M. J. "Mac" McCoy

     Funeral services for M. J. "Mac" McCoy, age 80 of Saint Jo, were held 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 30, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Saint Jo with Rev. Sam Campbell and Rev. Jeff Roe officiating. Burial followed the service in the M. J. "Mac" McCoy Family Cemetery in Saint Jo under the direction of Scott Funeral Home. A visitation and a meal were held at the McCoy Trophy House also in Saint Jo. Mac died at his home in Saint Jo on Saturday, October 25, 2014.

     One of six children, Mac was born on September 12, 1934 to James Arthur and Luteenie (Bass) McCoy in Crosby County, Texas. Mac spent many hours picking cotton with his siblings and parents. He often told the story of picking more cotton than anyone else except his mother.

     After graduating from high school, Mac was offered an athletic scholarship but turned it down to join the Army where he quickly rose to the rank of captain while working with the Pentagon as a nuclear weapons analyst. While analyzing satellite data, Mac discovered a new Russian nuclear weapon. After presenting the data to the Secretary of State, he was given the honor of naming the missile GANEF. Mac served 11 years in the military, three years in Germany where he saw most all of Europe.

     After his honorable discharge from the Army, Mac went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He earned a mortuary degree and used that to work his way through school. Mac worked as the Director of Maintenance at Bell Helicopter in Amarillo, TX and Director of Plant Operations Maintenance at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL, but he always felt the pull to be his own boss and later moved back to Texas where his brothers, Medford and Melvin, helped him get into the funeral business. In 1979, Mac moved to Saint Jo and purchased the funeral home, and in 1983 he purchased the funeral home in Muenster. For many years, he ran the funeral home and an ambulance service for the community of Saint Jo.

     Although Mac was a hard worker, he also enjoyed his time off hunting in many locations around the world, including Canada, Alaska, Mexico, New Zealand and Africa. He had so many hunting trophies that he and his friend and business partner, Les Scott, built a trophy room next to his house. He also enjoyed going on trips with his longtime companion, Annette. Saying she had never been out of Texas, Mac wanted her to see everything he had seen. They took trips every summer all over the United States and in the summer of 2014 they took a two week trip to Italy.

     Mac loved Saint Jo and was proud to be a part of the community. He helped build the gazebo located on the town square without plans. Annette always called him a "Real Life John Wayne." To the outside observer, Mac was a big, rough old man but to those of us who knew his heart, he was a giant teddy bear that would do anything in his power to help – with or without you asking! He was a great man, father, grandfather (Pa Mac), great-grandfather (Pa Mac the Great) and friend. His presence will be greatly missed.

     Mac is survived by his: longtime companion, Annette Walterscheid of Muenster; daughters: Peggy Anne and husband, James Thomas of Red Oak, Linda Lou Currans of Fort Worth, Katherine Sue McCoy of Arlington and Karen Kay and husband Hugh Hillebrand of Arlington; sons: Michael James McCoy of Farmers Branch, Dennis Mathew McCoy, Cameron Douglas McCoy; grandchildren: Jennifer Connell of Fort Worth, Jessica Thomas of Red Oak, Mathew McCoy of Sherman, Haley Hillebrand of Fort Worth, and Katie Beth Hillebrand of Denton; great-grandchildren: Clara Cameron Connell and Maxwell Douglas Connell of Fort Worth, who called him "Pa Mac the Great;" sister: Morelle and Jack Miller of Denton, TX; brother Pete and wife, Joyce McCoy of Tuttle, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Arthur and Luteenie (Bass) McCoy, sister, Mary Viola Deal and brothers: Melvin McCoy and Medford McCoy.

Ricky O'Neal Smith

     A visitation for Ricky O’Neal Smith was held 3:00 PM—5:00 PM, Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo. Mr. Smith died Friday, October 24, 2014.

Julie Anna Hacker

     Mass of Christian Burial for Julie Anna Hacker, age 45 of Muenster, is set for 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Ken Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Muenster under the direction of Scott Funeral Home of Muenster. A Rosary/Vigil will be held at 6:00 PM Friday, October 10, 2014 at the funeral home in Muenster.

     Our Heavenly Father called Julie suddenly to her Eternal Home, Tuesday, October 7, 2014. She was a 1987 graduate of Muenster High School and earned a drafting degree from North Central Texas College in 1989.

     She lived with her husband, Jean in her childhood home north of Muenster. She was the caregiver for her mother Florence, until her death in 2010 and she was employed by Peterbilt Motors of Denton for over 15 ½ years.

     Julie loved her family greatly. She held many gatherings in her home, where hours were spent telling old stories and looking at family pictures. She enjoyed being outdoors, riding the country side looking for deer, sitting in the boat waiting for the fish to bite, going camping at the lake, or taking long walks. She was an avid sports fan, routing for the Rangers and the Cowboys. Julie was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

     Julie is survived by her husband, Jean Holder of Muenster; her brothers: Kevin and wife, Glenda Hacker of Ponder, Patrick and wife Kathy Hacker of Gainesville, and Allin and wife, Karen Hacker of Gainesville; her daughter: Jessica and husband Cody Rico of Muenster; her son Christopher Holder of Mississippi; her grandson Kyler Rico of Muenster; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul William and Florence Heddy (Van Zandt) Hacker and her nephew, Kasey Hacker.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to “The Make a Wish Foundation.” 

