Obituaries

Henry William Lara, Sr. was born August 8, 1942 in Lacrosse, Wisconsin to Julia (Pintz) and Chico Lara. He passed from this life December 5, 2024 at his home in Waurika, Oklahoma at the age 82. Henry served his country in the United States Marine Corp. He was a police officer and Missouri State Trooper. He also was a forensic photographer. He was owner and operator of residential care facilities and downtown Car sales and car wash. He was a member of the Optimist club in Excelsior Springs, Misso…

Darrell Lynn Beaver was born February 24, 1945 in Ft. Worth, Texas to Ozema (Burris) and Herschel Beaver. He passed from this life November 29, 2024 in Wichita Falls, Texas at the age of 79. He graduated from Waurika High School in 1963. He and Carolyn Morgan were married April 23, 1965 in Waurika, Oklahoma. They purchased and lived on the Morgan home place at Terapin Ridge. Darrell served his country in VietNam in the United States Navy Fighting SeeBees. Darrell worked for Halliburton for 12 ye…

James L. Whitecotton was born May 30, 1943 in Waurika, Oklahomato Fannie (Byrd) and Levert Whitecotton. He passed from this life Thursday, November 28, 2024 in Wichita Falls, Texas at the age of 81. He graduated from Waurika High School. He and Glenda Geraldine Emerson were married January 20, 1962 in Wichita Falls, Texas. She preceded him in death December 23, 2008. He owned and operated Whitecotton Paint and Drywall for many years. He was a founder of the Hastings Fire Department and previous …

James Dowden Harris Jr. was born February 6, 1936 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Edith Jerome (Todd) and James Dowden Harris Sr. He passed from this life Monday, November 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas at the age of 88. He and Theresea Gene (Garrison) were married and this union brought 3 children - James Dowden Harris III, Joel Garrison Harris, and Julie Harris. Theresea preceded him in death as well as son James. He grew up in Ryan, Oklahoma, attended college at the University of Oklahoma and then …

Derek Stan Richardson passed from this life on Tuesday morning, November 5th at the age of 43. He was born December 28, 1980, to Stan and Sharon (Logan) Richardson. Derek attended Waurika Schools where he was a letterman in football and a graduate of the Class of 1999. He was a skilled worker who loved "fixing things" and especially enjoyed anything to do with mechanical repair. He loved fishing and being outdoors.

Throughout his adult life, Derek worked at various jobs which required skill…

B.L. “Bob” Durham was born September 16, 1935 in Ryan, Oklahoma to Delia (Carter) and Bob Durham. Bob passed away Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the age of 89. He served his country in the U.S. Navy for two years. He worked as a police officer for three years in Wichita Falls, Texas. He then worked in wholesale plumbing in Wichita Falls and Henrietta since 1960. He was a longtime member of the Ryan United Methodist Church. He and Virginia Ann "Jenny" Durham were married May 6, 1956 in Ryan,…