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Archives for January 2026

Dalton Wayne Layton

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Dalton Wayne Layton, age 33, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, leaving behind an immeasurable void in the hearts of those who loved him. Though his time with us was far too short, the impact he made will last forever.
Dalton Wayne Layton

Born on March 14, 1992, in Dumas, Texas, Dalton was known for his ability to make everyone laugh, his soft heart and compassionate spirit, and his loyalty for the ones he loved.

Dalton loved roping with the boys, being a dad, picking on his sisters, loving on his mama, and spending time at his Grommy’s . Above all, he cherished his wife, Morghin, his baby girl, Stetson, and his baby boy, Stoney, who were the center of his world.
He is survived by his wife, Morghin Layton, daughter, Stetson, son and best lil’ buddy, Stoney, and stepdaughters Rhylie and Rhaymie. His mother and her husband Kim and Curtis Guinn, sister and her husband Leigh Ann and Victor Portillo, sister and her husband Blayne and Aidan Lopez, Grandparents Sondra and Ronald Hatcher, Bill and Mary Jo Hodges, and Grandmother Diana Layton, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joel Layton, and grandfather, Charlie Layton. While our hearts are broken, we are grateful for every moment shared and every memory made.
A celebration of life will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon, Texas.  Burial will follow in Childress Cemetery in Childress.
Family will receive friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral
home in Clarendon.
Forever loved. Deeply missed. Never forgotten.
“Give heaven some hell.”
Arrangements are under the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Snow much fun!

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Riley and Kamdyn Wright enjoy sledding following the winter storm that shut down churches, schools, and other activities after dropping as much as 10 inches of snow in some parts of Donley County. The frigid weather hit Friday evening with temperatures plunging into single digits and negative windchill factors. The snow mostly fell Saturday afternoon and well into the night. Enterprise readers submitted about a hundred photos of the winter wonderland and all the fun that was had as a result. You can see some of those pictures on page four of this week’s issue, and visit Facebook.com/TheEnterprise to see more.
Courtesy Photo / Sandrea Smith

Courthouse project may yield more benefits

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A restoration project for the 1890 Donley County Courthouse may give the county more benefit that was initially expected, according to Judge John Howard.

The county received a grant of about $2.6 million last year, and the county was to provide a match of about $458,000 to conserve some deteriorating sandstone and repair a brick wall on the building’s south face. Architects began exploring the project further last June and have been working with the contractor since that time and have determined that the work will take less money than expected.

“The grant funds will be reduced to $1.53 million,” Howard said, “and the county’s match will only have to put in about $276,000 for match.”

That leaves money left over in funds that have been saved and reserved for courthouse preservation, and Howard says the county is looking at ways to do more work that what the grant could have ever covered.

“We’re looking at putting some acoustical panels on the walls of the district courtroom to improve the sound,” Howard said. “We want to enlarge the jury box, and we’re considering finishing off the third floor.”

The judge says the county should be able to make its match and do the additional work for about $447,000, which is more than $10,000 less than the county would have been out originally.

The jury box has been a tight squeeze for 12 people since it was restored in 2003, and Howard say the architect has some ideas about how to expand that.

The 2003 restoration rebuild the third floor of the building after it was razed in the 1930s, but there wasn’t enough money in that project to finish the space for functional use.

“The walls are done, and there is electricity run,” Howard said. “It wouldn’t take much to finish that space.”

Candidates lining up for local offices

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Nine candidates have signed up out of 22 positions open for elections this spring with about two weeks to go in the filing period.

The cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick; the Clarendon and Hedley school districts; the Clarendon College District; and the Donley County Hospital District are all scheduled to have elections this May.

The Clarendon CISD Board of Trustees has two positions open. The three-year terms of Chrisi Tucek and Mike Word are expiring, and Word has filed to run again.

The Donley County Hospital District Board of Directors has four positions up this year, and all but one of the incumbents have filed to run again – Jan Farris, Place 4; Nikki Adams, Place 5; and Mark C. White, Place 6. Lori Howard, Place 7, has not yet filed as of Tuesday morning.

