Tommy Ray Cumby

(November 8, 1939 ~ December 12, 2025)

Tommy, son of Victor Willard 'Dick' Cumby and Francis Lucile Jones, married to Judy Dale Hass and will be buried in Rogers Cemetery, Ovalo, Taylor County, Texas.

Tommy Ray Cumby aged 86, passed from this life into eternal peace after a long illness, on December 12 at his home on the family farm in Ovalo, surrounded by his family. Tommy lived a life of love, family, and faith in God. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 17 from 5-7 PM at Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola, Texas. A funeral services will be held at Tuscola Methodist Church on Thursday, December 18 at 1:00 PM with a burial to follow at Rogers Cemetery.

Tommy was born in the Rogers Community (east of Ovalo) on November 8, 1939, to V.W. (Dick) and Francis Cumby. He grew up in the Rogers Community and Tuscola, Texas, and graduated from South Taylor High School (Jim Ned) in 1957. Following graduation, Tommy began a remarkable 58-year career in the automotive industry. He worked for Crane's Crankshaft and Grinding and Scott's Motor Parts in Abilene, Texas, for a short time owned a café in Winters, Texas, he began working for American Motors Sales Corporation in 1967, moving to Lubbock, Texas where he traveled throughout West Texas. In 1970, he moved to Dallas to serve as service Manager of the Dallas AMC office.

In 1976, Tommy purchased Complete Auto Supply in Abilene, Texas and he, wife and young son, moved back to Tuscola. After 20 years of ownership, he sold the business, briefly retired for one year, and then returned to work in 1997 with Concho Supply, Inc., Abilene, Texas, once again traveling across West Texas selling automotive parts. He retired in December 2015.

Tommy proudly served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965. He served 28 years on he Taylor Telcom Board of Directors, 12 of those years as board president, retiring in 2024. He also served on the Jim Ned CISD Board of Trustees. Tommy was a lifelong member of Tuscola Methodist Church, active on numerous committees and served as youth director for 16 years.

After moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in 1970, Tommy met his wife, Judy Hass. They were married on August 7, 1971, and recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, V.W. (Dick) and Francis Cumby, and his sisters, Wilda Burnett and Brenda Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, his three sons, Richard and wife Cynthia (Ovalo), Matt (Ovalo), Chris and wife Veronica (Lubbock); and his six grandchildren-grandsons Clay, Kaden, and Cason, and granddaughters Ivy, Kennedy, and Ellie. He is also survived by his brothers, James Cumby of Melissa, Texas, and Jackie Cumby and wife Pat of Abilene, Texas; his sister, Karen Yost and husband Gene of Ovalo, Texas; brother-in-law Mike Smith of Andrews, Texas; brother- in-law Payton Hass and wife Karen, Gladewater, Texas and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family thanks Hendrick Hospice, Visiting Angels and Steven special home caregiver.

Delbert Lester 'Bud' Peterson

(August 6, 1933 ~ December 7, 2025)

Bud, son of Lester Lucian Peterson and Valvee Van Cleave, married 1st to Lula Beth Davis, married 2nd to Patsy Hudgens and will be buried in McBee Cemetery, Ovalo, Taylor County, Texas.

Delbert L. (Bud) Peterson passed from this life at his home in Lubbock, Texas on December 7, 2025, at the age of 92. Bud was born to Lester L. Peterson and Valvee Van Cleave Peterson in Abilene, Texas on August 6, 1933. He graduated from South Taylor High School in Tuscola, Texas, and on May 9, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Beth Davis, in Ovalo, Texas. To this marriage 3 sons were born Mike (Lynn) of Lawn, Texas, Dave (Vicki) of Hereford, Texas, and Jeff of Wichita Falls, Texas. Beth passed away at the age of 60 on February 25, 1995.

Bud would later find love again in the love of his life Patsy Hudgens Jones from Lubbock, Texas. They were married on July 15, 1997, and she brought 2 children into this marriage: Debie Jones of Lubbock and Duane Jones (Jennifer) of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Survivors include his wife; 3 sons, 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; 2 stepchildren; 4 step-grandchildren, and 6 step great children.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 11-12:00 Noon at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home 5701 US Highway 277 S. in Abilene. Graveside services will be held at McBee Cemetery, Ovalo, Texas that afternoon at 2:00 PM with Rev. Tim Richardson officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Cody Peterson, Kory Peterson, West Peterson, Timothy Howk, Tyler Collins, and step grandsons, Jeremy Dewbre, Jarred Dewbre, Matt Gregg and Trevor Jones.

