CHS students compete
Sammie Lee Housden
Sammie Lee Housden, 74, of Hamilton died Sunday, February 17, 2019, in Hamilton.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2019, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, officiating. Burial will follow at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Sammie was born on April 9, 1944, in Hedley to Sam and Flora Parker Sanders. She married Kenneth Housden on May 31, 1963, in Silverton. She was resident of Sanger before moving to Hamilton a year and a half ago. She enjoyed sewing, fishing, and spending time with her family. She believed that her greatest accomplishment was raising four kids and getting to love all of her grandkids and great-grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and three sisters.
Survivors include her son Rick Housden and wife Melanie of Hamilton; three daughters Carie Gafford and husband Russell of Snyder, Angie Burrus and husband Roger of Ft. Worth; and Evette Flores and husband Hector of Tioga; one brother Tracy Sanders; four sisters Helen Lindsay, Jean Rice, Tobytha Wiggins, and Deloris Simpson; eight grandchildren Alex Reich and husband Reagan, Abbie Housden, Brooks Gafford and wife Amanda, Kenyon Gafford and wife Alicyn, Ty Burton, Ashton Burton, Christian Flores, and Cameron Flores; and one great-grandchild Kyri Gafford.
The family request that memorials be made to Rowe Cemetery Association
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
Joe Carroll Glass
Joe Carroll Glass, 83, of McLean died Tuesday, February 12, 2019.
Graveside Services were held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, in Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean with Rev. Thacker Haynes, officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of McLean.
Joe was born to C.E. (Buck) and Helen (Hayes) Glass on October 9, 1935, on the Glass Family Ranch South of McLean. He attended Skillet School and McLean School, he would have graduated in 1955, but left school to follow his dream of being a cowboy. He worked for the RO Ranch many years and could tell the best stories about his years there and all the wonderful friends he made with all the “Old Cowboys” who worked there.
In 1957, he went to work for H.T. Warner in Clarendon as a heavy equipment operator. He joined the Army in 1958 and served most of his time in El Paso, Texas teaching others how to build missile sites with bull dozers. Coming home, he went to work for Donley Co Pct. 4 where he worked for 13 years, then moving to Gray Co Pct. 4, working there until his retirement in December 1995.
In 1960 he married Lucille Oxley, she preceded him in death in 1988. He married Cynthia Osborn in 1996. He owned Glass Ranch, that was bought by his grandfather J T Glass in 1899 and Joe was honored in 2002 by the Texas Land Heritage Program for continuous ownership of the land for over 100 years.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brother Jim Glass; sister Billie Guill; first wife Lucille Oxley Glass; daughter Faye Glass Conner and son Terry Joe Glass.
Joe is survived by wife Cindi Glass; daughter Cindy Glass McDonald and husband David and granddaughter Victoria Newton of McLean. Stepdaughter Canda Henry and husband Steve of Amarillo; step son Cash Carpenter of Houston; step grandchildren Garrett Morris & family, and Samantha Henry of Amarillo. Wesley Conner and family of Elk City, Oklahoma; Jeremy Conner and family, and Jeff Conner and family of Canute, Oklahoma.
The family request memorials be sent to the McLean Methodist Church Angel Tree Program.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Douglas Richard “Doug” Lowe
Douglas Richard “Doug” Lowe, 89, of Clarendon died on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. in McLean.
Services were held Saturday, February 16, 2019, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Tamplen and Rev. Buddy Payne, officiating. Burial will be in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Doug was born on October 15, 1929, in Donley County to Walter and Genoah Doshier Lowe. He married Martha Jo Spalding on June 22, 1955, in Hedley. Doug had been a longtime resident of Clarendon and had worked for the USDA prior to his retirement. He was a US Navy veteran serving during the Korean War.
Doug was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Clarendon Masonic Lodge. Doug had also served as a regent for Clarendon College Board of Regents. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Martha on August 17, 2008; a brother, Wayne Lowe; and a great grandson, Jett Dyer Lowe.
Survivors include two sons, David Lowe of Decatur and Charles Lowe of Plano; a sister, Jane Tice of Nacogdoches; his grandchildren, Brandon, Justin, and Cody Lowe; and his great grandchildren, Chasady, Cayden, and Jamison Lowe.
The family request memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, Clarendon College or a favorite charity.
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
BREAKING NEWS: Double homicide at Howardwick
A double homicide in Howardwick Monday night has local and state investigators busy looking for clues to a suspect today.
Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said law enforcement officers discovered the bodies of a male and female at a home on Lakeview Lane after receiving a call at 10:09 p.m.
