
Service gift

The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.

“That Senior Thang” is shaping up to be an event like no other with events scheduled for all ages on Saturday, August 21, outside the Donley County Senior Citizens Center at Fourth and Gorst.
Live music, free games, food vendors, competitions, a country store, Chicken Drop Bingo, and a 50/50 raffle are just some of the activities that are lined up for the benefit to raise money for the Donley County Senior Citizens Center.
The entire community is invited and encouraged to attend and participate in That Senior Thang, which will run from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
A complete description and list of activities is available on That Senior Thang’s event page at Facebook.com.
Sponsors for That Senior Thang are A Fine Feathered Nest, Flying A Tack, Howard Farms, Road Runner Home Health, Broken Road Jr. Liquor Store, Shonda’s Snack Shack, Clarendon Bicycle Club, Estlack Bantams, VFW Post 7782 Auxiliary, Clarendon VFD, Trinity Steel, and Saints’ Roost Cottage.
For more information or to volunteer to help with the event, contact DCSC Director Denise Bertrand at 806-874-2665.
Craig Howard Cobb passed away peacefully at his home in Clarendon on July 28, 2021 at age 52.

He was born on March 16, 1969, in Portales, New Mexico, by Father Ricky Cobb and Mother Janice Bennett. He was a loving and kind husband, father, son and friend. Craig was married to the love of his life, Julie Cobb in Clarendon. He has two children, Sade and Trevor, and a stepson, Joseph. He graduated high school in Portales. Craig was a long-time resident of Clarendon.
This man, this welder, shield in place welded with precision to produce a handsome striking gentleman with the kind of voice that was as unique as the rest of him. He spent over half his life striking an arc. He was a master Craftsman who single-handedly built his world while raising his kids. He spent most his career working at plants and on natural gas units throughout the panhandle while welding projects for himself or others after hours. Craig had a loving passion for square body trucks, his shop that he built from the ground up, and his Lincoln welding machines. Lincolns were his status quo. Even though he said Miller’s actually welded pretty good.. though he wouldn’t be caught with one on his rig! He loved riding his Harley that he also built from the ground up. Craig had many hats depending on the occasion; a cowboy hat that he made sure was the right one for the season, a baseball cap that you never wash and a welding cap with lizards on it. While always having a can of Copenhagen Silver Top in his back left pocket. Some may not know but legend has it that he was a bull rider. Just long enough to have a picture taken. He also has Cherokee in him. He loved getting dirty and cleaning up. At the end of his day, he loved sitting in his old metal rocking chair looking out the bay door of his shop visiting with anyone that wanted to stop by with his 80’s music in the background.
We were blessed to learn valuable lessons from Craig to name a few; Don’t go ahead and do something if you don’t know how to do it, Check your measurements twice, Don’t let your fuel go under a quarter of a tank, Have an air gauge with you so you don’t blow up your tire, Finally, always wear eye protection. That was his biggest one. While driving if he saw someone weed whacking without eye protection he’d stop and give them a pair of his safety glasses. He did that all the time. A favorite pastime he had as a kid was at his grandpa’s shop, sitting on top of the Coke machine with a glass bottle Coca-Cola and a handful of peanuts poured in it. Him and his grandpa would sit out there enjoying it together. We would still do it. Hop in an old truck and cruise with our glass bottle Coca-Cola and peanuts.
Craig is survived by his wife Julie Cobb, his children Sade Cobb and Trevor Cobb, and stepson Joseph Russell. His parents Ricky Cobb and Janice Bennett, Janice’s husband Danny Bennett, a half-brother Tyler Cobb, Aunt’s, Uncle’s, Cousins and Friends.
He is preceded by both sets of grandparents that made a big impact on his life.
To Kindred Hospice we want to express gratitude to the people in your organization for the compassionate remarkable wonderful care given to my husband and me. Craig loved y’all from the get-go. Your time, work and effort has been very much appreciated. Thank you. God Bless you.
Cremation & Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Sheila Kay Black was born on April 17, 1960. She left this earth on July 20, 2021. She was 61 years old.

