Championship celebration
Jones 5K registrations underway
The tenth annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K will be held Saturday, April 9, at the Donley County Courthouse.
The Clarendon Lions Club is hosting the event again in memory of the late Chance Mark Jones to raise awareness of Child Abuse. Jones passed away in January 2011 as a result of abuse.
Those interested in running or walking the 5K (about 3.1 miles) can still sign-up for $30 each. Early bird registration closed Tuesday.
The year’s 5K will start and end at the Courthouse and will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Race registrations are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center at the Mulkey Theatre or at the Clarendon Enterprise. Register online by clicking here.
For more information, contact Lion Ashlee Estlack at [email protected] or 806-662-4687 or Lion Roger Estlack at [email protected] or 806-874-2259.
CC judging contest draws 2800 registrations
The Clarendon College Invitational Judging Contest will attract a huge crowd and likely double the population of the town this Saturday.
As of Tuesday, more than 2,800 contestants were registered for the event, which is more than the previous all-time high of about 2,300 in 2019.
The biggest single event for the city, the contest more than doubles Clarendon’s population for a day each year. The contest attracts around high school FFA students and 4-H students from around Texas and nearby states.
The number of registrations doesn’t include the hundreds of parents and coaches who accompany the students to the contest. According to the 2020 US Census, Clarendon has a population of less than 2,000 people.
Past contests have had huge impacts on the local economy. Restaurants are typically packed for the event, and this year will hopefully be equally successful.
In addition to helping local merchants, the event also presents a great opportunity for CC to showcase its campus, faculty, and programs for prospective students. Johnny Treichel, Clarendon College livestock and meats judging coach, said the event is a big recruiting tool for the college.
“This is the only time each year the college has this many potential students on campus,” he said. “And we are pleased to have such positive support from the community year after year.”
Archers win awards
Bonnie Maxine Campbell
Bonnie Maxine Campbell went to her heavenly home on March 20, 2022.
Bonnie was born in Douglas, Texas, and is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Margaret Smith.
Bonnie was a successful and influential Realtor, Broker, and Community Leader. She spend much of her professional life in Hendersonville, Tennessee, helping individuals and families find their dream homes. She also made it her goal to help her peers and community.
Her accomplishments are too many to list. Some of those most important to her were Realtor of the Year in 2000, serving as President of the 100 Plus Club in 1993-94, member of the Women’s Council of Realtors, and being listed in the “Outstanding Women of America.” Following her “retirement”, she and husband, Gary, returned to Clarendon, where she served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and was named Woman of the Year in 2013. Bonnie was also a dedicated and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Gary Campbell, her children, Terry (Martha) Ellerbrook of Lubbock, Bobby (Barbara) Ellerbrook of Clarendon, Kim (Aaron) Garland of Jonesborough, Tennessee, and Chris (Missy) Campbell of Hendersonville, Tennessee. She was Nan to 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was a remarkable and accomplished woman, and she will be greatly missed by many.
Bonnie’s family will be receiving friends the afternoon of Friday, March 25th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Bobby Ellerbrook, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Broncos win state title for second year
The Clarendon Broncos took ownership of the San Antonio Alamodome while making history for the second year in a row, defeating Lipan 65-51 to win the state 2A basketball championship.
The 2021-2022 team knew early on they could come back and win it all again, and that is just what they did. The Broncos blew through LaRue LaPoynor in the Semi-Final round that forced a rematch of the 2020-2021 State Semi-Final game with #1 ranked Lipan.
Lipan came out hot in the first quarter and led 11-8 going into the second quarter. The undefeated Indians then turned up the heat and extended their lead.
After trailing by eight points at halftime, head coach Boston Hudson lit a fire under the Bronco players and to say they came out and took control is an understatement. With only 17 seconds into the third, the senior leadership kicked in.
Jordan Herndon made back-to-back threes to close the gap, and Lamarcus Penigar, who would claim the MVP title of the game, nailed the first of six from downtown at the five-minute mark. Penigar found his rhythm and added a field goal about every minute until the clock ticked down to only four seconds in the third period.
The Broncos held a 10-point cushion and the momentum going into the final eight minutes of the game but still had fuel in the tank.
“The first half we really weren’t making any shots and kind of playing their game,” Herndon said. “Coach told us we had to step up as seniors and show leadership, so we got the team rolling. I was just looking for him (Penigar); and if he was calling for the ball, I was going to give it to him.”
