Obituaries - Issue of August 30, 2007 - James D. Johnson Funeral Services Held Aug. 28 Funeral services were held for Don Johnson on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ron Bellomy officiating. Don was born on Sept. 9, 1933 in Corsicana to Lila Faye and Cecil Johnson. They moved to Groesbeck in about 1935. Don was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Cecil Everett and Douglas Earl Johnson. Don Married Mary E. Franklin on August 27, 1954. They have one daughter, Rebecca Smith and husband Chuck Smith and two granddaughters, Rachel Thomas of Portland, Maine and Sydney Smith of Groesbeck. Don graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1951 and Texas A&M in 1955. He entered the USAF in Sept. 1955 where he served as a Navigator, Pilot, and Security Police Officer. He flew various aircraft during his 26 year career in the Air Force. He served a year in Vietnam. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, AF Commendation Med, AF outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Nat. Defense Servcie Medal, AF Longivity Service Award Ribbon with five Oak Leaf Clusters. In Sept. 1976 Don retired from the Air Force at the rank of full colonel. He and Mary returned home to Groesbeck. Don then attended TSTC in Waco where he received a degree in Building Construction. He was then employed by Mexia State School for 12 years. Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he taught adult Sunday School for many years. He had a diverse and full life. He will be missed. David M. Curran Funeral Services Held August 25 David Marshall Curran, a former resident of San Francisco, California, went to be with his Lord on August 22, 2007. He was born October 17, 1921 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was a graduate of Cathedral High School and Butler University. He was a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and spent 46 wonderful years in San Francisco where he retired as a stock broker from Shearson Lehman Bros. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Edith; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Novella McCoslin of Waco and Mrs. Dorothy Black of Athens; a number of nieces and nephews; and a trusted caregiver and friend, Mrs. Vangie Moreno. Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 25 at the Blair Stubbs Chapel in Mexia. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Mary E. Gibson Funeral Services Held August 29 Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Esther Gibson, 98, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2007 in Coolidge Cemetery Chapel. Interment to follow in Coolidge Cemetery. Mrs. Gibson was born on March 1, 1909 in Coolidge to H.J. and Pearl Turner and passed away peacefully on August 23, 2007 at the home of her daughter in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, C.M. Gibson; brothers V.W. and Luther Turner and sisters Burnice Todd and Sudie Allen. She is survived by her daughter Mary, and son-in-law, H.V. Harju; granddaughters Lori and grandson Clark Harju; beloved nieces, nephews and friends. Tommy Kasner Funeral Services Held August 26 Tommy Kasner, 56, of Mart, passed away Thursday, August 23, 2007 at a Waco hospital. Funeral services were held on Sunday, August 26 at the First Baptist Church of Mart with the Rev. W.H. Smith officiating. Burial followed at the Criswell Cemetery. On June 30, 1951, Mr. Kasner was born in Marlin to John and Frances Kasner. He was reared and educated in the Mart area. In 1969 he graduated from Mart High School. He received a bachelor of science degree from Baylor University. For many years he had been employed at the Mexia State School and at MHMR in Waco. He was an active, devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Mart, where he taught Sunday School classes. His survivors include his parents, John and Frances Kasner of Ben Hur; his brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Janice Kasner of Mt. Calm; his niece, Kammi Kasner of Denton; and his nephew, Kevin Kasner of San Marcos. Pallbearers were David Fife, Pete Rowe, Ron Massman, Randy Daugherty, Preston Johnson, John Smith, and Darrell Lehrmann. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church of Mart or to the American Heart Association. This is an on-line publication of Groesbeck Journal P.O. Box 440 Groesbeck, TX 76642-0440 254-729-5103 For comments or questions, email Publisher: Thomas Hawkins thawkins@groesbeckjournal.com The Web Site contains material which is protected by international copyright and trademark laws. 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