She was a blessing to all she encountered. She was an outstanding mother, mentor, and friend. Sheila was always a bright light to everyone she encountered. She selflessly took care of her children and was a very hard worker. She was determined to provide for her children and went back to school, earned an associate degree then pursued a career at Pantex where she worked for 26 years.
Sheila was the most loving, considerate, and caring person anyone would have the pleasure of knowing. She always had a certain energy that she carried with her everywhere she went. The same feeling you have with a warm blanket. Comfort, happiness, love… That was Sheila.
She was preceded in death by her father Donald Dwayne Salmon.
She was survived by her mother, Betty Salmon of Clarendon; her son Jeff Black and wife, Nina, and their children Riley, Rayne and Rycen all of Davison, Michigan; her daughter Stacy Black, and children Braydon, Cheyenne, Aliza, and Deyson all of Russellville, Kentucky; a sister Sandra Shields and husband, Keenan of Lelia Lake, and children, Wes Shields and wife Jasie and their family; Kelby Robinette and husband, Jarod and family, and Kaylee Shields.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 11:00 at the Church of Christ in Claude. Sheila’s favorite color was purple, so if you have anything purple, please wear it.
The family suggest memorials be to your favorite charity.
“First Saturday Clarendon, Texas” continues in August with the Donley County Farmers Market, Whistle-Stop Trade Days, and movies at the Sandell Drive-In and Mulkey Theatre.
The new marketing campaign to pool resources and centralize support behind a once-a-month weekend of activities, trade days, shopping and fun in Clarendon and Donley County.
Saturday, August 7, marks the third month of the promotion, and businesses, organizations, and anyone else planning an event are encouraged to consider having it on the weekend of the First Saturday of each month.
The Chamber board in April agreed to consider holding future events and promotions on the first Saturday weekends, and the CEDC board also agreed in April to include “First Saturday Clarendon, Texas” in its current regional marketing and to highlight First Saturday events on the ClarendonTX.com website.
This Saturday, for example, people can enjoy the food trucks, live music, and fun of the Whistle-Stop, shop all the fresh produce, baked goods, and other items at the new Donley County Farm 2 Table market at Cornell’s Country Store, spend time at the Clarendon Aquatic Center, and also take in a movie in Cinema City at either the Mulkey Theatre or the Sandell Drive-In. The Mulkey is showing “Space Jam,” and the Sandell is hosting “Jungle Cruise.”
First Saturday events are being sought for September to go along with trade days. First Saturday in October will see the return of the Lions Clubs members from across the Panhandle as they bring their fall cabinet meeting back to the Mulkey Theatre.
If you know of something happening on the first weekend of each month, it can easily be promoted by calling or texting 806-662-4687, emailing ashlee.estlack@gmail.com, visiting the “First Saturday, Clarendon Texas” Facebook page, or by filling out the contact form at ClarendonTX.com/FirstSaturday.
Donley County Commissioners selected the architecture firm most familiar with the 1890 Courthouse to lead repairs to the building during a special called meeting Monday.
Commissioners considered the qualifications of three firms from across the state but scored Hutson Gallagher of Austin as the top choice because of their team’s knowledge and previous work on the building.
Firm members Chris Hutson and Tracy Hirschman Hutson performed the architectural work leading up to the 2003 restoration of the courthouse and have maintained a reputation in historic preservation work.
Panhandle Regional Planning Commission Local Government Services Director Dustin Meyer will lead negotiations with Hutson Gallagher to produce a contract for the county to sign on August 9. The architects will then prepare specifications to repair damage to the historic building from a winter storm in February.
The Texas Historical Commission will have final approval over the architects’ specifications before the county can take bids on the work.
County officials are hopeful that, in addition to repairing storm-related damage with insurance funds, the county might also be able to obtain grant funds from the THC to address stone spalling around the base of the courthouse. The stone has been an issue for decades, but the funds were not sufficient to address that issue during the original restoration work.
In other county news, commissioners considered three proposals Monday for IT services and network security and listened to two of those proposals in person from representatives of two firms. Commissioners will select an IT proposal at their next regular meeting on August 9.
The commissioners’ court approved paying back vacation pay to former deputy Sonny Marasco, totaling $2,783.32.
The court also delved into personnel policy issues with Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn and adopted revisions in the areas of holiday pay, vacation pay, work schedule and work week, and overtime for law enforcement personnel, including deputies and dispatchers.


