The big winner!
Chamber seeking 2023 community award nominations
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for its annual community awards.
Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, for the following categories: Man of the Year and Woman of the Year – two individuals who have made a significant contribution to the community in 2023, Saints’ Roost Award – honoring an individual for a lifetime of service to the community, and the Volunteer Organization of the Year.
Honorees will be announced during the annual Awards Banquet, scheduled for Thursday, February 29, at the Bairfield Activity Center.
Written nominations should specify which award the person or organization is being nominated for and a brief paragraph stating the reason for the nomination. The nominations should be no more than one page in length.
Nominations can be mailed to the Chamber of Commerce at PO Box 986, Clarendon, TX 79226; delivered to the Clarendon Visitor Center inside the Mulkey Theatre; or emailed to Chamber@ClarendonTx.com.
Clarendon adopts fee for animal surrenders
The Clarendon City Council approved a new fee for animal control and took other actions during their meeting on December 21.
The amendment to Ordinance 491 would add a fee for surrendering animals to the city. The charge would be $50 for dogs and cats over six months old, and $20 for puppies and kittens. If the animal has not been spayed or neutered, there will be an additional charge of $27.50.
The city approved a budget amendment to allow $3,000 for improvements to the animal control building to bring it into compliance with state rules.
In other business, the council approved a letter of engagement with Foster, Lambert, and Foard for the fiscal year 2023 audit, and voted to allow City Administrator Brian Barboza to act on behalf of the city in protesting a rate increase by Southwestern Electric Power Company.
A proposal to replace the broken beacon at the Smiley Johnson Municipal Airport with a new LED fixture was also approved.
In his administrator’s report, Barboza said the new sewer lift station is operational but not quite complete, and he said an ADA inspection is set for the downtown revitalization work next week.
H’wick man sentenced for felony gun charge
A Howardwick man’s case was one of 13 heard by the district court on Tuesday, December 12, when it met in Carson County.
District Attorney Luke Inman, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding by assignment.
Ricky Wayne Caughey, 56, from Howardwick, was placed on six years’ probation for the third degree felony offense of deadly conduct discharging a firearm.
Caughey was arrested in Donley County by Swick for the offense that occurred on October 28, 2022. Caughey was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on January 30.
Caughey was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, $340 in court costs, and complete 200 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Caughey faces up to 10 years in prison.
Casper earns more NFR cash
LAS VEGAS – The dollars and cents of rodeo are starting to add up for saddle bronc rider and Clarendon College alum Wyatt Casper.
Through nine rounds at the National Finals Rodeo, he placed five times, the latest coming after an 86.5-point ride on United Pro Rodeo’s Awesome Sauce to finish in a tie for third place in the ninth round.
“Getting down to these last days, making as much money as you can is what it’s all about,” said Casper, a four-time NFR qualifier from Miami, Texas. “I’ve seen Awesome Sauce a bunch. I’ve never been on it, but all my traveling partners have. I knew he was going to be a pretty tough horse but probably one of the better ones in the draw; I was pretty excited to have him.”
The December 15 round featured the eliminator pen, the hardest-to-ride broncs at the NFR, but Casper was up to the task. It was his biggest payday so far. He was seventh in the aggregate race with 751 points on nine rides.
Heading into the 10th round, he had pocketed $63,241 in Las Vegas and was 10th in the world standings with $205,662. He was bucked off in the tenth round.
“We’re nine for nine now, and I think that’s the most I’ve ridden out at the NFR since we were in Arlington (Texas in 2020),” he said. “I’m pretty pumped about that.”
Cowboys arrive in the Nevada desert with rodeo’s gold on their minds.
To win that coveted buckle, it takes talent, consistency and a little bit of luck. Casper has the talent and proved his consistency, but he needed a little more luck in order to walk away with the world championship.
“Anytime you surround yourself with the top 15 of anything, it’s going to be pretty great,” he said of the field of bronc riders in Sin City this week. “I’m pretty lucky to be able to be around these guys in the locker room. There are guys in there like Zeke (Thurston) that were making the NFR before I thought I could even make the NFR. It’s pretty cool to look up to them, but they’re good competition and make it a lot of fun.”
That talented group of men is just one reason why Casper hadn’t made more NFR money. When he’s scored well and had a chance to take the top prize in a round, someone else had taken the luster from him. On December 15, Dawson Hay had already scored 86.5 to match Casper, but Lefty Holman was the last to go and was a point better. Thurston, the reigning and three-time world champion, won the round with an 88.5. Having the right horse matters just to get a check.
