Virgil Edward Blake, passed away August 26, 2010 in Coldsprings. He was born April 30, 1949 in Virginia to Helen Roberts and Riley "Edward" Blake.

 Services were Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Scott-Morris Chapel with Rev. Dale Berry officiating. Burial was in Molsbee Chapel cemetery. Services were directed by Scott-Morris Funeral Home.

 Suvvivors include: wife, Shirley Eaton; children, Wesley Blake, James Blake and Kimberley Flanner; brother James Blake; four grandchildren.

 Ray Walker, 62, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2010, in Sunriver, Oregon.

 Ray Walker was born Raymond Lee Walker, Jr. September 17, 1947 to Raymond Lee Walker, Sr. and Laura Catherine (Diehl) Walker at Major Clinic Hospital in Nocona, Texas. His family lived in Montague where he attended grade school. In 1965 he graduated from Nocona High School where he concentrated on vocational agriculture with very good success. After graduation, he attended Oklahoma State Technical College in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to study diesel mechanics and electronics.

 Ray volunteered for the military draft in January, 1968 and was inducted into the U.S. Army. After completing basic training at Fort Polk, LA and Advanced Individual Training and Non-Commissioned Officers Training at Fort Sill, OK, he returned home on leave to marry his Prairie Valley School sweetheart, Mary Pigg on June 1, 1968.

 Four months later, in October, 1968 orders came to ship out for Viet Nam with Company B, 3rd Battalion of the 187th Infantry Regiment known as the Rakkasans, 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division. During the spring, 1969, as Communications Sergeant of Bravo Company, his outfit became heirs to "Apache Snow"- the largest air mobile assault and one of the largest and most important battles of the Viet Nam conflict. The assault on heavily entrenched Hill 937 became known as the infamous battle for Hamburger Hill- deemed as "War at its worst, men at their best". The battles yielded Sergeant Walker two purple hearts, two Army Commendation Medals– one "V" Device and one First Oak Leaf Cluster for valor, heroism, and Meritorious Achievement, the Bronze Star, the Army Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Campaign Medal, and the Viet Nam Service Medal – all three for Meritorious Service. In addition, he received the Combat Infantry Badge as a special exception and honor for him. He was also nominated for the Silver Star but completed his tour of duty and was discharged from the Army before receiving that award.

 In 1972, President Richard Nixon awarded Sgt. Walker’s infantry regiment the Presidential Unit Citation for Valor and Extraordinary Heroism during the ten-day bloody battle for Hamburger Hill. Additionally, the 101st Airborne also received the Meritorious Unit Citation and Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.

 In 1987, Hollywood produced a movie titled "Hamburger Hill", and in 1988 Samuel Zaffiri published a book titled Hamburger Hill – historical accounts of the "Apache Snow" operation.

 After returning to civilian life, Ray and Mary moved to Okmulgee, OK where he completed his technical study of electronics while working as a repairman and as a butcher. November 18, 1970 the family grew when their son Robin Lee was born. The trio returned to Nocona, began a small electronics repair business, and welcomed daughter Sherry Katherine to the family on February 15, 1975.

 In 1977 the family bought Hinds Clark Company, a TV, appliance, and tire business. In 1981 they sold the business and established "Ray’s Used Equipment, Inc." in Nocona…a proud and very successful company still in strong existence today.

 In 1995 Ray was a founding partner of Kissimmee Auction Company, Inc. in Kissimmee, Florida…a world-wide supplier for heavy equipment. Ray served as its CEO-a position that helped establish him as a very successful, widely-known and respected figure throughout the nation and around the world. However, he never lost sight of his humble beginnings, hometown, family, or numerous friends.

 In 2001, Ray was honored by his hometown and the Nocona High School Ex-Student Association with a surprise induction into the prestigious NHS Hall of Honor for his world-wide business success and military heroism.

 In 2002, Ray and Mary began attending the annual Hamburger Hill reunion held each May at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Ray became a member of the Board of Directors for the reunion planning committee.

 In 2003, he was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the 187th Regimental Combat Team. His DMOR medal reads, "Let Valor Never Fail" in Latin. He was most proud of this award, as it is reserved for only a rare few of America’s finest military servicemen of the 101st Airborne. Ray was to receive this award alongside a notable recipient-MG David Petreus, but Petreus had already deployed with an advanced party of the 101st Airborne Division.

