Archives for April 2009

S.J. “Shorty” Smith, 80, died on Saturday, March 28, 2009, in Amarillo.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, in The Chapel at Fairview Cemetery in Memphis with Rev. Bryan Knowles, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Smith was born April 16, 1928, in Lakeview to Frank W. and Della Braddock Smith. He married Mildred Louise Stevens on April 8, 1961. He had been a resident of Memphis for more than 20 years. He worked for the Texas Highway Department and worked at Memphis, Dalhart, and Perryton, where he retired in 1983. He was an avid fisherman. He was a member of Travis Baptist Church in Memphis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jerry Smith; a brother, Homer Smith; and a sister, Lucille Watts.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Smith of Amarillo; a son, Steve Smith and wife Wanda of Clarendon; a daughter, Janie Salzman and husband Brad of Farmington, NM; a step son, Tommy Henson; a stepdaughter, Peggy Crump and husband Kenneth of Amarillo; a sister, Frankie Adams of Midland; eight grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Mary Lee Longan, 87, died Sunday, March 29, 2009, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories with Wes Latham, officiating. Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Longan was born in Winnewood, OK on December 15, 1921, to Jeff and Rita Wilkins Losson. She married P.C. “Chuck” Longan on April 21, 1940, in Shamrock. She was a cotton farmers wife and raised eight kids. She was a great cook and also cooked at the Donley County Senior Citizens for several years. She was a great mother and always provided. She enjoyed to dance. She was an honorary member of the FHA, and active in the 4-H program. She loved her family, children, grandchildren, and animals. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck on May 6, 1990; her parents; a son, Bob Longan; and a brother, J.J. Losson.

Survivors include four sons, Gary Longan of Gallup, NM, John Longan and wife Hazel of Allendale, SC, Tom Longan of Lelia Lake, Bill Longan and wife Karen of Munday; 3 daughters, Sandra Longan of Pampa, Linda Dunham of Clarendon, and Marcia Mattes of Kansas City, MO; a daughter-in-law, Alice Longan of Houston; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and a beloved dog, Happy.

The family requests that memorials be to the Donley County Senior Citizens.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Darrell Rowe Hood, 41, died Saturday March 21, 2009, in Seabrook.

Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Arrangements were by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St.

Darrell was born in Amarillo on July 27, 1967, to Floyd and Alice Hood.  He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1985, while working on Paul and Linda Bell’s ranch. Darrell then began his career with Casteel Automatic Fire Protection, Inc. in Amarillo, Texas sweeping the floors of the shop. He married Serena Fain on July 25, 1992 and became father to Yancy Olivas-Hood. Together, they had one daughter Vandala Renee, on November 26, 1993. They then moved to Georgetown, Texas, living there for several years. In 2001 Darrell and his family moved to Houston, where he became Vice President of Casteel Fire Protection.  Darrell was known for his strong will to succeed and accomplished whatever he set out to do. Following in his father’s footsteps, Darrell joined the Masonic Lodge in 1995. He was raised to the degree of Master Mason and remained a proud member of the Clear Lake Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M..

Survivors include his mother Alice Hood; wife Serena Hood; son Yancy Olivas-Hood; daughter Vandala Hood; two brothers, Don Hood and Leonard Ahlstrom; four sisters Donna Napier, Delphina Major, Debra Cheeves, Bekki Coll; several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Kenneth Casteel, owner of Casteel Automatic Fire Protection, Inc., for being the close friend that Darrell admired and looked up to, as well as an employer and friend to the family.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask that you consider a donation to the Darrell Hood Memorial Fund at Moody National Bank located at 2338 Nasa Road One, Seabrook, Texas 77586.

Nell V. Smith Derr, of Bartlesville, Okla., formerly of Clarendon, died Friday, March 27, 2009, at age 91.

Graveside services were held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, in the Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, Texas with Rev. Ray O‘Quinn, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Nell V. Smith Derr was born September 22, 1917, at Oakley, Tenn. the daughter of Leo Kirby Smith and Mattie Sidwell Smith. Her family moved to Granite, Okla. where she met and married Elbert Marion Derr on February 22, 1936. Elbert and Nell were married for 54 years until his death on December, 19, 1990. She moved to Dewey, Okla. in 2006. Nell loved to garden, fish, play bingo, and watch her favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elbert and five brothers and sisters, Omar, Paul, Noreen, Jessie and Gladys. Survivors include her son Marion Bill Derr and his wife Frankie of Bartlesville, OK; two grandchildren Randy Derr and his wife Jeanne of Bartlesville, Okla. and Kent Derr and his wife Carol of Sinking Springs, PA; five great-grandchildren, Erik Derr and his wife Linda of Chicago, IL; Jennifer Derr of Oklahoma City, Okla.,; Ryan and Josh Derr of Sinking Springs, PA; one sister, Robbie Smith of St. George, Utah.

The family requests memorials be to Carter Hospice, 3081 S.E. Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Jimmy Vonn Carter, 69, died March 26, 2009, in Amarillo.

