Obituaries: 2/2/13
Written by Phil Cerroni
Arrangements by Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home, 972-254-4242
H.M. “Smokey” Eggers 85 February 12, 1927 – January 24, 2013
Margie Runge Martinez 69 February 13, 1943 – January 27, 2013
Billy Ray White 78 January 11, 1935 – January 28, 2013
Arrangements made by Donnelly’s Colonial Funeral Home, 972-579-1313
Ginger Laird
August 24, 1940 – January 27, 2013
Larry Don Boyer
Larry Don Boyer, of Irving, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on January 25, 2013. He was born June 26, 1941 in Howe, Texas. He was an auto mechanic for over 50 years and the owner of Boyer Auto Repair in Irving. Larry was an artist, master woodworker, avid fisherman, but more than anything a great storyteller who loved spending time with family and friends over a cup of coffee or an ice cold Dr. Pepper. He was soft spoken, kind and a great listener. He loved spending time in New Mexico and appreciated God's beauty. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: his greatest treasures. He most recently attended Western Heritage Church in Irving. Larry is preceded in death by his parents Clarence M. and Maggie (Hill) Boyer, and wife Linda Cole Boyer. He is survived by his children Beth (Mark), Beverly (Ann), Brigette (Todd), and Angie (Mark); grandchildren Matthew, Maureen, Meghann, Michaela, Maggie, Cameron, and Cole; eight great grandchildren; beloved Border Collie Lady; and first wife, caregiver, and friend Virginia. Funeral services were held at 3 PM Thursday, January 31, 2013 at Western Heritage Church. Burial followed at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Friends and family met for dinner and "story telling" at Western Heritage Church following the burial.
Don Brown
Don Brown, of Irving, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2013. He was born February 23, 1937 in Abilene, Texas. He retired from Jones-Blair Paint in 2001. Don was a member of Kirkwood United Methodist Church in Irving. After retiring, he became an active volunteer with Irving Cares, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Baylor Medical Center at Irving. Don was active with Nimitz Booster Club and all things associated with Nimitz High School in Irving. He is survived by his wife Judy Brown of Irving; son Doyle Brown of Mt. Vernon, Texas; daughter Donna Nystrom and husband Tim of Southlake; brother Tommy Brown and wife Barbara of Hamlin; grandchildren Sydney Brown and Channing Brown, both of Mt. Vernon, and Andrew Nystrom, Zachary Nystrom, and Madison Nystrom, all of Southlake; and nephew Chris Brown of Anson, Texas. Funeral services were held at 10 AM Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Brown’s Memorial Chapel. Burial followed at 3:30 PM at Summerfield Cemetery in Longview, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to Irving Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 153705, Irving, TX 75015-9942, Texas Rite Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 199300, Dallas, TX 75219-9300, or Kirkwood United Methodist Church, 2232 W. Fifth St., Irving, TX 75060.
Joel Allen Brown, Jr.
Joel Allen Brown, Jr., 70, of Dallas passed away January 27, 2013 in Kindred Hospital in Dallas. He was born on October 26, 1942 in Abilene a son of Joel Allen Brown , Sr. and Cornelia Hudson Brown. He was a retired crane operator and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was preceded in death by his father Joel Brown, Sr. in 1991, mother Cornelia Brown in 1994, brother Thomas Brown in 1961, niece Susan Radke in 1974, nephews David Comozzie in 1975, Curtis Radke in 1985, son Steven Brown in 2005, wife Audrey Brown in 2007, and son Kevin Brown in 2010. He is survived by daughters Tami Brown of Alba, Deborah Davis of Dallas; brother Vernon Brown of Harrisonburg,VA; sisters Joanne Radke of Bartlesville,OK; Sandra Rice of Fort Scott, KS; and Beth Rumble of Bartlesville, OK; step-daughters Michelle Herring of Grapevine; Natalie Braid of Washington, IN; and Nicole Wolf of Evansville, IN; 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 31, 2013 in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Patrick Cannon officiating. Burial followed in the Tigertown Cemetery with honors provided by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Joseph Macaluso, Ryan Macaluso, Justin Dryer, Rob Herring, Tom Wolf, and Art Braid. Family received friends one hour prior to service. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Douglas Reid Grogan
Douglas Reid Grogan, age 89, longtime Architect of Irving, passed away peacefully at his home in Irving on January 22, 2013. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 3 at Donnelly’s Colonial Funeral Home, 606 W. Airport Freeway in Irving. Service is 12:30 p.m., Monday, February 4 at Plymouth Park Baptist Church, 1714 North Story Road in Irving followed by interment at 2:30 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Doug was born June 9, 1923 in Weatherford, Texas. He graduated from Weatherford High School in 1940 and attended Weatherford Junior College for one year and Texas A&M in Bryan for 2 years. He enlisted in the Army in December 1942 and received specialized training, followed by two semesters at the Citadel in South Carolina. In 1944, he was sent to Europe, entered combat and was promoted to acting Sergeant. Soon thereafter, he received a battlefield commission to 2nd Lt. and then to 1st Lt. A proud recipient of the Expert Infantryman Badge, Doug was awarded the Bronze Star with Clusters for meritorious service in combat as well as several other combat related awards, including the good conduct medal. On December 10, 2012, Doug was honored by the French Government and appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for his contribution in the liberation of France in World War II. Doug was discharged from service in July 1946 and married Barbara Smith in August that year. After their marriage, Doug returned to A&M where he received his degree in Architecture. He stayed active in the Texas National Guard. Their next move was to work for the George Dahl Architectural firm and later in 1953 they moved to Irving where Doug set up his own architectural firm with partner, Jim Scoggins. Their practice was very successful and among their many commissions were the current Irving City Hall, numerous churches, commercial buildings, personal residences, shopping centers and projects across North Texas. He was designated Architect Emeritus by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, as well as being a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Texas Society of Architects. During his years in Irving, Doug served on many City and Civic Boards. He was a member of the Irving Chamber of Commerce, the Las Colinas Rotary Club and a longtime active member of Plymouth Park Baptist Church where he taught for many years. He chaired the Board of Deacons and was honored as a Life Deacon for service to his Church. Doug was preceded in death by his mother and father, C.B. and Blanche Grogan of Weatherford. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Smith Grogan; son, Dr. Douglas R. Grogan, Jr. and wife Patty Grogan of South Easton, Massachusetts; daughter, Deborah Paxton and husband John Paxton of Southlake; brother, Roy Grogan and wife, Jeanne Grogan of Weatherford; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in honor of Doug be made to Plymouth Park Baptist Church; the Disabled American Veterans; or to a charity of choice.
Elizabeth “Betty” “Nana” Hastreiter
Elizabeth “Betty” “Nana” Hastreiter, 89, passed away January 29, 2013 in Irving Texas. She was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on January 3, 1924. Betty moved to Irving in 1967. She worked at Citizen’s Bank as the first teller at the drive-in, and she was also a teacher’s aide at Travis Middle School for many years in the 80’s. Betty was a lover of cats and all animals. She loved being around her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Betty is preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Harold Hastreiter. She is survived by her dear son, William (Paula) Hastreiter of Houston; her loving daughter, Gretchen Brosch of Irving; two grandchildren and their spouses, Erin (Mark) McKee of Irving; Adam (Samantha) Brosch of Little Rock, Arkansas; and three beautiful great grandchildren, Olivia, Peyton and Presley. Interment Services will be held at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Friday, February 8th at 11:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at Silverado Senior Living Center in Irving at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to DFW Humane Society or The Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by Donnelly’s Colonial Funeral Home.
