GENE RADER, 88, of Paris, fell asleep in this world on Saturday October 4, 2014, and awakened to Heavenly glory from his room at Spring Lake Assisted Living Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm Wednesday October 8, 2014 in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home, with Dr. Tommy Turner and Rev. Ken Cannon officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service.
Born in the Caviness community of Lamar County to C.O. and Ella Mae Jetton Rader on July 19, 1926, his was a life of the hard work of a cotton picker (“the Glory Flash,” as he described himself), the owner and promoter of several succressful business ventures, and to appearances in fourteen feature films, including “The Sugarland Express,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Liar’s Moon,” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” These achievements led him to an appearance on “The Tonight Show, with Johnny Carson,” in 1986. He will be fondly remembered as “The Cut Price King,” a title from his successful business, Gene the and Bridal, which he opened in 1953 in downtown Paris, operating it alongside his wife, the former Dorothy Hendley.
They shared over sixty-three years in marriage before her death on June 8, 2009. He was the owner of Gene’s Flea Market in Paris, and found further success in real estate ventures. Gene was not just a successful entrepreneur, but was a man who dedicated his life to his faith, family, and community.
He was a man who led by example, teaching others by his dedication, zeal for hard work and service to others, and his love for God. He spent many years working with the Paris Noon Optimists Baseball program, attended First Baptist Church of Paris, and enjoyed the sport of fishing, holding several State records. He once remarked, “If I could have given up fishing and gone into movies, I would have been a big star.” Those who knew Gene would agree. Gene left but two things of eternal importance behind when he gently left this earth: a good name, and positive impact on all the souls touched by his life. He loved his community of Paris and Lamar County and spent a lifetime sharing jokes, his upbeat attitude, and his eternal optimism with everyone he met. He was preceded in death by his sweet wife Dorothy; and by four sisters and two brothers.
He is survived by a son, Randy Rader and wife Jana; five grandchilren, Jaxon and Jacy Rader, Megan, Hunter, and Kylie Schroeder; a nephew,Terry Don Rader; a Betty Sniece, Betty Strickland; as well as a host of friends and extended family.
Serving as pallbearers will be Thomas Roach, Scott Roach, Mike Durham, O.L. Merritt, Terry Don Rader, and Pat Bassano. Scott Roach is named an honorary pallbearer.
The book of Wisdom teaches that “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Gene’s talent and ability took him into the presence of the celebrated and noteworthy throughout his life, but his greatest appearance took place on Saturday evening, when he found himself in the presence of his Lord. His final act was most certainly his finest.
Friends may register in Gene’s Book of Memories at www.starrettfunerals.com .
Ruby Dee Blevins, 92, of Pattonville passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Legend’s Healthcare. She was born on March 23, 1922 in Deport, Texas a daughter of C.C. and Irene Curtis Newsome. She married John William “Bill” Blevins April 27, 1940 in Crossroads, Texas. They were married for 72 years. Ruby graduated in 1940 from Deport High School and was a member of Pattonville First Baptist Church.
She played an important role in the farming of cotton with her husband Bill. She later worked at Stevens Food and Campbell Soup Company. Ruby was an avid basketball fan especially the Mavericks.
She is survived by nieces Alice Ruth Gravett and Inez Weaver of Paris; nephews Dewey Pate, Pat Bailey and Roger Newsome; several great nieces and nephews; a lifelong friend Mickey Keener whom she considered her adopted son.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents, sisters Alice Bumgarner, Linnie Bailey, Jessie Newsome, Willie Lou Sparkman and Minnie Lee Landers, brothers Cleveland C. Newsome, Clyde Newsome and J.B. Newsome.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 in the Highland Cemetery in Deport with Rev. Jerry Moore officiating. Family will receive friends at the cemetery 30 minutes prior to service and friends and family may view and sign register beginning Monday afternoon till Noon Tuesday. If desired in lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Highland Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home where online condolences may be made by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Ruth Eloise (Nance) Ryan, 87, was born July 2, 1927 in Paris, Texas to Rufus A. and Ruby (Martin) Nance and passed away September 30, 2014 in West Salem, Wisconsin. Graduated from Paris High School in 1944 as an honor graduate and graduated from Paris Junior College in 1946 and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
She was employed at Paris Junior College where she was assistant to the Business Manager after graduation.
She married William Ryan of Brookston February 22, 1948 at Garrett Memorial Methodist Church, later to become Oak Park United Methodist Church. She served as the Superintendent of Children’s Division and also taught Sunday School at Oak Park. She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of The Gleaners Bible Group for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother-Philip Nance, sister-Dorothy Horne, husband-William Ryan, son-Robert Ryan, daughter in law-Bonnie Ryan , granddaughter- Kathryn Ryan, grandson- Zachary Ryan.
Survived by son-John Ryan, daughter in law-Cindi Ryan, grandson-Chris Ryan, granddaughter-Jerica Ryan, great granddaughter- Lillian Ryan, all of Wisconsin and a step grandson-Eric Schuele and his family of Garland, Texas.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 9, 2014 in Meadowbrook Gardens with Rev. Kathy French officiating. Family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Oak Park United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Janis G. Swanson, 87, of Paris, passed away Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at Paris Regional Medical Center.
Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7th, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Toby Byrd officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery at Deport. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Mrs. Swanson, the daughter of Samuel Ester & Ollie “Shug” Sain Thompson, was born April 27, 1927, in Milton.
On May 15, 1950, she married Robert J. Swanson, building fifty-five years of family and memories before his death on Nov. 1, 2005. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
Her career with Sears spanned many years before her retirement. During those years she worked in New York, Las Vegas and retired in Paris.
Survivors include three children, Karen G. Swanson and Leah R. Pace both of Paris and Robert Mark Swanson of Amherst, NY, grandchildren, Melissa A. Jackson of McKinney, Jesse Swanson of NY and Kyle Swanson of NY, great grandchildren, Philip S. Jackson of McKinney, Olivia J. Jackson of McKinney, Andrew R. Jackson of McKinney, Brooklyn Swanson of NY and Blake Swanson of NY, one sister, Joyce Armstrong of Paris along with many friends.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
