Remembering Our Work Family

The RCRA posts listings of our work family members who have passed.  If you have knowledge of someone who has passed recently and would like to post an obit with or without photo, please email jerry@heritagetradegroup.com.

Ray Ellis
Ray Ellis has passed and for those looking to attend his services, the details we have thus far are on February 12, 3 pm, in the Wildwood Chapel. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Edward Hoke
Edward Hoke, 61, formerly of Wills Point passed away August 3, 2009.
He was born May 20, 1948 in Omaha, Nebraska. He retired from Rockwell International Defense Division as a Project Systems Engineer. He was the leader of the toughest and impossible projects. He was a great man. According to his co-workers, many of the projects he worked on remain top-secret as of today. However, most assuredly, the completion of these projects have saved thousands of American soldiers on the battle front. The good Lord gave Eddie a smile and a heart he shared with everyone. He was a very humble man and never bragged about his personal accomplishments.
He is survived by his mother, E.J. Humphries, Wills Point.

Bosworth Jr., Foster Louis
Bosworth, Foster Louis, Jr. Foster Louis Bosworth, Jr., age 72 of Frisco, Texas passed away on August 25, 2009 in Plano after a lengthy battle with cancer. He graduated from Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas and Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. Foster served in the United States Air Force for 8 1/2 years and played service football in Japan. He retired from Rockwell International as Project Manager in 1990. He was an avid sports and country western fan who loved his family and his dogs. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathy Bosworth of Frisco, Texas; daughters, Robbie Bosworth and Vicki Bosworth Tolley and her husband, Ed Tolley; son, Brian Bosworth; grandchildren, Amanda, Korey and Kyle Bosworth whom he helped raise; Garrett and Kendall Tolley, Chase, Hayley and Max Bosworth and his sister, Ann Barrow. We will miss his wry sense of humor, his coaching, guidance and support, his stubbornness, his unceasing drive for perfection and his love. In lieu of flowers his family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the SPCA.

 

James Pierce
Pierce, James Ingram Born on April 3, 1932 in Carroll, Iowa to William Ingram and Audrey Margaret Albertson Pierce, Jim Pierce died August 17, 2009 in Richardson, TX. Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Phyllis Garnatz Pierce; sisters Sherris Brown and Jane Rowland; children and spouses Susan Pierce, Bill & Terry Pierce, Patricia & Scott Card, and Michael & Christie Pierce; grandchildren Audrey and Lawrence Brown, Rebecca and Emily Pierce, Hannah and Ben Flynn. Jim was an aviator with the U.S. Navy from 1954-58, and worked for 30 years as an electrical engineer with Collins Radio and Rockwell International. He was happiest listening to great music, playing the piano, sharing his flying stories, and enjoying wit and humor with his family and friends.

Bennie Cegelski
Bennie Cegelski passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2009.  He will surely be missed. 

Leona Lawson
Lawson, Leona Of Garland, TX peacefully passed away at home June 7, 2009. Born May 20, 1920 in Sulphur, OK to Mabel and John Kirby, she was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 39 years, William Lawson. After completing secretarial college and working as a secretary for several years, Leona became a full time mother for her five children. She then returned to work for 25 years at Collins Radio in Richardson, TX. In her retirement and her lifetime she was a consummate volunteer for a variety of Christian organizations, including teaching Sunday School and working at Good Samaritans food bank. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Sharon Lawson, Nancy Tompros and husband John, Janice Tullos and husband Richard, Bill Lawson and wife Diana, and Guy Lawson and wife Paula, nine grandchildren and their spouses, Louis Tompros and wife Karen, Kelly Sexton and husband Chris, Billy Lawson and wife Kelly, Bethany Lawson, Neal Tullos, Bryan Lawson, Audrey Lawson, Kalle Tompros, and Ben Lawson, and five great grand children, Jack Tompros, Leah Sexton, Laurence Sexton, Eisley Lawson, and Paul Tompros.

Louise Bell Dale
Mrs. Louise Bell Dale passed away AUG 11, 08 She retired from Collins Radio in 1972. She worked in microwave assembly. She moved to Winnsboro after retiring.

