Barbara Ellen Hagood Kohls, 65 years old, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2014 at her home, surrounded by her family.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Central Presbyterian Church. The Rev. David Darrow and the Rev. Sharon Hagood Amstutz of Johnson City, Tennessee, will conduct the service. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the service and the burial which will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m.
Barbara was born in Paris on March 30, 1948, to Louise Wimberly Hagood and Col. Thomas M. Hagood, Jr. She was a member of a pioneer family whose ancestors came to this area of The Republic of Texas in 1839.
She attended Paris public schools and graduated from ParisHigh School in 1966. She was a member of Paris High School’s award winning band when it was honored to march in the 1964 Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans and in the 1965 International Lions Convention in Los Angeles. She graduated from Paris Junior College in 1968 and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from TexasChristianUniversity in 1970. Following graduation, she utilized her science skills at UT Southwestern Medical School and later served as the office manager for Dr. Kelsey Gibbs for 27 years.
Barbara was an active member of the Paris community. Her service to her church included roles as Elder, Clerk of Session, and a member of various search committees. She also served on the Board of Regents for the Central Presbyterian Day School. Six generations of her family have belonged to this congregation.
Other benevolent work included membership in the First Circle of King’s Daughters, acting as president, and in 2011 she served as State President. Over the years she also attended several King’s Daughters conventions in Chautauqua, New York. She also was a member of P.E.O., a charitable organization, served as chairman of the Cosmos Club and belonged to Fun ‘n Flowers, a local garden club. In addition, she was on the Paris Education Foundation board, serving as president and the J. T. Davis Golf Tournament chairman for a number of years. An accomplished bell ringer, she belonged to the Wesley Ringers at First United Methodist Church.
She tirelessly followed her two sons in their pursuit of sports, going from basketball to soccer to baseball games all over eastern Texas and Oklahoma. Some might say there is not a baseball or soccer field within 100 miles of Paris that she did not know.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Col. Kenneth E. Kohls; two sons, Jeffrey Paul Radighieri and wife Maureen, and Greg Alan Radighieri and wife Brooks; and two daughters, Mara Kohls Barker, and Amy Kohls Buehler and husband Robert.
She is also survived by her mother, Louise Wimberly Hagood, her sisters Susan Hagood White and husband Col. Gerald L. White; and Nancy Hagood Klein.
Her grandchildren include Lacey and Harriss Barker; Audrey, Liesel and Kirsten Buehler; and Sophia, Natalie and Emily Radighieri.
Pall Bearers will be Pat Bassano, Gene Stallings, Tom Hunt, Richard Hunt, Wendell Moore, and Maurice Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the First Circle of King’s Daughters.
If desired, memorials may be made to the King’s Daughters, Central Presbyterian Day School, or Goodland Academy.
John Warren Norton, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret)
John Warren Norton, 95, passed away Sunday, January 5th 2014 at Legend Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility in Paris, Texas.
A Memorial Mass is set for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 10, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 400 South Church Street, with the Rev. Michael Hurst, rector and the Rev. Betty Clement, deacon, officiating.
A reception immediately follows in the Parish Hall.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Christians in Action, or Red River Valley Veterans Memorial.
John was born in Petty, Texas to John Winston Norton and Gacia Swearingen on January 5th 1919. He graduated from Paris High School, attended The University of Texas Austin and was graduated from Paris Junior College, having enrolled as a member of the first Civilian Pilot Training class for PJC students, June, 1940. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in February, 1941 as an Aviation Cadet. He began his basic training at Randolph Field; San Antonio “the West Point of the Air” followed by more extensive training graduating on October 31st 1941 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Marriage was not allowed until after graduation and on November 1, 1941 he married Alva Jo Winters the love of his life. They were married for 71 years before her death on June 5, 2012. John continued his training at San Diego, CA being assigned to the field in Baton Rouge, LA. He was commissioned just 5 weeks before the Pearl Harbor attack, he sailed for the Pacific theater the following February for an 18 month tour. He received the American Defense Service Metal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star. He was assigned to Squadron C 621st Base Unit, Pine Castle Army Air Field, Orlando FL. While he was involved with testing jet engines, John and Alva Jo embraced the military life. Alva Jo returned to Paris, Texas for the birth of their daughter Jo Lorraine (born January, 1945). John was demobilized November 23, 1945 with the rank of Captain. He had been associated with the 347th Fighter Group – 68th squadron and the 70th Bombardment Squadron (M). He later joined the Air Force Reserve unit in Paris, Texas and retired January 5, 1979 as a Lt. Col. In 2005, John was recognized by the Paris Junior College Hall of Honor as an alumnus who rendered meritorious service during World War II. A paver has been placed in his honor at the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial.
