2019

Mary Hinkle, Gold Life Master, passed away in June. A native of Oklahoma, she not only played bridge but was an accomplished artist. She was honored by her hometown with an art exhibit several years ago. Her primary bridge partner was her husband, Dick, and, a number of years ago while playing  at a church in Tyler, she partnered with Ed Stewart. Mary will be missed by all her bridge friends.



Paul March

Members of the Sheila Bell DBC in Texarkana said farewell to friend and fellow player Paul March, age 82, who died on 3/11.  "An empty chair was turned down in his memory at our Club today.  He was an avid Bridge player and a true gentleman.  He will missed and he will live on in our hearts and our memories," stated Lisa Looney.

Rick Davis

Rick Davis passed away in the hospital on January 15^th at the age of 72 with Karen, his wife of 49 years, at his side.  He had serious medical problems these last few years, but he lived life to the fullest as he continued to be active in his church, duplicate bridge, travelling with friends and supporting various charity endeavors.  Rick served on our Unit 225 Board several terms and he and Karen held committee positions on 2 of the Tournament of Stars regional events.  His regular duplicate games were with Karen at Canton’s Monday night game and with Barry Daniels on Wednesdays in Gun Barrel.  He and Karen were big supporters of ACBL’s “The Longest Day”, working hard to provide door prizes for the event and raising money for Alzheimer’s Assoc. We will miss Rick greatly.

 Rick was a graduate of California State Polytechnic University in Pomona where he met Karen.  He earned an MA in education at Chapman Univ. in CA, an MA in counseling from Pepperdine Univ. and did post graduate work at Univ. of Southern California in educational leadership.  During his career with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in California, he was a high school math teacher, head coach for swimming and water polo, high school administrator and Director of Personnel. He was also Adjunct Professor for Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego.

 Karen has asked that any gifts in memory of Rick be sent to “Celebrate Forever Families”, P O Box 216, Kaufman, Tx 75142.  This local, non-profit organization is committed to reaching mothers and their children in crisis and maintains a facility in Kemp large enough to provide individual private living space for up to 12 families.  To learn more, go to www.foreverfamiliesprogram.org.

2018

Richard Bryant, Silver Life Master, passed away this past weekend (11/9). Richard played regularly in Longview, monthly Unit games, and area tournaments. On Mondays in Longview and at Unit games, his regular partner was Tom Spradlin and he played with Mike Graham at LDBC's monthly Saturday game. Prior to moving to Henderson, TX, Richard was director of a bridge club in Michigan. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Chester Neel passed away on Tues., 9/21, at the age of 75. 

(Note: The following was received from Jean Roach, Partnership Chair at The Bridge Studio at Cedar Creek.)

Chester Neel passed away on Tues., 9/21, in a Tyler hospital at the age of 75.  He had serious health problems that he bravely faced, including hospitalizations, but he always came back to playing bridge as much as he could.  He loved duplicate and Bonnie Magee was his regular partner for games on Wednesday & Friday at Gun Barrel City.  As partnership person for our club, Chester was my favorite player to call.  It happened more than once…Chester and a novice coming in first.  Chester was always a gentleman at the table!

Bonnie’s regular partner was not able to play on Mon, 9/20, so she asked Chester to play.  They came in first.  Later that evening, his wife Suzanne took him to the hospital and Chester died the next afternoon at 2:30.  Bonnie says there are 3 kinds of bridge: Standard American, Two Over One and Chester bridge.



 Bobby May, aged 82, was a long time bridge player at Longview DBC. Bobby, born in Gilmer on March 13, 1936, retired from Texas Eastman Company after a long career. He died on Aug. 7, 2018.

Nancy Louise Peterson Strain

29 August 1926 - 13 July 2018

     Nancy retired as a gift manufacturer representative from her own corporation on 5th Avenue in New York City.  She was a strong, independent woman, with a feisty, but playful sense of humor.  She loved attending church, caring for cats, solving crossword puzzles, and the camaraderie at the bridge studio.  Nancy loved playing bridge so much she built a new home for the Dottie Pirkle’s DBC in downtown Athens, TX  in January 2007.  She always looked forward to her Monday’s and Thursday’s at the bridge club  and never came without something for everyone to snack on. She will be missed by all her friends. (For the complete obituary, click here.)