Darrell G. Wright
Wright, Darrell G. Born November 19, 1934 in Tyler, TX and passed away December 19, 2008 in Richardson, TX. Survived by wife, Vickie Wright; sons, Buddy and wife Ruth, Kevin, Darrin, Tyler Wright; grandchildren, Ryan Wright and wife Erika, Melissa Spurgiesz and husband Scott, Chris Wright and wife Michelle, Kaitlyn Wright, Brandon Wright, Cody Wright; 6 great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Visitation will be from 6-8pm, Monday, December 22, 2008 at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be 1pm, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 14740 Meandering Way, Dallas, TX 75254. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Missionary Fund, or to the Boy Scouts of America.

Daniel Mcabe
McCabe, Daniel Joseph Daniel Joseph McCabe was born May 16, 1931 in Storm Lake, Iowa to Albert and Ellen (Murray) McCabe.After graduating from St. Mary's High School in Storm Lake, Iowa, Dan served his country in the United States Air Force at Lackland, Wichita Falls, and Andrews Air Force Bases. Dan also served overseas at Newfoundland and received an honorary discharge after reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant and serving as Crew Chief. Dan was a mechanical and communications expert and worked for Land Air Corporation and Collins Radio (later Rockwell International) where he used his skills working on aircraft as diverse as Air Force One and the U2 and SR71 recognizance planes. Dan loved to travel, and his career took him around the world to many exotic locations including the island of Cyprus, Spain, Central America, Hawaii, and the Ascension Islands. He also had a passion for classic automobiles, and restored many, including his beloved Cadillac Eldorado. Dan was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Plano, and a Knight of Columbus of the Fourth Degree. Dan was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, his parents, brothers Maurice, Francis, Tom, Murray, and Richard, and his sister, Teresa.Dan is survived by his children, Mark and fianc Shelly, David and wife Rhonda, Jan Parry and husband Steve, and 4 grandchildren, Jacob and Cole Parry and Austin and Logan Chatham and sister, Donna Kelly. Services were held November 19th at Calvary Hill Cemetery 3235 Lombardy Lane Dallas Texas. Donations can be made to Plano Special Olympic 2306 Lawndale Place Plano TX 75023.

Rodger Dee Eaves
RODGER DEE EAVES of Flower Mound, Texas, passed away after a lengthy illness on April 19, 2008.  He was born November 29, 1925, in Louisville, Mississippi to Wm. Andrew and Pearl Rogers Eaves.  He was married 60 years to Electa Coleman.  Rodger is survived by three sisters, Beryl Luther of Meridian, MS; Nancy Eisenhardt of Hattiesburg, MS; Brownie Jackson of Louisville, MS; three brothers, William Rubin Eaves of Bonham, TX; Jyles (Kay) Eaves of Louisville, MS; John (Patricia) Eaves of Canton, MS; two sisters-in-law, Grace Eaves, Louisville, MS; Eula Coleman, Scurry, TX; brother-in-law, Carl (Pat) Coleman, Greenville, TX.  He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Brenda Carrigan and brothers, Andrew and Fred Eaves.  Rodger’s family includes his wife, Electa, daughters, Judy (Grady) Peterson of Flower Mound, TX, and Donna (John) Curtis of Spicewood, TX; son-in-law Don Carrigan of Monument, CO; Seven grandchildren: Julie Harwood, Stacey Anthony, Robin Barker, Tim Peterson, Grady Sandlin, Megan Carrigan, and Terry Sandlin, seven great-grandchildren: Samantha Hodson, Haley Massingill, Daisy, Garrett, and Collin Peterson, Jillian Harwood and Jack Barker, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Rodger enlisted in the US Navy at age 17 in 1943.  He retired from Rockwell International after 30 years of service.  He worked for a while as a Special Ed job coach for Lewisville ISD.  He was a charter member of Lakeland Baptist Church, Past Master of Lewisville Lodge #201, and an avid deer hunter.

