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Archives for January 2011

Farris, Hommel top beef divisions

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Senior Showmanship Awards went to Kylie Phillips, goats; Austin Adams, cattle; Reid Copelin, swine; and Maci White, lambs. Junior Showmanship Awards went to Kelsey McAnear, cattle; Brendan Hough, lambs; and Kati Adams, goats and swine. (Not pictures) Peewee Shoman ships awards went to Nathan Hough, lambs and goats; and Jade Benson, pigs.

Caden Farris and Tres Hommel exhibited the top animals in the Beef Division during the annual Donley County Junior Livestock Show last Saturday at the new Donley County Activity Center.

Farris exhibited the Grand Champion Steer; and Hommel had the Grand Champion Heifer.
Other top winners were Brenden Hough and his Grand Champion Lamb; Kylie Phillips’ Grand Champion Goat, Katie Adams’ Grand Champion Swine, and Hannah Hommel with her Grand Champion Gilt.

A total of 70 young people from the Donley County 4-H Club and local FFA chapters showed 105 animals. Last year 68 kids showed 106 animals.

Figures show that the sale brought in about $60,000, which according to Donley County Extension Agent Leonard Haynes is the best sale that they have ever had. That number may increase in the final tally as more donations are received.
Complete results are as follows:

Steers: Caden Farris, Grand Champion; Brittney McAnear, Reserve Grand; Austin Adams, Breed Champion (Class 401); Annie Patten, Tres Hommel, and John Pigg, Reserve Breed; Annie Patten, first (Class 402); Trevor Cobb, first (Class 405); Kyla O’Dell, first (Class 403); Hannah Hommel, first (Class 407); Charleston Harris, second (Class 402); Kelsey McAnear, second (Class 406); Kassie O’Dell, second (Class 403); Jacob Pigg, second (Class 405); Jayson Pigg, second (Class 407); Brittney McAnear, second (Class 408); Chris Blackburn, third (Class 404 and Class 407); Kylie Phillips, third (Class 405); Trevor Cobb, third (Class 406); Joseph Russell, fourth (Class 405); Seth Ruthardt, fourth (Class 406); Kaden Bennet, fifth (Class 406).

Heifers: Tres Hommel, Grand Champion; Kae Hewett, Reserve Grand; Jacob Hewett, first (Class 301); Kari O’Dell, second (Class 301); Jacob Hewett, second (Class 302); Kylie Phillips, third (Class 302); Kae Hewett, second (Class 303).

Lambs: Brenden Hough, Grand Champion; Allie Bartlett, Reserve Grand; Krista Reynolds, first (Class 103); Jordan Cox, second (Class 102); Skyler White, second (Class 101); Jordan Cox, third (Class 101), Maci White, fourth (Class 101); Krista Reynolds, first and second (Class 103).

Goats: Kylie Phillips, Grand Champion; Kati Adams, Reserve Grand; Trey Wright, first (Class 201); Cedar Stevenson, second (Class 201); Kolt Stevenson, third (Class 202); Abby Tolbert, third (Class 201); Chardy Craft, fourth (Class 202); Kylie Phillips, fourth (Class 201).

Swine: Kati Adams, Grand Champion; Austin Adams, Reserve Grand; Austin Adams, first (Class 604); Dalton Benson, first (Class 605 and Class 606); David Green, first (Class 607); Kyle Lindsey, first (Class 601); Reid Copelin, second (Class 602); Coltin Kingston, second (Class 601); Justin Riggs, second (Class 603); Kati Adams, second (Class 604); Trent White, second (Class 605); Tres Hommel, second (Class 606); Kelsey McAnear, second (Class 607); Reid Copelin, third (Class 603); Trent White, third (Class 604); Shelby Baxter, third (Class 605); Laura Howard, third (Class 607); Kallie Lindsey, third (Class 601); Grayson Morris, third (Class 602); Shelby O’Keefe, third (Class 606); Kassie O’Dell, fourth (Class 603); Madison Carr, fourth (Class 606); Jaqueda Harris, fourth (Class 607); David Johnson, fourth (Class 605); Clay Ward, fourth (Class 602); Ryan Ward, fourth (Class 604); Lilly Carr, fifth (Class 603); Caylor Monroe, fifth (Class 604); Kyla O’Dell, fifth (Class 605); Collin Monroe, fifth (Class 602); Payton Morris, fifth (Class 601); Cheyenne Kosechata, sixth (Class 605); Ethan Naylor, sixth (Class 604); Wyatt Wheatly, sixth (Class 603); Seth Greer, seventh (Class 607).