 In 2006, Oliver North’s nationally televised TV program "War Stories" featured Sgt. Walker in an hour-long program honoring those at Hamburger Hill.

 In 2007, Ray’s picture served as a poster board in a nationally televised advertisement honoring military veterans on Veterans Day.

 Ray’s civil duties included being a board member of Jean’s Down-Town Men’s Bible Class, member of Nocona Rural and Volunteer Fire Dept., Bowie Masonic Lodge #578, Wichita Falls Maskat Shrine, American Legion Post #252 in Bowie and Post #220 in Nocona, Nocona VFW Post #8558, and the Turkey Texas Landowners Association.

 Ray Walker was a beautiful collage of many things: gifted intelligence, sincere concern and love for others, philanthropic from an early age, always ready to give and help anytime/anywhere, a devoted-beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, and Christian, brotherly friend to all.

 Ray’s daily life was filled with a passion for and love of family, friends, gatherings, fun and laughter. He was known for his devotion to family and many friends-all of whom he assigned special nicknames with personal meaning. He was also known for working hard, having a true love of hometown and country, giving back in any way he could, flying his planes and helicopter, pulling pranks on unsuspecting victims, traveling the world, camping with grandkids and friends, riding his trike with Mary, and celebrating Western Swing music.

 At the time of his passing, August 15, 2010, he and Mary were traveling the Nation along with friends in much deserved bliss, all the while still conducting business via cell-phone and internet and grooming Robin and Sherry to run the family business.

 Memorial Fellowship for Ray’s family and friends will be held at Jean’s Down-Town Men’s Bible Class in Nocona on Friday, September 3 from 6:30 p.m. til’ 8:00 pm.

 Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010, at the First Baptist Church of Nocona, Texas.

 Burial will follow at the Montague Cemetery in Montague, Texas.

 Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

 Ray’s proud legacy includes his beloved wife, Mary Walker; son, Robin Walker and wife, Christie; daughter, Sherry Brown and husband, Chad; and six delightful grandchildren – Katelynn, Ali and R.J. Walker and Raylee, Karlee, and Jackson Brown all of Nocona.

 He was preceded in death by his loving parents and infant brother, James.

 Memorials may be made to Jean’s Men’s Bible Class (940-825-3432) or Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershq.org/hospitals/main), or an organization of your choice.

 James E. Covington, 88. of Nocona, Texas passed away on August 27, 2010 in Sherman, TX.

 James was born on October 6, 1921 in Nocona, TX to E.E. Jim and Myrtle Doan Covington. He married Maudie Lee Russell. He served his country in the US Navy during WWII. He was a traveling Evangelist and was employed at Weber Air Craft. He enjoyed being a member of the Nocona DQ Social Club, his gospel music and playing his guitar and most of all sharing the word and studying the Bible.

 Funeral services were Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Scott-Morris Chapel with Pastor Kim Stephenson officiating. Burial followed at Nocona Cemetery. Pallbeares were Chris Morse, Casey Morse, Chad Covington, Kathy Steed, Chuck Connor, and Chet Teel. Arrangements were made by Scott-Morris Funeral Home of Nocona.

 James is survived by his children, Martha Mores & husband Chuck of Gainesville and Kathy Steed of Sherman. One sister, Oneal Russell of Nocona, 5 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

 He is preceeded is death by his parents and his wife Maudie in 1998, and a son Jimmy L. Covington.

 Jerry Wayne Cole, 76, passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at Nocona General Hospital in Nocona, TX.

 Jerry was born August 16, 1934 in Muenster to Jim and Velma (Beall) Cole. Jerry worked for a number of years for the City of Denton before his retirement.

 Funeral services were held August 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 W. University Dr., Denton, with Dr. E.L. "Skip" McNeal officiating. Burial followed at Bolivar Cemetery.

 He is survived by his sister, Patsy (Cole) Howard and brother-in-law, Joe Howard, sister-in-law, Wanda Cole, four nephews, Brad Cole, Joey Howard, James Howard and Jeff Howard, niece, Vickie (Cole) Jenkins, aunt, Reba Beall and numerous loving cousins.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James Ervin Cole and Victor Lee Cole, and sister, Imogene Cole.