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Archives for April 2007

Sale of nursing home falls through

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A deal to sell the Medical Center Nursing Home fell through Monday after the prospective buyers, Ron and Sharon Wetzel, withdrew their offer for the facility.

Donley County Hospital Board Vice Chairman Don Thornberry said the Wetzels sent a letter to the board on Monday of this week and cited concerns about replacing the building’s roof and the costs associated with that work.

“I think maybe the more they thought about it, the more they didn’t want to take the chance,” Thornberry said.

The Wetzels, who own Palo Duro Nursing Home in Claude and are part owners of two assisted living centers, had offered $742,000 for MCNH, and local officials were in the process of accepting that offer.

At its April 17 meeting last Tuesday, the hospital board voted to hire an attorney to begin contract of sale negotiations with the Wetzels. The board also approved a motion to have a survey done of all of the hospital district’s property at the Medical Center Campus.

Thornberry said the district will move forward with the survey, and he said the district is also continuing to explore legal questions related to selling the nursing home. That includes legal questions associated with what a sale of the property might mean in terms of paying off approximately $1.3 million in bonds still owed for remodeling the nursing home.

How soon the bonds could be paid off and what that would mean for the hospital district tax rate are also still questions to be answered.

“We still need to know all that information,” Thornberry said.

Beyond that, Thornberry said the board has not decided what to do next in terms of selling the nursing home or keeping it under the hospital district.

Hospital board members have previously said that if the nursing home is not sold, it will likely have to be expanded in order to remain solvent as revenues remain constant while expenses continue to grow.

“Our consultant had recommended getting a professional firm to evaluate the value of the nursing home and possibly market it for us,” Thornberry said. “Or maybe we could make some [budget] cuts and hang in there if the wind farm [property tax] money comes in.”

Thornberry remained optimistic about the future of the facility.

“Everything generally works for the best,” he said, “and maybe this will lead us in a new direction.”

Mary El Dora “Tillie” Anglin

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Mary El Dora “Tillie” Anglin, 85, died Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in Amarillo.

Graveside services were held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2007, in Citizens Cemetery with Don Stone, Church of Christ minister from Clarendon, officiating.  Interment was also held at Citizens Cemetery. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Anglin was born April 15, 1922, in Brice, Hall County, Texas to William and Zettie Rae Rebreed.  She was a Wellington resident before moving to Clarendon in 1957.  She married Everett William Anglin on December 29, 1938, at Hollis, Oklahoma.  She and her husband had farmed and owned Anglin’s RV Park and Our Playhouse and Anglin Motel in Clarendon before their retirement.  She also was an art teacher and had owned Tillie’s Art Studio and belonged to several Panhandle area artist groups.

Over the years, she had won many awards for her art.  She was a long time member of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ.  She will be remembered as a fun person and as one who dearly loved life, art, and her family.

Mrs. Anglin was preceded in death by her husband on March 16, 2001, and by a brother and two sisters.

Survivors include two daughters, Kay Saied of Amarillo, Cindy Ellis of Claude; one son, Sammy Anglin of Clarendon; one sister, Grace Gregory of Dumas; a sister in law, Billie Rexrode of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

The family request memorials be to Roadrunner Home Heath Care, 6515 North 18th Street in Memphis, Texas 79245.

Lynn De Juan Abel

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Lynn De Juan Abel, born December 9, 1936, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2007, while traveling to France.

Visitation was held on Saturday, April 21 and funeral services were held Sunday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Greer Funeral Home Chapel in Mangum, OK, with interment at the Ladessa Cemetery, Greer County, Oklahoma, under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.

As an accomplished life-long musician, playing the accordion and many other instruments, De Juan attended Denver University’s Lamont School of Music, and sang barbershop as a long time member of SPEBSQA (Society of the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America).

After service in the US Marine Corps 1957-1960 he earned his college degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.  As the founder of Hexagon Honeycomb Corporation he became a modern day industrialist, epitomizing entrepreneurial ambition and independence by developing that company into the world wide leader in the production and distribution of structural paper honeycomb.  He was presented the St. Louis Small Business Association Businessman of the Year Award in 1991.

