Michael Leroy Warbritton, born December 15, 1939 in Rodessa, Louisiana, passed away on February 20, 2015 in Glendale, AZ after a courageous battle against cancer. He is preceded in death by his parents Alford T. (Steve) Warbritton and Sarah Geneva Mosley Warbritton, and his daughter Melissa (Warbritton) Blotz. Michael is survived by his wife Cynthia Walls Warbritton, and their daughter Stacey Kiefer (Mark), and grandchildren Vera Jo and Andrew Kiefer; Michael's son James Michael(Debra), grandson, Aaron (Tanya), granddaughters Amanda Renfro and Shelby Blotz; his brothers David (Cheryl), Ted (Faye) and many other nieces and nephews, family members, and friends.

Michael grew up in Sweetwater, Texas where the family belonged to the Fundamental Baptist Church of Sweetwater. In 1955 they moved to Fort Worth, TX for his mother's health care related to breast cancer.

Mike began making model airplanes while attending Boy Scout summer camps in 1952 and it became a lifelong passion. He was also a standout musician, playing first trombone in the school band. He played in the stage band and also a jazz band outside school. He was the Drum Major senior year, receiving a full college scholarship for music. Mike graduated Amon Carter High School in 1958.

At a really young and mostly unsophisticated 18 years of age, three months out of high school, Michael joined the Air Force to "see the world." After basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, he attended electronics training at Sheppard AFB at Wichita Falls,
Keesler AFB at Biloxi and Charleston AFB in Charleston. While at Keesler, he played in the Air Force drum and bugle corps for the base.  His duties eventually included Airborne Radio Repairman and Air Traffic Controller.

Once when Michael served in the 7th AEMS at Carswell AFB, a SAC base just west of Fort Worth, he and a buddy were getting a B-52 ready to go, and a console light meant they had to trace wires along the length of the aircraft. He recalled, "Both of us had our backs to the bomb sand were facing the outside of the aircraft as we intermittently moved through the bomb bay. We were almost to the second bomb when we both turned and faced each other as we seemed to realize at the same moment we were using 10 megaton bombs as back rests while we worked. Those were the days!"

While serving, he married Betty Sparks in 1961 and had two children. James Michael Warbritton was born on the afternoon of March 1, 1962.Mike's mother passed away from cancer in the same hospital that morning. Michael's beloved daughter Melissa was born in 1963 and, unfortunately also passed away much too young from sudden cardiac arrest in 1997.

In 1966, Michael spent a tour at Bein Hoa AFB in Vietnam where he served as radio ground support to U2 surveillance planes flying on special missions. He survived a mortar attack, spent some R&R in Okinawa and returned in July of 1967.He attained the rank of AF Senior Master Sergeant during his 25 year hitch, and he did indeed see the world with assignments in Vietnam, Guam, and The Azores; and stateside in Fort Worth, Little Rock and Oklahoma.

Of his service, Michael said, "What I saw there, what I did there, what I learned there helped to shape the person I have become. I have always given the Air Force credit for what I am, personality, knowledge, growth, etc. I cannot deny it and am intensely proud of the time I was an active member."

He acquired an undergraduate degree through military correspondence and completed his career with the Air Force in 1983. He furthered his education with a Master's degree from North Texas University. He advanced to studies for a doctorate but decided just shy of his thesis instead to become a teacher of electronics and computer networking. He gained the hearts of his students at Eastern Hills HS in Fort Worth, who 
support. He made lasting friendships and was respected by faculty in his role as Dean at Mountain View Community College in Dallas, where he met Cynthia Walls, in the Health Clinic where she took his blood pressure a little more often than needed

The couple married in 1991 and moved east, first to Baltimore, where he again assumed a Dean's position at Harford County Community College and a stint at Milford Mill Academy until relocating to renovate an historic Pennsylvania farm, complete with apple and peach tree orchards and roadside stand. Michael finally taught at and retired from York County School of Technology in York, PA. 

Gary Stapleton, 57, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015.

Funeral: 3:30 p.m. Monday in Mount Olivet Chapel.

Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Mount Olivet.

Gary was born Oct. 24, 1957, in Fort Worth and lived in the area all of his life. He graduated from Carter-Riverside High School in 1976. He worked as a metal spinner in Saginaw for 30 years. He was a simple, good-hearted man and was loved by many. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Billy Stapleton; and brother, Mark Stapleton.

Survivors: His loving wife of 36 years, Tammy Stapleton; daughter, Brandy; grandchildren, Autumn and Taylor; mother, Dixie Stapleton; brother, Joey Stapleton; sister, Paula Giammarva; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

John Richard "Nick" Hughes, 71, passed away Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015.

Memorial service: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Mount Olivet Chapel.

Visitation: 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorials: Azle Christian Church, 117 Church St., Azle, Texas 76020, (Back Pack Program).

