Funeral services were conducted for Ronald Allen Fletcher at the Spur Church of Christ, Monday, June 23 [1952], at 5:30 p.m. C. V. Allen officiated, assisted by Rev. Thomas R. Elder.

Ronald was born in Fort Worth on Noveber 5, 1949, and died Sunday, June 22 at 2 P.m.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Fletcher; one brother, Jackie Pat; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Hoover; paternal grandfather, Jess Fletcher and great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Patton.

Serving as pallbearers were Wilburn Ball, Leonard Wilson, Jr., A. B. Carlisle and Winford Morrow. Honorary pallbearers included Elmer Cross, John Dunaway, Louis Arnold, K. P. Brantner, Son McKay, and Jimmie Morin.

Interment was in Spur cemetery under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home.

Source: The Texas Spur. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

[The Jayton Chronicle added this note:] Ronald was the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. K. P. Brantner of Jayton. Mrs. Fletcher is Mrs. Brantner's sister.

Graveside services for Jackie Pat Fletcher, 55 of Coppell were held Friday, December 7, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. in the Spur Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Cambell Funeral Home of Spur with Eric Swenson officiating. He died Tuesday, December 4, 2001 at Medical City Hospital in Dallas.

Mr. Fletcher was born April 26, 1946 in Pecos, Texas. He married Linda Bailey March 22, 1965 in Brownfield. He was Internet Sales Manager for Auto Nation the past three years in Dallas. He was a Vietnam Veteran. He had lived in Coppell for the past 4 years moving from Brownfield.

He is survived by his wife, two sons Jason Fletcher of Arlington and Brad Fletcher of Coppell; one daughter, Melissa Brown of Dallas; his mother, Robbie Briscoe of Levelland; one brother, Gary Fletcher of Carlsbad, New Mexico; one sister Nancy Cathey of Marshall, Texas and five grandchildren.

The Texas Spur, Thursday, December 13, 2001, Page Nine. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

A. A. Fry Buried Friday

Funeral services for Albert A. Fry, 76, were held last Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Church of Christ. Gary Williams, minister, officiated. Mr. Fry, who was a retired farmer, died July 24 in the Crosbyton Hospital following a lengthy illness. He had been a resident of Spur since 1942, and came to Dickens County in 1914. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. A. A. Fry, Spur; six sons, Thedford and Alex Fry, both of Spur; Dale Fry, Hobbs, NM; Bill Fry, Lubbock, Mack Fry, Dallas; two daughters, Mrs. Willie Smith, Spur and Mrs. Edwin Ivy, Powell, Wyoming; one brother, R.E. Fry of Texline; 18 grandchildren.

Pallbearers included A. B. Carlisle, Jay Austin, Bobby Grice, R. W. Self, Hubert Hawley and Max Alldredge.

Interment was in Red Mud Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, July 31, 1969.

Funeral rites for Pvt. Lee W. Fry, who was drowned at Camp Hood, Wednesday, April 11 [1945], were held at the Church of Christ at Red Mud at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, with C. V. Allen officiating.

Private Fry entered the service on Dec. 21, 1944, and was undergoing training at Camp Hood at the time of his death. When the fatal accident occurred, Private Fry, on bivouac with other men in his company, was crossing a foot bridge constructed over a stream of water, when the bridge suddenly gave way. Private Fry fell into the water and was drowned before rescue was possible.Details of the accident have not been revealed.

On Dec. 30, 1924, Lee Fry was born to Mr. And Mrs. Gene Fry. He attended school in Kalgary and was a member of the Church of Christ.

Prior to Allen's message to the congregation, Cpl. William E. Floyd, Jr., military escort of Private Fry's body, spoke briefly expressing the regret of other men in the company that they were not able to pay their last respects to their comrade in person.

