Roger Estlack

Ernie Houdashell, 74, of Amarillo, Texas, died November 22, 2020.

Services were held on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Hillside Christian Church. Burial will be at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Ernie was born in Clarendon on November 21, 1946, to Ernest and Della Houdashell. He grew up in Hedley, where he graduated from Hedley High School and enlisted in the Army; completing two tours to Vietnam. After his return from Vietnam, he attended Amarillo College where he studied Journalism and continued his studies at West Texas State University where he received his Business degree. For the last 18 years, he has served as Randall County Judge.

Ernie enlisted in the United States Army in March of 1966. After basic training, he attended helicopter maintenance school and shipped out to Vietnam for his first tour of duty in November 1966. HE served as a UH-1 Huey mechanic, crew chief, and door gunner while assigned to the 191st Assault Helicopter Company in Dong Tam in support of the 9th Infantry Division during his two tours. He was awarded the Air Medal in September of 1968 for flying over 25 missions into hostile territory within a six-day period. He then received an honorable discharge from the Army in February of 1969.

After leaving the service, Ernie returned to the Amarillo area and went to work for Bell Helicopter from 1969 to 1973; working on the same aircraft he served in while overseas. Since that time, he has achieved his Commercial, Multi-engine, and instrument ratings, held an instructor rating for over 44 years, and was currently rebuilding his own antique aircraft.

On September 19, 1970, Ernie married the love of his life that God created only for him. This past September they celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Ernie returned to public service in 1973 when he took a job at KGNC Radio as an agricultural reporter. He later served as the Farm Director, traveling the nation covering agricultural events. Additionally, he produced the American Cotton Network for three years; a weekly report that aired in four states to include Texas.

In January of 1985, Ernie transitioned to politics and served as the District Directors for the 13th District Congressman, Beau Bolter; a district responsible for 38 counties. He managed the Amarillo and Wichita Falls offices; specifically handling agricultural and military issues. He then served as District Director to State Representative, John Smithee, until 2002 when he was elected to the Randall County Judge seat.

Judge Houdashell is a key contributor to the development of the Texas Panhandle War Memorial and has served as a board member for the Texas State Center and the state board for Multiple Sclerosis. An honorable American, public servant, and decorated Veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; two sons, Scott and Clay, of Amarillo; one daughter, Michele, of Amarillo; six grandchildren, Jordyn, Beck, Alexander, Indeh, Elizabeth, and Bridger; one sister, Loveta Anderson, of Amarillo; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; mother; sister, Pat Hargrove; niece, Gay McGuire; and mother-in-law, Irene Gerber.

Memorial donations can be made to the Texas Panhandle War Memorial, 4111 S. Georgia, Amarillo, Texas 79110.

To watch the video after the service use this link:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwxCSdC9KKslSEMxAy1pA/videos?view_as=subscriber

Jerry Horace Green, also known as “Big Jerry” and sometimes referred to as the Mayor of Ashtola, 68, passed away of COVID-19 complications on November 25, 2020, at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo.

Burial was in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors. To celebrate Jerry’s life, be a good steward, get your hands dirty, grow something and worry about the weather.

Jerry was born to H.A. & Naomi Morris Green on April 24, 1952, in Memphis, Texas, and named by his older brothers and sister. He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1970 and became a diesel mechanic at Texas State Technical Institute. After a brief stint with Caterpillar, he returned to Donley County to farm with his dad and brothers.

Jerry married Mary Talley on January 24, 1975, his friends believed primarily for her cooking. They lived at Martin and farmed the Peabody Place for a few years before moving to town (Clarendon). In 1981, they purchased and moved to the Lane Place south of Ashtola, which was adjacent to family farmland owned by H.A. Green, C.B. Morris Company and Green Brothers. He had the pleasure of tending some of those fields over 50 years as well as others for various landlords in Donley and Armstrong Counties.

Jerry was a member of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700 and served on the board of the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District.

Jerry realized at an early age he was closer to God in a tractor seat than a church pew. If the weather was good, no chance he was leaving the farm. He liked to rise early and work until the day was done, which was often well after the sun set. He grew cotton, peanuts, alfalfa, black-eyed peas, squash, okra, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, watermelon, wheat and silage crops — anything that would grow in beloved sandy loam. He ate almost any pie Mary would make but preferred chocolate and pecan. Bread was required at all three meals, ranging from biscuits to rolls or cornbread although he would settle for sandwich bread with a little honey or molasses or homemade apricot/pear preserves. He collected antique, pedal and toy tractors. Most of all, he loved farming.

While certainly not a saint, if Jerry made it past the pearly gates, he is rounding up the late Danny Holland, Ernie Johnston and Wayne Reynolds to help put a crop in.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Bernard “Bernie” Joseph Green and Lawrence “Larry” Walton Green.

Jerry is survived by his grandchildren, Olivia and Mason, whom he adored; his wife, Mary Green of Clarendon; son Jerry H. Green, Jr. “Little Jerry” or “Buford” and wife Casie of Clarendon; daughter, Christel R. Green and husband Chris Donnelly of Austin; brother Robin M. Green and wife Paulina Jacobo of Lubbock; three sisters Patricia Friesen and husband Willis of Frisco; Beth Step of Sayre, Oklahoma; Ellen Morehart and husband Kevin of Woodward, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Katherine Williams of Clarendon; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family encourages donations to Associated Ambulance Authority of Clarendon, Citizens Cemetery Association, and Donley County Junior Livestock Association as well as prayers for rain.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Kenneth Floyd Carden, 82, of Howardwick died Saturday, November 28, 2020, in Howardwick.