“You can go through the list and pick out who you feel sorry for and who got the better end of the draw,” said Casper, the 2016 intercollegiate champion while at Clarendon College. “I feel like I was one of the guys who got the better end of it tonight, so we just tried to capitalize on it.”
Every experience can be a lesson, and he’s received that this week.
“You just have to enjoy it while you’re here,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest lesson. We work all year to get here for these 10 days, so it’s best to just be patient. If it doesn’t work out, that’s OK. Just enjoy it.”
Producers can enroll now for 2024 coverages
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year starting Dec. 18, 2023. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.
On Nov. 16, 2023, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-22), which extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334), more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, through September 30, 2024. This extension allows authorized programs, including ARC and PLC, to continue operating.
“Having the Farm Bill extension in place means business as usual for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage program implementation for the 2024 crop year— nothing has changed from previous years,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “These programs provide critical financial protections against commodity market volatilities for many American farmers so don’t delay enrollment. Avoid the rush and contact your local FSA office for an appointment because even if you are not changing your program election for 2024, you still need to sign a contract to enroll.”
Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County (ARC-CO) or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual (ARC-IC), which protects the entire farm. Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.
If producers do not submit their election revision by the March 15, 2024, deadline, their election remains the same as their 2023 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the cropland.
Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
This fall, FSA issued payments totaling more than $267 million to agricultural producers who enrolled in the 2022 ARC-CO option and the ARC ARC-IC option for covered commodities that triggered a payment.
Payments through the PLC option did not trigger for the 2022 crop year.
ARC and PLC payments for a given crop year are paid out the following fall to allow actual county yields and the Market Year Average prices to be finalized. These payments help mitigate fluctuations in either revenue or prices for certain crops. Payments for crops that may trigger for the 2023 crop year will be issued in the fall of 2024.
ARC and PLC are part of a broader USDA safety net that also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.
Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products.
Producers on farms with a PLC election can purchase Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider; however, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm.
Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by an ARC election. Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election.
Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm.
Many universities offer web-based decision tools to help producers make informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations. Producers are encouraged to use the tool of their choice to support their ARC and PLC elections.
For more information producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact their local USDA Service Center.
Robert Jaramillo
Robert Jaramillo, 66, of Lelia Lake, Texas died Friday, December 8, 2023, in Amarillo.
Family Directed Memorial services were held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clarendon.
Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Robert was born December 13, 1956, in Clarendon to Epifanio and Guadalupe Quintana Jaramillo. He had been a longtime resident of Donley County and worked as a farm hand.
Robert was known for his love and appreciation of Rock music. As such, he had an extensive music collection. Though his music knowledge was impressive, his love and devotion to his siblings was unmatched. A naturally hard worker, he was always looking for opportunities to help his family. Robert gave us all memories for a lifetime and will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Carlos, Cleofes, and Joe.
He is survived by his brothers, Elias Jaramillo of Lelia Lake and Tony Jaramillo of Big Spring; his sisters, Faye Sanchez of Lelia Lake, Gloria Jaramillo of Lelia Lake, Angie Jaramillo of Howardwick, Mary Jaramillo of Lelia Lake, and Theresa J. David of Lefors; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gerald Ronald Lane,
Gerald Ronald Lane, 84, of Clarendon, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, in Amarillo.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 3, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood officiating. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Gerald was born on December 14, 1939, to Floyal Dean and Gladys Oleta (McGlockin) Lane. He was born and raised in Turkey, TX. Gerald was one of four children, and the older half of twins. He grew up very closely with his cousins in Turkey.
Gerald obtained his associate’s degree and later worked at the local Phillip’s 66 station, Peery and Dugan in Turkey for several years. After ranching for a period of time, Gerald began a career as a correctional officer for Texas Department of Criminal Justice where he retired after 10 years.
Gerald married Becky Ruth Spivey on August 15, 1971, in Memphis, and they had two children together.
The family moved to Clarendon in 1985 and have been members of the community ever since. Gerald was involved with the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.
Gerald enjoyed fishing, hunting, and reading western novels. He deeply loved his family and was very close to his cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyal and Gladys Lane; and two siblings, Jack and Jill Lane.