Pallbearers were R. C. Kirkland, Orie Smith, Doyle Hinson, Dolph Shields, Condie Starrett, and Lawis Witt. Honorary pallbearers were Corporal Floyd, Privates Eldon McClain, Johnnie McClain, Joe Thornton, Matthews Gruben and Calvin Holloway.

Flower bearers were Tookie Starrett, Mary Ann Starrett, Christine Witt, Martinine Turbyfield, Winona Pace, Johnnie Morris, Doylene Hinson and Vonda Howell.

Private Fry is survived by his parents, six [seven] brothers, Pfc. Carl N. Fry, Philippines, Pfc.Doyle T. Fry, Great Falls, Mont., Pvt. Keith R. Fry, France, and Edd, Errett [Erit], Foy and Alton Fry, Red Mud; two sisters, Emma Jean [Imogene] and Vernell Fry, Red Mud; a grandmother, Mrs. A. Fry, Spur, and a grandfather, A. L. Brantner, Girard.

The three brothers in the service have written and requested that The Texas Spur express their appreciation for the sympathy and consideration of their friends in their bereavement. The over seas address of Pvt. Keith R. Fry may be obtained at The Texas Spur Office.

Private Fry was buried at the Red Mud Cemetery.

Source: Unidentified Newspaper Clipping. Transcribed by Ron Brantner

Information submitted to the Dickens County RootsWeb:

Dickens Military - World War II - Gold Star Boys
Lee W. Fry
Address: Red Mud Community,Dickens County, Texas
Entered Service: December 21, 1944.
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Rank: Private
Total Time Served: 4 months Died: April 11, 1945, accidental drowning during basic training while on bivouac at Camp Hood,Texas.
Burial: Red Mud Cemetery, (H-9).

Services for Thedford Curtis Fry, 81, of Spur were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, at the First Baptist Church in Spur. Rev. Norris Taylor of Idalou and Rev. Richard Harbison, Spur, officiated. Burial was in the Red Mud Cemetery under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home.

Mr. Fry died Sunday, December 7, at the Crosbyton Hospital.

Fry was born April 8, 1916, in Spur and lived in Spur most of his life. He married Lee Alldredge September 4, 1942, in Spur. He was a 1933 graduate of Spur High School and was a member of the Spur Ex-Student Association. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II in the 1955 squadron and was a member of V.F.W. Post 7212. He had been a rancher since 1946. He had served as president of the Swenson Reunion. He was a Baptist.

He is survived by his wife, Lee; one son, Sonny Fry of Spur; one daughter, Daphnia Bland of Kingwood; four brothers, Alex Fry of Garden City, Bill Fry of Lubbock, Dale Fry of Hobbs, New Mexico and Mc [Mack] Fry of Austin; two sisters, Lucille Smith of Spur, and Nada Jo Ivy of Powell, Wyoming; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

The Texas Spur, Page Ten, Thursday, December 11, 1997.

Services Held Wednesday For Ed Fuqua, 89

Funeral services were held Wednesday for Edward Franklin Fuqua, 89, in Spur Church of Christ with Dell Young officiating; he was assisted by Cleston Pritchett.

Mr. Fuqua died in the Kent County Nursing Home, June 20, following a lengthy illness.

A resident of Dickens County since 1891, he was a retired cattle rancher. He had made his home in Spur since 1958.

He was a member of the Church of Christ.

His wife preceded him in death on May 10, this year.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Lois Howell, Spur; five grandsons, all raised by him and his wife, Charles and Wendell Stoneman, Lubbock; Kenneth and Alvis Stoneman, Spur and Aubrey Stoneman, Roswell, N. M.; two sisters, Mrs. Audrey Grubbs, Spur and Mrs. Riley Smith, Post; 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers included J. B. Morrison, George Austin, Luther Spain, Abb Smith, Alex Fry, Jay Austin, Glen Smith and Buddy Hoover.

Internment was in Red Mud Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, 1967.

From the records of Elsie Shoults Spain, submitted by June Fitzgerald Scott to Dickens County RootsWeb.