Swine-Gilt: Hannah Hommel, Grand Champion; Shelby Baxter, Reserve Grand; Erykah Martinez, first (Class 502); Jake Owens, first (Class 504); Clayton Shields, first (Class 501); Seth Greer, second (Class 503); Emily Martinez, second (Class 502); Klaiton Moore, second (Class 501); Martin Santos, second (Class 504); Hannah Hommel, second (Class 505); Madison Carr, third (Class 501); Brittney McAnear, third (Class 503); Porshe Henderson, third (Class 505); McKayla King, third (Class 502); Cole Ward, third (Class 504); Lilly Carr, fourth (Class 502); Tres Hommel, fourth (Class 503);
Sterling King, fourth (Class 505); Devin Lucero, fourth (Class 504).

Showmanship Awards: Lambs – Brenden Hough, junior, Maci White, senior; Goats – Kati Adams, junior, Kylie Phillips, senior; Swine – Kati Adams, junior, Reid Copelin, senior; Cattle – Kelsey McAnear, junior, Austin Adams, senior; Pee Wee Lamb and Goat – Nathan Hough; and Pee Wee Swine – Reid Copelin.

Boy’s death leaves many unanswered questions

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A profound sense of sadness and loss hangs over Donley County this week as its citizens struggle to make sense of the senseless and find reason where there is none.

Word of the horror spread through the community quickly last Tuesday. A 911 call and an unresponsive child was enough to capture anyone’s attention, but then details of the severity of the four-year-old boy’s injuries emerged quickly followed by the knowledge that his own father was believed to be responsible. Then on Wednesday morning, Chance Mark Jones died.

Shock, anger, confusion, and sadness each took their turns sweeping over us. Why had this happened? Were there signs that were missed? And how could anyone commit such brutality against a helpless child? But there are no answers.

Like many folks in Clarendon, I went to school with Robert Babcock. We were in Scouts together, and we even had a patrol meeting or two at his house. I only saw Robert occasionally in recent years, but thanks to technology, we were connected by Facebook. So, I knew about his discovery of having a son, and I followed his posts with interest since Chance was the same age as my own son.

His first comment about his son that I noticed came in early October, when he announced to the Facebook world that he had gotten a tattoo bearing his son’s name and he said: “I found out just a little bit over a month ago I do have a son.”

On November 21 he said it was a “true blessing to be his Dad” and that “he is a wonderful Son to have.” He also wrote that he was trying to get Chance “into everything that’s wonderful in this world.”

That same night he posted: “I just had the most amazing weekend of my life. Spent it with my son who is 4 this was the first time I have ever spent any time with him. We road my tractor for a lot of this weekend, spent about two hours coloring on Saturday night. Went to Chucky Cheese for about three hours today loved every second of it. And yes I know I still can’t spell that good, Loved this weekend can’t wait for next weekend.”

He also noted that he was hoping to get full custody of his son and said it “would make me the happiest Dad in the world.”

The next weekend was “wonderful,” and soon after that posts and pictures showed Chance living with him and talked of the boy’s excitement to start school here and of Christmas time and toy shopping. It appeared for all the world that a happy family had been created just in time for the holidays. I got a glimpse of the boy a few times, and all I could think was that this was a pretty cool story. I was very happy for Robert and his family, and I remember telling my wife how neat it was.

On Christmas Eve, Robert wished all his Facebook friends a merry Christmas, but that same day investigators now believe he began abusing Chance. And the abuse continued, they say, until last Tuesday, when Robert Babcock beat his son to death.

No one saw it coming, and apparently no one saw it happening until it was too late for Chance.