Stanley Riddle

     Graveside services for Stanley Riddle, age 74 of Bowie will be held in the Mountain Park Cemetery in Saint Jo, Texas at 2:00 PM on September 22, 2014. A brief service will be officiated by Rev. Jeff Roe. Services are directed by Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo, Texas. Mr. Riddle died Thursday, September 18, 2014 in Bowie.

     Stanley was born in Gordonville, Texas to the late Revis Riddle and Ottie (Jobe) Riddle. He was raised and went to school in the Gordonville area. He married Peggy Williamson on August 30th, 1983 in Saint Jo, Texas. They made their home there for several years. He worked at Nocona Boot Company until it closed. They moved and made their home in Sadler, Texas. There they raised their grandson, Shawn Williamson, as their own.

     Stanley loved to spend time with family and friends. He loved kids and they loved him. In his spare time, he made toys from scrap lumber for grandkids, nieces and nephews which he adored.

     He and Peggy loved spending time together going to flea markets and garage sales. They loved to eat out. They traveled a lot and took Shawn to see many historical sights and just to have fun. Stanley always kept a top notch mower and loved to mow. He was a very sweet man known to many as Nan-Nan and will be dearly missed.

     Stanley is survived by his: wife, Peggy Riddle of Saint Jo; son, Shawn Williamson of Saint Jo; stepson, Ronald Williamson, Jr. of Caddo, OK; brothers: Bobby Riddle of Whitesboro, TX and Danny Riddle of Lakeshores, TX; sister: Dolores Craft of Sherman, TX; sister-in-law, Mary Lou and husband, Doyle Cook of Saint Jo; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Revis and Ottie (Jobe) Riddle; sister, Katie Riddle; his sisters-in-law: Judy Hosman, Nancy Argo, and Patricia Bunch; and his brother-in-law, Buddy Emerson.

Johnnie Orr

     Graveside services for Johnnie Campbell Orr, age 89 of Garland will be held in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas at 2:00 PM on September 19, 2014. A brief service will be officiated by Elwin Campbell, a son. Services are directed by Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo, Texas. Johnnie died Wednesday, September 17, 2014 in Bowie.
    Johnnie was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas on August 28, 1925. She was the daughter of John Van Buren Finch and Maude Harris Finch. She married John Campbell in 1945. They were the parents of a son Elwin “Sam” Campbell and daughter, Valda Vierling. There are 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Hazel Huffman

     Hazel Woods Cagle Huffman of St Jo went quietly to our Lord on September 16, 2014 in Denton, TX.
    One of the three children born to Ike and Wano (Howeth) Woods, Hazel was born July 7, 1928 in Cement, OK.
    Hazel was a strong Southern woman. Her quick wit and quirky sense of humor are what her family treasures the most. She always said her greatest gifts were her children and her grandchildren.
    Hazel is survived by her son, Chris and wife, Terri Cagle of Coppell, daughter Barbara and husband, Tim Jordan of Saint Jo; grandchildren: Preston Cagle, Kevin Hendricks, Melissa Hendricks, Stacy Cagle, Raine Hazclip; five great grandchildren and her sister, Bonnie Moore of Saint Jo. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Adfard Cagle and Donald Huffman, brother, J.D. Woods, and daughter, Jeanne Cagle.
    Graveside services are set for 10:00 AM Monday, September 22, 2014 at Mountain Park Cemetery.
    The family is requesting that donations be made to the American Lung Association in lieu of flowers.
  

Viola Mae Dennis Busby

    Viola Mae Busby, 71 of Saint Jo Texas passed away Thursday, September 11th, 2014 at Denton Regional Hospital with her husband Larry Busby at her side. Viola was born on September 4th, 1943 in Capps Corner Texas, to Brian and Hattie Dennis. Viola attended school at Saint Jo and was a member of the National Honor Society. Viola worked for the Saint Jo Tribune for 53 years which she enjoyed being a part of the Tribune family and was a member of the Texas Associated Press. She married the love of her life Larry Dean Busby on August 25th, 1962, at the Saint Jo Baptist Church. Larry and Viola was married and devoted to each other for 52 wonderful years and resided in Saint Jo Texas. Viola enjoyed being with her family on any occasion but particularly enjoyed their family vacations to their property in Colorado, where they went camping and jeeping in the mountains. Viola’s life time achievement was being a loving wife and mother to her family.
    She is survived by her husband Larry Dean Busby, son Cody Dean (Gus) Busby and his wife Sandra, son Larry Dwayne (Brutus) Busby, brother Clinton Sylvester Dennis, and grandchildren Arielle, Briana, and Baylie.
    She was preceded in death by her parents Brian and Hattie Dennis, brother Richard Dennis, brother Rayburn Dennis, brother Davis Dennis, sister Clara Nell Breeze, sister Arlene Corley, and brother Billy Dennis. Pallbearers were: Scott Thomas, Nathan Cannon, Shawn Cannon, Mike Walters, Lee Dennis, and Jackie Breeze.
    Funeral service was held 2:00 PM, Monday, September 15th, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Saint Jo with C.E. Cole officiating. Burial followed at Mountain Park Cemetery in Saint Jo under the direction of Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo. Visitation was held 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, September 14th, 2014 at the funeral home in Saint Jo.