Clarendon Live

The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.

This Week

Charlie C. “Blackie” Johnson

by Leave a Comment

Charlie C. “Blackie” Johnson, 88, of Memphis passed away Monday, July 28, 2025, in Memphis.
Charlie C. “Blackie” Johnson

Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Hedley Church of Christ. Burial followed in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Blackie was born on January 21, 1937, in Hedley to Walter Cleveland and Gladys Clementine Johnson. He married Shirley Faye Jones on January 17, 1959, in Hollis, Oklahoma. A lifelong resident of Donley County, Blackie moved to Memphis in 1998.
A true cowboy at heart, Blackie spent many years rodeoing, riding broncs and bulls, and later served as a rodeo judge. He also enjoyed attending motocross races with his family to watch his son compete. He worked in real estate and served as a Tax Appraiser for several years, as well as working for many years at Bolin Grain Elevator in Clarendon. While employed at the Paymaster Cotton Oil Mill, he was awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal of Honor for saving a life.
From 1984 until his retirement in 1998, Blackie served as Donley County Constable. Known for his vibrant personality, he loved his cows, enjoyed teasing friends and neighbors, and was always ready with a prank. He was once recognized as one of the Panhandle’s most colorful characters by the Amarillo Globe-News.
Blackie was also deeply involved in his community. He served as President of both the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association and Memphis Meals on Wheels, and was a member of the Donley County Appraisal District Board of Directors. A devoted member of the Hedley Church of Christ, he led congregational singing for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, W.C. Johnson; and a sister, Velva Gibson.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Johnson of Memphis; his son, Tom Johnson and wife Carol of Quanah; his daughter, Sherryl Byars and husband Brad of Giles; his grandchildren, Jared Johnson and wife Melissa, Alex Johnson and wife Kelsie, all of Shallowater, Kendra Martin of Memphis, Matt Martin of Giles, and Wacie Decker and husband Shane of Clarendon; step-grandchildren, Kendell Williams and husband Jakob of Childress, Kade Byars and wife Bailee of Lakeview, and Kye Cogdell and husband Colton of Silverton; 9 great-grandchildren with one on the way; a nephew, Roger Gibson and wife Trudi of Canton, Oklahoma; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family requests that memorials be made to Memphis Meals on Wheels or Westview Boys Home in Hollis, Oklahoma.

Christine (Chris) Jean Paschall Palmer

by Leave a Comment

Christine (Chris) Jean Paschall Palmer was born under a full moon in Wellington in the early morning hours of September 11, 1954, and passed away peacefully in hospice care in Abilene, Texas on July 24, 2025.

Christine (Chris) Jean Paschall Palmer

She was preceded in death by her loving parents M.W. (Ike) Paschall Jr. and Alma Jean Green Paschall of Wellington; grandparents M.W. and Florence Paschall of Memphis, Texas; Lewis and Christene Green of Wellington; and niece Tina Paschall Fuller of Amarillo, Texas.

She is survived by daughter Jamie Dawn Palmer Diamond and spouse Rickey of Abilene Texas, son Brian Terry Palmer of Abilene, brother M.W. (Max) Paschall III and spouse Bonnie of Clarendon, Texas; and Rex Paschall of Dallas; 2 nieces, 1 nephew, and a total of 17 first cousins. She is also survived by her former husband, Terry Lynn Palmer of Roby, Texas, the father of their children.

Following graduation from Samnorwood High School in Collingsworth County, Texas, she journeyed to Sweetwater, Texas to pursue a degree in dental hygiene at Texas State Technical College. One day after school while “out on the town” with her girlfriends she met her future husband, Terry. After a brief courtship the couple soon married taking residence at the old Palmer farm house in the Royston community in Fisher County, Texas, a few years later they relocated into the “city” of Roby at which time the new family was blessed from God with two wonderful children, Jamie and Brian.

In order to better address the special educational needs of Brian and while the children were still young, she relocated her family to Abilene, after which she traveled the state spending tireless hours being an advocate for autistic children. She also was very enthusiastic about Jamie’s ballet and gymnastic pursuits, offering encouragement and ferrying her to multiple statewide competition events.

As the children grew and became more self-reliant she had more free time. This allowed her to work part-time at the Natural Food Center-Restaurant in Abilene where she served-up delicious natural and organic food. Last but not least, throughout her lifetime, she enjoyed tending to her pets as well as playing and teaching the piano.