Could someone have done something to stop it? We can’t answer that. Maybe we should have all been more involved in Robert’s life or maybe he should have had more support as an instant father. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with him for what happened, and he will have to answer to the law and to God for his actions.

As a community we are left to pick up the pieces. We often believe that we live in Mayberry, USA, but the fact of the matter is that Clarendon – just like all small towns – has the same problems as any big city. They just aren’t as prevalent, and so we don’t see them every day. Child abuse is an inexcusable crime, and it happens more than we know. It is beyond tragic that it takes the death of a child to open our eyes to that fact.

For those of us with young children, it is hard to look at our kids and not think of Chance, the fear and pain he must have felt, the crushed spirit, and the life snuffed out. Like many families, our kids have gotten a lot of extra hugs and kisses the last seven days. Discipline is somewhat more lax at our house, we’re quicker to honor requests to play, and more likely to say okay to snacks or other rewards. It’s impossible to look upon their innocence and not somehow try to compensate for the suffering Robert Babcock’s son endured.

Chance Jones will never have the opportunities that we all want for our kids. He apparently had a troubled life with his mother, and then his father took his life completely. The only consolation for those of us left behind is that Chance cannot be hurt anymore… but that is of little comfort to us. As a community what we really want now is an explanation and justice for this precious boy. We know that we may never get the first, but we pray to God that Chance gets the second.

Broncos hold number one ranking

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The Bronco basketball team is currently 11-5 overall for the season and has maintained their number one ranking in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll. Their latest win came at Groom where they defeated the Tigers, 78-45.

It was never a contest at all as the Broncos dominated throughout. They were able to execute their offense well, and Johnny Gaines and Brayden Phillips finished in double figures.

Defensively, the Broncos forced many turnovers and were able to convert Groom’s mistakes into points for Clarendon.

“We do a good job of putting pressure on their guards and forcing turnovers,” coach Brandt Lockhart said. “Everyone did a good job of passing the basketball.”

Scoring: Gaines 27, Phillips 13, Adam Topper 9, Mike Crump 8, Cole Ward 6, Justin Shillings 6, Diego Santos 5, and Chris Crump 4.

Earlier in the week, the Broncos annihilated Holy Cross on the road, 123-12.
The Broncos were never contested throughout the game and came on strong offensively. They held Holy Cross to only six halftime points.

Five players finished in double figures with Gaines as the leading scorer with 31.
Also scoring: Phillips 23, Ward 21, Wes Williams 11, Topper 11, Shillings 8, M. Crump 8, C. Crump 6, and Daniel West 2.

The Broncos will play Wheeler January 14 at home at 7:30 p.m. and travel to Wellington January 18. The Bronco JV will play both those days beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Shirley Ruth Lamberson

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Shirley Ruth Lamberson, 87, died Tuesday, January 4, 2011, in Amarillo.
Services were held Friday, January 7, in the First United Methodist Church in Groom with Rev. Weldon Rives, officiating. Interment was held at Groom Cemetery in Groom.

Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Shirley was born January 26, 1923, in Newton, Iowa, to Cornell Richard and Ruth Barton Knight. She married Ernest Walter Lamberson on June 21, 1940, in Clarendon.

She had been a resident of Groom and Clarendon most of her life.

She enjoyed quilting and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Groom where she was also involved in United Methodist Women.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on February 14, 2008; a son, Stocky Lamberson; a sister, Clarice Steinkirchner; and a great grandson, Zachary Vasquez in July 2002.

Survivors include a son, Larry Lamberson and wife Vicki of Amarillo; a daughter in law, Aimee Lamberson of Panhandle; 2 sisters, Doris Slocum of Amarillo and Nelldean Bagwell of Gruver; 5 grandchildren, Renae Freeman, Melanie Lamberson, Todd Lamberson, Jill Hodgson, and Lance Lamberson; and 9 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to the First United Methodist Church in Groom, Stocky Lamberson Scholarship Fund c/o Happy State Bank in Panhandle, or the Zachary Vasquez Scholarship Fund, 803 Ivy Drive, Pfulgerville, Texas 78660.

