Taking flight
Welding sculptor to visit Herd Wear store
Donley County and area residents will have an opportunity to meet a Texas artist and participate in a unique project this Spring Break weekend.
Texas artist and rancher Terry Jones will be on site at the Herd Wear Retail Store on US Hwy 287 in Goodnight Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18.
Jones created the fabulous and famous 300-pound welded wrench bison statue on display at the store, and he will be discussing the Herd Wear Retail Store’s upcoming 12-foot tall Charles Goodnight statue that he has been working on for the past six months and will take another six months to complete.
The Goodnight statue will include donated objects that Texas Panhandle families want to include to honor their Panhandle heritage.
“Goodnight did not build the Panhandle on his own,” says Herd Wear Store owner and bison rancher Cecil Miskin. “We want this monument to represent as many of the pioneer families out here as want to participate.”
Local residents can bring something from their family’s history – an old tool, farm implement, car part, etc. –anything metal that Jones can weld into the base of the statue.
“We’ll engrave the family name and make it a part of this art work for all those traveling US 287 to enjoy and recognize that the ‘Panhandle Spirit,’ the cooperation and success that comes with working together, has been here since the beginning,” Miskin said.
Jones loves using old busted guns, spurs, badges, household items, and almost anything metal.
The beauty of Jones’ work is that as you back away from the statue, suddenly, the pieces disappear and only the animal shows up. That is because Jones studies the musculature of his subjects as a whole and captures the essence of his subjects
Metal donations will be accepted for the next three months at the Herd Wear Retail Store seven days a week.
“Come by and let us learn more about your family’s part in the history of the Texas Panhandle,” Miskin said.
Jones will also bring several of his current works – especially his horse creations – that will be on display and for sale over the weekend.
The Herd Wear Retail Store is located at 2000 US Hwy 287 in Goodnight, next to the entrance of the Charles Goodnight Historical Center.
Low turnout marks 2018 primary
County Commissioner Daniel Ford and Precinct 3 & 4 Justice of the Peace candidate Pat White were the big local winners last Tuesday, March 6, when local voters went to the polls.
Turnout was markedly low with less than one-third of registered voters bothering to participate in the process. A total of 675 voted out of 2,199 who were registered, a turnout of 30.7 percent. Republicans cast 672 local votes, and 37 Democrats voted in their party’s primary.
In the Republican Primary, Ford was challenged for his Precinct 2 seat by Randy Bond, but was he retained his party’s nomination, 128-113.
Justice Denise Bertrand was challenged for her position in Precincts 3&4 and lost the nomination to White, 161-119. Bertrand’s second term ends at the end of this calendar year.
Neither Ford nor White are facing any Democratic opposition in the November General Election.
Donley County Republicans rejected weeks of negative campaigning against State Sen. Kel Seliger and State Rep. Ken King, giving them solid local wins of 64 and 59 percent respectively. Seliger and King also both received a majority of votes throughout their districts and avoided the specter of a runoff election. Seliger is unchallenged in November, but King will face Democrat Ezekiel Barron.
Clarendon’s hometown congressman, Rep. Mac Thornberry was unchallenged on the Republican ticket and will face Democratic challenger Greg Sagan this fall.
In statewide offices, US Sen. Ted Cruz picked up more than 84 percent of local GOP support and easily won the party nomination statewide. He faces Beto O’Rourke this fall.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott saw similar local support and won statewide. Democrats Lupe Valdez and Andrew White will be in a runoff for their party’s nomination. Local Democrats were split on the governor question with seven liking Valdez, seven preferring Grady Yarbrough, and six voting for White.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had a tougher time locally but still picked up a majority, 65 percent, of Donley Republicans and carried the state easier. His Republican challenger Scott Midler has since endorsed the Democratic primary winner Mike Collier, who was the local Democrats’ choice.
Majorities of local voters in both primaries approved of the non-binding propositions put forward by their parties.
Going into the General Election, only one local race will be challenged. County/District Clerk Fay Vargas is running for re-election on the Democratic ticket and will face Republican Bobby Woodard in November.
A Scouting Legend
Tyler “Blake” Frye
Tyler “Blake” Frye died Monday, March 5, 2018, at his residence in Flower Mound, Texas.
Services were held on Monday, March 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with the Rev. Lance Wood and Eddy Helms officiating. Burial was in Rowe Cemetery, Hedley, with military honors.
Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Blake was born March 25,1986 in Amarillo to Linda and Gerald Frye. He joined two older sisters, Tara and Jamie.