OBITUARY

Green Acres Teacher ... Services held for Erit Fry

Funeral services for Erit Daniel Fry, 50, a Green Acres elementary school teacher for a number of years, were held Tuesday afternoon in First Street Church of Christ.

Mr. Fry, a native of Dickens county, died Sunday evening in Memorial Hospital in Dumas. He lived southwest of Dumas.

Mr. Fry lived at Stinnett before moving to Dumas in 1964 when he joined the Green Acres faculty.

He was a member of Classroom Teachers Association, Texas State teachers Association and National Education Association.

Mr. Fry had been active in Little League in Dumas and was a member of First Street Church of Christ. He held bachelor's and master's degrees from West Texas State University.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Fry, a teacher at Morningside elementary school; two sons, Gaylon, a Texas Tech student, and Heston, a WTSU student; a daughter, Vonda, a Tech student; four brothers, Doyle of Post, Nelson of Texline, Alton of Clayton, N.M., and Ed Fry of Tulia and two sisters, Mrs. Imogene Williams of Smyer and Mrs. Venell Sheets of Texline.

Roy Hannah, minister of First Street Church of Christ, officiated for the services and burial in Northlawn Memorial Gardens.

Morrison Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.

Source: Moore County News Press (Texas), May 13, 1981. Submitted by Gaylon Fry, son.

TEXLINE - Gene Fry, 79, died Wednesday [October 8, 1975].

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of Christ with Kerry Jones, minister, and Don Higgins, associate minister, officiating. Graveside services will be at Red Nud Cemetery at 5 p.m. Saturday by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors of Dalhart.

Mr. Fry came to Texline 28 years ago from Spur, He was born at Denton and was a retired farmer.

Survivors include the widower, Ruth of the home: five sons. Doyle of Post, Nelson of Texline, Ed of Tulia, Erit of Dumas and Alton of Clayton,N.M; two daughters, Mrs. Imogene Williams of Smyer and Mrs. Vernell Sheets of Texline; 22 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Source: Amarillo Globe News, Thursday, October 9, 1975. Submitted by Gaylon Fry, grandson.

Alec Fry, Old Citizen, Passes to His Reward in the Great Beyond

Alec Fry died Friday of last week [6 Sep 1929] at his farm and ranch on Cat Fish, his remains being interred Saturday in Red Top [also Red Mud or Tap] cemetery.

Alec Fry was eighty years of age. and had been in feeble health several years, suffering a stroke of paralysis on Monday before his death Friday. He had lived with his famiiy in the county the past fifteen years. He was born April 14,1849, in North Carolina, coming to Texas at the age of ten years with his parents, spending seventy years of his life on the Frontier of Texas.

In the earlier days he served on the Texas Ranger force, fought Indians, and out-laws and helped pave the way for present day civilization in West Texas.

Surviving members of the family are his wife and two sons, A. A. Fry, and Gene Fry. Of a family of nine brothers and two sisters, Alec Fry has only one surviving brother, Bill Fry of Denton, Texas.

Alec Fry was a good, loyal, useful citizen. He was our friend and a friend to many others, and we join with them in mourning with the family in his passing on to another world.

Source: Unnamed newspaper, Friday, September 13,1929. Submitted by Gaylon Fry, great-grandson.

Alex and his brother L. W. (Bud) went to Oklahoma Territory to gather cattle, and Bud came back with 1000 head of maverick cattle he had branded. Jennie went in a wagon to find them.

Alex was a Texas Ranger around Antelope, Texas during the Civil War, where he served as constable. He had, on occasion, had to put his brothers and relatives in jail for rowdy behavior. One of his brothers planned to shoot him, and Alex put his hand on the gun, it went off, and he carried the bullet in his hand until he died.

Source: Edd Fry, grandson. Submitted by Gaylon Fry, great-grandson.