The Clarendon Enterprise received nine awards as well as a community service award at the 111th annual Panhandle Press Association Convention in Amarillo last Saturday, July 24.

Competing in Division One for weekly newspapers, Benjamin Estlack picked up First Place for the Enterprise for Humorous Columns.
The Enterprise won second place honors for Best Sports Photos by Elaina Estlack and Benjamin Estlack, Spot News Photos by Elaina Estlack and Roger Estlack, Advertising Initiative for work by Ashlee Estlack and Roger Estlack, News Writing by Roger Estlack, Best Society & Lifestyles, and Best Feature Stories.
The newspaper also received third place for Headline Writing and Special Sections.
In addition, the Enterprise received the Ken Towery Community Service Award for its comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its use of social media and online reporting to inform the public about that disease and for the impact of the Donley County Social Hour during that time – a weekly Facebook Live featuring Editor Roger Estlack and Donley County Attorney Landon Lambert.
General Excellence in Division One this year went to the Canadian Record.
Former Texas Spur owners Grady and Jo Ann Harrison were inducted into the PPA Hall of Fame.
This year’s convention also included a Past Presidents Reunion which attracted about 18 former PPA presidents and secretaries. Convention attendees also this year enjoyed an Amarillo Sod Poodles game at Hodgetown in addition to the regular camaraderie and work sessions.
The PPA was led this year by Fritch publisher Tara Huff, who will remain on the board as the Immediate Past President. Other board members include President Jeff Blackmon of Hereford, Vice President Tim Ritter of Canyon, and Secretary/Treasurer Roger Estlack of Clarendon along with directors Mary Dudley of Perryton, Michael Wright of Dumas, Mary Smithee of Canadian, and Shane Lance of Quanah
Attending this year’s annual Panhandle Press Association convention from Clarendon were Roger, Ashlee, Benjamin, and Elaina Estlack and Tara and Mason Allred along with Doug, Nancy, Aaron, Amy, Gage, and Paden Kidd and Michael, Anndria, Matthew, and Monroe Newhouse.
Milton Matthew Mann, 80, of Clarendon died Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at his home in Clarendon.

Graveside services were held July 24, 2021, at Citizens Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Milton was born October 25, 1940, in Clarendon to Chester” Doc” and Mary Slater Mann. He married Donna Maupin in Lubbock on November 18, 1961.
Milton was an Ag teacher for 40 plus years in Boys Ranch, Clarendon and Higgins. He led many of his students to leadership contest often to the state level. After his retirement, Milton continued to help with the Donley County Livestock show in Clarendon each year as the swine superintendent and numerous other duties. He also enjoyed his grandchildren, great grandchildren, his farm and cattle raising.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Chester Mann and sister Mary Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Matt Mann and wife Judy of Canadian; daughters, Starla Mann of Arlington and Susan Anders and husband Jay of Pampa; five grandchildren, Dustin Willyard and wife Brittany, Cierra Burks and husband Wade, Charles Michael III and wife Sunny, Sarah Mitchell and husband Seth and Wilson Anders; seven great grandchildren, Emma, Conner, Colton, Cannon, Landon, Levi, McKinzie and Grayson; sister, Wilma Lindley and husband Harold and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be sent to Donley County Activity Center or Donley County Jr. Livestock Association PO Box 661 Clarendon, Tx 79226.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
Manage your cookie preferences below:
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
These cookies are needed for adding comments on this website.
These cookies are used for managing login functionality on this website.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
You can find more information in our Cookie Policy and .
Reader Comments