No services will be scheduled. Cremation & Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Ken was born July 7, 1938, in Pineville, Missouri to Kenneth Eugene and Velma Payne Carden. He was a butcher supervisor for Kroger and Dillon’s prior to his retirement. After retirement, he had a gift for taping and textured many walls in several churches, homes, and businesses. He was stuck in the 1950’s era, and had a love for antique cars. He had been a resident of Howardwick since 1997 and married Carol Kuschel on November 8, 2000 in Howardwick. He was a member of the First Assembly of God in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Carden of Howardwick; his sons, Kenneth Carden of Phoenix, Arizona, Greg Carden of Wichita, Kansas, and Cade Carden of Reno, Nevada; his daughters, Laura Owens of Pittsburg, Kansas, Rayne Sweezy and Nikki Blair both of Kansas; a step daughter, April St. Clair of Clarendon; several brothers and sisters; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to Donley County Senior Citizens.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Frances Jackson Deyhle, 92, passed away November 29, 2020.

Private family graveside services will be held, with a Celebration of Life at a later date.

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

One of 10 siblings, she was born on September 15, 1928, in Celeste, Texas to William and Lydia Jackson.

After graduating from Celeste High School Frances met Chuck Deyhle on a blind date. That successful meeting resulted in a wedding on June 29, 1946, followed by 65 years of marriage until his death in 2011. They moved to Clarendon, Texas, in 1951 upon his graduation from Texas A & M School of Veterinary Medicine and resided there for over 60 years.

While in Bryan-College Station she typed graduate student papers to provide support through veterinary school and then manned the office at the Clarendon Veterinary Clinic for many years. The two were a team in all they did and built a respected business in the process.

Frances enjoyed cooking, golfing, piano, sewing, gardening, Rummy Dummy with her friends and trips to the mountains of Colorado. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and very involved in numerous community and civic activities. “Frances, Mom, Moo Moo” was happiest when surrounded by her family. After raising and being the number one supporter of her four children, she continued her top fan status with her grandchildren…attending school plays, horse shows, dance recitals, basketball, baseball and football games.

Lovely times were spent having coffee on the patio and working in her yard, tending her beautiful rose garden. Frances was fiercely dedicated and devoted to her family and her church. When the day came that her memory failed, she could still recite all the books of the Bible.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband and her nine siblings.

She is survived by daughters Sandy Hill and husband Jim of Fort Collins, Colorado, Becky McKinley and husband John of Amarillo, Jenny Rapp and husband Jodie of Lakeway, Texas and son Charlie and wife Jamie of Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

She adored her 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff, nurses and doctors at The Sycamore for their love and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Clarendon Senior Citizens Center, Citizens Cemetery, or First United Methodist Church of Clarendon Texas.

John Lee Stephens, age 81 of Sparta, passed away at 11:09 p.m. Thursday, November 26, 2020, at Bailey Manor in Cookeville, Tennessee.

John was born August 6, 1939, in Wellington to the late John William Stephens and Myrtle Inez Skaggs Stephens. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law Carolyn and Carl Mann, and niece Gaye McGuire.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Linda Kay Davis Stephens of Sparta. Four sons: Douglas and Beth Stephens of Smithville, Tennessee; Terry and Malinda Stephens of Crossville, Tennessee; Michael and Sheila Stephens of Sparta, Tennessee; and Mitchell and Brandie Stephens of Monticello, Kentucky. Twelve grandchildren: Emilee Stephens, Will Stephens, Leah Spitler (Ethan), Kyle Stephens, Andrew Stephens (Taylor), Nicholas Stephens, Justin Stephens, Abbie Stephens, Tanner Stephens, Eli Stephens, Jesslynn Stephens and Laura Stephens. Two great grandchildren: Waylon and Jessie. Also survived by brother Bobby (Maxine) Stephens of Lefors.

John was ordained a deacon at Highland Baptist Church in Amarillo where he taught high school boys Sunday School and served in the bus ministry.  John graduated from Hedley High School and attended Clarendon Jr. College.

In 1972, he moved with his family to Sparta, Tennessee where he became partners in Tractor Service Co (John Deere industrial equipment).

In 1990, he bought a small farm on Cherry Creek where he spent a lot of time raising cattle, which became his pets. He loved working on the farm with his boys and grandchildren.
While living in Sparta, he was an active member of First Baptist Church serving as a deacon, counselor for the RA’s, and Sunday School Teacher. He loved his church and the ministry there. He had a kind spirit and was known for his willingness to help others.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 30, 2020, in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church with burial following in Oak Lawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons; Andrew, Nicholas, Justin, Kyle, Will, Tanner and Eli. Honorary pallbearers are the men from First Baptist Church that volunteered to come sit and visit with him, take him riding around, and take him to get a strawberry ice cream cone.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the building fund of First Baptist Church of Sparta at 308 N. Spring St., Sparta, Tennessee 38583.

The funeral was live streamed on FBC Sparta Facebook page and fbcstreaming youtube channel. The service will also be made available at www.fbcsparta.org

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.hunterfuneralhome.net. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hunter Funeral Home, Sparta, Tennessee,