SPUR (TX) — Services for Lucille Smith, 88, of Spur will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday [Feb. 4] at Campbell Funeral Home Chapel with Ned Hicks officiating.

Burial will be in Spur Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home in Spur.

She died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Crosbyton.

She was born Sept. 2, 1914, in Antelope. She graduated from Spur High School. She married Willis M. Smith on May 25, 1935, in Dickens County. He died April 6 [2], 1989. She was a sales clerk at Gabriels in Spur for many years.

Survivors include a daughter, Myra Jordan of Las Vegas, Nev.; four brothers, Bill Fry of Lubbock, Dale Fry of Hobbs, N.M., Alex Fry of Garden City and Mac Fry of Ruidoso, N.M.; a sister, Nada Ivy of Powell, Wyo.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Source: The Lubbock Avalanche Journal, February 3, 2003. Submitted via internet by Ron Brantner.

Note: Willis M. Smith died April 2, 1989, according to his obituary.

Nelson Fry Of Texline Dies Friday

Nelson Fry, 69, of Texline died Friday, March 17 [1989] at his home. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday in the Schooler-Gordon Chapel. Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 20 at2:00 p.m. in the Red Mud Cemetery of Spur, Tex. under Ihe direction of Schooler-Gordon.

Mr. Fry was born on October 23, 1919 in Garza County, Tex. He grew up in the Spur area and served in the U.S. Army during World War 11. Nelson moved to Texline in 1948 where he farmed.

He was a member of the Texline Church of Christ and the VFW. Mr. Fry is survived by a son, Dywane Fry of Hereford; three brothers, Doyle Fry of Post, Tex., Edd Fry of Powderly, Tex., Alton Fry of Clayton, New Mex.; two sisters, Imogene Williams of Smyer, Tex., Vernell Sheets of Texline and two grandchildren.

Source: Unidentified newspaper, Sunday, March 19, 1989, Page 2. Submitted by Vernell Sheets, sister.

Pat Fletcher

Son of Spur Man Killed In Car Wreck

U.S.Flag Funeral services for H.P. (Pat) Fletcher, 38, were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the Spur Church of Christ. C.V. Allen officiated. He was assisted by Vernon Williams.

Mr. Fletcher was killed in a car-truck accident nine miles west of Brownfield Saturday.

He was born in Spur, Texas on August 26, 1923. He lived here until 1956 when he moved to Brownfield.

Survivors include his father, J.J. Fletcher, Spur; wife and three children, Mrs. Robbie Fletcher, Nancy Ann, Jackie Pat and Gary Bob Fletcher; three brothers, Jack, J.J., and Bob Fletcher; and his grandfather, H.N Patton, Spur.

Mr. Fletcher was a veteran of World War II.

Pallbearers included Wilburn Ball, Winfred Morrow, Bunk Garner, R.J. Bell, Leonard Wilson, Jr., and Everett Robertson.

Interment was in the Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, December 28, 1961. Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004 for the Dickens County GenWeb.

Ray Finchum

Funeral services for Ray Story Finchum, 70, were held Monday at 2 p.m. in the Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. Robert Fields, Amarillo, officiated, assisted by Rev. O.L. DeWees, Afton and Rev. Donnie Miller, Lubbock.

A retired farmer, Mr. Finchum was dead on arrival at Crosbyton Hospital following an apparent heart attack on November 15. A resident of Dickens County since 1915, he had lived in Spur since 1968. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Eula Finchum, Spur; 6 step-sons, Clifford Clay, Austin, Claude Hairgrove, Lubbock, Lorrell Hairgrove, San Bernadino, CA; Wilburn Hairgrove, San Luis Obispo, CA; Glenn Hairgrove, Arlington and Doyle Hairgrove, Euless; three sisters, Mrs. Maudie Connally, Dickens, Mrs. Ruth Clark, Dumas and Mrs. Bonnie LaRue, Crockett; 16 grandchildren, 7 grandchildren.

