Harold Grant “Nick” Nichols

Harold Grant “Nick” Nichols passed peacefully at home on Nov. 27, 2018.

He was born July 25, 1932, in LaRue, Texas, to Roy Gipson Nichols and Virginia Pearl (Gideon) Nichols. Their family was complete with the birth of his beloved sister, Betty Jo (Boles).

Nick joined the Navy at the young age of 17 and served our country during the Korean War as a Machinist Mate Third Class aboard the USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) from 1950-1953.

After returning from his service in the Navy, Nick met and married the love of his life, Billie Janet Purifoy of Hawkins, Texas, on December 4, 1954.  

They met when he was a lifeguard at Tyler State Park and new instantly that they would spend the rest of their lives together.

The many job opportunities Nick undertook in his early career spurred him to earn an Associates degree attending classes at night at Kilgore College. He never met a problem he wasn’t interested in solving.  He  was a welder, farmer, machinist, draftsman, business owner and later in life taught himself computer skills which fueled his passion of genealogy research.

He took pride in “figuring things out.”  Nick designed and built a uniquely beautiful three-story log home in Frankston that was visited for years by individuals who heard of this home and stopped by for a tour.

Nick and his business partner Dan Hunter owned and operated H. G. Nichols Construction Company from 1977 until they sold the company and retired in 2000.

Through years of “the good, the bad and the ugly”, H. G. Nichols Construction persevered and survived the wake of the 1979 energy crisis and the severe global economic recession in the 1980s.

Longing to reconnect and “tell stories and drink beer” with friends from time served in the Navy, Nick spent countless hours on the telephone with operators tracking down his old shipmates.  In 1992 Nick organized the first reunion of the USS Frank E. Evans Association.  26 years later and reunions held from coast to coast and Australia/New Zealand, the Association’s membership continues to grow, all because of Nick’s determination to reconnect with friends for life.Nick and Bi

llie shared a loving life, filled with hardships, adventures and lots of dancing.

They sprinkled each day with a steady dose of teasing and laughter. One of the keys to Nick’s longevity, in addition to having Billie by his side, was he lived every day with a positive and inquisitive mental attitude.

He lived the Golden Rule and was one of the kindest and gentlest people you would ever meet. “If you don’t love everyone, you can’t be like Christ” was his motto.

It’s relatively easy to go out of your way for a friend, but Nick routinely helped acquaintances, strangers, widows or anyone down on their luck.

A current member of First Baptist Church of Frankston, a Master Mason of the William Foster Lodge, a former Frankston ISD School Board member, former volunteer fireman and coach to his children’s sports teams, Nick was always giving back to the community he loved.

In addition to his parents, Nick was preceded in death by his son, Roderick Nichols.

He is survived by his loving family including wife, Billie Nichols; sister, Betty Jo Boles; son, Eric and wife Martha Nichols, daughters, Jennifer Nichols and Stacey Nichols.

His grandchildren, Erica Nichols, Bryant Nichols, Kacey Ivie, Grant Ivie and great grandson, Braydon Ivie called him “Pap.”

Nick enjoyed good health for most of his life. However, recently he required healthcare support.  The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nick’s caregivers: Dr. Ramiro Vallena, Cindy Brown and her amazing team of loving caregivers, the wonderful staff at Atria Copeland and Hospice of East Texas.

Visitation was scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, with a memorial service at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Frankston with burial to follow at Frankston Cemetery.

Rather than customary condolences, donations may be made in the name of Harold G. Nichols to the USS Frank E. Evans Association, 2286 Morgan Road, Carlsbad, CA 92008 or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701.

Our family can’t begin to express how much we will miss Nick, but we also know he led a wonderful life. We celebrate his life and continue his legacy in all that we do. Nick Nichols was a devout Christian, loving husband, beloved father, adoring grandfather and great grandfather, treasured brother and uncle, selfless  and faithful friend to everyone he encountered.

Samantha Nicole Sackett

Samantha Nicole Sackett was born in Seattle, Washington 35 years ago.  

She passed away Tuesday morning, Nov. 27, 2018.  

Her parents, Marge and Bert Sackett of Frankston and her fiancée, Randy Kleibert also of Frankston, were at her side as she took her last breath.

Samantha was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mollie and Al Sackett and Dorothy and Jim Grisham.

She is survived by her parents; aunt and uncle, Mary Ann and Chuck Venghaus of Boulder City, Nevada; and many cousins.

Samantha had a very compassionate heart, particularly for troubled children, including orphans, neglected, abused, fostered, handicapped and those with learning disorders.  

At most any function where there were children, that’s where Samantha could be found.  