Nick was born June 14, 1943, in Fort Worth to Harold and Goldie Hughes. He graduated from Carter High School and Texas Wesleyan College with a B.A. in business. Nick began his career in industrial engineering when Mr. Capps at Swift Packing suggested a career change. Nick retired from Bell Helicopter after 37 years. Nick was also a small-business owner for 20 years. Nick's favorite hobbies were canoeing, camping, fishing, gardening and blue birds. He enjoyed college football, especially TCU. Nick was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors: Wife, Deanne; daughter, Shawn; mother, Goldie Hughes; brothers, David Hughes and wife, Judy, and Larry Hughes and wife, Judy; and a special group of nieces and nephews.

Beloved mother and grandmother, Peggy Gene Coburn Gough, 80, a retired science teacher, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in Weatherford.

Graveside service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in Parker Memorial Cemetery, Grapevine.

Survivors: Son, John Paul Gough; grandchildren, Echo White and husband, Donovan, Randy Blake and wife, Katie, and Brandy Bristol and husband, James; 11 great-grandchildren; uncle, Hugh Wells; and many other extended family members and friends.

William Edward Crew, 85, passed away Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Marty Leonard Chapel, 3131 Sanguinet St., Fort Worth.

Interment: Bluebonnet Hills Cemetery.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home. 

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 4100 Alpha Road #100, Dallas, Texas, or a charity of your choice.  

Billy was born Nov. 23, 1929, to Wornell and Irene Crew in Fort Worth. He loved horses, collecting antiques and woodworking. Billy also loved spending time with his family. He lived by the Cowboy Code of Conduct.

Survivors: Wife, Rita Margaret Crew; sons, Michael Crew and wife, Lee, of Inman, S.C., and Christopher Crew of San Rafael, Calif., and Terry Thornton and wife, Amy, of North Richland Hills; daughter, Valerie and husband, Kris Stacy, of Keller; sister, Marguiett Rucker of North Richland Hills; brother, Ronnie Crew of California; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends.

Mrs. Montgomery was born November 20, 1936 in Pickwick, Tennessee. She died January 19, 2015 in Edmond, Oklahoma.  Grave side services will be Thursday, January 22, 2015 at  the Hobart Rose Cemetery, Hwy 183, Hobart, Oklahoma.

She was graduated from Carter High School, Ft. Worth, Texas in 1954, the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958, and The University of Houston with a Master of Science in psychology in 1978.
Mrs. Montgomery was a research associate in the Life Sciences Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center, NASA in Houston. She also served as an educational liaison to the Saudi Arabian Consulate, also in Houston.
 
She was an accomplished thespian in both high school and college winning numerous awards for her roles in theater. A self-made authority on World War II history, Mrs. Montgomery was passionate about reading, building a comprehensive library on history, and loved a good whodunit mystery novel.

Pat Kelly Barnett, 85, passed away in Ennis on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.

Memorial service: Will be held at a later date.

Pat was born in Littlefield on Feb. 13, 1929, to Wylie and Vannie Lee Jones Barnett. He grew up in Fort Worth and Colleyville and attended Carter Riverside and Polytechnic high schools. He served his country proudly in the United States Army and was stationed in Colorado during the Korean War. He worked for KXAS/NBC Channel 5 as a television producer for over 42 years. He enjoyed watching football, especially the Dallas Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and four sisters.

Survivors: Sons, Bret Barnett and Kent Barnett; daughter, Denise Winnett; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Betty Jo Vaughn.

Ethel Ruth Moran, 90, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to God's lovingarms Monday, Jan. 12, 2015.

Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in Mount Olivet Chapel.

Family graveside service: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olivet.

Memorials: Donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission or Shriners Hospital.

Ruth was born April 11, 1924, to Louis and Edith Kilgore in Fort Worth. She graduated from Carter-Riverside, Arlington State College and the University of North Texas. Ruth married George on June 6, 1946, and they lived in Fort Worth and later in Haltom City, where they raised their two sons. She had been a member of Riverside, Haltom and Birdville Baptist Church over the years. Ruth was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Haltom-Riverside. Ruth was a teacher for several years at St. Andrews Catholic School and later worked at General Dynamics.

Survivors: Sons, George Jr. and Louis and wife, Sherri; grandchildren, Staci Osterkamp and husband, Bryan, and Mindi Carter and husband, Jared; and great-grandchildren, Caleb and Zachary Osterkamp, and Hannah, Alexis and Ella Carter.

Jo Lynn Carey Cartwright - Jo Lynn Carey Cartwright passed away Monday, January 12, 2015. Jo took her first breath of air on June 30, 1950 with her twin sister, Judy Glynn Carey. Jo was born in Denver, Colorado to William Harold Carey and Allie May Henderson Carey. She lived in Fort Worth, Texas the first 21 years of her life. She loved to reminisce of growing up in Fort Worth and had many fond and loving memories of family and friends in Texas. She was a blessing to all who knew her.