Blackburn said Texas Rangers were called in to assist with the investigation. Both victims had been shot, and the bodies were sent for autopsies today. Four children, who were home at the time, are being interviewed by The Bridge – Children’s Advocacy Center.
As of Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office has no suspects and no warrants have been issued in this case. The victims have not been identified pending notification of next of kin. Blackburn asks that if anyone has any information, please call the Donley County Sheriff’s Office at 806-874-3533.
No threat at Clarendon CISD
Clarendon CISD and the Donley County Sheriff’s Office say there is no threat at the school despite a “Threat Announcement” sent out late Wednesday afternoon, February 13.
“There is no existing threat at the school,” Sheriff Butch Blackburn said this evening. “It’s been handled. The subject is not even in the state, and I verified that moments ago.”
Superintendent Mike Norrell tells the Enterprise that the school was made aware of a threat made on social media TWO WEEKS AGO and addressed the issue at that time. Norrell said about two weeks ago an individual, for whom the school already had a no trespass order in place, came to the high school but was denied access and turned away. Following that incident, the individual made a threatening post on social media. The school alerted the Donley County Sheriff’s Office about the possible threat and the issue was handled at that time.
Both Norrell and Blackburn say their offices take any threat very seriously and that the safety of students and staff is their primary concern. Norrell said the school decided to send out the notice today because there was recurring talk at the school and downtown that nothing had been done about the situation from two weeks ago.
Lady Broncos fall to Stratford
Best Dressed
Vorheis wins top Chamber award
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce recognized Mary Vorheis with the 2018 Saints’ Roost Award for her lifetime of service and commitment to the community during the annual Chamber Awards Banquet last Thursday, February 7.
Man of the Year honors went to Jeff McKee, and Sherol Johnston was named the Woman of the Year. J&W Lumber & Supply was named the Business of the Year.
The Saints’ Roost Award is the highest honor given annually by the Chamber to recognize a lifetime of volunteering and community service. Vorheis was recognized for her extensive work with the VFW Auxiliary and all the activities they do for the community from helping with Veterans and Memorial Day activities to preparing soup for the Courthouse Lighting evening. She also prepares food for people on Sunday who are on Meals on Wheels during the week but have no food for the weekend. She helps with Alzheimer’s fundraisers, is involved with the Friends of the Library, and serves wherever she can even when she is not feeling good.
The Man of the Year for 2018 is Jeff McKee, for serving our community in several capacities. As an employee of the city of Clarendon, he takes pride in his work and is always happy to help local citizens. He serves on the Saints’ Roost Museum board and helps with the lighting of the Donley County Courthouse. He’s played the role of Santa Claus for local events and helped with the Mulkey Block Party, the Channel Ten Summer Celebration, and other activities. Anytime there is an event in Clarendon, you can count on him being there to support what’s happening and most of the time he’s lending a helping hand while he is there.
Sherol Johnston is the Woman of the Year for 2018. She has been very involved in Howardwick, Clarendon and Donley County. As a former member of the Clarendon EDC she helped develop the Mulkey project in its early stages. She has twice brought the Lone Start Ladies’ Golf Tournament to the Clarendon Country Club, where she serves as the club’s secretary/treasurer. She volunteers regularly with the Bread of Life Food Ministry at the Methodist Church, and as a board member of the Donley County Community Fund, she represents Howardwick and has been active in helping build an endowment that will benefit current and future non-profit groups throughout Donley County.
The Chamber of Commerce named J&W Lumber & Supply as its Business of the Year. John Jones and Bill Williams started the business in 1960. Buddy Ford bought the business in 1973; and in about 1977, Rudene and Bill “Peanut” Wise purchased the business after running Peanut’s Drive-in for several years. In 1983, the business moved to its present location and the Wise’s daughter Julie and husband Earl Hartman joined the firm. Bill and Rudene retired in 1998, and Earl became the go-to man for advice in town about home improvement projects. Throughout the years, Earl served with the Downtown Merchants Association and Julie volunteered as a Scout leader. The Hartmans have a reputation for supporting worthwhile projects and for sound guidance when it comes to fixing almost anything.
The Chamber and Clarendon College also recognized outstanding youth from Clarendon and Hedley.
Brandalyn Ellis was named the Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon. She is president of 4-H and participates in contests at the state level for horse judging. She’s an officer of the Clarendon FFA and has helped at the vet clinic as a veterinarian assistant. She’s trained horses, assisted riding instructors, and worked cows and calves in the family herd. She has participated in the Texas High School Rodeo Association, is the president of the Student Council, is captain of the basketball team, and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She gives back to her community by helping the Christ Kids Ministry summer food program. She is a Sweetheart of the Clarendon Lions Club and has received numerous awards in 4H and for rodeo contests.
