Lady Broncos defeated by last second shot
Many things worth giving thanks for
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season and appropriately is a time to pause and reflect on all the blessings that God has given us.
Sometimes it’s hard to see the good for the bad. I know it was that way last year for me after the loss of my mother. A deep loss like that can easily cloud your vision to the good things around you. But time heals our wounds, and faith strengthens us as the days go by.
So while last year I may have been hard pressed to come up with a list of things to be grateful for, this year is easier.
I’m thankful for my brother’s friendship. He has been there with me and for me throughout most of my life. He knows me better than most anyone, and we have shared many of the same trials. But we have also shared the good times, and still today we find ways to laugh at all manner of things.
Rocking my little girl is a blessing that I am realizing will not last forever. The day will come when she will be too old for Daddy to rock her to sleep. But for now, I acquiesce almost every time she asks because I need to rock her almost as bad as she needs me to rock her.
Reading to my little boy is an almost nightly thing I am thankful for. Sure we read many the same stories night after night. I can probably recite Officer Buckle & Gloria from memory. But he has pretty good taste in books, and I enjoy his inquisitiveness as he tries to figure out every aspect of every story.
My kids’ imaginations are a constant blessing in our family. Last night Ben put on his Lightning McQueen pajamas, then strapped on his belt and handcuffs, pinned on his sheriff’s badge, donned his cowboy hat, and mounted his stick horse. What a great way to end the evening! Ella often suddenly appears decked out in all sorts of “princess” wear… and sometimes she likes to dress up as the sheriff’s deputy.
My wife’s faith, love, and companionship I am constantly grateful for. I am not sure how I would have made it through the last four years without her. She can brighten my day and make me smile in the worst of the times. And the best of times… well, they are just that… the best of times. Thank you, Ashlee.
I’m glad that I have a job I love. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t stress me out from time to time, but for the most part I enjoy going to work. It’s nice to be active in the community and to have a job where we can try to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
I appreciate having roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in the pantry.
I’m lucky to have in-laws who have taken me in as their own. This happened I think before I got married, but it has become more evident since my parents passed away. I don’t get “son-in-law” cards on my birthday, for example. I get “son” cards. It seems like a simple thing, but it makes missing my own Mom and Dad a little easier on special occasions.
Speaking of Mom and Dad, I am thankful for my parents’ legacies. It’s nice when someone says, “I miss your Dad,” or “Your Dad did such and such for me,” or “Your Mom was a huge influence in the life of me (or my son or daughter),” or “Clarendon schools aren’t the same without your Mom.” They are still alive and with us in so many ways, and I am eternally grateful for that.
Quiet time to reflect on life’s blessings is another thing I am thankful for. When the kids are asleep or when I’m driving and I can just think about all the good things in life, it becomes obvious that God has blessed me and my family immensely.
I’m also thankful for simple things – Blue Bell ice cream, Clint & Sons beef jerky, Shiner Blonde (which isn’t as well known as Shiner Bock but is very, very good), Beringer’s White Zinfindel for all the special occasions, and good Scotch.
And on the topic of dining, I’m thankful for the dishes my mother taught me to cook because it brings her to life again every time I prepare one of her specialties. And I’m also grateful for all the good stuff my wife cooks (which is everything she cooks) because I love it and I know my kids will remember those home cooked meals in the future.
I am grateful for my community and my church and all the warm friendships that make living here such a joy. I cannot think of another place that I would want to raise my kids than Clarendon, Donley County, Texas, where you go to the bank or the grocery store and people speak to Ben and Ella by name.
And last but not least, I’m thankful for butterflies because something about them reminds me of Mom and I always think of her when I see one.
Yes, God has blessed me in many ways. And I am sure, if you take the time to write it down, you will find that he has blessed your life also.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
David Patterson
David Patterson, 75, of Canyon died Friday, November 19, 2010.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church in Canyon with the Rev. John McClean officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Brooks Funeral Directors.
David Patterson was born July 29, 1935, in Doyle, Okla., to John and Clara Burton Patterson. He was a graduate of Groom High School and then graduated from West Texas State University.
He completed his graduate work at Oklahoma University and did additional graduate work at Texas A&M University. He married Jackie Estlack on November 11, 1956, in Clarendon. He taught school in Hereford from 1960 to 1964 and was a professor of Mathematics at WTSU for 31 years, retiring in 1995.
David was a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He loved antique cars, bluegrass and country music and enjoyed traveling.
He was the founder of Panhandle Council of Car Clubs and was a member of Amarillo Antique Auto Club, Early V-8 Ford Club, Studebaker Club, Porsche Club and First United Methodist Church.
He founded the Make-A-Wish Car Show in Amarillo which has been held annually for 27 years now and has raised $2 million for the Children’s Make-A-Wish Foundation.He will be remembered for his great sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife, Jackie; a daughter, Marcella Cropper and husband Chris of Fort Worth; a grandson, James Wilson, of Fort Worth; two sisters, Shirley Sustaire and husband T.C., and Charlotte Aldy and husband Roy, all of Groom; his mother-in-law, Ruby Estlack of Clarendon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials to Meals on Wheels, 2616 13th Ave., Canyon, TX 79015; Make-A-Wish Foundation, 411 S. Fillmore St., Amarillo, TX 79101; High Plains Food Bank, 815 Ross St., Amarillo, TX 79102; or a favorite charity.