After demobilization in 1945 he and Alva Jo and their daughter returned to Paris, Texas. John joined his father-in-law, J. A. Winters at Everybody’s Texaco Service Station on Grand Avenue. He worked there until Mr. Winters retired and he went to work for Grand Auto Parts Company as a Jobber Salesman. He traveled east Texas for many years and then was the city salesman until his retirement in early 1980’s. He also was elected to the Paris city council and during his tenure Pine Bluff and Graham streets were joined.
John was an active and faithful member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry, delivering the monthly donation to Christians in Action, lending a hand on church yard clean-up day, and faithfully operating the dishwashing machine for luncheons.
Retirement opened more avenues for John and Jo. They both were long time volunteers at St Joseph’s Hospital. John was in charge of the popcorn sales and Jo volunteered in the ICU waiting room.
John loved to swim; he and Jo were among the original members of the fitness center. By 2004 he had logged 2000 miles in the pool. He retired from swimming in 2010 after a mild stroke but swimming was his passion.
John never met a stranger. He would give you the shirt off his back and help anyone in need. He could fix anything and loved having a challenge to tackle. He had a tool for everything and if he didn’t he would improvise and make one that would do the job. Mowing was one of him favorite ‘pastimes’ and he had a mower for every kind of grass. He was rather famous for his wine making, and receiving a bottle from the Norton Winery was considered a treat.
John had a long and productive life. He and Alva Jo were a team and a pair. He joined her at the nursing home in the Fall of 2011. He looked after her; she fussed at him. The family thanks the entire staff of Legend Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility for the love and compassion they showed them as a couple and then showed John. They went well beyond just providing care, they provide love and compassion.
John was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather John Hart, and half- sister Juanita Hart Hillhouse.
Survivors: Daughter, Lorrie Norton Hegstad Rhodes and husband Lynn of Paris, Niece, Gerry Barnett Stevens and husband Joe of Fort Worth, and their children, Stephanie and her husband Konstantine Bakintas of Grapevine, and Greg Stevens of Dallas; Nephew, Tom Blackstone and wife, Stacy, and their children, Jessica, Sarah, and Abigail of Tampa FL.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Connie Ann Hunt, 59 of Georgetown, Texas passed away Saturday, January 4, 2014.
Funeral services have been set for Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Tom Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Knights of Honor Cemetery in Blossom, Texas. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Hunt; parents, Claudie and Marianna Pinion; brother, Perry Pinion.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Juanita Lyles; niece, Suzanne Smithers; and mother-in-law, Pat Hunt.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hunt family at www.fry-gibbs.com
James R. Hargroves, 93, of Paris, passed away Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at Paris Regional Medical Center. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9th, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Billy Norris officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 – 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Hargroves, the son of Wes & Stella Webb Hargroves, was born August 25, 1920, in Lamar County. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant with Company L 274th Infantry. Following his discharge he taught Vocational School for the GIs returning home. James was a Master Mechanic and taught Mechanics at Paris Junior College for 27 years. He also taught heavy equipment operation and maintenance to the National Guard and the Reservist. Following retirement from Paris Junior College he was head of maintenance for PISD for several years. He was a cattle rancher and a member of Southside Baptist Church. He had received his 60 year Masonic pin. James was known as a man of many talents.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Dempsey and two sisters-in-law, Sue Peters and Maxcine Hargroves. Survivors include his wife, Belle McFadden Hargroves, whom he married on Nov. 4, 1945, building 68 years of family and memories, a son, Don Hargroves & wife Sherry of Knoxville, TN, a daughter, Brenda Darnell & husband Mike of Paris, grandchildren, Rachel King and Brandon Hargroves, a great grandson, Brendon King, his twin brother, George Hargroves of Reno, a brother-in-law, Thomas Peters of Cooper, nine nieces & nephews along with a plethora of friends.
Casket bearers will be: Eddie Trapp, Larry Trapp, Bobby Hargroves, Clayton Smoot, Rodney Hocutt and Wade Hocutt. Honorary bearers will be: Ed Smoot, Marshall Jordan and George Newberry. To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.