One of three regents up for election this year on the Clarendon College board has filed to run again. Chris Matthews is seeking re-election, and Carey Wann and Dr. Guy Ellis had not yet filed as of Tuesday morning.

The City of Howardwick has all its incumbents filed to run for re-election. Aldermen Terry Barnes, Mary Grady, and Johnny Hubbard have declared for their two-year seats on the city council.

The Clarendon City Council also has three full two-year terms up for election this year. The terms of Tom Thompson, Chris Topliff, and Chelsi Shadle are expiring. Thompson has filed for re-election, and Shadle has recently submitted a letter of resignation as her family is moving to house outside the city limits.

Hedley has two aldermen’s positions and the mayor’s seat up for election. Those are two year terms and are currently held by Mayor Trisha Chambless and Aldermen Aaron Hanes and Clinton Pierce.

Hedley CISD has three full terms and one partial term available. The full three-year terms of Troy Monroe, Shauna Herbert, and Tangela Copelin are up, and there are two years remaining on the unexpired term now held by Shawn Willoughby.

All local boards are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must file for a specific place on the board. Candidate applications are available from the administrative offices of each entity.

Filing continues through Friday, February 13. Elections are scheduled to be held Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Ag conference to be rescheduled

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Due to the winter storm last weekend, the Southeast Texas Panhandle Ag Conference scheduled for January 26 in Memphis was postponed.

Donley County Extension Agent Leonard Haynes says theyare trying to find a date the first week of March to reschedule.

For more information, contact the Donley County Extension Office at 806-874-2141.

Lady Broncos rout Wheeler

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By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos played solid against the Wheeler Lady Mustangs last week and were in control throughout to get a huge district win at 53-20.

Kenidee Hayes led the way with 17 points that included three three-pointers, and Kate Shaw added 11 total points and was perfect from the bonus line hitting both free throws she attempted.

Overall, the Lady Broncos finished with three three-pointers and converted nine of ten free throws.

The ladies totally dominated Wheeler and held them to only three points in the first half of play while taking a 27-point lead into the locker room. The Lady Mustangs were never able to grab any momentum in the game as it all belonged to Clarendon.

Presley Smith and Berkley Moore added eight points each, and Gracie Ellis put in three. Madi Benson, Millie McAnear, and Laken Smith helped with two points each.

Paylin Hodges runs by a Panhandle Pantherette during last week’s game in the Bronco Gym.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Broncos hosted Panhandle and fell 38-52. Clarendon struggled to get anything going offensively in the game and were plagued by turnovers and missed shots. The ladies never gave up and were able to start a small comeback in the final eight minutes, however time was their enemy and they took the loss.

Shaw led with 12 and Hayes added 11. Moore put in nine, P. Smith put in four, and Benson had two.

The Lady Broncos will travel to Wellington January 30 and take on Highland Park at home on February 3 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Broncos succumb to Panhandle

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By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos hosted Panhandle last week and played hard in their 30-64 loss to the Panthers.

Hunter Caison goes up for two last week against the Panthers.
Courtesy Photo / Al Elam

The Broncos jumped out on fire and racked up a three-point lead after one quarter at 8-5. But a cold second eight minutes proved to be messy for the Broncos as they struggled on both ends of the court.

The Panthers were able to outscore the Broncos 19-3 to take a 13-point lead at the break. Panhandle was able to use the momentum to take them to a victory.

Overall, the Broncos three three-pointers and converted free throws at only 42 percent.

Michael Randall led with 17 points and Heston Seay added four. Brentley Gaines helped with three, and Paxton English added two.

Roy Lynn King

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Roy Lynn King, born August 14, 1932, in Wellington to James Luther Lawrence King and Lula Lois Hall-King, passed peacefully at home on January 19, 2026, at the age of 93.

Roy Lynn King

Roy was preceded in death by his siblings Lloyd King, Jimmy King, Jerrye Smith, and Danny King. For more than twenty years, he made his home on the Meers farm south of Pampa—a place he loved and where he found peace.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy Louise Meers of Pampa; daughters and sons-in-law Eulaine and Ken McIntosh, and Michelle and Dave Beech; grandchildren Tap, Wiley, and Mariah McIntosh; and sixteen nieces and nephews from the King and Meers families.

