Archives for April 2014

Vernon Clair Byars, 84, died Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Amarillo.

Services were held Saturday, March 29, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lloyd Stice, pastor, and Rev. Dave Stout, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Howardwick, officiating.

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

Burial followed at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Amarillo.

Vernon Byars was born July 22, 1929, in Keenes, Illinois to Clair Olen and Reba Lucille Mills Byars. He married Greta Nielsen on March 11, 1976, at Clayton, New Mexico. Before moving to Howardwick fourteen years ago, he had lived in Amarillo. Mr. Byars had served in the Koren Conflict and Vietnam War in the United States Air Force, where he retired from duty after 22 years of service to his country. He had also been a farmer at his family’s farm and had also owned Vernon’s Mobile Home Service where he would deliver and repair mobile homes. He had been the manager of the Clarendon Country Club and loved to play golf. Vernon made toys for children at his woodworking shop and was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Riverside, California. Vernon was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his great granddaughter, Lillie Kay Tillman.

He is survived by his wife, Greta Byars of Howardwick; 2 daughters, Brenda Kay Byars and Lisa Mills and husband Paul, both of Amarillo; a step daughter, Katrina Raye Benyshek and husband Rob of Ulysses, Kansas; a step son, Scott Campbell; 7 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorials be to the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

Wilma Snelson, 90, died Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Amarillo.

Services were held Monday, March 31, 2014, in the Hedley Church of Christ with Don Stone, officiating.

Burial followed at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Arrangements were under the direction Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Wilma was born August 14, 1923, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to Alfred Perry and Minnie Viola Johnson. She married William Manford Snelson on March 16, 1946, in Memphis. She had been a longtime resident of Hedley before moving to Amarillo 5 years ago. While at Ware Living Center in Amarillo, she enjoyed playing dominoes, helped bake cookies, and loved visiting with people. She was a homemaker and a member of the Hedley Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1993; a daughter, Pamela Ray Thomas; and a great grandson.

She is survived by her three daughters, Cherry Waddell and husband Jimmy, Katrina Dowd, and Marsha Favor all of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and 12 great great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to the Hedley Church of Christ or Hedley Sr. Citizens.

Klyda Fern “Susie” Blackman, 85, died Sunday, March 30, 2014,in Georgetown, Texas.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lloyd Stice, officiating.

Burial will be held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Susie was born June 9, 1928, in Quail to Clyde and Dolly Tate Wilson. She married Billy Roy Blackman on February 24, 1946, in Clarendon. She had been an insurance agent prior to her retirement. Susie was an inspiration to us all and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 54 years; and a brother, Franky.

She is survived by a son, Monty Blackman and wife Christy of Cedar Park; a daughter, Peggy Morrell and husband Danny of Lake Havasu City, AZ; her sister, Pat McAnear and husband James; her grandchildren, Matt and Corey White, Monica Pfaff, Molly Morris, and Loren and Vicki Temple; and 9 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to the Alzheimer‘s Association.

James L. “Jimmy” Kuhn, 92, died Monday, March 31, 2014, in Amarillo.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014, at the Church of Christ in Clarendon with Don Stone, officiating.

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

Burial will follow at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Jimmy Kuhn was born October 20, 1921, in Breckenridge, Texas to James L. and Fostina Gude Arrington Kuhn. He married Armenta “Pat” Mathers on July 17, 1941, at Albany, Texas. Mr. Kuhn had served his country in the US Army Air Corps and was a veteran of World War II. Jimmy graduated from Texas Tech with a civil engineering degree and was in a corps of engineers that built Army bases and water dams. His engineer corps engineered and established Greenbelt Lake and the pipeline for the communities that the lake would serve. Jimmy moved from Childress to Clarendon in 1968 to serve as the General Manager at Greenbelt Water Authority. Mr. Kuhn had also served as mayor of the City of Clarendon and was a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pat Kuhn on December 3, 2012; a son, James L. Kuhn, Jr.; and a daughter Patricia Harris.

He is survived by a son, Robert Kuhn and wife Kay of Amarillo; a brother Bill Alexander and his wife Lea of Tuscola, Texas; 7 grandchildren, Jim D. Harris, Christie Lee Schmelter, Tony Kuhn, Renee’ Thompson, Kelcy Williams, Brandon Kuhn, Devin Kuhn; 17 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren.

The family request that memorials be made to Turn Center, 1250 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106.