Pallbearers included Junior Hagins, Doyle King, Abb Smith, Alvis Bilberry, Alvis Lee and Robert Hahn.

Burial was in the Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, November 20, 1975. From the records of Lillian Grace Nay; transcribed by Kay Laster.

Biography

N. B. Fuqua brought his family to Kent County from San Saba County, arriving November 11, 1894. He had been a farmer and freighter there. The family settled three miles north of the present site of Jayton, where they lived in a double dugout. After coming to Kent, N. B. did some farming, having to haul their cotton to Aspermont to be ginned, then on to Abilene to be sold, making the long trip about twice a year, to buy supplies that were not carried by the grocery store in Clairmont.

In the spring of 1896, the family moved to the Norman Rodgers Ranch on the Salt Fork of the Brazos. They were supposed to farm that year but did not understand the West Texas climate. After a long dry spell, it did rain, but they thought it too late to plant, so made no crop.

In 1897, they homesteaded a place twenty-five miles northwest of Clairmont on Red Mud Creek. Here their seven children were born and raised. They were Ed, Audrey, Mattie, Lon, Will, Addie and Jettie. The nearest doctor lived in Snyder, about fifty miles away, and for many years there were only four families in the community. N. B. farmed, freighted, and during this time, he hauled the lumber for the Boley Brown Ranch buildings. They lived here for twenty-five years. N. B. died in 1921, and was buried in the Red Top Cemetery, the only cemetery in the area. His widow lived in the old home until her death in 1927, when she was buried beside her husband. Many descendants are buried in this cemetery.

When the Fuquas´ first moved to the Red Mud Community, they lived in a dugout for a few years, then built a two room house with a shed room across the west side, they also dug a cistern and built a chimney onto the house. They had chickens, cows and hogs, and their living was mostly made at home. It was not easy going, but they trusted in the Lord, and were thankful.

Grandfather, M. D. Barnett, was a Civil War veteran and is buried in the Jayton Cemetery. He came to Kent County very early and could tell of the buffalos and the Indian fights. He spent much of his life here. Ed Fuqua married Edna Cross in 1905 and lived south of Spur. He was Commissioner of Precinct 1 for four years.

Birth dates, marriages, and information of other children of the N. B. Fuquas´ was not given.

Source: Copied from, Kent County and Its People 1983. Submitted by June Scott Fitzgerald.

Other Information With The Above

Newton Bonapart Fuqua
B. Feb. 1852
D. 1921

Paralee Hudson Barnett Fuqua
B. June 1856
D. 1927

11 children were noted on the 1900 Kent County Census but only 7 had survived:

    * Mary Jenny B.1875 died before 1900

    * Edward (Ed) Franklin B. March 1878 D. June 20, 1967; married 1905 to Edna Cross d. 5/10/1967 (K20 and K21)

    * Audrey Rebecca B. March 1880 D. Aug 17, 1971; married George Washington Grubbs b. June 5, 1872 d. July 1961 (U37 and U38)

    * William B. April 1883 D. Sept 9, 1910 (I22)

    * Mattie Virginia B. April 1885 D. 1951; married William Henry Smith b. Jan 9, 1886 d. Dec. 14, 1941 (I-27 and I-28)

    * Lonnie Bonapart B. May 1887 D. Oct 6, 1948; married Francis Dean (she later married Tom Williams) (J21 and J22)

    * Martha Adeline (Addie) B. March 1889 D. May 10 1946; married Walter F. Lewis b. Oct 20, 1872 d. Sept. 26, 1962 (H17 and H18)
	
    * Jettie Olive B. July 1897; married Riley Smith

Burial Site: Red Mud Cemetery Row I, Plot 20 and 21

Funeral Monday For Infant Twins

Graveside funeral services for the infant twins of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Smith were held Monday noon, [February 12] with Rev. Howard Hollowell conducting.

Interment was in the Spur cemetery with Campbells Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

Survivors are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Smith and two sisters.

