World War II Heroes Flight to Washington, DC in October 2013.

Pallbearers were John Clay, Gary Holcomb, Rush Herrington, Ben Mitchell, Richard Oldham and Tony Hill.

Honorary pallbearers were Billy Jack Rogers, Bobby Walker, Mark Frost, Jackie Earl Bishop, Mike Frenzel, O. W. Craft and Mike Herrington.

The family wishes to thank the many doctors and nurses at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital for their care during Melvin’s illness.

Memorials may be made to Brushy Creek United Methodist Church.

To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com

Judy Slaughter Bussey

Judy Slaughter Bussey, a former resident of Frankston and a graduate of Frankston High School, died Feb. 3, 2014, in Nacogdoches.

Funeral services were Feb. 8 at Living Water Church with Jim Maddox officiating.

She was born April 16, 1944, in LaGrange. She was preceded in death by her father and mother and two brothers, Michael and Jerry Slaughter.

She is survived by two sons, James and David Bussey, and four grandchildren.

Wanda L. Tipton

Funeral services for Wanda L. Tipton, 70, of Frankston will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at Boren-Conner Funeral Home in Jacksonville with the Rev. George Folmar officiating.

Burial will follow at McDonald Cemetery in New Summerfield.

Wanda was born Jan. 4, 1944, in Ft. Worth to Richard Allen and Hattie L. Greer Brown.

She was a housewife. Wanda died in Tyler on Feb. 11, 2014.

She was preceded in death by her father, husband Jerry MacArthur Tipton, daughter Vickie Lynn Brown and grandson Jeremy DeWayne England.

She is survived by her mother Louise Brown of Frankston; son Hollis D. Tipton of Frankston; two daughters and sons-in-law Christine Kay and Steve Fisher of Frankston and Sandra Dee-Anne and Roger Perry of Chandler; four sisters Jean Giles, Linda Hasty, Nelda Nolen and Barbara Kirby; two brothers Edward Allen Brown and Richard Brown, Jr.; good friend Harvey Arnold; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Roger Nolen, Harvey Arnold, Eddie Hasty, Steve Fisher, Tracy Nolen, and Chris Fisher.

Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Nolen, Jr., Matthew Hasty, Brian Fisher and Buddy Nolen.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at Boren-Conner Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

Tommy Joe Barr

The life of Tommy Joe Barr “T Barr” was celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at the Autry Funeral Home Chapel.

He was born Aug. 10, 1951, in Irving to James Bruett and Gracie Belle Holloway Barr.

His final “shift” ended at 5:13 a.m. Feb. 14, 2014, at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler following a brief battle with lung cancer.

Barr chose a life of public service in law enforcement and security which he served for forty years.

He served with honor and distinction as a motor officer, patrolman, police chief, criminal investigator, federal court officer, Texas cold case investigator and commissioned healthcare security officer.

He served the public interest many years with the Irving Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, Berryville Police Department, U.S. Marshall’s office and East Texas Medical Center. He was also Chief of Police at the Frankston Police Department.

His unfailing service to the citizens of Texas and the communities in which he served, was eclipsed only by his love for family, friends and country.

He left an indelible mark on the citizens and public servants in all jurisdictions in which he served. He will forever be remembered, loved and missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sons Harvey Barr and Mark Milliken.

Tommy is survived by his loving wife Teri Barr of Frankston; daughter Shawn Roach (Jon) of Neches; sons Stanley Barr of Euless, Kirk Barr (K’Lynn) of Concordia, KS, and Michael Barr (Victory) of Oak Harbor, OH; brother James Barr (Patricia) of Frankston; sister Barbara Williams (Dale) of Flower Mound; grandchildren Preston, Austin, Katilyn, Sarah Ashilyn, Megan, Jacob, Lily and Daphney; in-laws Arlis Radebaugh of Sebring, FL, Tammy Miller (Doug) of Orlando, FL, Jon Swartz (Shelly) of South Bend, IN, and Jeani Swartz of Sebring, FL.