She lived her life giving and caring for her family who she loved more than anything in the world. She always said " Life is for Living " and she lived her life as a true example of kindness, goodness and love for mankind. She was a devoted military wife and represented the true meaning of patriotism by being part of the "Military Family". She had friends all over the world. Her Interest included: Spending her retirement days with the only man she ever loved, her caring loving husband, Jimmy. They enjoyed researching their family genealogy. She also truly loved the times she and Jimmy spent with family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren more than words can say and it brought such joy taking photographs of her amazing grandchildren: Edward, Bryce, Banks and Ella. Jo was so proud to be called "GiGi" by her grandchildren and she was VERY proud of each of them.

Jo enjoyed bird watching and taking photos of God's creations, daily phone conversation with her sister and chats with her special forever friends. She loved listening to music and knowing the words to most all the songs. She enjoyed her quiet time to reflect on her blessings. Jo felt blessed for the comfort and acts of kindness she received from her friends during her rough days of fighting pancreatic cancer. Jo was a Christian, a follower of Christ, and lived each day of her illness fighting the fight knowing her life was in God's hands. She represented her sickness with courage, dignity and grace and was an inspiration to all. She was blessed with three special SCOA friends: Cindy Stokes, Calvin Hill and Mary L. Thomas, who inspired her to never give up during her cancer treatments. Thank you is extended to the Staff of SCOA in Columbia for their care and support.

She dearly loved her husband, Jimmy "Jim" whom she married on July 31, 1971 at Springdale Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. They met as children at Vacation Bible School and they attended the same High School (Amon Carter Riverside High School-Fort Worth). Their married life was busy moving often during her husband's military 30 plus years of active duty service (Army) and raising their amazing son and daughter. She opened her heart to the world and gave so much and asked for so little in return. She loved people the way Jesus loves people.

She is survived by the love of her life, husband Dr. James W. Cartwright, Jr. of Columbia, South Carolina, her children, Jeffrey Allen Cartwright and his wife Aubrey Campbell Cartwright and their three Children, Bryce Campbell Cartwright, and twin grandchildren, Banks McKinley Cartwright and Ella Grace Cartwright of Columbia, South Carolina. Also her Daughter Jill Allison Cartwright Danforth and her husband Jonathan Taylor Danforth and their son Edward William Danforth of Durham, North Carolina. She is survived by her sister, Judy Carey Borders and her husband James (Jamie) Borders of Waxahachie, Texas. Also her " South Carolina" Sister Laura Trawick Johnson of Columbia, South Carolina and her South Carolina "Like-A-Daughter" Pamela Phillips of Elgin, South Carolina and her dogs Daisy and Molly as well as many family members and friends from all over the United States.

O.D. Cole Jr., 83, passed away Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at a Mineral Wells hospital.

Service: 2 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church.

Burial: will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

He was born April 1, 1931, in Fort Worth, the son of Orbin Dewey Sr. and Margaret Edna Creecy Cole. He graduated from Amon Carter High School in 1950. The next four years he served in the U.S. Navy on two cruisers operating off Korea. After serving he started to TCU and graduated in 1958. While going to TCU he worked for Gordon Boswell Florist. Prior to that he worked for two years at Fort Worth Floral, a wholesale florist, while in high school. He managed Balch's Flowers in the latter part of 1958.

In September 1959 he moved to Mineral Wells and established Cole's House of Flowers. After 45 years he sold the business to Dwaine Eaton. During his business career he served on the board, third VP, second VP, and first VP of West Texas New Mexico Floral Association. He served on many committees for Texas State Florist Association. He was a life member of the Fort Worth Florist Association, and cooked for their September Fish Fry for 35 years. After passing all the exams he became a Texas master florist. In 1986 he was one of 12 in the U.S. elected to The Society of American Florist and the only one from Texas. He was an over-50-year member of the Mineral Wells Noon Lions Club. He served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, as captain of the Palo Pinto County Sherriff's Posse, commander of the American Legion, president of the Palo Pinto Shrine Club, president of the Brazos Valley Scottish Rite Club, life member of Moslah Temple Directors, member of Mineral Wells Masonic Lodge, Moslah Temple Weatherford Shrine Club, and Royal Order of Jesters.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for 20 years. He served as president of the Chancel Choir and the Path Finders Sunday School Class. He served on the Administrative Board, Organ Remodeling Committee, and Church Remodeling Committee. His church family meant everything to him.

Survivors: The love of his life, Opal; son, Paul Cole and wife, Aloise, of Waco; daughter, Pam and dear friend, Barbara Grapes; grandchildren, Joseph, Allison and Heather; and great-grandchild, Cole. His loving spirit and giving heart cannot be replaced.