Gerald Richard Mulanax

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Gerald Richard Mulanax, 76, died Friday, January 7, 2011, in Howardwick.

Services were Sunday, January 9, 2011, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Dave Stout, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Howardwick, officiating.

Interment was held Monday, January 10, in Llana Cemetery in Amarillo. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Gerald was born October 30, 1934, in Borger to Thomas Graham and Bessie Lee Sullivan Mulanax. He married Julia McKay on May 1, 1971, in Clovis, New Mexico. He had been a longtime resident of Amarillo before moving to Howardwick in 1992. He was insurance agent for 25 years and after retiring, he and his wife Julie established Country Bloomers Flower Shop in Clarendon and owned and operated the business for several years before retiring from the flower business. He received numerous awards and accolades for his work in the insurance industry and for his ministry and outreach activities. He was a proud and active member of the Gideons International and the First Baptist Church of Howardwick.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Joe David Mulanax in 1987; a brother, Joe Thomas Mulanax; and a sister, Bessie Florene Mulanax.

Survivors include his wife, Julie of Howardwick; 2 sons, Gerald Mulanax, Jr. and Wade Spencer and wife Susan all of Amarillo; 2 daughters, Janie Lee Dees and husband Bryant of Sanford and Cari Jill Blucher and husband Shane of Amarillo; 3 brothers, Travis Mulanax of Petersburg, Leon Mulanax of Austin, and Ellis Ray Mulanax of Sanger; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to the Gideons International Bible Fund.

Freida Grace Siddle

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Freida Grace Siddle, 92, died Friday, January 7, 2011, in Clarendon.

Services were held Saturday, January 8, 2011, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Larry Capranica, Pastor, officiating. Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Siddle was born November 6, 1918, in Goodwell, OK, to John Harvey and Bessie
Grace Henry Helton.

She spent her early life in Oklahoma and had lived in Clarendon most of her adult life.

She married Virgil Henley Siddle Jr. on August 4, 1951, at Memphis. She had worked as a beautician most of her life prior to her retirement. She was a Charter Member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death her parents, her husband, Virgil Siddle in 1968, and a son, Larry Don Phillips.

Survivors include 2 sons, Lloyd Phillips of Amarillo, Mike Phillips of Phoenix, Arizona; one brother, Frank Helton of Odessa; 2 sisters, Fern Smith of Big Spring and Frances Brogden of Amarillo; 3 grandchildren, Jacqueline Leeper and husband Tommy, Chris Phillips and wife Lisa, Steven Phillips and wife Stephanie; 11 great-grandchildren, Bridgette Matthews and husband Tim, Adam Leeper and fiance Gabby Lindsay, Quinton Phillips, Trey Phillips, Shealee Carlisle and husband Heath, Kylie Phillips, Candice Dillard, Brayden Dillard, ; and 1 great -great-grandchild, Tripp Carlisle.

The family suggests memorials be to the Donley County Senior Citizens Association.

Babcock arraigned on murder charge

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Thirty-eight-year-old Robert Babcock was arraigned Thursday morning at the Donley County Sheriff’s Office by Justice of the Peace Connie Havens in connection with the death of his four-year-old son.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said bond was set at $1 million on the charge of Capital Murder, a capital felony; and Havens also set a bond of $100,000 on the charge of Domestic Violence/Injury to a Child, a first degree felony.

Authorities say Babcock beat his son, Chance Mark Jones, Tuesday morning, and the boy died as a result of his injuries Wednesday morning in Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo.

Blackburn said investigators believe the abuse began December 24 and “continued on and off until Tuesday morning.”

An autopsy will be performed in Lubbock later today.

Local man accused of murdering son

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A Donley County man is facing a capital murder charge tonight in the death of his 4 1/2-year-old son.