Jimmy Vonn Carter was born in Donley County, on April 28, 1939 to Amul and Clara Carter. Jimmy graduated from Clarendon Jr. College in 1959 and West Texas State University in 1962 with a degree in Art. He owned J Vonn Studios in Amarillo. Jimmy was a talented and successful artist. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Clarendon. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his son, Jay Carter and wife Sherri of Joshua; two brothers, Garth “Red” Carter of Clarendon, and Neel Carter of Miami; three grandchildren: Sam Carter of Canyon, Jacob Carter, and James Fowler both of Joshua.

Theda “Penny” Butts, 83, died Thursday, March 26, 2009, in McLean.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Dave Stout , Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Howardwick, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Butts was born January 26, 1926, in Oklahoma to Virgil Guy and Lula Gibson Featherston. She married O.A. “Al” Butts on September 13, 1947, in Oklahoma. She was a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows Rebekah Lodge #149 IOOF from 1982-1988. She was recognized for outstanding service to the Dietary Department of Medical Center in Clarendon. She had been a resident of Howardwick for the past 30 years. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Milford Featherston; and a sister, Guila Parker.

Survivors include her husband, Al Butts of Howardwick; a son, Dave Butts of Howardwick; a daughter, Trisha J. Beach and husband Ronnie of Olathe, KS; a sister, Mildred Morris of Oklahoma; 3 grandchildren, Jessi Beach of Los Angeles, Calif., Sarah Kershner and husband Ben of New Britain, CT, and Alissa Adkinson and husband Grant of Amarillo; and three great grandchildren, Audrey, Ethan, and Emma.

The family requests memorials be to the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department, 247 Rick Husband Blvd., Howardwick, TX 79226.

Milo A. Baker died on March 22, 2009, at age 87.

Mr Baker was born March 11, 1922, North of Leedey, Okla. to Oliver Perry Baker and Mary Ellen Bales Baker. Milo’s childhood years were spent growing up on the family farm north of Leedey. He attended Leedey Public Schools, graduating from Leedey High School with the class of 1940. On June 21, 1941, Milo married Norma Lee Tuck at Woodward, Okla. Perry Baker and Mildred Mae Mathes were attendants; guests were Nellie Zelle and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Perry Baker. The couple made their first home in Leedey before moving to Wichita, Kansas for work. In September of 1942, Milo joined the United States Army and proudly served his country for three years. While in the Army, he received the rank of Technician 4, combat engineer as part of the 169th Engineer Battalion. Milo was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and a Service Ribbon along with four Bronze Service Stars. On September 30, 1945, he was honorably discharged and returned home to his loving wife in Camargo, Oklahoma. Milo remained in the reserves for many years continuing his education as a mechanic. The couple was blessed with the birth of their two daughters, Janeva Kay and Nelda Marie. They made their home in several locations including El Reno, Okla., Mulvane, Kansas, and Altus, Okla. before returning to Camargo, where they lived for the next 48 years.

In addition to a lifetime of farming and ranching, Milo worked as a mechanic at the Camargo filling station and retired as a Gas Field Operator from Western Farmers Electric. He and Norma liked working as a team, side by side, on their farm, and they spent many wonderful years together.

Milo enjoyed many things in life but especially raising cattle, country dancing, traveling to see the countryside, the local coffee shop, and time spent with his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the American Legion. On October 28, 1990, at the age of 68, Milo was baptized along with his grandson, Travis. He later became a member of the Camargo Christian Church where he and Norma attended faithfully.

Milo was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Mary Baker; two brothers, Jay and Levi Baker.

He is survived by his wife Norma Lee Baker of Camargo, Okla.; two daughters, Janeva Kay Newell and husband Larry of Bethany, Okla. and Nelda Marie Woodard and husband Jerry of Clarendon; three grandchildren, Tarina Woodard of Lewisville, Texas, Travis Woodard and wife Claire of Holbart, Oklahoma, Lance Newell and wife Cristy of Oklahoma City, Okla.; two great-grandchildren, Ian and Elise Newell of Oklahoma City, Okla.; brother, Perry Baker and wife Jettie of Pryor, Okla.; brother-in-law Ben Zelle and wife LaMona of Arnett, Okla.; several nieces, nephews, other family and a host of friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Camargo Community Center, P.O. Box 38, Camargo, OK 73835.

Robert Ray Allison, Sr., 84, died Monday, March 23, 2009, in Bloomington, Minn.

Mr. Allison was born Oct. 10, 1924, to Robert Carl and Florence Pearl Allison. He was raised in Clarendon where he played football for the Bronchos before going off to war in 1942.  After his discharge in 46’, he started a long career working for Pioneer, Wisconsin Central, North Central, and finally Republic Airlines. Throughout his entire life, Robert was extremely proud to be a Texan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Boyd, sisters Lyla and Mary.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years Nancy, daughter Jan, son Bob, and granddaughter Katie.