Finding a name in the paper isn't just about data. It’s about history. When you’re looking for Fort Worth Star Telegram death notices, you aren't just scanning a digital database or flipping through newsprint. You’re looking for a person’s final footprint in the Cowtown community.
Honestly, it's gotten a bit complicated lately. The way we track these things has changed from the days when everyone had a physical paper on their porch.
Finding Recent Fort Worth Star Telegram Death Notices
If you need to find someone who passed away recently, your first stop is almost always going to be the digital archives. The Star-Telegram partners with Legacy.com to host their modern listings. It’s pretty straightforward, but there’s a catch: the search filters can be finicky.
You’ve got to be specific. If you just search a common last name like "Smith," you’ll be buried in thousands of results from all over Texas. Use the "filter by newspaper" option to lock it down to the Star-Telegram specifically.
Why the digital version is different
Back in the day, a death notice was a few lines of text. Maybe a mention of the funeral home. Now, these listings are often interactive. You can:
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- Leave virtual flowers.
- Post photos that didn't make the print cut.
- Share the link directly to Facebook or via email for family members out of state.
It’s basically a living memorial now. Some families even keep the "guestbook" feature active for years, allowing friends to post on anniversaries.
How to Place a Notice Yourself
Kinda overwhelmed? It’s understandable. If you’re the one tasked with putting a notice together, you usually have two paths.
- Work through the funeral home: Most local Fort Worth spots, like Greenwood Funeral Home or Laurel Land, handle the submission for you. They have the templates and the direct lines to the paper’s "obit desk."
- Do it yourself: You can go directly to the Star-Telegram's submission portal. As of 2026, the starting price for a basic notice is around $55, but that number climbs fast once you start adding photos or extra days of publication.
Keep in mind that the Star-Telegram recently shifted its print schedule. They only print physical editions on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. If you want that physical clipping for a scrapbook, you need to time your submission so it hits one of those days.
Digging into the Past: The Archives
Maybe you aren't looking for someone who passed away yesterday. Maybe you’re doing genealogy and looking for a great-grandfather who lived in Tarrant County in the 1940s.
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This is where it gets fun—and a little dusty.
The Fort Worth Public Library is your best friend here. They hold the Star-Telegram on microfilm at the Central Library. If you can’t make it downtown, there’s an online index for notices appearing between 1966 and 1993. For anything older, you might need to look into GenealogyBank or the Tarrant County Archives.
Pro Tip: Older notices (pre-1950s) were often "social notes" rather than formal death notices. They might be buried in the local news section rather than a dedicated obituary page.
Real Examples of the "Cowtown" Touch
What makes Fort Worth Star Telegram death notices unique is the local flavor. You’ll often see mentions of the Stockyards, local church congregations that have been around for a century, or "longtime Lockheed Martin engineers."
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Take the recent notice for Ed Wallace, the famous local car columnist who died in late 2025. His notice wasn't just a list of dates; it was a tribute to a voice that North Texans heard on the radio for decades. Or Elzie Odom, Arlington's first Black mayor, whose notice served as a mini-history lesson for the entire region. These aren't just records of death; they are records of how Fort Worth was built.
Important Details to Keep in Mind
Don't confuse a death notice with an obituary.
- Death Notice: A shorter, paid advertisement that gives the "who, when, and where" of the service.
- Obituary: Often a news story written by a staff reporter, usually reserved for public figures or people with extraordinary life stories.
The paper doesn't just "pick up" death information from the county. You or the funeral home must submit it. If you're looking for an official record for legal reasons—like closing a bank account—you actually need a Death Certificate from the Tarrant County Clerk’s office, not a newspaper clipping. Those cost about $21 for the first copy.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you're currently trying to track down a notice or place one, here is exactly what you should do:
- Check the Legacy.com Star-Telegram portal first. It's the fastest way to find anyone who passed in the last 20 years.
- Call (855) 200-8534 if you are trying to place a new notice yourself and the online form is giving you trouble.
- Visit the Tarrant County Archives at 200 Taylor Street if you are looking for historical records from the early 1900s.
- Verify the print date. If you want a physical copy, ensure your notice is scheduled for a Sunday edition, as that’s usually the most widely circulated paper in the DFW area.
- Save a digital PDF. Websites change and links break. If you find a notice online, use the "Print to PDF" feature on your browser to keep a permanent copy on your hard drive.
Finding a Fort Worth Star Telegram death notice is about more than just checking a box. It's about honoring a life in the city they called home. Whether you're navigating the digital search bars of today or the microfilm reels of yesterday, these records remain the heartbeat of Tarrant County's history.