Penigar added 16 more points in the final period to close the game out at 41, which hasn’t happened in a 2A state tournament game since 1964.
“I was in foul trouble in the first half,” Penigar said. “They were down, so I had to come up with a nice little plan. I got hot, so when you get hot, you just keep shooting.”
The Broncos did get hot in the second half after, and according to Hudson, they were a little sluggish, and the ball wasn’t moving really well in the first half.
Fellow senior Cayden D’Costa played two solid games at the tournament and finished with 12 defensive rebounds and four on the offensive side. He also had four steals and three assists in the games.
“This is a lot sweeter than it was last year,” D’Costa said. “Especially because it’s the last time we get to play with these guys, and we have the best coach we could ask for.”
Junior Texas Tech football signee Jmaury Davis played strong and was consistent as always. Davis was able to get the crowd on their feet with a fast break windmill dunk that rocked the house.
“I was attempting to do it the whole time, but they kept getting back fast,” Davis said. “I finally got the opportunity to do it. I didn’t want it to be just a regular dunk and wanted to get the crowd into it.”
“Our fan-base traveled so well,” Hudson said. “We are so thankful for their support; they followed us all year.”
Joining Penigar with his 41 points was D’Costa with 10, Davis and Herndon with six each, and Lyric Smith with two.
Lipan Coach Brent Gaylor and his Indians were very complimentary of Clarendon’s ability.
“We talked at halftime about not letting them get a three-pointer or dunk because they are a momentum-oriented team,” Gaylor said. “Clarendon plays at such a higher level when they are feeling that good.”
Hudson knows that high level of play too well.
“They doubled Jmaury because he killed them last year in the state semi-final game, and they face-guarded Lamarcus in the first half (to keep the ball out of his hands).”
The State Semi-Final game began with the Broncos flying down the court to use a 7-0 run in the opening two minutes of the game to set the tempo of the game and earn a 69-60 win over LaRue LaPoynor on Friday.
The Broncos jumped out early in the game and looked to start a blowout against the Flyers with a 15-point lead with only three minutes left in the first quarter. A good shooting second period of play for the Broncos, put the Flyers on the ropes at halftime. But LaPoynor chipped away and narrowed the gap to single digits down the stretch. With only ticks left on the clock, the Flyers came within five points, but the Bronco offense got to work to extend the lead to nine. The Bronco defense worked hard to hold LaPoynor at bay to get the win. Sophomore Lyric Smith had a good day on the boards with 11 rebounds, and Herndon grabbed eight and had five assists. Anthony Ceniceros had seven rebounds and four assists, and D’Costa added six rebounds and three assists.
Davis had a great game and led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds. D’Costa finished with 16, and Penigar had 15. Herndon had six, Tyler Harper and Ceniceros put in three each, and Smith added two points in the win.
Sawyer sues Dalton over election issues
The Donley County Precinct 4 Commissioners’ race in the Republican Primary is headed to court, but both sides say a new election is in order.
Incumbent Commissioner Dan Sawyer lost his primary bid to challenger Brad Dalton, 55-54, in the March 1 election, and those numbers were confirmed by party officials last Thursday.
The election was under a cloud, however, due to multiple reports of people in Donley County voting in the wrong precincts because of issues with how new precinct lines were entered into the voting system and voter registration issues that stemmed from those errors.
Following the only legal course available to him, Sawyer filed suit against Dalton in district court last week seeking an order for a new election.
This week, Dalton answered Sawyer’s filing by agreeing that there were errors in the election and also asked the court to order a new election.
“After reviewing evidence attached to the election contest and after talking to some people who wanted to vote in the Donley County Precinct 4 Commissioners race but weren’t allowed to, I think it is only fair that we have a new election,” Dalton said. “Everyone that wants to vote in this country of ours should be able to vote in the right precinct and for the person of their choice, even if they don’t vote for me. All elections should be fair and equal in the eyes of the people and the law.”
Dalton further stated that he looks forward to “campaigning hard and winning the Republican Primary by more than one vote this time.”
Deputy District Clerk Laverne Pinion said Tuesday that since District Judge Stuart Messer had to recuse himself from the case as the local judge, Judge Ana Estevez of Amarillo will decide the case, which is expected this week.