In her high school years and into her twenties, she taught swimming to children and was a lifeguard at Schlitterbaun in New Braunfels, Texas. One of her favorite jobs after moving to Frankston was working as a counselor to children during summer camp at the YMCA of Palestine.

When not working, Samantha was always happiest just being a home body with her family, fiancée, and several favorite furry friends, Mary Jane and Snookie. She also was an avid snowboarder.

Greatly loved and a special bright light to many, Samantha will be deeply missed. Knowing that she is now happy and at peace with Jesus is a great comfort to all who knew her.

The funeral service for Samantha will be Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at First United Methodist Church of Palestine, 422 South Magnolia Street, Palestine.

The interment will be at Frankston Cemetery immediately following the service under the direction of Herrington / Land of Memory Funeral Home, Palestine.

Her family would like to honor Samantha’s heart for troubled children. Donations may be sent to the Foster Children’s Program of Anderson County, c/o FUMC Palestine, Clergy in the Court, 422 S. Magnolia St., Palestine, TX 75801. Donations may also be made to For Pets Sake, 8331 Texas Hwy 294, Palestine, TX 75801 or nokillshelter@yahoo.com.

View online at www.herringtonfuneral.com .

Betty "Grandmaw" Calkins

A funeral service for Betty "Grandmaw" Calkins, 84, of Frankston, was held Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston. Mrs. Calkins was laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

She passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Tyler.

Betty was born Nov. 8, 1934, in White Deer, Texas, to the late Julius and Mary Bednorz.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Allen Kirk; second husband, George Calkins; son, Terry Kirk; brother, Johnny Bednorz; and sister, Larrine Qualls.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Cindy Robbins and husband Rodney of Gunnison, CO and Brenda Gentry and husband James. Siblings are Doug Bednorz and Don Bednorz and wife Mary of Panhandle, Texas, Pauline Lowe of Vacaville, CA, Mary Lee Hebert of Walsh, LA, Leona Mathis of Lubbock and Clara McNamara of Georgetown, Texas.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren; 11 grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Travis Gentry, David Andrade, Eric Campbell, Mike Shirey, Lance King and James Sanders.

Dr. Terry LeRoy Ramsey

Dr. Terry LeRoy Ramsey passed away on Dec. 5, 2018, of cancer.

Growing up in Borger, Texas, he became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Borger High School.

He lived in Dallas, Austin and Tyler in his lifetime.

A petroleum engineer, Terry earned a bachelors at Colorado School of Mines (1964), a masters in petroleum engineering at the University of Tulsa (1971), and tat the University of Texas in energy and mineral resources (1997) and a PhD in geological sciences (2003).

Throughout his career, Terry worked in several cities in the US and 15 countries including Iran and France for City Service Oil Company, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association and DeGolyer & MacNaughton.

He also founded a consulting company in the 1980s.

Terry was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Frankston and an active member of the Texas Geological Society in Tyler.

In retirement, he enjoyed fishing and researching artificial intelligence and the connection between macro and micro economics.

Born on Dec. 21, 1940, in Borger, Texas, he was preceded in death by his parents Betty Jo Baker and Roy Hansford Ramsey.

Terry is survived by his wife, Hope Glenn Ramsey of Coffee City, by his daughter, Ann Ramsey of Dallas, his daughter Felicia Ramsey and her sons Austin and Aden Mestemacher in McKinney, and by his sister, Francine Carraro of Burnet.

The services will be at the United Methodist Church in Frankston at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15.

Betty Galloway

A funeral service for Betty Galloway, 80, of Frankston, is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

The Rev. Mike Fraley will officiate.

She will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Lawton, OK.  

Mrs. Galloway passed away Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, in Frankston.

Betty was born June 15, 1938, in Tahoka, Texas to Lee Roy and Lillian Pauline (Bishop) Curry.

Mrs. Galloway worked in the dry cleaning business.  

She loved to crochet and was known as a very giving person.

Betty attended United Methodist Church of Frankston.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Willard Galloway; and stepchildren, Kathy Galloway, Paulette Galloway, and Donald Ray Galloway.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Michael Stapp and wife Patti; daughter, Juanita Katherine Campbell and husband Jimmy, all of OK; stepsons, Bryan Galloway and wife Peggy of Greenville, and Clyde Galloway and wife Laura of Lubbock; a brother, Lee Roy Curry of NM.   She is also survived by two grandchildren, David Stapp and Christina Spear; four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to Rainbow House Food Pantry at United Methodist Church of Frankston, 110 S. Weldon St., Frankston, Texas 75763 or Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS  66675-8517.

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