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.)

Solomon Levi Clakley, Jr.

A funeral service for Solomon Levi Clakley, Jr., 92, of Tyler, is scheduled at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 1, 2018, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.  He will be laid to rest at Liberty Hill Cemetery.  

Mr. Clakley passed away Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Tyler.

Levi was born July 24, 1925, in Frankston to Alice Powell and Solmon Levi Clakley, Sr.

When his dad died, he took over responsibility of helping his mom raise younger siblings. Levi loved his bookstore, Clakley Books Store, going to the Goodwill and Salvation Army. He also loved watching the Texas Rangers and wrestling. He enjoyed working in the yard and having a garden. He was a hard worker and taught his family valuable life lessons along with love and responsibility. He also loved sharing stories about his life especially working in the fields and walking to school. Levi was a prankster and enjoyed telling silly jokes.  

With him there was never an idle moment.  

Above all, he loved his kids, grandkids and his mom was the love of his life.

Everyone was always welcome at his house especially visits from special friends, Tim and Ruth Bolt. Tim was like a second son, always willing to help and pitch in when needed without being asked. When he got to where he couldn’t do much he loved sitting in his recliner and looking out the window

Levi was a member of Frankston Assembly of God.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sheila Steele; eight brothers and four sisters.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 64 years, Dixie Clakley of Tyler; son, Darrell Clakley and wife Phyllis of Tyler; daughters, Diane Chapman and husband Dennis Pratville, AL, Janelda Ann Kelly of Tyler, and Dixie Rachell and husband Gary of Tyler. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation was to be on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, and friends are cordially invited to visit with Levi’s family from 5 to 7 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Pallbearers will be Garon Clakley, Tyler Clakley, Jonathan Clakley, Noah Rachell, Carson Conner and Blake Saenz.

Honorary pallbearers are Chris Conner and Tim Bolt.

Erika E. Victory

A graveside service for Erika E. Victory, 80, of Frankston, was held Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, at Frankston City Cemetery. Services were under the direction Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

Mrs. Victory passed away Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in Tyler.

Erika was born Feb. 26, 1937, in Germany to Richard and Elfriede (Naubert) Hohne.

She loved animals.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas W. Victory and five brothers and sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Ada Victory, Daniel and Shawn Victory, all of Frankston; and sister, Herta Hohne of Germany. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jesse and Amanda Victory; step grandchildren, Katrina Guerrero and Rocky Brock; and five great-great grandchildren.

Jesse Lee Owen

A funeral service for Jesse Lee Owen, 80, of Frankston, was held Monday, March 12, 2018, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Don Stanaland officiating.  

He was laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.  

Mr. Owen passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Palestine.

Jesse was born June 30, 1937, in Wichita Falls to Henry and Katie (Warren) Owen.

He worked as a truck driver for the carnival.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lena Talvitie, Edith McKiddy and Edna Lujan; and a brother, Page Owen.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Alice Owen of Frankston; sons, Roy Lee Owen and wife Faye, Ronnie Rose-Owen and wife Mary of Necedah, WI, Wilbur Dean Owen and wife Janeen of Springtown, Henry Lee Owen and wife Tina Michelle of Frankston; daughters, Darla Sims and Mildred of Rockwall, Diane Owen Boykin and husband Kevin of Jacksonville; sister, Rose Nell Coats of Jasper; and brothers, Wilbur Douglas Owen and wife Doris of Wills Point and Warren Dean Owen of Stamps, AR. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Henry Owen, Wilbur Dean Owen, Roy Lee Owen, Kevin Boykin, Kenneth Lee Baker, Jesse Lee Owen, T.J. Hendrix and Stephen Owen.

Honorary pallbearers were Ronnie Owen, Kevin Bullard, Matthew Owen and Charles Minchew.

Tommy Lew Tharp

Tommy Lew Tharp passed away peacefully in McAllen, Texas, on May 6, 2017.

Tommy was born to J.W. and Lorene LaRue Tharp on October 30, 1942, in Throckmorton, Texas.

He attended Frankston schools and graduated from Frankston High School in 1961, and attended Tyler Junior College.  He then joined the Air Force and was stationed in Florida for four years, ending his tour in Jacksonville, FL.  

After the service, he worked for Burroughs, then began his lifetime career with the Border Patrol in 1970, retiring in 1996.  

The Border Patrol provided many adventures for Tommy, taking him to Rio Grande City, TX, Las Cruses, NM, Puerto Rico, and, ultimately, Houston.    

Following retirement, he left Houston and moved to Evasville, IN, and after five years, he settled in McAllen.

Tom married Robin in 1966 and two girls were born to them.  

He later married Anita Vogel in 2006.

Tom served as an officer in the Eastern Star, an active member of the Masonic community, and a part of the Shriners of Evansville, IN.  

He spent many years as an instructor for the Red Cross of Las Cruses, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather James F. Salmon, sister Yvonne Tharp and brother-in-law Lee Knowles, and brother Donnell Ray Tharp.

He is survived by his wife Anita, and daughters, Denise Lenore and husband James Dockenforff, of Albuquerque, NM, and Karol Lynn and husband David Bledsoe of Virginia Beach; sister, Frances Tharp Carter of Wills Point, TX; grand daughters, Kirsten and Nadia Dockendorff; grandsons, Reef and Kai Buckhalter; nephews, William H. (Bill) Johnson, III, of Dallas, Donnell Ray (Dusty) Tharp, of Ft. Worth, James Lee Knowles of Keller; niece, Stacy Masten of Dallas; several great-nephews and great-nieces; and a host of cousins and great friends.

Services were held at the home of his sister, Frances Carter, on June 30, 2017, with all his relatives in attendance.  

He was interred at a private service at Frankston City Cemetery.  

Rather than customary condolences, it is suggested that contributions be made to a charity of your choice.

Chris Johnson

A funeral service for Chris Johnson, 41, of Frankston, was held Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

The Rev. Wade Eitel officiated.

Mr. Johnson was laid to rest at Garden Oaks Cemetery in Frankston.Mr. Johnson passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Tyler.

Chris was born December 22, 1976, in Tyler to Floyd A. and Gay (Moss) Johnson.

He was employed in the food service industry and attended Berryville Community Church.

Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his father; grandfathers, Jerry Moss, Archie Goode, and Johnny Johnson.

Left to cherish his memory is his mother, Gay Tolentino; sister, Lauren Perry; grandmother, Sara Goode, all of Berryville, and grandmother, Pat Johnson of Dallas.

He is also survived by several aunts and uncles.

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