J.C. Boucher

STEPHENVILLE- Funeral services for J. C. Boucher, 91, will be held on October 11, 2015, at 2:30 pm at the Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel with Weldon Branham officiating. Interment will follow at West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Stephenville Funeral Home. J. C. passed away with his family by his side on Thursday, October 8, 2015. J. C. was born December 4, 1923, in Erath County to Odd V. and Emma Slade Boucher. He graduated high school in Alexander, Texas, where he met his soul mate of 73 years, Ruth Winters Boucher. J. C. and Ruth were married on April 25, 1942. J. C. was attending John Tarleton College when the US entered WWII. J. C. received training in Grand Prairie learning to build airplanes. J.C. and Ruth moved from Stephenville to Dallas where J. C. worked at North American Aviation until he received his draft summons. He was in the first group to be drafted into service from Erath County in February 1943. After training in the Army Air Corps, he was deployed to Saipan where he repaired B29's damaged in bombing flights. He was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1945. After the war, J. C. returned to what he loved, farming and ranching. Making their home on the family farm, J. C. and Ruth reared 5 children, instilling in them the value of hard work and respect for the land. He managed a ranching operation for many years. J. C.‘s knowledge of cattle was respected by his friends and neighbors. J. C. remained active in the family farming and ranching until his last few months with the dedicated help of his grandson, Bart Smith. J. C. had a great respect for a good hunting dog and spent many hours hunting with his friends. Fishing was always a favorite pastime, whether on the Bosque or in the family lake. He always appreciated good horses, especially cutting horses and competed locally in the event in his early years. Perhaps his greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren about life on the farm. J. C. is survived by his wife, Ruth, and children, John C. Boucher, Jr. and wife Linda of Stephenville; Linda Stewart of Stephenville; Joyce Smith and husband Barton of Round Mountain; Kathy Cassidy and husband Marvin Coppock of Stephenville; and James Boucher and wife Rose of Stephenville. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Kim Boucher of Hico; Cheryl Boucher and husband Howard Rowe of London, England; Carole Boucher of New York City; Cathy Boucher of New York City; Christy and Paul Davis of London, England; Melanie and Eric Kibodeaux of Keller; Margaret and Mark Daily of Richardson; Leah and Trey Robertson of Breckenridge; Bart Smith of Stephenville; Stephanie and Jake Groth of Katy; Shauna and Nored Lane of Ralls; and Layne Cassidy of Austin. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren, 3 step great-grandchildren, and 1 step great-great-grandchild. Also surviving are his brother Ernest Boucher and wife Ruth of Stephenville, sister Laverne Willingham of Seguin, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Odd V. and Emma Boucher, and sons-in-law Randy Cassidy and Phillip Stewart. The family would like to acknowledge the incredible help and love from Lisa Porter for 25 years. Also, Kandace Frost, his nurses, aides, and hospice caregivers who were so kind in caring for him during his illness. If desired, memorial donations can be made to: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (gifts.mdanderson.org), PO Box 4464, Houston, Texas 77210, or charity of your choice.