Sparkman Crane Funeral Home

Richard "Rick" Andrews Gray, Jr. of Dallas, Texas passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the age of 76. He was born on March 29, 1948, in Richmond, Virginia, to Lieutenant Colonel Richard A. Gray, Sr., and Ola "Carolyn" Arnette. Growing up in an Air Force family, Rick and his brothers, Don and Jimmy, spent much of their childhood in Japan and other various bases; but Rick always called their final stop in Big Spring, Texas home. Rick graduated from New Mexico Military Institute, and then went to Texas Tech University, where he was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor's Degree in International Trade. After Tech, he married his college...

Karen Sue Nikkel passed away on March 4, 2025, with her children and husband by her side. Born June 17,1943 to Gwendolyn (Dotson) and Donald Hellar in Wichita, Kansas, Karen graduated from East High School in Wichita and attended Wichita State University. She married Dennis Martin Wright in 1963, they raised four children in the Maize, Kansas school district: Andy, Amy, Ben and Carrie. Karen was actively involved with the La Leche League and the Girl Scouts of America. She worked at the Wichita Historical Museum in the 1970s and early 80s for the Oakland Avenue Crazies, refinishing furniture and helping design vignettes. In the 1980s and 90s she worked at Prairie Pines Christmas Tree...

Samuel Blake Sanford, age 78, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. Sam was born on December 25, 1946 in Beaumont, Texas to parents Lena and Simon Sanford. He graduated from South Park High School, and then received a Business and Engineering degree from Lamar University. Sam had a long career in IT, and worked for Standard Alloys in Port Arthur and Precept in Dallas. He loved to cook, fish, and be outdoors. Sam is survived by his wife, Adana Sanford; daughter, Stephanie A. Sanford; son, S. Blake Sanford and wife Kammy Oro; and grandchildren, Allie Brooke Sanford and Hayla Blake Sanford. Sam was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont, Texas.

Allen J Louviere passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025 at the age of 93, in Dallas TX. He was born in New Iberia, LA on Jan 10, 1932, and grew up in Beaumont, TX. After high school he joined the US Air Force. He was assigned to the Pacific where he served as a base lifeguard. He graduated from Lamar University with a dual degree in Engineering and English. He was most proud of his work at NASA Johnson Space Center, including his work on all JSC spacecraft: Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Space Station. Following retirement from NASA, he enjoyed working with his friends as a volunteer with Keep Dickinson Beautiful. He is survived by his three daughters, Amy (Ken) Kristofek, Laura...

Allen J. Louviere passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025, at the age of 93, in Dallas, TX. He was born in New Iberia, LA on January 10, 1932, and grew up in Beaumont, TX. After high school, he joined the US Air Force. He was assigned to the Pacific, where he served as a base lifeguard. He graduated from Lamar University with a dual degree in Engineering and English. He was most proud of his work at NASA Johnson Space Center, including his work on all JSC spacecraft: Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Space Station. Following retirement from NASA, he enjoyed working with his friends as a volunteer with Keep Dickinson Beautiful. He is survived by his three daughters, Amy (Ken)...

William Marion Regan entered the presence of the Lord on January 23, 2025. He was born on September 23, 1938 in Paris, TX to Russell and Mary Regan. While attending Texas A&M University he met Patricia Regan and they married in 1959 in Dallas. Commissioned into the U S Army in 1960, he served with the 1st Howitzer Battalion United States Army Europe in Nuremberg, Germany. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Major in 1964. He volunteered with numerous organizations to include; Boy Scouts of America, the Optimist Club, Goodwill Industries, and First United Methodist Church in Dallas. He could also often be found with one of his therapy dogs visiting residents of CC Young. He...

Patricia Anne Franklin Regan entered the presence of the Lord on January 12, 2025. She was born on July 28, 1939 in Dallas, TX to George and Helen Franklin. She married William Regan in 1959 in Dallas. A talented and award winning artist, her paintings have been displayed in galleries and art shows around the nation and in private corporate and personal collections. She had a passion for teaching and encouraging young artists and mentoring many in their creative journey. She had a deep and abiding love for the Lord and was a long time member of First United Methodist Church, upholding her commitment with service as a Sunday School and Bible Study leader and serving on the Gallery...

Dorina Alaniz Thomas, 81, passed away on January 5, 2025, after a long and brave battle with cancer. Born on October 9, 1943, in Kingsville, Texas, to devoted parents Raul and Alida Alaniz, Dorina was the beloved wife of Jesse Thomas. She is survived by her husband, Jesse; her sister, Iza Gonzalez; her four children: Oscar Javier, Omar (and wife Kristine), Dori (and husband Dion), and Jessica (and husband Andrew); and her six cherished grandchildren: Olivia (24), Simone (17), Julian (13), Layne (12), Isaac (11), and Miller (9). A woman of great intellect and ambition, Dorina earned a doctorate in the Philosophy of Education from the University of Michigan. She went on to serve as a...

Mary Agnes Gilbert died January 2, 2025 in Dallas, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff Herndon Gilbert, Jr.; daughter Mary Katherine Brown of Hot Springs, AR; granddaughter Christin Gilbert of Keller, TX; father, Gailen Caster; mother, Catherine Becker Caster; and sister, Edith McCullough of California. Mary is also survived by her sons, Jack and wife Paula of Keller, TX; Donald and wife Cindy of Wichita Falls, TX, Gary and wife Nancy of Georgetown, TX; Carl and wife Judy of Georgetown, TX; and Michael and wife Monica of Wichita Falls, TX. She is survived by her daughters Ruth and husband Harold Wilson of Colorado Springs, CO and Rose and husband Scott Poitras of Bosque Farms,...