Homer Wicker
Wicker, Homer Franklin Frank was born June 28, 1931, in Cleburne, Texas and went to be with the Lord on August 30, 2008. Frank graduated from Cleburne High School in 1948 and graduated from Texas A& M University in 1952 with a B.S. in Engineering. He earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1958. He was an Officer in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952- 1954. He married his beloved Patricia Elizabeth Frazier in 1952, who preceded him in death in 1988. Frank moved to Dallas, Texas in 1956, beginning a long and decorated career with Collins Radio which took him to all corners of the globe. He retired in 1987 as a senior executive with Rockwell International Corp. An avid outdoorsman, golfer, and world traveler, Frank spent his retirement years pursuing both, cherishing most his family hunting and fishing trips to west Texas and New Mexico. A member of the First Baptist Church of Richardson since 1956, Frank was a devoted husband, son and father and was known as a man of utmost integrity. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his brother, Marshall Coleman Wicker of Cleburne, Texas; sister Mary Beth Kruse of Houston; daughter Sharon Ward and husband Mark of Plano, Texas; son Stephen Wicker and wife Carol of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren, Patricia Hinton, Mack Ward and Stephen Wicker, Jr.

BOB BRINKMAN, passed away April 20, 2008.  He was born October 26, 1929.

CALVIN "BILL" SHURTLEFF, 82, of Garland, died on Wednesday, February 27, surrounded by his family. Bill was born June 9, 1925, in Wheaton, IL, the son of Howard Freeman and Ruth Linnea Shurtleff. He attended Wheaton Public Schools, graduating in 1943 as President of his class. Two days before his 18th birthday, Bill enlisted in the US Army, and he began basic training at Ft. McClellan, AL. After being selected for special training and sent to the University of North Dakota, he was reassigned to Camp Gruber, OK, for advanced infantry training and went into the 42nd Rainbow Division, 242nd Regiment, I Company. On Dec. 8, 1944, he arrived in Marseilles, France. He recalled that it was on December 24, 1944 that he was first shot at. He always believed that because it was Christmas Eve, the Germans missed him intentionally. In the winter of 1944-45, while engaged in a long march, he suffered severe frostbite. While recuperating in the hospital, he read a book on microwave technology and from then on he was committed to a career in telecommunications. His infantry division participated in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp and he helped take care of Holocaust survivors. As part of the Army of Occupation in Austria, he served in Red Cross military police patrols that included representatives of Britain, France, Russia, and the USA. He served in three campaigns: Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Believing that the experiences he had in Rainbow Division shaped the rest of his life, Bill actively supported their reunions, served as secretary/treasurer of the Texas chapter of the Rainbow Division Veterans Association, and was instrumental in the creation of the Rainbow Division Veterans Memorial Foundation. In 1950 Bill graduated from the University of Illinois with an honors degree in electrical engineering and began working for Motorola. For the next 20 years, he traveled across the USA and made international trips designing and selling telecommunications networks. Motorola sent him to the University of Chicago to earn an MBA degree. In 1957 Bill met Martha Gray while on a skiing trip and they were married Dec. 1, 1957. They enjoyed more than fifty years of marriage, and he was most proud of the five wonderful children and the family life they built together. In 1976 they moved to Garland, TX, and he worked for Rockwell International, which later became Alcatel. Bill retired in 1991 and became a volunteer for the Richardson Network of Community Service. He enjoyed sailing, hiking, skiing, and camping, especially when he could engage in these activities with the grandchildren. Meeting people and making friends was always important to him, and his motto was "Never quit!" Preceded in death by his parents and his brother John, Bill is survived by his wife Martha of Garland; three sons: Michael Shurtleff of Dallas, Bill Shurtleff and his wife Janae of Plano, and David Shurtleff of Colorado Springs, CO; two daughters; Jean Jones and husband David of Cedar Hill, Linnea Williams and husband John of Sherman; seven grandchildren: Jared, Chris, and Shannon Shurtleff, Sam and Zachary Jones, Emily and Joseph Williams, and beloved black dog Molly. Honorary pallbearers will be members of I Company, Rainbow Division: Dee Eberhart, Ted Simonson, Joe Dorsey, Jack Parry, and Tom Dillingham. Memorials may be made to Rainbow Division Memorial Foundation, John Janosik, Treasurer, 3389 Kingston Lane, Youngstown, OH 44511; or Lance Armstrong Foundation, P O Box 6003, Albert Lea, MN 56007-6603. Click his guestbook here.