Blake was joyful, curious, and industrious as a baby, child, teenager and adult. He never met a stranger, possessing the gift of gab his Papa, T.E. Naylor predisposed him to have. He became a successful student, graduating in 2004 from Clarendon High School, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Political Science from Texas Tech University and then a Master’s of Business. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Army through the ROTC Program. He received an honorable discharge from the military and entered into the business of wind and solar energy beginning in 2008-2010. He became a trusted developer in his chosen field while learning and performing all aspects of this exciting and challenging job. His family used to marvel at his ability to maintain the rigors of three to four companies while building his own company.
He attempted to bring this innovative source of power to Donley County but did not have the required amount of landowners to approve the project on their ranch or farmland. He was disappointed yet he pushed forward with a project in Kansas, known as the Bloom Project. He was so proud when the grand opening became a reality in August of 2017 attended by the Kansas lieutenant governor and four state representatives. They were proud of the Texas Panhandle “Kid,” they called him, who brought their community such an important economic project. At the time of his death, Blake was working in multiple states to bring more successful wind and solar projects to various communities.
By far the most important part of Blake’s life was his family. His lovely soulmate, Lauren, his beautiful 10-year-old daughter, Natalie, and the latest addition to his family, a handsome little son they named Jett, who will be a year old three days before his dad’s birthday.
Blake is survived by Lauren, Natalie and Jett of the home; his mother, Linda Naylor Lewis and his stepdad, Jerry of Pampa; his sister, Tara Jackson and husband Steve of Ft Worth; his nephew, Ryan, whom he called brother, and wife Amy of Sunnyvale; two nieces Madison and Ava Jackson; a great niece, Sadie; his Mimie, Faye Naylor, and step grandmother Joyce Holley of Boerne; and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles and family he dearly loved.
Blake was preceded in death by his dad, Gerry Frye; his sister, Jamie just nine months ago; his Papa, T.E.Naylor; grandparents Babe and Gene Frye; and his Uncle Tex Naylor.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Joann B. Brown
Joann B. Brown, 65, of Clarendon died Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Clarendon.
Services were held on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Jeff Riles, officiating. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Joann was born on November 19, 1952, in Memphis to B.W. and Beatrice Jones Smith. She moved from Clarendon to Amarillo before coming back to Clarendon 18 years ago, and she was a member of the True Church of God in Christ. She loved her church and was a foster mom for many years. She enjoyed cooking and exercising. She was always witnessing her faith in Christ to others, and she loved supporting local sports.
Joann was preceded by her parents; a brother, Billy Joe Smith; and a sister, Patricia Ann Smith.
Survivors include four sons, Chris Brown and wife Mandy of Clarendon, Torrence Smith and wife Brandi of Lubbock, Gary Brown of Amarillo, and Trey Brown of Amarillo; four brothers, Bobby Smith of Amarillo, Curtis Smith and wife Annie of Forney, B.W. Smith, Jr., of Amarillo, and Archie Smith and wife Vanessa of Dallas; sisters, Doris Gardner of Clarendon and Essie Jean McCampbell of Clarendon; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
White, Ford win local Republican primaries
Precinct 2 Commissioner Daniel Ford defeated challenger Randy Bond, 129 -113, and Precinct 3&4 Justice of the Peace Denise Bertrand lost her re-election bid to Pat White, 161-119, during the Donley County Republican Primary Tuesday night.
Ford and White do not face any opposition in the November General Election.
Also of local interest, Donley County Republicans were strongly in favor of keeping both State Sen. Kel Seliger and State Rep. Ken King representing them in Austin. Both men narrowly avoid run off-elections with each facing two challengers from their own party. Seliger has no Democratic opponent this fall, but King will have a challenger.
For complete coverage of the local primary, check out next week’s issue of The Clarendon Enterprise
Down the home stretch
CC honors two former athletes
Former Clarendon College basketball players Myrna Carney and Joan Crawford were recognized as President’s Ambassadors last Monday night for their continued support of CC.
Myrna Carney attended Clarendon College and played in 1957 and 1958 for the Comets, as the women’s basketball team was then known.
She went on to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, Michigan State University, and the University of Minnesota, and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from OU.
She worked in a number of roles at the University of Oklahoma for 42 years, and retired as the Assistant Dean at University College at OU in 2008. Ms. Carney holds a number of awards and honors including Outstanding Alumni from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Leedey High School, and she was inducted into the Dewey County Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2007.
Joan Crawford attended Clarendon College and played for the Comets basketball team in 1956 and 1957.
After leaving Clarendon College, Crawford attended Nashville Business College where she played on an AAU team. Over the next thirteen seasons, the Nashville team would win the National AAU Championship ten times, and Ms. Crawford was named to the All-America team in every year. In 1962, the Nashville team was especially dominant, winning every game in the post-season tournament by at least 14 points, and winning the championship game over Wayland 63–35. She would go on to win the MVP of the 1963 and 1964 AAU National Tournaments.
