By Roger Estlack
A standing-room only crowd filled Clarendon’s First United Methodist Church last Saturday at 1 p.m. to honor the life of Dr. Charles E. Deyhle, Sr.
Deyhle, a longtime veterinarian and civic leader for more than half a century, passed away Thursday, December 29, at the age of 87 and was remembered as a man who gave quiet encouragement to others to be their best.
Rev. Lloyd Stice, pastor, and Dr. Burt Palmer, minister of Polk Street United Methodist Church in Amarillo, officiated during the service. A private burial was held earlier in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
“How do you summarize a life so well lived with just a few short remarks?” Palmer asked before delivering a eulogy that captured Dr. Deyhle’s humor and wisdom as well as highlighting his friendliness and care for his community.
Dr. Deyhle was born November 26, 1924, in Honey Grove, Texas, to Fred and Sadie Prickett Deyhle. He was a veteran of WW II serving in the US Navy. He was a graduate of Texas A&M, receiving his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1951. Moving then to Clarendon, he was a private practitioner and a feed yard consultant.
During his 48-year career, he received many awards and accolades. He organized the Academy of Veterinary Consultants and was the 1989 Consultant of the Year. He held several local, state, and national offices in various veterinary organizations and was a charter member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. He was known as an innovator in his field and pioneered many of the concepts and procedures used in veterinary medicine today.
Dr. Deyhle served on both the Greenbelt Water Authority Board and the Clarendon College Board of Regents and for many years and was the chairman of the CC board at the time of his death. He also served on the Herring Bank Board, was a former member of the Clarendon Board of Aldermen, and had served on the city’s airport board.
He was an avid private pilot and greatly enjoyed fly fishing.
Dr. Deyhle was a long standing member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, where he had served on many boards and committees.
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce named him the Pioneer Man of the Year in 2011, and last month the City of Clarendon issued a proclamation expressing its gratitude for his service to the community.
Dr. Deyhle is survived by his wife, Frances Deyhle, of Clarendon; his son, Dr. Charlie Deyhle and wife Jamie, of Canyon; three daughters, Sandy Hill and husband Jim, of Fort Collins, Becky McKinley and husband Dr. John, of Amarillo, and Jenny Rapp and husband Jodie, of Austin; his sister, Betty Jo Hennard, of Wheeler; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family requests memorials be to the First United Methodist Church Building & Grounds Fund, PO Box 157, Clarendon, Texas 79226 or to Clarendon College Charles E. Deyhle, Sr., Scholarship Fund, PO Box 968, Clarendon, Texas 79226.
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