Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't really have a name, and in the middle of that fog, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a mountain of paperwork or a cold, corporate process. That is probably why Owens and Brumley obituaries have become such a staple for families in Wichita Falls and Burkburnett. They aren’t just digital notices or ink on a page; they are sort of the final handshake for people who lived, worked, and raised kids in North Texas for over a century.
Honestly, when you look at how funeral homes have changed, it’s a bit wild. A lot of the local names you used to know have been bought up by massive conglomerates based in Houston or even overseas. But Owens & Brumley has managed to stay locally owned and operated, which matters a lot when you’re the one walking through the front door at 2:00 AM on the worst day of your life.
The Story Behind the Name
You can't really talk about the obituaries without knowing where the place came from. The business kicked off back in 1923. Think about that for a second. That’s over a hundred years of history. It started with R.D. Owens and has basically evolved into a community institution. They have two main spots: the big one at 1317 Ninth Street in Wichita Falls and another branch at 1101 Sheppard Road in Burkburnett.
If you’ve lived in the area long enough, you probably know the buildings. They have that specific, old-school North Texas architecture that feels solid.
The history isn't just about the buildings, though. In 1979, there was this massive fire that hit the Gause family’s funeral home—they were the oldest in Fort Worth, dating back to 1879. Eventually, those two legacy names crossed paths. Today, the Brown Owens & Brumley name carries a lot of weight in Fort Worth, while the original Owens & Brumley name continues to serve the Wichita Falls area. It's a bit of a family tree in itself.
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How to Find Owens and Brumley Obituaries Today
Looking for a recent notice? Most people head straight to the official website. It’s the fastest way to find service times or see where to send flowers. But there's a trick to it. If you’re looking for someone who passed away recently, the "Recent Obituaries" section is your best bet.
- The Official Site: You’ll find the full life story, a guestbook where you can leave a note, and often a photo gallery.
- Legacy.com: This is a massive database that mirrors many of the local notices. It’s great if you’re looking for someone from five or ten years ago.
- Local Papers: The Wichita Falls Times Record News still carries these notices. Sometimes the "death notice"—which is just the bare-bones facts—appears there even if the family didn't opt for a full-length obituary.
Kinda interesting fact: obituaries are technically classified ads. Families usually write them, or at least provide the "meat" of the story, while the funeral directors help polish them up. This is why some read like a formal resume while others are full of jokes about how "Grandpa finally won his last poker game."
The Search for Older Records
If you’re doing genealogy, you’re in for a bit of a treasure hunt. Searching for Owens and Brumley obituaries from the 1940s or 50s isn't as simple as a Google search. You’ll likely need to dive into the archives at the Wichita Falls Public Library or use a service like Newspapers.com.
Why bother? Because back then, obituaries were much more detailed. They’d list the names of the pallbearers, which church choir the person sang in, and sometimes even the cause of death in surprisingly blunt terms. For a family historian, that stuff is gold. It’s the difference between a name on a census and a real person who loved gardening and hated the Dallas Cowboys.
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Why These Records Matter More Than You Think
In a world that feels increasingly digital and temporary, an obituary is one of the few things that actually lasts. It becomes part of the permanent record of a town. When you read through the archive of Owens and Brumley, you see the history of North Texas. You see the oil booms, the veterans returning from WWII, the teachers who taught three generations of the same family.
It's also about the "survivors" list. Honestly, this is the part people check first. "Who is still around?" It’s how we stay connected in a sprawling community. You might not have seen a high school friend in twenty years, but seeing their name in a notice for their parent prompts that "I should reach out" feeling.
Common Misconceptions About Obituaries
A lot of people think an obituary is a legal requirement. It's not. You don't have to publish one. However, most people do because it acts as a central hub for information. If you don't post one, you'll be answering the same "When is the service?" phone call 400 times.
Another thing: people worry about the cost. It can get pricey, especially in big newspapers that charge by the inch. That’s why the online versions on the Owens & Brumley site are so popular—they allow for more room to tell a story without worrying about how many words fit in a column.
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Managing the Practical Side
If you’re the one tasked with writing a notice for a loved one at Owens & Brumley, don't overthink it. Focus on the basics first:
- Full name (and any nicknames everyone actually used).
- Date and place of birth/death.
- Major life milestones (military service, career, hobbies).
- Family members (both those who went before and those still here).
- Service details (be specific about the location).
Basically, just tell the truth. People don't need a literary masterpiece; they want to recognize the person they knew. Whether it’s a direct cremation or a full traditional burial at Crestview Memorial Park, the obituary is the piece that ties the community together.
If you are looking for current records, your best move is to check the Owens & Brumley website directly every morning around 10:00 AM, as that's typically when new notices are finalized and posted for the day. For historical research, start with the Kemp Public Library archives to cross-reference names with old city directories.