December 2022

Dennis Wayne Simpson was born on October 3, 1941, in Shamrock, Texas, to Claude McVoy and Jewell May Hawkins Simpson. He graduated from Sam Norwood High School and faithfully attended class reunions for decades. At West Texas State university, he met Betty Sue Williams. She won his heart with homemade gravy and they spent the next 59 years building a life together. Dennis entered the Army in 1966 and, after officer candidate school, they were off to Bad Nauheim, Germany, where their son Shannon was born. After his military service ended, Dennis and Sue spent a few years in Amarillo where their daughter Crystal was born. In 1971, the family moved to Brownwood, where God has blessed them with an incredible community for 50 years. Dennis started his sales career as a Conoco Oil distributor. After 5 years running the local distributorship, he became the first outside sales rep for Firestone Tires, and set up the territory here. After a short time there, he bought into a small business that would mark the rest of his career, Brownwood Business Forms. The whole family would take part in this business over the years and Dennis thrived as he built long term relationships with customers all over central Texas. One thing he was very proud of was his involvement in Masonry. He became a Master Mason in Tascosa Lodge No. 1375 in 1970. He served many positions over the years, including Master of Brownwood Lodge No. 279, District Deputy Grand Master and received multiple awards. He received his 50 year service award in 2020. Dennis changed jobs a few times in Brownwood, and the family changed houses, but one constant has been Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. Dennis helped shape this church family and it has shaped him. He enjoyed serving in many areas over the years, from driving the bus to teaching Sunday school. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1980, and served in many areas of that ministry. He enjoyed every moment of counting the offering, hospital visitation, making coffee in the

Harold L. Thomas, 92 of Bangs passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. His family will host a visitation on Sunday, December 11th from 5 to 7 pm at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral Service will be Monday, December 12th at 2 pm in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early. Harold was born on Friday, April 14, 1930 in Lafe, Arkansas to Everett and Alta Thomas. He attended school in Corning, Arkansas. Harold married Helen Lincoln and had one daughter Teresa. They were married for 16 years when all three were struck by lightening on vacation and his wife and daughter were tragically killed. Later he met Vivian Rogers in El Paso, Texas, she had two little boys Jimmy and Randy, who he dearly loved from the moment he met them. Harold and Vivian were married on June 22, 1968 in Las Vegas and they began a life together that blessed them with two more children, Ann and Lance. He served in the US Airforce during the Korean War. Harold worked at White Sands Missel Range as a civil servant and private contractor. While he lived in Tularosa, NM he took 13 acres of blank land and turned it into a thriving pecan farm that is now part of a lucrative commercial pecan company to this day. He retired from White Sands Missel Range after 30 years of service and moved to Atlanta, TX. After three years, they lived in various areas, but settled in Bangs, TX in 1992. He and Vivian started the Portable Buildings of Central Texas in Early in 1993. Later they moved the business to Bangs. He finally fully retired at age 75. He loved playing baseball, softball and later became an accomplished bowler and golfer. He continued playing golf as often as he could until his knees wouldn’t let him anymore. He was a self-taught guitar and piano player, according to his family, he tried really hard but was his worse critic. Harold was a member of Bangs Methodist Church and a supporter of kindness to all livin