Affectionately known as “The Hugging Preacher,” Roy was known for his warmth, kindness, and ability to make people feel welcomed and safe. He graduated from Brite College of the Bible at Texas Christian University in 1958 and served as a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) across Texas, Arizona, Missouri, Mississippi, and California. Even in retirement, he continued serving through interim ministry and pulpit supply, including First Presbyterian, Pampa and First Presbyterian in Clarendon.

Roy was deeply committed to camps, retreats, and spiritual formation and played a role in the beginnings of Ekklesia Global. He will be remembered for his compassion, wit, humility, and lifelong devotion to people and faith.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 31, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Pampa, Texas, followed by a graveside service at Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may to one of the following: Good Samaritan Christian Services, 409 N. Ward, Pampa, Texas 79065; Ekklesia Global – Healing Religious Trauma and Building Beloved Community: https://ekklesialove.com/donate/; and Ministerial Relief and Assistance, Pension Fund of the Christian Church: https://pensionfund.my.site.com/giving/dn8n__SiteDonation.

Garey Dale Vinson, Sr.

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Garey Dale Vinson, Sr., of Clarendon was gently called home on January 25, 2026. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, leaving this world on his own terms, just as he lived his life- with quite strength, independence and heart.

Garey Dale Vinson, Sr.

Born on December 27, 1953, in Memphis to Eva Irene Johnson and Herman Vinson, Garey spent his life rooted in Clarendon, the community he proudly called home.

Known to many as “Gopher” or “the cable man,” Garey faithfully served his community for many years, providing dependable cable service and a friendly face people trusted, After retirement, he spent some of his happiest days surrounded by family living with his daughter Jaimie and son-in-law Steven, in a home filled with grandchildren, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Garey loved life’s simple joys: early morning coffee, loud music, long back roads, and a cold beer. He was a good man with a big heart, who loved his family deeply and held his grandchildren especially close.

He is survived by his children, David Andrew Vinson, Jaimie Vinson, Gabby Lockeby, and Jessica Perales; his sister Ava Ontiveros; his brothers, Bobby Vinson, Eddie Vinson; and his nine grandchildren; and many loved family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eva Irene Johnson and Herman Vinson; his brother Herman Wayne Vinson; a sister Barbara Bobbit and his son Garey Dale Vinson jr.

Garey’s favorite saying “who turned the screw?”, will forever bring smiles and warm memories to those who knew him a small reminder of his humor and the love he shared so freely. His smile, laugh and happy spirit shined through him and to those around him.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved and always remembered.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon.
Cremation and arrangements are under the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Phyllis Marie McElroy

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Phyllis Marie McElroy, 82, of Clarendon passed away Friday, January 23, 2026, in Amarillo.

Phyllis Marie McElroy

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon, with Rev. Seth Shipman officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are under the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Marie was born August 25, 1943, in Memphis to John and Phyllis Cross Richey. She grew up in Lelia Lake and attended school there until the school closed, after which she transferred to Clarendon, graduating from Clarendon High School. She married Charles Nat McElroy on June 9, 1961, in Clarendon.

Marie worked as a caregiver for many years prior to her retirement. She was a longtime resident of Claude before moving back to Clarendon several years ago. She loved antiques and worked alongside her sister at Poor Boy’s Antiques in Clarendon. She had a wonderful Christmas collection and greatly enjoyed spending time with and helping raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Wade McElroy; and her sisters, Bobbie, Jackie, and Dorothy.

She is survived by her husband, Nat McElroy of Canyon; her sons, Bryan McElroy and wife Carla of Canyon, Mitch McElroy and wife Aidee of Canyon, and Steven McElroy and wife Tori of Lubbock; her brother, Truman Richey and wife Nina of San Angelo; her sister in law, Gaynell Pool of Groom; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorials be sent to Calvary Baptist Church.

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