He is survived by his wife, Becky of Clarendon; son, David Ryan Lane; daughter, Mary Oleta Houghtaling and husband, Tim, of Dexter, New Mexico; twin sister, Gelene Proctor of Turkey, Texas; six grandchildren, Bethany Houghtaling and fiancé, J.E. Bruton, of Artesia, New Mexico, Marissa Corliss and husband, Wilse, of Lubbock, Trevor Houghtaling of Dexter, New Mexico, Thadius Ryan Lane of Houston, Lauren Jordan and Skyler of Hobbs, New Mexico, and Zoe Lane of Corsicana, Texas; five great-grandchildren, Jakob Houghtaling, J.E. Bruton, Jr., Pearl Bruton, Lilly Bruton, and Kennedy Jordon; nieces and nephews, Doyle Dean Proctor, Kirk Proctor, Delane Brown, Danny Spivey, Marci Spivey, Claudette Spivey-Tullis, and Michael Spivey.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo, Texas, The Parkinson’s Foundation, Clarendon Senior Citizens, or charity of choice.
George Winfred Self
George Winfred Self, 85, passed peacefully to his heavenly home Friday, October 13, 2023, at his sister’s home in Pampa, Texas. His loving daughter and son in law, Kristi and Larry Shade, along with Sheila White, his devoted sister-in-law, were by his side.
George was born the eldest of four children to George W. Self and Pearl Iwilla (Christie) Self on April 16, 1938 in Clarendon, Texas. George grew up on the family cotton farm in Hudgin community, a small community about 12 miles from Clarendon. He spoke frequently and fondly of playing with cousins, and neighboring kids. He was followed by the birth of three sisters. George took his role of big brother very seriously to his sisters Linda, Norma and Maudena. One remembrance he had was of ironing his little sister’s dresses. He dearly loved his little sisters and was a devoted son.
As a young man, George attended Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon and was, in fact, a founding member. The building had been a laundromat prior to the church acquiring the building. George spoke of the memory of moving out all the washers and dryers in order to create the sanctuary space. He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1956. He played in the band, ran track, and played football for one year. He was a studious student who excelled academically.
He met his wife, Marilee Smith, at a youth event at First Baptist Church of Lelia Lake when she was a senior in high school in Lelia Lake and George was in his first year at Clarendon College. They married on November 23, 1957. George completed a two-year degree at Clarendon College and then attended West Texas State in Canyon. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry and minors in Mathematics and Physics, in May 1967. Marilee attended Clarendon College while George started at West Texas State in Canyon in fall 1958. Marilee completed her college at West Texas State in 1961 and began her education career in Canyon as a first-grade teacher.
George and Marilee had three children while he attended college. He held down numerous jobs to support his growing family. While attending Clarendon College he drove an early morning school bus and ran the projector at the drive-in theater at night. After he started college in Canyon, he ran the movie projector in Canyon, and actually lived and slept in the theater for the year that Marilee was attending Clarendon College. He drove back to Clarendon to get his clothes washed and help his father-in-law, Leo Smith, on his cotton farm. In 1963, George started working at Pantex as a Senior Chemical Analyst. He received top government clearance from the 4th Army for this position. Upon George’s graduation, he selected a position with Ray-O-Vac Division, ESB Inc in Madison, Wisconsin. He remained with Ray-O-Vac from June 1967 to December 1973. His next position was in the mining industry as Chief Chemist with Ozark Lead in Salem, Missouri, from January 1974 to September 1976. He then continued in the mining industry with Kennecott Copper at the Ray Mine in Kearney, Arizona, from November 1976 to June 1982. He also worked for Inspiration Copper and ASARCO Copper prior to his retirement in 1996.
George accomplished his dream of obtaining his pilot’s license in 1971. He then purchased an interest in a Stinson as part of a partnership in 1972. Perhaps his most memorable flight was flying the family in his Stinson from Wisconsin to Clarendon in the summer of 1973. He got a big kick buzzing his in-laws’ house and seeing his mother-in-law, Mary Jane, frantically waving her apron from end of the driveway. Leo was so proud to have George fly him over the cotton crops and to sightsee from the air around Donley County.
After the family relocated to Missouri, George bought a Cessna 150. He owned that Cessna 150 for many years. Each time the family relocated; the Cessna came with them. He flew it from Missouri to Arizona and then upon retiring, George flew the Cessna to Clarendon.
In 1986, while living in Arizona, George discovered a 1946 J3 Piper Cub in a barn near his in-laws’ in Lelia Lake. George loaded it on a trailer and hauled it to Arizona, where he rebuilt it over span of several years. The Cub was in numerous pieces and needed a complete engine rebuild and he researched and mastered the art of replacing the fabric covering the wings and fuselage. He flew the Cub for many years in Arizona and then flew it to Clarendon after his retirement. George loved his Cub!