Dalton and County GOP Chair Bill Word both said they expect the new election to be held along with the Republican Run-off election on May 24, which will also feature another local race, that of the Justice of the Peace in Precincts 1&2.
Sarah Hatley had the most votes in the JP election with three other names on the ballot, but the same issues of voters casting ballots in the wrong precinct also plagued that race.
Following the election, Connie Lane was second place in that vote and will face Hatley in the run-off. The third-place candidate, Kristen Taylor, could sue as Sawyer did but has not done so as of Tuesday morning, Pinion said.
Peggy LaVerne Cockerham
Peggy LaVerne Cockerham, 84, of Howardwick died Monday, March 7, 2022, at her home.
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 14, 2022, at Howardwick First Baptist Church, with Pastor Jim Fox, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Peggy LaVerne (McCracken) Cockerham was born on April 28, 1937, in Clarendon, to George Pinkney and Molly Marie Reynolds McCracken. She married Jimmie Delano Cockerham on June 18, 1953, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Peggy was an Air Force wife for twenty years which led her to raise her four children by herself while her husband was deployed overseas. Her husband’s career led them to move all over the country.
Peggy received her LVN degree in 1967, and later became a registered nurse in 1991. She was the first graduate of an osteopathic nursing school to be licensed in South Carolina. After moving back to Clarendon in 1976 and later to Howardwick in 1983, Peggy became the Assistant Director of Nursing at the Clarendon Nursing Home in 1977. Later, she was promoted as the Director of Nursing until she retired in the late 90’s. Despite retirement, Peggy remained very busy. She actively volunteered in the Howardwick community, was a leader in the Texas Panhandle Alzheimer’s Association, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Howardwick. Peggy enjoyed being a member of the Red Hats Club and was also a Girl Scout Leader.
Peggy instilled a love of reading into her children, and she shared this love with others as a Friend of the Burton Memorial Library. Peggy also wrote a weekly column in the newspaper known as “’wick Picks”. Peggy loved taking her family camping, and her children will always cherish the many memories they made on these trips. Peggy enjoyed quilting, sewing, and crafting. Above all, Peggy loved her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Cockerham; 3 brothers, Ronald Franklin McCracken, Bobby Lee McCracken, and Georgie Dale McCracken; and her sister, Patsy Lavonia McCracken Cox.
She is survived by her son, Gary Cockerham and wife, Candy, of Clarendon; 3 daughters, Cindy Pharris and husband, Ronnie, of Clarendon, Lori Allen of Amarillo, and Colleen Fross of Howardwick; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; several cousins, and by Buffy The Wonder Dog.
The family request memorials be sent to Donley County Senior Citizens, Drawer B, Clarendon, Texas 79226.
Sign our online guest book at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Mary Kathryn Hoggatt
Mary Kathryn Hoggatt, 73, of Hedley died Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Dallas.
Graveside services were held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Mary was born April 20, 1948, in Groom to William Battle and Mildred Harris. She married Johnny Lee Hoggatt on January 16,1976 in Canyon, Texas. She has been a resident of Hedley for the past 30 years and worked as a LVN for High Plains Baptist hospital in Amarillo as well as worked in nursing homes in Tulia, Clarendon, and Memphis prior to her retirement. Her hobbies included crafts, knitting, painting, drawing, and researching genealogy. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hedley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Ronny Harris.
She is survived by her husband, Johnny Hoggatt of Hedley; her sons, Johnny Hoggatt and wife Jana of Canyon, and James Hoggatt and wife Kristy of Oceanside, California; her daughter, Mary Tolbert of Happy; her brother, Roy Harris of Waco; and 8 grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be sent to First Baptist Church of Hedley or Hedley Senior Citizens.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Norma Jean Hatcher
Norma Jean Hatcher, 84, formerly of Clarendon, died Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Amarillo.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Robertson Saints Roost Chapel in Clarendon.
Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Norma Jean (Northern) Hatcher was born on March 4, 1938, in Irene, Texas, to Harvey and Wilda Robertson Northern. She married Gordon Dale Hatcher on October 3, 1964, in Amarillo.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Gordon Dale Hatcher.
She is survived by two brothers, James Northern of the Houston area and Bobby Northern of Amarillo; and three sisters, Dorothy Vinson, Karen Dellis, and Sherry Loehr and husband Dan, all of Amarillo.
The family requests no flowers be sent. Instead, please consider a memorial donation to the Harrington Cancer Center.
Sign our online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
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