Archives for July 2013

Susan Carol Nelson Thompson, 59, of Lazbuddie, Texas died Monday, July 1, 2013.

Susan was born January 24, 1954, to Teddy & Sybil Nelson in Kermit, Texas. She graduated from Wheeler High School and raised her daughters in Clarendon. She served as the secretary of the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon for several years. Susan graduated from Clarendon Jr. College in

1997 and later graduated from West Texas A&M in 2009 with a degree in teaching. She taught 6/7 grade English, History & Art at Lazbuddie ISD till her death.

She is survived by 2 daughters: Sheri D. Hall-Cox & husband Shel Cox of Dumfries, Virginia and Debi J. Hall-Betts & husband Diamond Betts of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 6 grandchildren: James M. Bollinger (21) of Lubbock, Abbygail P. Cox (10) & Joshua D. Cox (9) of Dumfries, Virginia, Gavin Z. Hall (10) of Clarendon and Dominic R. Hall (3) & Taye R. Hall (3) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 1 Brother: Larry Nelson & wife Dale of Tuttle, Oklahoma; Mother: Sybil Alexander of Amarillo; Husband: San Thompson of Clarendon and several Nieces, Nephews & Cousins.

Susan’s ashes will be laid to rest beside her Daddy at Gageby Cemetery north of Wheeler. There were no services.

Church Services for Irene Sis Stephens, 86, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday July 5, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Matador, TX with Anthony Knowles officiating. Interment will follow at East Mound Cemetery in Matado, TX under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home of Matador, TX. Sis passed away July 1, 2013 in Childress, TX.

Sis was born January 3, 1927, in Hayes, Kansas to Jack and Rose Rumsey. She graduated from Elmdale High School in 1945. Working part time and having 5 children at home she started college at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma in 1963. She transferred to West Texas State University in Canyon and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in May 1973. Sis married William Morris Stephens on May 21, 1972, at the +S Ranch in Whiteflat, Texas. She began her teaching career at Matador Elementary in August 1973. Sis continued her teaching career at Motley County Intermediate School, Crosbyton Junior High School, Childress Prison System and finally at Valley School before retirement.

She was preceded in death by eldest daughter Merry Gaye Lyons 1950, eldest grandson Jack Leon Lyons May 1994, husband William Morris Stephens November 2000, eldest son Had Franklin Lyons October 2007, granddaughter Jessica LeaNora Lyons July 2005, daughter in law Cherri Fallis Lyons March 2012.

She is survived by her children Sherry Faye White of Waynoka, OK, Matt Eugene Lyons of Woodward, OK, Luke Lynnwood Lyons of Cherokee, OK, and Shonda Kaye Martin of Clarendon, TX. She had 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Bob Rumsey, Jim Rumsey, Bill Rumsey, Patty Kaul, Annie Black, Eddie Walcott, and Larry Walcott.

Johnny Oran Philley, 80, died Friday, July 5, 2013, in Claude.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Great Plains Western Church in Washburn with Larry Richardson, officiating.

Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Johnny was born October 28, 1932, in Clarendon to Stephen Oran and Madelion Davis Philley. He was married to Delores Wensley for 58 years. He had been a resident of Phoenix since 1968 where he worked for Moore Business Forms prior to his retirement. He was an active member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona where he served as a deacon. He dearly loved his family and loved his home state of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on September 20, 2012.

He is survived by a son, John O. Philley, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona; a daughter, Diana Lasher and husband Jeff of Phoenix, Arizona; 2 brothers, Bob Philley and wife Margaret of Amarillo and Jim Philley and wife Joyce of Clarendon; 2 sisters, Glenda Castillo of Alabama and Kay Dye of Claude; 5 grandchildren, Holly Plunkett and husband Christopher, John Lasher and wife Corry, Amber Lasher, Jessica Philley, and Stephen Philley and wife Jackie; 3 great grandchildren, Vanessa Philley, Jackson Plunkett, and Payton Philley; and a close friend, Doyle Littlefield of Clarendon.

The family request memorials be sent to a favorite charity.

Jerry Charles Gage, 70, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Clarendon, Texas.

Services were held on Friday, June 28, 2013, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lloyd Stice, pastor, and Rev. Terry Tamplen, officiating.

Burial followed at 3:00 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2013, at the Afton Cemetery in Afton, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jerry was born May 1, 1943, in Matador to Charles and Ouida Wilson Gage. He had been a resident of Clarendon since 1971. He married Gloria Copeland on March 24, 1967, and they had two sons, Jay in 1969 and Lee in 1973. He married Ouida Jackson on March 2, 1989 in Floydada. Jerry worked as an agent for ASCS from 1968 – 1981 and taught the Ranch and Feedlot Operations program at Clarendon College from 1982 – 2004.

Jerry was a past member of the Clarendon Lions Club, past member of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and served as Fire Chief from 1977-1980, member of the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association, Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700 AF&AM, and the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon. Jerry was a man of his word and he always strived to do what was right in all situations. Jerry loved the land and he loved ranching, fishing, and golf, but above all else he loved his family.

He was a great teacher as well and loved to teach his grandkids about fishing and taking care of cattle, and there is a whole generation of young men and women in the cattle business today who learned the business from him. He will always be remembered for his character, his integrity, and his love for people. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Ouida Gage

He is survived by his wife, Ouida Gage of Clarendon; 2 sons, Jay Gage and wife Becky of Throckmorton, Lee Gage and wife Lexi of Amarillo; 3 step sons, Todd McCandless of Phoenix, Arizona, Darrell McCandless and wife Janice of Decatur, Don McCandless and wife LaNell of Floydada; a step daughter, Billie Hendrix and husband Joel of Floydada; 3 sisters, Evelyn Yeates and Geneva Giesecke, both of Lubbock, Pat Forbis of Afton; 17 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

James O. Hoggatt, 59, died Friday, June 21, 2013, in Phoenix, AZ.

Services were held on Friday, June 28, 2013, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Anthony Knowles, officiating.

Burial followed in the Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon

James was born in Yuma AZ on December 18, 1953. He graduated from Hedley High School and attended Clarendon College.

James married his loving wife of 22 years, Clairece Hoggatt, in Hedley on September 1, 1990. He loved ranching and horses. He was a correctional officer for 20 years but his first love was cowboying.

He enjoyed working cattle with his cousin Jimmy and feeding cows and horses with the grandkids. James was a good-natured, soft-spoken, God-loving, and kind Cowboy. He was loved and will be missed by all but will live in the hearts of all he touched.

James was preceded in death by his father, Bud Hoggatt.

James is lovingly remembered by his wife, Clairece and his mother Betty Hoggatt, his step-children: Clifton Wilkinson of Lubbock, Dusty Wilkinson and wife, Stephanie of Hedley, Jeff Wilkinson and wife, Sandy of South Fork, Colorado, Tiffany Hartman and husband Lucas of Wellington and brother Johnny Hoggatt and wife Kathy of Hedley. He is also survived by seven-grandchildren who called him Gramps: Jeffrey, Brittney, Kelsey, Cody, Jaycey, Domonique and Ethan. He was uncle to Johnny Hoggatt and wife Jana Hoggatt, James Hoggatt and fiance Kristy Saenz and Mary Tolbert. James was great-uncle to Nathan, Clay, and Kaitlyn Hoggatt, Abby, Elizabeth and Robert Tolbert and Battle Hoggatt. James is also survived by several cousins including Jimmy Kennedy who was like a brother and Bill Kennedy of Hedley.

The family request memorials be sent to Rowe Cemetery Association, Hedley, TX 79237, or the American Cancer Society.