The Young Man of the Year from Clarendon is Noab Elam, who been involved in many extracurricular activities and represented his school and community well. He participates in baseball, football, and basketball and has received all-district honors in all of those sports. He is in the running for valedictorian of his senior class and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has participated in UIL academics and has advanced to state in two of the last three years. He was the regional UIL Social Studies Champion last spring and has been listed on Clarendon College’s Dean’s List while completing dual credit classes. He will likely graduate high school with 39 or more college hours. He has been a class officer every year and class president the last two years, and he was a captain of his football team. He’s received district and state honors in baseball. He also writes for The Clarendon Enterprise.
The Young Man of the Year from Hedley is Chris Gonzales, and he played basketball, served as a manager for the Owl football team and been active for four years in FFA. He enjoys shooting guns, fishing, working, and spending time with family. He’s exhibited animals at the county stock show and participated in community service projects for the Rowe Cemetery and the Hedley Lions Club. He has received awards for the Star Greenhand, Star Chapter Farmer, and Outstanding Senior FFA member
Kasie Hinton is the Young Woman of the Year from Hedley. She has participated in basketball and FFA for four years and also has run cross country and track. She’s been a member of NHS for two years and been the Star Chapter Farmer, Star State Degree, and Star Greenhand in FFA. She won Grand Champion heifer at the county stock show and the Grand Champion of the junior show and Grand and Reserve Champion Braunvieh heifer in the open show at the National Western Livestock Show. She won Grand in the youth show, and Grand and Reserve Champion in the Open Show at Ft. Worth. She is a member of the honors program at Clarendon College.
This year’s Chamber banquet followed a “Showtime! Clarendon’s Night at the Movies” theme and was catered by Great Western Dining. Approximately 200 people attended the event, which was held in the Bairfield Activity Center.
Lyndy Phillips was the featured entertainment for the evening and used magic and humor to deliver his message to laugh more and stress less. Phillips had the audience laughing throughout his presentation with the help and good sportsmanship of Cassidy Riza and Mayor Sandy Skelton.
Gift Box pull winners were Kay Dye, Tommy Waldrop, Kim Fowler, Elaina Estlack, and Kim Cooper.
Tables were sponsored by A Fine Feathered Nest, the City of Clarendon, Clarendon College, The Clarendon Enterprise, the Donley County Senior Citizens, Herring Bank, Phelps Plumbing, Pilgrim Bank, Saints’ Roost Museum, and Shelton & Shelton Law Offices. Phillips selected the Enterprise table’s Star Trek as having the best table decoration reflecting the banquet’s movie theme. He also named Chamber Manager Bob Weiss and Jolene Weiss as having the best costumes as the Blues Brothers.
This year’s corporate sponsors were Broken Road Junior, The Clarendon Enterprise, Floyd’s Automotive Supply, Greenbelt Electric Coop., GreenLight Gas, and Pioneer General Contractors.
Candidates’ deadline looms this Friday
This Friday is the last day to sign up for local offices for citizens who wish to improve their communities, and it looks like most positions will be decided without elections.
Eighteen board positions are available, but only the City of Howardwick has attracted enough candidates to warrant having an election as of Tuesday morning while the City of Clarendon doesn’t even have enough declared candidates to cover all the offices that are open.
Howardwick Alderman Brice Hawley and Tony Clemishire, have filed to run for mayor, and five people are running for two positions on the city council. Alderman Johnny Floyd will be joined on the ballot by Beverly McCaskill, Erica Mills, Tammy Jordan, and Jerry Mullanax.
In Clarendon, the terms of Mayor Sandy Skelton and Aldermen Nathan Floyd and Jacob Fangman are up as well as the one-year unexpired term now held by Eulaine McIntosh. Only Skelton and McIntosh have filed for re-election
Hedley has three aldermen seats up this year. Aldermen Tonya Metcalf and Alicia Hanes are running for re-election, and Trisha Chambless has filed for the third seat.
Clarendon ISD Trustees serve three years, and the terms of Robin Ellis, Chuck Robertson, and Will Thompson are expiring this year, and all three have filed for re-election.
Hedley ISD has two full three-year terms and one unexpired term up this year. Michael Metcalf and Billy Hall are running for reelection, and Susan Cosby has filed for the vacant seat.
The Donley County Hospital District Board of Directors has four two-year terms up this year. Those are currently held by Wayne Tubbs – Place 1, Jeff Robertson – Place 2, and Melinda McAnear – Place 3. McAnear is the only person to have filed as of Tuesday morning.
Filing continues through Friday, February 15. Elections are scheduled to be held Saturday, May 4, 2019.
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