Bobby Cariker

Funeral services for Mr. Bobby Ray “Sonny” Cariker, 76 of Carthage, Texas will be Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Dale Reed and Dr. Ray Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in the Long Branch Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be Friday, August 19, 2011 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Cariker passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2011 in Longview, Texas. Mr. Bobby Ray Cariker was born August 5, 1935 in Long Branch, Texas to the marriage of James Otis and Sally Morris Cariker. Bobby attended schools in Long Branch, graduating from Carthage High School with the class of 1953, and married Suzanne Holcomb in 1981. He retired as supervisor from the Texas Highway Department after twenty-two years of service. He then worked as a safety specialist at Smith Equipment. Bobby enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking and playing baseball. Mr. Cariker was a volunteer fireman, and was former assistant fire chief for the Carthage Fire Department. He also served as secretary/treasurer and past president of the board of Dixie Lake, Inc. Bobby was raised in Long Branch Missionary Baptist Church, and was a member of Carthage Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Cariker is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Johnny and Doug; sisters, Faye Giles, Martha Martin, Cecil Gossett, Louise Tompkins, and Grace Malone. He is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne Cariker of Carthage; son, Mark Cariker of Carthage; daughters, Lenecia McGee and husband, Harry of Marshall and LeAnne Cariker of Carthage; sister, Mary Cooley and husband, Gene of Carthage; sisters-in-law, Joy Cariker and Merle Cariker, both of Carthage; grandchildren, Coleman Cariker of Orlando, Florida; Kacey Davenport of Orlando, Florida; Dr. Bailey Griffin and husband, Michael of Kingwood; Colton McGee of Nashville, Tennessee; and Aidyn Cariker of Carthage, his special dog, Macy, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Gene Giles, Dean Giles, Buddy Gossett, Jeff Cooley, Kenny Cariker, and Bruce Johnson, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Dylan Jones, Donny Tompkins, Ronnie Tompkins, David Tompkins, Mike Martin and the employees of Smith Equipment Rental. The family requests memorials be made to the Carthage Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund.

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Bobby Cariker

August 5, 1935 - August 16, 2011