Gary Don Aldridge

(May 23, 1946 ~ December 20, 2025)

Gary, son of Dalton Lincoln 'Dock' Aldridge and Princess Patricia 'Pat' McCasland, married to Shirley Kay McNeill and will be buried in Bradshaw Cemetery, Bradshaw, Taylor County, Texas.

Gary Don Aldridge, 79, passed away on December 20, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. A graveside service will be held at Bradshaw Cemetery on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM.

He was born in Winters, TX on May 23, 1946, to Dalton "Doc" and Patricia "Pat" Aldridge and grew up in the Bradshaw, TX area. He loved to hunt, fish, and work on the family farm. He also enjoyed sports and excelled in basketball and football, earning a reputation as someone to avoid by opposing teams! While attending Jim Ned High School, he met the love of his life, Shirley Kay McNeill, and they married on December 18, 1964, in Tuscola, TX.

After graduating from high school in 1964, Gary soon began a long and successful career in the aerospace industry where he performed highly technical roles that require strong math, science, and design skills. He quickly advanced to management positions that generally require industrial/mechanical engineering degrees. Even though he achieved remarkable success in the aerospace industry, his passion was always farming and ranching and he worked tirelessly to acquire land and build a profitable business doing what he loved. After 25 years, he was able to give up his city job and devote all his time to his own business.

After about 15 years of farming and ranching full-time, Gary returned to the aerospace industry to supplement his income doing contract work for Lockheed Martin, which took him to Europe and all over the continental U.S. While Gary only endured this experience, Shirley enjoyed traveling and spending time in new places-including Seattle, Baltimore, and St. Petersburg, FL. But his home in Morrow was the only place he ever wanted to be. In 2010, Gary was able to retire and spend the rest of his days at home.

After retirement, Gary enjoyed frequent visits from family and friends. Everyone looked forward to spending long weekends and holidays at the farm hunting, fishing, riding ATV's, eating good food and just spending time outdoors. He was a great storyteller and occasionally enjoyed a good debate. He might even have enjoyed stirring up a little trouble from time to time.

Gary was a good man and always had high expectations of himself and his kids. He was honest to a fault and there wasn't anything that he wouldn't do for his family or friends. He had old fashioned morals and high principals. While never a sentimental man, there was no doubt that he loved deeply. He felt closest to God when he was outside on his land, surrounded by nature. His family and close friends understood and respected him. He left his mark on many and will never be forgotten.

Gary leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Shirley Aldridge of Ovalo, TX; son Steve Aldridge and wife Sheryl of Aledo, TX; daughter Regina (Aldridge) Choyce of Prosper, TX; brothers Ronny Aldridge and wife Sherry of Lamesa, TX, Doug Aldridge of Lubbock, TX, Bobby Aldridge and wife Gayla of Bryan, TX; sisters Joan Pohovich and husband Al of San Antonio, TX and Vicki Liggins of Abilene, TX; grandchildren Samantha Elder and husband John, Austin Aldridge, Andrew Choyce and wife Molly, and Matthew Choyce; great grandchildren Jackstin Elder, Violet Elder and Grayston Elder. Survivors also include brother-in-law Ronnie McNeill and his wife Gerry of Floresville, TX and sister-in-law Gail Goldberg of Boerne, TX as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Wayne McNeill and his wife Doris and Ed Goldberg, as well as one niece and one nephew.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Morrow Volunteer Fire Department, 2718 Co Rd 184, Ovalo, TX 79541. Please contact Kenny Smith at 325-668-3635 for additional information.

Graveside Service

Saturday, January 3, 2026

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)

Bradshaw Cemetery

CR 622, Winters, TX 79567

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

268615

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