There was be a Memorial Service on Wednesday, July 30, at 2 pm at Roby Church of Christ with internment following. Burial to follow at Roby Cemetery.

CCISD reboots super search, shuffles admins

by Leave a Comment

Clarendon CISD has reorganized its administrative team while it reboots its search for a new superintendent.

After none of its three superintendent finalists were selected for the job, a new search will be undertaken.

Interim Superintendent Rick Teran said the three finalists just weren’t the right fit for the school and so the board decided to conduct a new search.

The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) will continue to handle the search at no extra cost to the district, Teran said. The school will re-advertise the position beginning in October.

In addition, another school administrator is leaving the district. Clarendon High School Principal John Moffett has accepted the job of superintendent at Hart ISD effective August 18, Teran said.

Elementary and junior high counselor Erin Shaw is taking the job of being principal for both CHS and Clarendon Junior High, and CJH Principal Jenifer Pigg is moving to the elementary principal position.

The school has also dealt with an issue of mold in the high school building over the past week. Teran said two classrooms and the auditorium were locked up after carpets were cleaned but not before the carpets were dry, which resulted in a mold outbreak. Remediation of the mold has already been conducted, and Teran said the district was awaiting results of a second test for mold before moving forward with installing new carpet in those rooms this week.

Teran said all work should be completed in time for classes to start. CCISD students return next Wednesday, Augsut 13, with registration this week on Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8.

Enterprise earns wins national recognition

by Leave a Comment

The National Newspaper Association has recognized The Clarendon Enterprise for outstanding journalism during the NNA’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.

The Enterprise was recently notified that it has received a second place award and two honorable mentions from the NNA, awards that will be presented during the association’s annual conference this October in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Editorials focused on anti-abortion activist Mark Lee Dickson’s efforts to pass an ordinance in Clarendon won the Enterprise Second Place Best Editorial in the Non-daily Division for papers with print circulations less than 2,000. The paper also received Honorable Mention in the same division for Best Reporting on Local Government for its coverage of the Clarendon City Council during Dickson’s efforts.

The Enterprise was also recognized with Honorable Mention for Front Page Design.

There were 1,546 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and 196 entries in the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest for a total of 1,743 entries. There were 712 awards won by 102 newspapers in 33 states.

Judges praised the publications for engaging their community, keeping them informed, and providing commentary that keeps a paper at the heart of the community.

The Wyoming Press Association was awarded the sixth annual “Best of NNA” Award for their 119 winning entries, beating out California with 88 wins and Texas with 56 wins. This is their fifth award for excellence in editorial and advertising.

The winner’s book and a list of awards by newspaper are available here: https://www.nnafoundation.org/better-newspaper-contest.

Judging was performed primarily by active community newspaper editors and publishers, as well as retired university journalism professors and retired or former newspaper professionals. A judge said, “Stories like this remind readers why newspapers continue to play an important role in their daily lives.”

Established in 1885, the National Newspaper Association (NNA) is the voice of America’s community newspapers and is one of the largest newspaper associations in the country. The NNA Foundation (NNAF) is the educational arm of the NNA. Its mission is to promote news literacy, protect the First Amendment, and enhance the quality, role and capabilities of community newspapers and community journalists.

Senior Citizens plan 50th anniversary

by Leave a Comment

The Donley County Senior Citizens will hold their 50th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser Saturday, August 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 115 E. 4th.

Activities will include dinner and a show, music, cowboy poetry, comedy skits, a 50/50 raffle, and a quilt raffle.

Cookbooks will be for sale also.

Bring your chair, appetite, and a sense of humor to celebrate this milestone.

CCISD plans Back to School Bash

by Leave a Comment

The Clarendon CISD Parent, Family & Community Back to School Bash will be held Monday, August 11 in coordination with Meet the Teacher Night and Meet the Broncos.

Clarendon Elementary School parents and students will meet at the Colt Gym at 5:00 for a brief Title I meeting prior to meeting their teachers. Students with last names beginning with N-Z will meet their teachers immediately following the meeting until 5:35. Students with last names beginning with A-M will meet their teachers from approximately 5:40 -6:00.

All elementary students and their parents are invited to go over to the stadium after meeting their teachers.

Clarendon JH teachers will be in their rooms to greet and meet their students from 5:00-5:30 and then students and their parents can go over to the football field.

All parents, students and community members are invited to the Back to School Bash at the stadium from 5:45 – 6:45. Everyone is invited to come out and eat a BBQ sandwich beginning at 5:45.