With the US National team, Ms. Crawford won the World Championship in 1957, and the 1959 and 1963 Pan American Games. The World Championship game was against the USSR, the first time the USA had faced the USSR in a major competition. The USA came into the final with a single loss to Czechoslovakia, while the USSR was undefeated. The USA team was down by three points at the half, but came back in the second half to win the championship 51–48. Ms. Crawford scored a game high 27 points in the championship game against Brazil.
Ms. Crawford has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Amateur Athletic Union Hall of Fame, and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Ms. Crawford was in attendance to accept the award, but Ms. Carney was unable to attend. Her sisters accepted the award on her behalf.
Scholarships have been created in each of these player’s names, and future students at Clarendon College will be the recipient of scholarships in their honor and will benefit from their graciousness and financial support for many years to come.
Services held for Hawkins
A standing room only crowd filled Canyon’s First United Methodist Church Saturday when services were held for Clarendon native Dr. Dean Hawkins.
A well-known figure in education and in agriculture, Hawkins passed away February 27, 2018, after a valiant fight against brain cancer.
A Distinguished Alumni of Clarendon College, Hawkins often worked with his alma mater to further agriculture education and maintained a close relationship with CC.
“I truly appreciated the friendship he and I developed during my time here at Clarendon,” CC President Dr. Robert Riza said. “He was a great supporter of the College and was a great partner for our students.”
Hawkins was the dean of West Texas A&M University’s Paul Engler College of Agriculture & Natural Sciences, a position he had held since 2015. He had joined the faculty at WTAMU as head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences in 2009. As dean, he played an active role in the development and construction of the University’s new Agricultural Sciences Complex and was instrumental in the naming of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
Dean Earl Hawkins was born in Groom on October 2, 1961 to Glenda Lee and Jerry Milo Hawkins. He grew up in Clarendon.
He was a graduate of Clarendon High School and earned an associate degree from Clarendon College in 1982. He then attended Texas Tech University where he earned his B.S. degree in Animal Science in 1984 and his M.S. in Animal Breeding (Physiology of Reproduction) in 1986. He went on to earn a Ph.D in Physiology of Reproduction and Growth from Texas A&M in 1990, and completed an NIH Post-Doctoral fellowship at Colorado State University.
His career began in 1992 as a professor in Animal Science at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He married Jaye Erin Bearden on July 22, 1995 and they remained in Las Cruces until 2009 when he joined West Texas A&M and moved to Canyon.
Throughout his years, he was the recipient of many honors beginning with the Boy Scouts God and Country Award and achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He also received the Western section, American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), Young Scientist Award.
He served as a board member for the ASAS and was a reproductive consultant for several ranches in Arizona, Wyoming, Mexico, and New Mexico. He traveled widely for his work; he went to Mexico often, gave a speech in Dubai and also traveled to China.
Dean found his work at WT and NMSU very fulfilling. He was proud of all the things his students, faculty, staff and administrative teams accomplished during his tenure. Most recently, he was honored to have had a role in acquiring funding for the new WTAMU Agriculture Complex due to open in Fall of 2018. However, his most valued role as a university professor and administrator was the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students. At NMSU, Dean was advisor to 12 undergraduate student researchers, 16 graduate students and four Ph.D. students.
Above all, Dean valued Faith, Family and Friends. He adored his family and was always telling them how proud he was of each one of them.
Raising his beautiful twin daughters with his wife, Jaye, was his greatest and most treasured personal accomplishment. He was an outstanding father and husband.
Dean was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Milo Hawkins; maternal grandparents, Pete and Opal Borden; and paternal grandparents, Spud and Vera Hawkins.
Dean is survived by his wife, Jaye Erin Hawkins; twin daughters, Hannah Bryce Hawkins and Callie Dean Hawkins; his mom, Glenda Hawkins; brother, Doug Hawkins and wife, Daphne; three nephews, Brayden, Brigg and Josh Hawkins; his aunt Regina Wootten, uncle Jack Hawkins (Ann), aunt Gwen Cochran (Wendell) and several cousins.
Funeral Services for Dean were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Canyon. Graveside services followed at 3:00 p.m. at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
The family asks that donations be made to the Education Fund FBO of the Hawkins Twins at First United Bank of Canyon; the WTAMU Foundation Dean Hawkins Scholarship at WTAMU, Box 60766, Canyon, TX 79016; or the Dean Hawkins Scholarship Fund at Clarendon College, PO Box 968, Clarendon, TX 79226.
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