Doris Blanche Runyan Rutland

(November 27, 1927 ~ December 1, 2025)

Doris, daughter of Clayborne Teller Runyan and Ella Blanche Williams, married to Marvin Joe Rutland and will be buried in McBee Cemetery, Ovalo, Taylor County, Texas.

Doris Blanche Runyan Rutland, age 98, passed away on December 1, 2025. Visitation will be held Monday, December 8th from 5-7pm at Fry Funeral Home in Tuscola, TX. Funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, December 9th , at Lawn Church of Christ with burial to follow at McBee Cemetery.

Doris was born to Teller and Blanche Runyan in Thorp Springs, TX on November 27, 1927. She was raised in McAlister, New Mexico and graduated from House, NM in 1945. She attended Abilene Christian College and met Marvin Rutland, to whom she married on November 16, 1947 in McAlister, New Mexico. They were married 65 years.

Doris was a homemaker and worked at Eaton Locker Plant at Lawn, as well as sold beef for 12 years. She then worked for the Jim Ned Schools as a secretary and teacher's aide at Lawn Elementary and Buffalo Gap Elementary for 24 years. She was a member of Lawn Church of Christ.

She is survived by her children: daughter, Janie Runyan of Mansfield; son, Steve Rutland and wife Marsha of Oplin; son, Gary Rutland and wife Tik of Lawn; and daughter, Becky Peschell and husband Sam of Ft. Worth. She had 12 grandchildren: Jennifer Trujillo, Shawn Runyan, Stephanie Rutland, Laura Ross, Matt Rutland, Whitney Ice, Amber Skelton, Michael Peschell, Austin Rutland, Nana Rutland, Mary Rutland and Gail Rutland and 15 great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death, include her husband, Marvin; a daughter, Winona Gail, and her parents and brothers, Duane and Lowell.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to The Cherokee Home for Children, PO Box 295, Cherokee, TX 76832.

Pallbearers will be: Shawn Runyan, Matt Rutland, Austin Rutland, Tavis Ross, Michael Peschell and Esteban Ice.

Service Schedule

Visitation

Monday, December 8, 2025

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Fry~Smith Funeral Home

502 KENT AVE, Tuscola, TX 79562

Funeral Service

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Lawn Church of Christ

6217 Highway 84, Lawn, TX 79530

James Robert 'Birdie' Atwood

(July 2, 1946 ~ November 8, 2025)

James, son of William Russell Atwood, Sr. and EvaNell Fostine McCall, married 1st to Gay Frances Grant, married 2nd to Jan Gaston and will be buried in Tuscola Cemetery, Tuscola, Taylor County, Texas.

James Robert “Birdie” Atwood, aged 79 of Weatherford, TX passed away Saturday, November 8th, 2025 following a courageous battle with cancer. A funeral service was held at 12pm on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Horseshoe Bend in Weatherford, TX with a lunch that followed. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Tuscola Cemetery in Tuscola, Texas with lunch after. Please feel free to attend.

After losing his first love and wife of 43 years Frances, he found love again with wife, Jan Gaston, of Weatherford. James and Jan had some great adventures. They spent summers at their cabin in NM surrounded by God’s beauty, they enjoyed watching football and golf together and Jan even helped James discover a love of music-mostly country, and they even went to see Hank Williams Jr just last month. James loved to listen to Jan and her brother Gary play guitar and sing Johnny Cash.

James was born on July 2, 1946 and raised in Abilene.  He graduated from the SMU School of Banking and went on to enjoy a successful career in banking and then in sales. He was well respected and admired by both his colleagues and clients.

James was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Horseshoe Bend where he found fellowship and a love of country hymns along with being a gifted bible study leader. His gentle spirit and unwavering faith touched everyone he met. He treasured every moment he spent with his family, especially hunting and fishing with his boys!

James is preceded in death by his parents William Russell and EvaNell Atwood, a brother William Russell “Junior” Atwood and his wife of 43 years, Frances.

He is survived by his two sisters Sharon Rideout(Abilene, TX) and Janara Bennett(Leander, TX), sons Kevin (Longmont, CO) and Mark (Lubbock, TX) and daughter Brooke (Justin, TX). James also has nine grandchildren including Braeden, Emily, Olivia and Will, JaCoby and Madison, Mackenzie, Tommy III and Colby, as well as five great grandchildren.

James will be remembered for his kindness, his wisdom and most importantly, his faith. His love for his family and his ability to laugh heartily will continue to inspire all of those who were blessed to know and love him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

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