He passionately loved travel, conversation with anyone, and his family, which for him extended to second and third degree relatives, with all of whom he managed to maintain active contact.

De Juan married Carol Ann Coniff in 1960, and they had two sons, Corew Steven Abel and Andrew Craig Abel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver J. and Willie Abel of Clarendon, his older brother, Billy Dan Abel, and his sister, Donna.

He is survived by his former wife Carol Abel of Scottsdale, Arizona; his son Corey Abel and wife Jenni Jordan Abel, and their children, Audrey Lynn and Oliver Emmett of Denver, Colorado; his son Andrew “Andy” Abel of Hollywood, Florida; his brother, Philip C. Abel of Ft. Worth, Texas; and his long time companion Krisztina Toth and her son Daniel Antmann; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

To all who knew him he was a devoted father, uncle, and friend.

Peggy Carroll Smith

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Peggy Carroll Smith died Monday, April 16, 2007, in Newton.

Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2007, in Robertson Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, retired Baptist minister, officiating.  Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.  Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Smith was born January 4, 1934, in Hedley to William Wayne and Jessie Alice Carroll.  She was a resident of Clovis, NM, much of her life before moving to Newton several years ago.  She was educated in Portales, NM, and worked at Cannon Air Force Base for 19 years before her retirement.  She was a Baptist.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and five sisters.

Survivors include three sons, David Smith and wife Teri of Clovis, NM, Guy Smith and wife Barbara of Sedalia, CO, Larry Smith and wife Nancy of Highlands Ranch, CO; eight grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Hawkins, Estlack named distinguished alumni

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The Clarendon College Ex-Students Association bestowed its Distinguished Alumnus Award on two former students during the 69th annual Alumni Reunion last Saturday in the Bairfield Activity Center.

New Mexico State University Professor Dean Hawkins and the late Allen H. Estlack, Jr., of Clarendon were each recognized for professional and personal achievements, civic responsibility, and continuing support of Clarendon College.

Hawkins, a 1982 graduate of Clarendon College, is the son of Glenda and the late Jerry Hawkins and was raised on the CC campus and attended Clarendon schools. He went on to get his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Vocational Agriculture Teaching Certificate from Texas Tech University in 1984. He also received a Master’s of Science in Animal Breeding from Texas Tech in 1986 before getting his doctorate from Texas A&M University.

Hawkins did his NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Colorado State University from 1990 to 1992 before going to work at New Mexico State University where today he is a Professor of Animal and Range Sciences and a member of the Molecular Biology Program and the graduate faculty. He traveled as a speaker and expert in his field to Chihuahua, Mexico; La Paz, Mexico; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In addition to being a member of several professional organizations, Hawkins has received the A.M. “Tony” Sorenson, Jr., Achievement Award as Outstanding Graduate at Texas A&M, the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Meritorious Teaching Award, the American Society of Animal Science Young Scientist Award, the Alpha Gamma Rho Brother of the Century Award, Who’s Who Among America’s, and the Texas Tech University Horizon Award.

Hawkins lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with his wife, Jaye, and their twin nine-year-old daughters, Hannah and Callie.

Allen Estlack was raised in Clarendon and graduated from Clarendon High School in 1956. He spent a year attending Clarendon College before transferring to Texas Technological College where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics in 1961. He worked for West Texas Utilities Co. for 20 years before starting his own business, Estlack Electric, in 1981, and spent many years raising his sons in his trade. He also worked for The Clarendon Enterprise, where he performed several jobs.

Estlack spent his adult life as a champion of Clarendon College. He was a faithful attendee at the annual alumni reunions. He served on the Ex-Students Board and also served as the Ex-Student’s president. He frequently attended Bulldog basketball games and was a supporter of both athletic and academic programs. When budgets ran tight at the college, Estlack and his wife made donations to support the Biology Department, and Estlack also volunteered his time and talent to the poultry portion of the annual CC Invitational Judging Contest.