Ernest Clakley

A memorial service for Ernest Clakley, 79, of Tyler was to have been held Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. J. A. Griffin officiating.

Mr. Clakley passed away Saturday, Feb. 15, in Tyler. He was born Nov. 12, 1934, in Frankston to Solomon and Alice Clakley.

Ernest spent his working years as a finance manager and was active with the Lions Club. He was a tractor enthusiast and a collector of eclectic things. He spent his free time doing wood work and enjoyed reading.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his wife Shirley Clakley of Tyler; daughter Debbie Sexton and husband Larry of Jacksonville; sons Keith Clakley and wife Kay of Whitehouse, Kevin Clakley of Arp, Don Sanderson and wife Shari of California, and Denny Sanderson and wife Angie of Brownsboro; brother Levi Clakley of Tyler; 10 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Don Compton, William Compton, Darrell Clakley, Levi Clakley, Melvin Ferguson and Kenrick Harris.

James H. Higgins

Funeral services for James H. Higgins, 81, of Frankston are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Dr. Milton Higgins officiating. Interment will be at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Higgins passed away Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, in Tyler.

James was born November 28, 1933, to Maxie and Mattie Lewis Higgins.

He was a member of the Power and Praise Church in Flint.

Survivors include his wife Wanda L. Higgins of Frankston; daughters Judy Lynn Pogue and husband Paul of McKinney, Paula Sue Haggard and husband Sherman of Sherman, Sheila Gail Richardson and husband David of Frankston; sons Jim Higgins and wife Carleen of Fort Worth, Riley James Higgins and wife Lori of Palestine; sisters Doris Dean and husband James of Waco, Ruth Triplet of Waco, and Maxine Potter and husband Vernon of Dallas; 16 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

Visitation was to have been from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

James ‘Mac’ McNertney

James “Mac” McNertney, 81, of Frankston passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in Tyler. Services are under direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

He was born January 15, 1933, in Omaha, Nebraska to Bernard and Margaret Van McNertney.

James retired from the United States Coastguard after 22 1⁄2 years of service. He served as Chief of Police in Lansing, Kansas and was a member of the VFW Post #8594 in Jacksonville.

Survivors include his wife Carla McNertney; sons Chris McNertney and wife Alexandria of Bullard, Derek McNertney of Frankston and Erik McNertney of Frankston; sister Ruby LaRouche of Oregon; and two grandchildren Kaleigh and Kasen McNertney of Bullard.

Linda Faye Johnson

Linda Faye Johnson of Gilmer, whose twin sister Judy Hughes resides in Frankston, died Feb. 3, 2014, in Gilmer.

Funeral was Feb. 6 in Simpsonville Baptist Church, and she was buried in Bettye, Texas, outside of Gilmer.

Johnson was born on Nov. 26, 1945, in Athens to Marvin Lee Camp Sr. and Katy M. Wendel Camp.

She married Roy Dale Johnson on May 1, 1981. She was a homemaker and a member of the Women’s Missionary Union.

Survivors include her twin sister Judy Hughes of 11701 Clover Lane in Berryville. Mrs. Johnson was a frequent visitor at Hilltop Baptist Church in Berryville where her twin sister attends church.

Other survivors are her husband, Roy D. Johnson; son David Keith Elder and wife, Heather, of Justin; daughters Karen Chancellor and husband, Brian, of Wichita Falls, and Lynda Elaine Jones and husband, Rodger, of Holliday; brother Marvin L. Camp Jr. and wife, Sharon, of Liberty City; 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Dixie Billingsley Cox

Funeral services for Dixie D. Billingsley Cox, 93, of Frankston were held Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at Church of Christ in Frankston with Davy Carter officiating

Services were under the direction Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston. Interment was held at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Cox passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, in Frankston.

She was born June 11, 1920, in Frankston to Granville and Dulia Mae Billingsley.

Dixie was a member of the Church of Christ in Frankston.

She is preceded in death by her husband Wesley Leffel Cox; and brother Marshall “Red” Billingsley.