Organizations will be selling homemade ice cream, tea, and lemonade. Those in attendance can sign-up that night for Adopt-A-Bronco, Little Miss Cheer and Donley County 4-H. Games will be available for kids to play until 6:45.

The District will hold its annual Title I meeting that evening at 6:30. The evening will wrap up with the annual Meet the Broncos event starting at 6:45.

Dirt work begins on St. Mary’s

by Leave a Comment

Dirt work began last week on the new St. Mary’s Catholic Church  after nine years of planning and fundraising.

Building committee member Chriss Clifford said the new 80-foot by 40-foot church building will extend from the west end of the Parish Hall, which was completed in 2016. She estimates construction will take six to seven months to complete.

“I’d like to be in by Christmas, but I don’t know if it’s possible because we were behind starting dirt work,” Clifford said.

St. Mary’s original 1892 building was demolished in 2019 after it was found to be structurally unsound and unsavable following a 2016 incident where a car ran into the historic structure.

Artist’s conception of the new St. Mary’s Catholic Church building.

The new church will have several features of the original building, Clifford said. The stained-glass windows were saved and will be reinstalled in the new church, some original bead board will be included in the new narthex, and the original altar and prayer rail will also be utilized.

Fundraising for the new church has been going on since 2016 and will continue this Friday, August 8, with a St. Mary’s Fish Fry from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 510 E. Montgomery.

With construction started on the new church building, everyone is asked to please enter through the east door of the Parish Hall.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children. Proceeds benefit the church building fund. Call-in orders are welcome at 806-874-3910.

Pantex breaks ground on new Environmental Sampling Facility

by Leave a Comment

The skyline at Pantex continues to change with the addition of the new Environmental Sampling Facility. Replacing the existing space used for Environmental Project’s sampling, well maintenance activities, and Industrial Hygiene‘s Field Sampling Lab, the 11,000-square-foot facility will move the labs closer to the people and infrastructure they support — adding much-needed storage for samples and lab instruments.

The Environmental Sampling Facility, with an estimated investment of approximately $28 million, will provide two new labs, office space, and a parking lot.

“This facility will be extremely beneficial to the people in Environmental and Industrial Hygiene,” Environment, Safety, and Health Division Director Harry Gulley said. “Both groups will be housed in a centralized location on plant site, which will improve efficiency by having equipment and teams in one place. This groundbreaking is exciting for ES&H as we continue safely serving Pantex’s mission.”

The new Industrial Hygiene lab will be used to process samples from all areas of the plant to ensure the safety of Pantexans.

Lab personnel play a key role in overseeing personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements and closely monitor plant operations for safety.

The Sampling and Analysis Lab will support sampling on- and off-site for Environmental Projects, Environmental Compliance, and Waste Operations — ensuring that Pantex complies with environmental regulations and DOE requirements.

“It takes a lot of people doing many different things to make sure every unit meets a very high set of standards,” PanTeXas Deterrence President and General Manager Kelly Beierschmitt said. “Investing in our facilities is also investing in our people. We take great pride in our people. We expect them to safely perform at the highest level to deliver the mission with excellence.”

“The construction of the Environmental Sampling Facility is an investment in Pantex’s future,” Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong said. “This facility will provide us with the tools and resources we need to strengthen our environmental stewardship, protect our workforce, and support our national security mission. We are confident that this facility will have a positive and lasting impact on Pantex, our community, and the environment.”

Other construction projects currently underway or in the planning stages include the High Explosives Science and Engineering Facility; the High Explosives Synthesis, Formulation, and Production Facility; and the newly funded Gas Lab.

Timeless Values: Music and video celebrate old-fashioned themes

by Leave a Comment

Garre LaGrone kneels next to Monroe Newhouse, Kylee Glover, and J.T. Shelton in front of the Mulkey Theatre following the shooting of his music video for the new song, “Old Yeller.” ENTERPRISE Photo

By Elaina Estlack, The Clarendon Enterprise

It was just a normal Saturday matinee showing of “Old Yeller” at the Mulkey Theatre in 1964, but for eight-year-old Garre LaGrone, the experience would last a lifetime.

Sixty-one years later, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, three young kids were given the opportunity to star in a music video at the Mulkey Theatre for the Grass Daddies, a bluegrass band. The song, entitled “Old Yeller,” was written by LaGrone, the band’s lead singer. He took inspiration from the film of the same name, focusing on the morals and themes presented throughout, rather than the movie itself.