Estlack encouraged people to go to Clarendon College and to send their kids to Clarendon College. He was named as a “community ambassador” under CC’s Open Door campaign that encouraged people of all ages to continue their education at Clarendon College. He loved CC like his loved his hometown, and he also worked to promote Clarendon and Donley County through a wide variety of community service.

Estlack died June 18, 2006, at his home at the age of 68. He is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, Roger and Russell and their wives Ashlee and Scarlet; and three grandsons, Nathan, Benjamin, and Daniel. His son and fellow Distinguished Alumnus Roger Estlack accepted the award on his behalf.

City sales tax receipts up

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AUSTIN – Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said last week the state received $1.53 billion in sales tax revenue in March, up 11.9 percent compared to March 2006.

Clarendon’s sales tax figures climbed again with a total allocation of $20,256.10, up 7.4 percent compared to the same time last year.

The city’s year-to-date sales tax revenue figure edged up 2.17 percent to $92,622.41.

Howardwick’s figures were also up with an allocation this month of $1,063.19, reflecting an increase of 21.29 percent and pushing that city’s total for the year up 9.7 percent to $3,845.60.

The monthly allocation was down, however, for the City of Hedley, which fell 37.5 percent to $332.28. Hedley is down more than 18 percent to $2,460.94 for the year-to-date.

“The national economy is showing signs of a slowdown, particularly in the housing sector, but we are still seeing healthy growth in the Texas economy and a corresponding growth in state sales tax revenue,” Combs said.

Comptroller Combs sent April sales tax allocations of $272.4 million to Texas cities statewide, up 9.3 percent compared to April 2006.  Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are running 7.1 percent higher than last year.

State sales tax revenue for March, and April payments made to local governments last week, represent sales that occurred in February.

CC student reports being assaulted in dorm

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A reported sexual assault of a Clarendon College student is being investigated by the Donley County Sheriff’s Office this week, and officers are still looking for a suspect.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said his office was alerted to the attack Sunday, April 15, at 6:15 p.m.

The 18-year-old female victim told officers that a man, who was dressed in dark clothing and wearing gloves and a ski mask, entered her room in Knorpp Hall, revealed a gun, forced her to have sex, and left.

The young woman was examined at Northwest Texas Hospital, and Blackburn said all physical evidence available has been gathered in a manner that could be matched to a suspect.

But at press time a suspect had not been identified, and Blackburn was asking the public for help.

“If anyone has any information – no matter how small, please contact us,” he said.

CC President Myles Shelton said the college has taken steps to secure its residence halls since the attack and that no visitors are being permitted in the dormitories at this time.

“We want our students to be safe and secure,” Shelton said.

The attack, which came one day before a gunman at Virginia Tech murdered 33 students, is causing Clarendon College to review all of its safety procedures, the president said.

“Whether it’s the University of Texas in the 1960s or Virginia Tech or Clarendon College today, these things can happen any time, any where if we are not diligent in safety and security measures,” Shelton said.

College officials met with all residence hall students Monday and reviewed security measures and the steps CC is taking to provide security. The reaction among students has been mixed, Shelton said.

“Some are obviously very concerned for their safety and for the victim, and some are in a state of disbelief.”

CC contracts with the sheriff’s office to provide general campus security. The college does not have video surveillance of any residence halls, but Shelton said that option has been discussed in the past and may be brought up again.

Clarendon College does have emergency plans and crisis management procedures, but all of those policies will now be reviewed, Shelton said. Any revised policies could be in place by next school year, and the president could not say how long the new “no visitors” policy will be enforce.

Sam Hardy Barrow

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Sam Hardy Barrow, 88, of Big Spring, died on Thursday, April 12, 2007, in a local hospital.

Memorial services were held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, April 16, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Augustine Ypina, Hispanic Minister, officiating.