Gloria Jean Tankersley, age 94, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024. She was born on April 16, 1930 in Oil City, Louisiana to parents Emily and Alonzo Julian. Gloria graduated from Gladewater High School and attended North Texas State College. She married Ralph Lewis Tankersley in 1959. Gloria spent her life taking care of her family, and also worked as a secretary for SWEPCO, Eastman Kodak, James T. Davis CPA, and Sun Exploration & Production. Gloria was a member of Woodland Christian Church, the Longview Bridge Club, and the Quilting Guild. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, baking, and crocheting. She is proceeded in death by her husband, Ralph...

Last surviving sister of the celebrated North Dakota Arnason triplets dies at age 93. See website for full obituary

Joy Phillips Fenner was born in the family home near Avinger, Texas on March 3, 1935 to Samuel "Sam" and Bulah Mae Phillips. She died on November 29, 2024 in her home in Dallas, Texas. She became a follower of Jesus in her teenage years and began a lifetime of what she called predetermined obedience. That obedience took her took her to places close to home and around the world. After high school she attended Paris Junior College where she distinguished herself as a student and a leader. She then attended East Texas Baptist College and worked as a secretary at First Baptist Church, Marshall. In 1959, her intention of seeking theological education was interrupted when a call came...

Sue Ann (Gibson) Gilman, 83, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on November 2, 2024 in Dallas, TX. Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Sue Ann Gilman will take place on Friday, November 8, at 11:00 am, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood Ave, Dallas,TX 75214. A reception will be held after the service in St. Anne Hall. For the full obituary, please visit www.Sparkman-Crane.com

Phillip Rollin Caldwell of Carrollton, TX, died peacefully on August 13, 2024. Phil was born on April 9, 1941, in Coleman, TX. Phil graduated from Breckenridge High School, Breckenridge, TX, Class of 1959. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics at Southern Methodist University in 1963. Phil spent his career as an Analyst and Consultant at Control Data Corporation. Notably, Phil served on a team that supported the collection and storage of telemetry data from NASA's Skylab mission in the early 1970s. Phil was a man of deep, abiding faith. He was a long-time member of Walnut Hill United Methodist Church and, later, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. In both congregations, Phil...

Phillip Rollin Caldwell of Carrollton, TX, died peacefully on August 13, 2024. Phil was born on April 9, 1941, in Coleman, TX. Phil graduated from Breckenridge High School, Breckenridge, TX, Class of 1959. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics at Southern Methodist University in 1963. Phil spent his career as an Analyst and Consultant at Control Data Corporation. Notably, Phil served on a team that supported the collection and storage of telemetry data from NASA's Skylab mission in the early 1970s. Phil was a man of deep, abiding faith. He was a long-time member of Walnut Hill United Methodist Church and, later, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. In both congregations, Phil...

Bernard Van Eaton James of Dallas, TX, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 18, 2024. Van was born on October 5, 1930, in Richmond, VA. After one year in Clarendon, TX, Van and his mother and sister moved to Dallas. Van graduated from Highland Park High School, Class of 1948, and he completed a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at Southern Methodist University in 1953. Van served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Van spent his career as a civil engineer with the Texas Highway Department (later Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation, now Texas Department of Transportation). He supervised construction and maintenance of many prominent Dallas...

Bernard Van Eaton James of Dallas, TX, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 18, 2024. Van was born on October 5, 1930, in Richmond, VA. After one year in Clarendon, TX, Van and his mother and sister moved to Dallas. Van graduated from Highland Park High School, Class of 1948, and he completed a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at Southern Methodist University in 1953. Van served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Van spent his career as a civil engineer with the Texas Highway Department (later Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation, now Texas Department of Transportation). He supervised construction and maintenance of many prominent Dallas...

A visitation will be held 9-10am Thursday 5/16/2024 at the Wilshire Baptist Church Chapel immediately followed by a funeral service at 10am.

Ray passed away on 4/18/2024. A Rosary, followed by Mass will be held on 4/24/2024 at 10 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 950 Trails Pkwy, Garland.

James Arthur Patrick III passed away on March 3, 2024, at age 90, of natural causes, in the presence of family and friends, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Author, Architect, Dean, College Founder, Professor, Theologian, Friend, Advisor, Counselor, Husband, Father, and Grandfather, he was beloved for his enthusiasm for learning and his great love for Jesus Christ and His Church. Born in Paris, Tennessee, to James Arthur and Neva Harris Patrick, he grew up in Nashville, received his Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University, and met there the woman he would love forever, Mary Welford Pringle Smith. They were married on December 19th 1955, and celebrated 68...

Leonard (Len) C. Ruby, Jr., 74, of Dallas, beloved husband of Peggy for 53 years and father of Tina, Brian (Misha), Kirt (Stacey), and Joe (Kim); beloved grandfather of Tyler, Sam, Jessie, Emerson, Caroline, and Cosmas; preceded by his parents Len and Betty Ruby and sister Marilyn LaBelle, passed away on February 17, 2024 surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Len moved with his family to Dallas in 1979 to begin a long career with Interstate Batteries and leaves behind not just a family of co-workers, but life-long friendships. He loved golfing, fishing, everything batteries, practical jokes, and sports (especially the Chicago Bears and NASCAR)....