Billie Ruth Gaines-Law
Billie Ruth Gaines-Law, 66, died Thursday, November 18, 2010, in Clarendon.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 21, 2010, at the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Elder Jeff Riles, Elder Roy Williams, Elder Harry Williams, and Elder Ella Bowser, officiating. Interment followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Billie Ruth was born August 3, 1944, in Gilmer, Texas, to Leroy Lee and Rosie Lee Childs Wilson. She married Alton Gaines, Sr., on August 23, 1962, in Clarendon.
She has been a lifelong resident of Clarendon where she worked at Western Skies and Lowe‘s. She loved her family, was a dedicated mother and grandmother, and was known as the neighborhood mom. She loved gardening and all else that God blessed her with. She was a member of the True Church of God in Christ in Clarendon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather; her husband, Alton Gaines, Sr. on April 25, 1974; her son, Ben Gaines; and three sisters.
Survivors include her six sons, Alton Gaines, Jr., and wife Gina of Clarendon, Johnnie Gaines of Clarendon, Danny Gaines and wife Angie of Clarendon, Randy Gaines of Amarillo, Brent Gaines and wife Tasha of Amarillo, and Richard Gaines of Clarendon; her daughter, Glenda Wilson and husband Billy of Clarendon; her brother, Dale Childs of Amarillo; five sisters, Dorothy Hawthorne and Othella Bowie, both of Amarillo, Norma Lee and Estella Mae both of Orange County, Texas, and Carolyn Polk of Amarillo; 21 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren.
Owls fall short
Sanchez pleads guilty to assault
A man accused of committing sexual assault in the Clarendon nursing home was convicted of the crime last week.
Richard Sanchez entered a guilty plea in district court and was sentenced to eight years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Sanchez was sentenced for the second degree felony offense of sexual assault, enhanced to a first degree due to his previous criminal history.
Sanchez, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on March 12, 2010, and April 26, 2010. He was accused of sexually assaulting a resident of Community Care Center of Clarendon, where the Donley County Sheriff’s Office said Sanchez had worked for five years.
Sanchez was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on June 28, 2010, on three counts of sexual assault.
“The Donley County Sheriff’s office spent many hours investigating this case which resulted in this plea today,” said Inman. “Sheriff Blackburn and Chief Deputy Randy Bond provided this office with multiple tools to proceed due to the thorough investigations they conduct on each and every case. This area is fortunate to have such an experienced law enforcement staff.”
In addition to the sentence, Sanchez is also required to pay $1,797 in court costs.
District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Also last week, the court heard other pleas from two other defendants, resulting in convictions.
Timothy Wayde Wilson pleaded true to the allegation in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate Guilt of Defendant and was convicted and sentenced six years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
On July 29, 2009, Wilson pleaded guilty to the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation and the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on June 8, 2010, alleging six violations of community supervision. Wilson was sentenced to six years in the TDCJ and must pay $780 in court costs to Donley County, a $4,000.00 fine and $22,000 restitution.
Eddie Brian Defries (a.k.a. Edward Brian De-Fries) was placed on probation for a period of three years for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Defries is required to pay a $2,000 fine to Donley County, is required to pay $558 in court costs, and $140 restitution.
Services honor contributions of America’s veterans
The Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion hosted a service in Rowe Cemetery Thursday with Rev. Lloyd Stice, pastor of Clarendon’s First United Methodist Church, delivering the keynote address, and special services was held for those Missing in Action and still held as Prisoners of War.
Dick Bode of Alanreed later spoke at the Hedley School. He lived through five years of German occupation and later served in the US Air Force. He said Americans are “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
That evening, more than 300 people were at Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center for a candlelight vigil that recognized both the men and women who have served and are currently serving the United States. Several community members helped with the program, and Dr. John Howard, who is also a captain in the US Navy, delivered the keynote, which honored the real heroes of America and called for support not just for the fallen but also for the families of those still overseas and for those who come home permanently changed. Howard also drew attention to the need for better treatment of American veterans, particularly noting issues of health care and homelessness.
Another program was held last Wednesday at the Clarendon school, and the local VFW post provided free breakfast to veterans on Thursday.
Local girl rolls truck
A Clarendon girl remained hospitalized this week after she rolled her vehicle Sunday afternoon while using her cell phone.
Krista Reynolds, age 16, was in Lubbock’s University Medical Center in the pediatric ICU, her father, Steve Reynolds reported. She was texting and driving and not wearing her seat belt, he said.
DPS Trooper Chad Simpson said Reynolds was driving a 1998 Ford F-150 pickup and negotiating a curve on FM 2362 west of Clarendon when the right tires traveled off the roadway and into the south ditch. Reynolds overcorrected while steering to the left, went back onto the highway, and then over corrected to the right.
Simpson said the truck then slid sideways into the south ditch, rolled 2¾ times, and went through a fence before coming to rest on its right side in a pasture.
Reynolds was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled, Simpson said.
Responding to the accident in addition to the DPS were the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, Associated Ambulance Authority, the Donley County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Transportation.
Mr. Reynolds said his daughter was suffering from a broken pelvis and fractured vertebrae, but the family was considering it fortunate that her injuries were not much worse.
Donations are being accepted at all Clarendon banks to help the family deal with travel and other expenses during Krista’s hospitalization in Lubbock.
Picnic
Honoring our veterans
Reader Comments