Source: The Texas Spur, February 15, 1945 [Thursday] via Dickens GenWeb. From the records of Lillian Grace Nay.

Flora Fry

Chapel services for Flora Fry,91, of Post were held at 11 AM Tuesday in the Hudman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Bill Hedrick of Graham Chapel Methodist Church officiating. Burial in Red Mud Cemetery [Dickens County] was under the direction of Hudman Funeral Home.

She died Monday, August 11, 2008 at Golden Plains Care Center in Post. She was born December 10, 1916 in Red Mud to Lonnie and Frances Fuqua. She married Doyle Fry on January 3, 1948 in Dickens. He preceded her in death on April 3, 1995.

She was a member of the Graham Chapel Methodist Church.

Survivors include 1 daughter: Doylene Shumard of Post, 1 son: Arnold Fry of Lubbock, 4 grandchildren: Stacy Hair of Post, Becky Clifton of Post, Tracy Hoskins of Sweetwater and Jayson Fry of Floydada, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 greatgreat-grandson.

Source: The Texas Spur, August 14, 2008. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.
Note: The Red Mud Community straddles the Dickens/Kent County line. The cemetery is in Dickens. Flora was probably born in Kent, if born at home.

Alex Wendell Fry, 85, died Monday, November 23, 2009, at an Abilene medical center.

Born in Kent County, Texas on June 25, 1924, Alex was the son of Esther (Cobb) and Albert Alexander Fry. After graduation from Spur High School in 1942, he served in the U S Navy on the U.S.S. Beckham during World War II. He was the recipient of the Asiatic Pacific - 2 Stars, American Area and Victory Ribbon. He was a cowboy and rancher having worked on various ranches including The Pitchfork and The Spur Ranch. Alex also served as County Commissioner for Glasscock County for 12 years (1978-1990). He moved from Kerrville, Texas to Abilene in October of 2001.

His parents; three brothers, A.T. Fry, Thedford Fry and Dale Fry; and two sisters, Adrian Fry and Lucille Smith, preceded Alex in death.

Alex is survived by his wife, Janet Fry of Buffalo Gap; children, Tammy Halfmann and husband, Butch of Garden City, Kay Gilstrap and husband, Stephen, and Patricia Smith all of Midland; and special son, Dr. Norm Poorman and wife, Angel, of Abilene. He is also survived by grandchildren, Marianne Halfmann, Alex Clay Halfmann, Suzanne McGloughlin, Jason Smith, Dustin Smith, Hunter Poorman and Hayden Poorman; stepchildren, Hal and Deb Poorman and Sam and Mo Poorman all of Kerrville, Tonja Griffin and Mary Jane Poorman of Houston, and Van and Irma Poorman of Katy; 11 step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was known as Paw Paw.

Survivors also include one sister, Nada Ivy and husband, Grady, of Powell, Wyoming; two brothers, Bill Fry and wife, Tennie, and Mack Fry and wife, Sharon, all of Lubbock; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins including one special nephew and friend, Sonny Fry and his wife, Jody.

The family expresses special thanks for the gentle care and kindness provided by the Hendrick Hospice Care.

Visitation in Garden City, Texas will be 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, at the First Baptist Church of Garden City prior to the funeral service at 2 p.m. officiated by Koby Abney. Burial will follow in the Garden City Cemetery directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.

Pallbearers will be Butch Halfmann, Stephen Gilstrap, Alex Clay Halfmann, Jason Smith, Dustin Smith, Dr. Norm Poorman and Sam McGloughlin. Honorary pallbearers will be Sonny Fry, Buck Craft, Royce "Booger" Pruitt, Vernon Gill, David Fry, James Cypert and Billy Light.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, North Central Texas Chapter, 301 S Pioneer Drive, Suite 105, Abilene, Texas 79605, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Source: www.hamilfamilyfuneralhome.com.