Finding a specific notice in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram obituaries today can honestly feel like a bit of a scavenger hunt if you aren't sure where to click. It’s a somber task. You’re likely looking for a friend, a neighbor, or a family member, and the last thing you want is a clunky website or a paywall standing in your way.
The Star-Telegram has been the "paper of record" for Tarrant County since the early 1900s. While the way we read the news has changed—shifting from heavy newsprint that stains your fingers to glowing smartphone screens—the obituary remains a vital community pillar. It’s where we learn that a local high school coach finally hung up his whistle or that the lady who ran the best flower shop in Riverside has passed on.
Where to find the most recent listings
If you need to see the names published this very morning, your best bet isn't always the main homepage of the Star-Telegram website. It’s actually their partnership portal with Legacy.com.
Most people just search "Star-Telegram obits" and hope for the best. But for January 17, 2026, you’ll find the most comprehensive list by heading straight to the Star-Telegram’s Legacy page.
Recent entries for this week include:
- Carroll Thomas Harkness (published Jan 16): A metal building industry executive who rose from humble beginnings.
- Cammie Johnston Reinhart (published Jan 16): A beloved figure who passed away surrounded by family.
- Patricia Elizabeth Reynolds: A memorial service was scheduled for Friday morning, January 16, at University Christian Church.
- Judge Rufus James Adcock: A legal stalwart who passed in his home on January 15.
You’ve gotta be careful with the dates. Sometimes a death occurs on a Monday, but the family doesn't get the tribute written and paid for until Thursday. So, when you look at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram obituaries today, check the "Yesterday" and "Past 7 Days" tabs too. You’d be surprised how many people miss a service because they only looked at one day’s listings.
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How to use the search filters
The search bar is your friend, but it can be picky.
- Use just the last name first.
- If you get too many results (like for "Smith" or "Johnson"), add the first name.
- Don't worry about the exact death date initially; use a range of "Last 30 days."
How the process actually works for families
So, someone has passed. What now?
Basically, the Star-Telegram doesn't just "know" when someone dies and write a story. Unless the person was a major celebrity or a local politician, the family or the funeral home has to submit the information. This is a paid service.
Gone are the days when these were free public service announcements. Today, you’re looking at a cost that scales with the length of the text and whether or not you want to include a photo.
Submission details
If you’re the one handling the arrangements, you’ll likely work with a funeral home like Greenwood Funeral Homes, Lucas Funeral Home, or Golden Gate. They usually have a portal to send the text directly to the paper.
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But you can do it yourself. You’ll need to go to the McClatchy (the parent company) obituary portal.
Pro Tip: If you're on a budget, keep the "print" version short and put the long, beautiful life story on the digital-only memorial page. The print inches are what get expensive.
Digging into the archives
Sometimes you aren't looking for "today." You’re looking for ten years ago. Maybe you're doing genealogy or just trying to remember when a great-uncle passed away.
The Star-Telegram archive on Legacy goes back to around 2001. If you need something older—like a great-grandfather who died in the 1950s—you’re going to need a library card. The Fort Worth Central Library on 3rd Street has the paper on microfilm. It’s tedious. It smells like old dust and vinegar. But it’s the only way to find those mid-century notices.
For digital searches between 1900 and 2001, sites like GenealogyBank or Ancestry.com have digitized many of these records. They aren't free, but they save you a trip to the basement of the library.
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Why the "Today" listings matter more than ever
In a city as fast-growing as Fort Worth, we’re losing that small-town feel where everyone knows who passed away by hearing the church bells. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram obituaries today act as a digital town square.
It’s about more than just dates. It’s about the stories. You’ll read about guys like Chipley Stuart Dickey, who passed recently and was remembered for his time at Fort Worth Country Day. These snippets of life help keep the "Cowtown" history alive, even as the skyline changes and more people move in from out of state.
Practical steps if you are searching right now
If you can't find the person you're looking for, don't panic. Here is what you should do:
- Check the Funeral Home Site: Often, the funeral home posts the obituary 24-48 hours before it hits the newspaper. Check places like Thompson Harveson & Cole or Wade Funeral Home.
- Broaden the Location: Some people lived in Fort Worth but the family published the obit in the Dallas Morning News or the Arlington Citizen-Journal.
- Search Social Media: Honestly, a lot of families just post the details on Facebook or "Nextdoor" these days before they ever pay for a newspaper listing.
- Call the Paper: If you are truly stuck, you can call their customer service at 800-776-7827, though they mainly handle subscriptions. For obituary-specific help, the number is usually 855-200-8529.
When you finally find the listing, take a moment to read the guest book. People often leave really touching stories there—things that didn't make it into the official 200-word bio. It’s a small way to connect with the community during a tough time.
Keep in mind that the "today" page updates early in the morning, usually by 6:00 AM. If you’re checking late at night for a next-day service, wait until the morning edition is processed to get the most accurate time and location for the funeral.
To get started with your search immediately, navigate to the official Star-Telegram obituary portal and use the "filter by date" tool to select January 17, 2026. If the name doesn't appear, try searching via the funeral home name, as many local Fort Worth directors upload tributes to their own sites several hours before the newspaper's daily refresh.