Survivors include her sons George N. Cox of Frankston, Barre Wesley Cox of Portland, Oregon; daughter Susan “Dixie” Cox of Santa Cruz, Calif.; sisters Gwen Boyette, Reba Hicks and husband J. C., all of Frankston; grandchildren Courtney Brown and husband Matt of Arlington, Wes Cox of Frankston, Talitha Cox of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and great-granddaughter Harper Brown of Arlington.

Pallbearers were Joe Hicks, Mike Cook, Rodger McDonald, James Dickerson, Leonard Kent, and Lindsey Fouts.

Honorary pallbearers were Herbert Riley, J. C. Hicks, Lamar Roberson, Steve Hicks, and Don Canter.

Ellen Parker

Graveside services and interment for Ellen Parker, 84, of LaRue were scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in Frankston City Cemetery with Bishop Gary Oliver officiating.

Services are under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Mrs. Parker passed away Feb. 24, 2014, in Athens.

She was born Aug. 24, 1929, in Mansfield to the late Jesse Lee and Jesse Pearl Wilson Oliver. Ellen had been a resident of LaRue since 1974.

She worked as Chief Deputy of the Henderson County Clerk’s Office under Joe Dan Fowler and Gwen Moffeit from 1976 until retiring in 1991.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Poynor. Ellen had become quite a talented artist and loved to paint. She loved traveling and spending time with family.

She is preceded in death by her husband J. W. Parker and son Robert Lee “Pup” Parker.

Survivors include daughter Linda Parker of LaRue; granddaughters Kimberly Ann Shook of Fort Worth, Andre Sauls and husband Todd of Florence, South Carolina, Robin Fincher of Macon, Georgia, Rhonda Hunt and Husband Jim of Copperas Cove and Amanda Fowler of Fort Worth; grandsons Craig Barton and wife Stephanie of LaRue, Ron Porter and wife Amy of Frankston; 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Craig Barton, Shawn Harlan, Ron Porter, Jered Harlan.

Visitation for family and friends was to have been from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the funeral home.

You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle at www.carroll-lehr.com.

David Southerland

A memorial service for David Marshall Southerland, 63, of Tyler was held Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in the chapel of Green Acres Baptist Church with Danny Pickens officiating. The service was under direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home.

David was born November 11, 1950, in Abilene to Rev. Marshall O. and Faye A. Reese Southerland.

He died suddenly in a car accident on Feb. 17, 2014. He had most recently been employed by Frankston Health Care Center as the administrator.

A 1969 W. W. Samuel High School graduate in Dallas, Southerland earned a B.S. in psychology from East Texas State University and studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. In 1970 he married Carolyn L. Cook at Colonial Baptist Church, his father’s church in Dallas.

The couple was blessed with three children. Over the years the family lived in a number of Texas towns.

Dave had a wide and varied career, including freight dock supervisor, auto repair shop owner and telephone company engineer.

In the 1980s Dave recruited mechanics to begin a “Cars for Christ” ministry that refurbished vehicles for families in need. This led him into full-time ministry as pastor of Poetry Baptist Church, Lone Oak Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of Cumby.

Enthusiastic to share his ministry further in the community, Dave began serving as a social worker and eventually as a nursing home administrator.

David is survived by his wife Carolyn; son Nathan and daughter-in-law Debbie, and grandson Alex of Austin; daughter Carrie and son-in-law Erik and granddaughters Cara, Libby, and Ellie of Anderson, S.C.; son Daniel and daughter-in-law Le’Anne and a granddaughter to be born in May of Tyler; mother Faye Southerland of Rockwall; sisters and brothers-in-law Kay and John Roe and Debra and Gary Ühl; in-laws Robbie and Mary Cook, Diane and P.D. Thomas, Brenda and Gary Kirby; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Because of Dave’s heart for people in need, the family requests that donations can be made to the Benevolence Fund at Green Acres Baptist Church in memory of David Southerland.

(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.).