“It’s got a great message of old-fashioned values and hard work – that life’s not perfect,” LaGrone said. “ You get knocked down, but you’ve got to get back up.”

LaGrone was born in Amarillo in 1956 and grew up in Canyon, but he has always had ties to Clarendon. His parents, Betty Thompson LaGrone and Odell LaGrone, grew up in Clarendon, and he had several family members in Clarendon.

“All of my school years were in Canyon, first grade through high school,” LaGrone said. “My mother and dad grew up in Clarendon. That’s my connection with Clarendon.”

LaGrone’s interest in music began at a young age, singing with his choir at the First Baptist Church in Canyon. He grew up with several influences in music, but the most significant was his grandfather, Jake LaGrone.

“He was probably the biggest influence on me when I was growing up,” LaGrone said. “He was an old-time fiddler and on my album there’s a song called ‘A Little Fiddlin’. That song was written about him.”

LaGrone’s only formal music education was piano lessons, which only lasted a week.

“The lady got so frustrated with me that I wasn’t trying to read the music,” LaGrone said. “I was just trying to figure it out.”

LaGrone went on to teach himself the piano, keyboard, and guitar.

“I never could read a note of music ever,” LaGrone said. “I just played by ear.”

As a kid, LaGrone attended several movies at the Mulkey Theatre in Clarendon while visiting relatives, but the most impactful was “Old Yeller.”

“I just always loved it, the story of the movie,” LaGrone said. “Sometimes, life’s not fair, but you just got to look at the good instead of the bad.”

It was this experience that inspired him to write the song and record the music video at the Mulkey. He was given the opportunity to have local kids Monroe Newhouse, Kylie Glover, and J.T. Shelton act in the video. Newhouse was the main star and is actually a distant cousin of LaGrone, bearing a resemblance to an eight-year-old LaGrone.

“He’s about the same age I was when I saw the movie,” LaGrone said. “He looks a little bit like I looked back then. He is so cute.”

The kids fit their roles perfectly, needing little to no direction for lines and scenes.

“They just acted it out perfectly. It was so cool,” LaGrone said. “It was just a God thing. It was meant to be.”

The video takes the viewers back in time to that Saturday in 1964 with “Old Yeller” on the big screen at the Mulkey. It pays homage to

LaGrone and his friends watching the film for the first time and how impactful that day truly was.

This, however, was not the original plan. At first, all LaGrone wanted was a few pictures of the Mulkey marquee to use in the video, but everything started to coalesce to create an entire story in the theatre. They were able to use the original ticket booth and concession stand, the same one used by LaGrone all those years ago, as well as a recreation of the original “Old Yeller” movie poster.

“It all just came together. It was really special,” LaGrone said. “It really turned out great.”

Editor’s Note: The “Old Yeller” song is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music. The video can be seen at MulkeyTheatre.com.

Sentences issued in three district court cases

by Leave a Comment

A Temple woman was sentenced in a Donley County felony case when the district court met via Zoom on July 17.

District Attorney Luke Inman, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the case for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Dale Rabe, Jr., presiding from the bench.

Lanette Dichell Porter, 40, from Temple, Texas, was sentenced to seven years in prison for the third degree felony offense of assault on a public servant. Porter was arrested for the offense in Donley County on April 18, 2024.

Porter was originally placed on ten years probation on May 13, 2024.

On March 11, the State filed its motion requesting the court to revoke Porter’s probation, alleging 14 violations of her conditions of probation. Porter pleaded true to the violations of her community supervision.

Porter was also ordered to pay the remaining $500 fine and $290 court costs.

Two other Donley County cases were adjudicated when the court met in Childress on June 26, again with Inman and Caudle prosecuting and Judge Rabe presiding.

John Robert McAllister, 43, from Memphis, Texas, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the second degree felony offense of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, enhanced to a first degree felony.

McAllister was arrested in Donley County by Sheriff Butch Blackburn on October 6, 2024, and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on January 27.

McAllister was also ordered to pay $290 in court costs.

Cruz Viedo Gonzalez, 31, from Santa Ana, Calif., was sentenced to three years in prison for the third degree felony offense of evading arrest with a motor vehicle.

Gonzalez was arrested in Donley County by DPS Trooper Nathan Bozeman on December 29, 2024, and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on March 24.

Gonzalez was also ordered to pay $305 in court costs.

Verified by MonsterInsights