Coy D. Wardell

Coy D. Wardell, of Bois D’Arc, Texas, passed away on the 21st day of April 2026 at the age of 96. 

Coy was born on January 26, 1930, in Anderson County, Texas, to parents Milton Leo Wardell and Carrie Lee Ezell Wardell. He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Betty Ruth Johnson Wardell. He is survived by daughters, Robbie Morris (friend, Don Messersmith), Debbie Harper (David), Diane Nichols (Mike), Karen Gober (Greg), and Coye Morgenweck (Glen).  He was blessed with eleven grandchildren:  Gerald “Gerry” Morris, Jr. (Michelle), Travis Harper (Crystal), Austin Harper (Nicole), Sam Harper, Christopher Nichols (Laryn), Matthew Nichols (Kiersten), Jonathan Nichols, Claire Gober, Walter Gober, Maria Gober, and Spencer Morgenweck; fourteen great-grandchildren: Jeremy Morris (Colby), Jacob Morris, Kaitlyn Fincher (Stuart), Kimberly Hebert (LJ), Eleanor Harper, Emelia Harper, Everly Harper, Peyton Harper, Shelby Harper, Vincent Nichols, Edison Nichols, Franklin Nichols, Brody Sterner, and Clarity Sterner; and four great-great-grandchildren: Lizzy Sifers, Gracie Sifers, Trenton Fincher, and Ellie Hebert. He leaves behind extended family and friends. Coy was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Carrie Wardell; his brothers, L.C. Wardell and Leslie “Bill” Wardell; and his sister, Imogene Adair.

Coy served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Wichita Falls and Fort Worth where he was a Senior Aircraft Mechanic in the 98th Bomb Squadron and performed other assignments. Coy and Betty were married and lived in Fort Worth. After his honorable discharge and receipt of the National Defense Service Medal, they returned to Bois D’Arc and remained there throughout their lives. He was a farmer and rancher from his youth until his passing; raising cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits, quail, dove, peacocks, pigeons, rheas, honeybees, dogs, cats, and any animals that needed a home. He enjoyed growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and pasture crops. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University. He was a city and rural mail carrier and the mantra of “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” carried through all aspects of his life. He enjoyed talking to people and took jobs that allowed him to socialize. His many jobs included owning and operating the Bois D’Arc General Store, working as a machinist and draftsman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, working as a sales agent at Century 21 and later opening his own real estate company as a broker, running a square dance and jewelry shop, working in security at the Walmart Distribution Center, tutoring high school students in math, tutoring adults in English as a Second Language, working as a substitute teacher, working as a census taker, notarizing documents as a notary public, and selling animals and produce.  

Coy’s life was focused on his family, farming and ranching, and advocacy. He provided steadfast support and enjoyed spending time with his large family. He had high expectations and encouraged his daughters and grandchildren to be the best they could be and pursue whatever path made each of them happy. He was very detail oriented and would research his interests thoroughly. He made many contributions that shaped the Bois D’Arc community. He and Betty were the first household in the area to have a phone; when phones became more common and people had party lines, Coy and Betty were the first to have a private phone line. He was instrumental in the land acquisition that would become the Camp Bette Perot for Girl Scouts, and he provided horses to the camp during many summers. He played a vital role in establishing the BBS Community Water System, obtaining funding and the necessary easements, and developing the infrastructure to provide water to the wider Bois D’Arc/ Blackfoot/ Springfield communities.  He attended city and county meetings and would advocate against fraud and waste. He was informed about governmental policies and current events, wrote many letters, and showed up at many meetings to voice concerns. For many years, he and Betty square-danced with the Dogwood Squares, always dressed in coordinated attire including her shoes and his boots. He would take various farm animals to his grandkids’ elementary schools to allow the kids to see and pet them. His legacy lives on through his daughters and grandchildren who learned from his encouragement that you can do anything you set your mind to, you can always learn something new, don’t ever give up, and don’t be afraid to speak up for what is right.   

Friends are invited to visit with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas, 75801.

Graveside services to celebrate Coy’s life will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Liberty Cemetery, Bradford, Texas, with Greg Gunnels officiating the service. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Services for Coy D. Wardell are in care of Rhone Funeral Home.  Please visit his online memorial tribute at www.rhonefuneralhome.com, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family. 

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