TEEN-AGERS FIND BODY OF DROWNING VICTIM IN LAKE

The body of James B. Gathright, 40, of Denison, missing since last Thursday, was discovered afloat in Lake Texoma by three teen-age Denison youths Friday afternoon.

Sheriff Woody Blanton said Gathright apparently had drowned a few hours before his body was pulled from the water about 4 p.m.

The boys who made the discovery were Robert Moser, 5966 Davey Drive; Eugene Kriebel, 931 W. Bullock; and Elmer Lee Pickerell, 1210 W. Hannah.

The youths first spotted the body about 2:30 p.m.  It was floating near a bank in vicinity of the intake structure at the south end of Denison Dam.

They reported to U.S. Corps of Engineers personnel, who in turn notified officers.

Blanton said Deputy Sheriffs Don Imboden and Forrest Hardin of Denison removed Gathright's body
from the lake, assisted by the three youths.

The body was taken to Bratcher-Moore Funeral Home, Denison.

Funeral will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Bratcher-Moore Chapel with Rev. Bruce Hibbitt, Baptist minister from Mt. Pleasant, officiating.  Burial will be at Van Alstyne.

Gathright was born at Van Alstyne July 30, 1914, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Gathright.  He was a graduate of Sherman High School. He had been in poor health in recent months.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Bobby, and a daughter, Betty, all of Oklahoma City; his father of Denison; and his mother of Wichita Falls.