In addition to his love of flying, he enjoyed woodworking and did beautiful lathe work. George created lamps, vases, candle stick holders, bowls, and candy dishes. If you have a piece of George’s woodwork, you are a fortunate individual. He made many wooden toys for his grandchildren which are now cherished and loved by his great grandchildren. Another passion of George’s was rock collecting. He would never miss an opportunity to ride out in the Arizona desert in his Jeep to search for rock specimens. His collection was extensive, and he enjoyed discussing it with anyone who showed an interest.
He and Marilee shared a love for camping and spent much time touring Texas parks. They eventually parked their Airstream in Cimarron, NM, and established a tight friendship with a group of fellow campers over the course of several years.
George spoke many times of wanting a motorcycle and purchased one in his mid-fifties. He then drove it through Arizona mountains on long commutes to work for several years. He gave Marilee some of her gray hairs in those years.
He is survived by his three children, Kristi Shade (Larry), Mitch (Elena Self), and Brad (Yoshi Self), five grandchildren, Courtney Shade-McGinty (Ryan), Laura Shade-Walters (Clint), Mateo Self (Jessica), Nico Self, and Jeffery Self, and eight great-grandchildren: Parker McGinty, Molly McGinty, Lucy McGinty, Micah Walters, Jack Walters, Georgia Walters, Elliot Self and Anthony Self. He is also survived his sisters Norma Hinkle (Darryl), and Maudena Dunn (Joe), and his sister-in-law, Sheila White.
George and Sheila had a special relationship. She was only 18 months old when George and Marilee married. George could always count on Sheila for love and support. Sheila adored George and called him her “rock”. Sheila was George’s rock the last two years of his life. He looked forward to her phone calls to reminisce about the old days. The simpler days. She made frequent trips to visit George in Beaumont, Texas, where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Marilee, and his sister, Linda Lewis.
George cherished his role as Gigi George to his great-grandchildren. His granddaughter, Courtney McGinty, facetimed routinely for George to visit with Parker, Molly and Lucy. He enjoyed hearing Parker telling him all about his latest hockey win. Molly and Lucy would entertain him with their latest dance and gymnastic moves. The McGinty family traveled from Ohio to celebrate Gigi George’s 85th birthday! He got to What a grand time he had! Laura Walters, his youngest granddaughter, Facetimed almost daily. Micah and Jack were always full of squeals and high energy! George delighted in hearing “Hi Gigi George! Watch me do this!”
When Laura announced her pregnancy, George was hoping hard for a little girl. He spoke many times of likely names for the little girl that he just knew Laura would have. They chose not to know the gender till birth. Imagine his delight in learning that indeed it was a girl, and her name was Georgia! He was able to see his little namesake in person when his daughter, Kristi, and son in law, Larry, drove him to Dallas. He wanted Georgia to know how much he loved her even though she would have no memory of him.
George made many friends along life’s way. Everyone who knew George knew him as extremely kind, loving, and generous. He was a gentle and peaceful man with an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. George understood that the time and effort spent to love and honor someone was always time well spent, and always rewarded. George had a Christian love for all in his life. He was a loving husband and devoted father, worthy of respect and honor. He was the friend you could always count on.
George was laid to rest in Clarendon Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Tunnels to Towers.
Charline Mozel Mays
Charline Mozel Mays, 88, of Clarendon went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 in Clarendon, Texas.
Services will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 22, 2023, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood and Rev. Allen Posey, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas.
Viewing will be held Thursday with family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 PM at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Charline was born August 10, 1935, to Curtis and Vera Oakley Johnson. She married Loyd Alton Mays on January 22, 1953, in Clarendon. She was a lifetime resident of Clarendon. Charline worked hard throughout her life. She worked for Texas Department of Transportation from 1977-2003, 20 plus years at Allsup’s, and the Clarendon College Cafeteria.
While Loyd was deployed for work, Charline was a dedicated wife and mother and took care of the household as well. She was a member of the Red Hatters Club and VFW Auxiliary. Charline dedicated her life to the service of other people and enjoyed the young people at Clarendon College. Charline instilled Christian values in her children at a young age. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Clarendon where she loved serving in the nursery. She loved her family very dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2006; and a brother, Owen Johnson.
Survivors include her son, Lynn Mays and wife Laura of Howardwick; her daughter, Deena Robison and husband Claud of Howardwick; a brother, Mike Johnson of Clarendon; a sister, Beth Johnston of Clarendon; her grandchildren, Ryan Robison, Jeff Eigenmann, and Erica Eigenmann; her great grandchildren, Chloe Robison, Rose Eigenmann, and Brooke Eigenmann; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to First Baptist Church in Clarendon, Alzheimer’s Association or Citizens Cemetery Association.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
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