LONG, RONNIE M., Nov 3, 1932 - Jan. 21, 2008. He is survived by wife; Mary Long, daughters; Ronda Kersey and Becca Greenwood, special niece Cathy Randles and 7 grandchildren.



Bobby Strain
STRAIN, BOBBY CHARLES Born in April 15, 1934 in Swink, Oklahoma, Bobby Strain passed away at age 73 in Rowlett, Texas on January 13, 2008 from an illness of several months. He had a happy, well lived, productive life. His parents were Edwin W. Strain and Elsie Mae Strain, step-mother, Ann Strain. Bobby was surrounded by his family; wife Jeanette (Jeannie) of 54 years; children, Chuck and devoted daughter-in-law Debbie Strain, Lee Ann Strain-Whittington and husband David were at his side. His grandchildren are: Emilee Strain-Nichols, Jonathan Strain, Lana Whittington, Fielder Whittington; grandson-in-law, Chris Nichols; great-granddaughter, Hannah Nichols; three brothers, George and wife Mozelle, Billy and wife Marinell, Danny Strain and sister, Elaine Strain-Robichaux. A graduate of Sunset High School in Dallas, he was a member of the 1950 Bison State Championship Football Team after serving the U.S. Army for 4 years. He had a long career at Collins Radio/Rockwell International as an Engineering Supervisor in Research & Development. He was awarded certificates from United Fund of Metropolitan Dallas for his fund raising, and anther for Exemplary Deeds which led to Unprecedented Achievements in the Loaned Executive Program. He was a member of Oklahoma State University of Technical Training Electronics and Electricity Advisory Committee. After retirement there, he owned Strain Custom Growing with a Dallas and Grand Saline location.

Richard Joseph Lewis Sr.
LEWIS, SR., , RICHARD JOSEPH Richard Joseph Lewis Sr., 68, a senior engineering technician for Rockwell-Collins Electronics, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Dallas.
Richard was born May 30, 1939, in New York City to Donald K. and Anastasia Lewis. His life interest and work were his family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Kenneth Lewis. Survivors: Wife of 45 years, Linda; children, Loretta Perkey and her husband, James, Richard Lewis and his wife, Leigh Ann, Rebecca Lewis and her husband, Miro Guzvica; grandchildren, Terri and Lauren Perkey; nieces and nephews, including Kenneth Clarke, Konnie Lutz and her husband, David and their children, Brandon and Kaitlyn; and other extended-family members. Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home and Crematory 702 Eighth Avenue Fort Worth, Texas 76104

Travis McPherson
McPHERSON,, TRAVIS DEAN64, of Richardson passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 27, 2007 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was surrounded with love by his wife and children. He was born on December 13, 1942 in Stephenville, Texas, son of Guy and Leta McPherson. He received his electrical engineering degree from UT Austin and his masters degree from SMU. He went to work for Collins Radio in 1965 and retired from Rockwell Collins after 37 years. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Pat; son, Mike, of Dallas; son and wife, Jeff and Ana, of Austin; daughter and husband, Julie and Scott Frieling of Dallas. He is also survived by his mother, Leta McPherson of Dublin, Texas and 4 grandchildren, Holland, Faith and Hogan Frieling and Samantha McPherson. He was preceeded in death by his father, Guy McPherson.



Sam W. Ray
RAY, SAM W., Born Oct. 22, 1917 in Arlington, TX, and died Oct. 15, 2007. Sam quit school in the 8th grade, but through his creativity & drive, had a highly successful career, starting with North American Aviation, then TI and later to Collins Radio as Manager, Quality Assurance where he took early retirement after over 20 years to dedicate himself to a new business he and his partner operated from the 50s until 1996 -Foam Tek Inc. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Kay; children Linda, Barbara, Charles & Steve; one grandchild Jeff Harris & four great grandchildren.