Robert Babcock
Robert Babcock

Robert Monroe Babcock, age 38, will be arraigned tomorrow for the crime, which occurred yesterday morning.
Sheriff Butch Blackburn said his office received a 911 call from Babcock Tuesday at 9:40 a.m. reporting that his son was unresponsive.
When emergency personnel and law enforcement arrived at the residence southeast of Clarendon, they found Chance Mark Jones on the floor in a bedroom, Blackburn said.
“It was obvious that he was unresponsive and evident that he had been assaulted,” the sheriff said. “He had trauma to his head and torso.”
The child was transported to Northwest Texas Hospital via LifeStar, and Babcock was taken in for an interview and held on a family violence charge.
Jones died at 6:42 a.m. this morning, and a capital murder warrant was obtained for Babcock. He was formally charged this evening.
Blackburn said Babcock has no criminal history to speak of, and he also said Babcock had only had custody of the boy through a CPS intervention for about the last month.
“This young, defenseless child suffered a horrific death and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Chance.” 100th Judicial District Attorney Luke Inman said in a statement released by the Department of Public Safety.
If convicted of capital murder, Babcock could face the death penalty.
The Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation.

Glenn Harry Robertson

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Glenn Harry Robertson, 88, died Monday, December 27, 2010, in Amarillo.

Services were held Wednesday, December 29, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon, with Rev. Dave Stout, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Howardwick, officiating. Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Glenn was born on June 5, 1925 in Clarendon to George Andrew “Andy” and Sallie Elizabeth Rattan Robertson. He was a US Navy veteran and proudly served our country during World War II. He married Velma Geraldine Hommel on October 12, 1962 in Clarendon. He had been a resident of Amarillo for most of his life. He had worked for International Harvester in Amarillo and the former Village Cadillac in Amarillo as the new car service manager prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Southlawn Baptist Church in Amarillo.

He was preceded in death his parents; his wife on February 28, 1983; and a sister, Maxine Howe.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Glennda Robertson and Elizabeth Robertson both of Amarillo; 3 sons, Wallace Reisner of Albuquerque, Glenn Robertson, Jr. of Canton, and Mark Robertson of Amarillo; a brother, Delbert Robertson of Clarendon; 2 sisters, Margaret Vines of Wellington and Georgia Speed of Clarendon; 10 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity.

Broncos, Lady Broncos participate in tourneys

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The Clarendon Broncos made a good showing at the Caprock Fibermax Tournament in Lubbock with two wins and two losses. Both losses, one to Idalou and one to Bronte, were against state-ranked teams.

The Broncos opened the tournament with a big win against Presido at 65-38. It was never really a contest as the Broncos held their opponent to single digits in the first half of play. All-around player Johnny Gaines led the Bronco scorers with 29.
Also scoring: Justin Shillings 9, Brayden Phillips 7, Cole Ward 6, Adam Topper 6, Mike Crump 4, Chris Crump 2, and Wes Williams 2.

The next game put the Broncos up against Idalou and they were defeated, 33-60. The Broncos could never find a rhythm in the game and trailed throughout.

Scoring: Gaines 8, Phillips 6, M. Crump 6, Shillings 4, Topper 4, C. Crump 3, and Williams 2.

The Broncos went out strong in the third game of the contest and easily defeated New Deal, 46-65. Clarendon totally dominated their opponent as they executed on both ends of the court. Three Broncos finished in double figures with Gaines leading the way with 19 and Phillips and M. Crump added 11 each of their own. As a team, the Broncos shot an impressive 82 percent from the free throw line.

Also scoring: Ward 8, Shillings 6, C. Crump 4, Topper 4, and Williams 2.

The Broncos then went to the Consolation round and faced Bronte. They were narrowly defeated at 44-47. The Broncos led at the end of the first half, but the inside play of Bronte helped with their win. Foul trouble plagued the Broncos, and they could never get into their game. Despite the outcome, coach Brandt Lockhart was pleased with the Broncos’ play.

“Overall, we played well,” Lockhart said. “We had two off games against Idalou and Bronte, but they are state-ranked teams.”

The Broncos will continue to work hard and prepare for their District opener January 14 against Wheeler.

Scoring: Gaines 17, Phillips 14, Shillings 4, Ward 4, C. Crump 3, and Williams 2.
The Broncos will take on Groom on the road January 7 at 7:30 p.m. and play Arbor Academy at home January 11 also at 7:30 p.m. The Bronco JV will play those dates as well beginning at 6:00 p.m.

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