Sam Hardy Barrow was born in Sweetwater to A. B. and Mary Hardy Barrow. He was raised in Northwest Texas and lived with his mother and grandfather, G. S. Hardy, a Methodist minister. He graduated from Clarendon High School when he was 17 and was appointed to West Point by test scores and the recommendation of his U.S. Congressional representative.

Upon graduation in the Class of 1941, Sam was posted to Puerto Rico. After that assignment, he went to U. S. Army Infantry School. Sam commanded the 34th Division in combat at the end of World War II. In 1956, he was the Senior KMAC Advisor to the General officers of the 3rd and 9th Korean divisions.

Sam also served tours in ROTC staffs at the University of Virginia, as USCONARC at Edgeworth Arsenal and Fort Sam Houston. Sam retired in 1969. Sam was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Occupation Medal, Amercan Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Cross di Guerra (Italy), National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and Cross for War Merit. He earned a Master’s Degree from William & Mary following retirement.

Sam then moved to Rockport. Sam married Mary D’olif in 1958 and had three children, George Michael, Mary Karen and Sam Dennis.

 After that marriage ended in divorce, Sam married Ruth Causey and had two sons, William Warren and Charles Christopher. He has eight grandchildren.

After Ruth’s death, Sam married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Pete” Powell. The couple moved to Big Spring where they lived until his death. “This marriage was the highlight of my life”, Sam was quoted. “We participated as volunteers in community activities and civic causes. We enjoyed our children and grandchildren and lived our lives as lovers and best friends.”

Arrangements were under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

Ray Austin Pool

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Ray Austin Pool, 86, died Saturday, April 7, 2007, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, in the First Baptist Church in Groom with Reverend David Kelly, Pastor, officiating.  Interment was held in Groom Cemetery.  Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Pool was born September 5, 1920, in Groom, Texas, to Jinks and Thelma Mae Slay Pool.  He was employed by the US Atomic Energy Commission in Indian Springs, Nevada, from 1950 to 1984 when he retired.  He married Gaynelle McElroy on September 4, 1994, at Groom.  He was a US Air Force veteran of World War II, was a Master Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge, and had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Groom since 1933.

Mr. Pool was preceded in death by a son, Max Pool and a granddaughter.

Survivors include his wife, Gaynelle Pool of Groom; two daughters, Deane Dodson and Marylin Beck both of Las Vegas, NV; one son, Bobby Owen Pool of Las Vegas, NV; one sister, Maurine Strickland of Amarillo; one brother, Bob Pool of Groom; seven grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

The family requests memorials be to First Baptist Church in Groom.

Kenneth Eugene Banister

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Kenneth Eugene Banister, 74, died Thursday, April 5, 2007, in Claude.

Services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April, 2007, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Retired Baptist Minister, officiating.  Interment was held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.  Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Banister was born July 18, 1932, to Fletcher Elbert and Ollie Maggie Brown Banister in Hedley, Texas.  He married Leota Marshall on January 1, 1952, in Clarendon.  He had lived in Amarillo before moving to Claude 30 years ago.  He had worked for Amarillo Road Company prior to his retirement.  He was a lifetime member of the Panhandle Kennel Club, French Bulldog Club of America, and a charter member of the French Bulldog Club of Dallas/Ft. Worth.  He was a member of the first Baptist Church of Claude.

Mr. Banister was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kenneth Dwight Banister, on November 15, 1982; three brothers; and three sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Leota Banister of Claude; two daughters, Denise Compton and husband David of Hurst, and Donna Banister Spohn and husband Tony of Claude; one brother, Robert Banister of Cario, Georgia; one sister, Barbara Lee and husband Loy of Sanger; one granddaughter, Jennifer Bible and husband Charles of Sanche; five grandsons, Kenneth Compton and D.C. Compton both of Hurst, and June, Jonah, and Jacob Lara of Claude; one great-grandson, David “Peanut” Compton of Hurst.

The family requests memorials by to Valet Parking at BSA Hospital, BSA Hospice, or Claude EMS.

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