Archives for August 2016

Ann “Memaw” Bunyan, 92, died on Sunday, August 14, 2016, in Clarendon.

Services were held on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Darrell Burton, officiating.

Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Ann was born March 18, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Arthur and Ruby Kimball Kelley. She married O.L. “Bunny” Bunyan on July 12, 1946, in Wichita, Kansas. She had been a resident of Clarendon since 1981 where she volunteered for Donley County Senior Citizens and was a member of the Martin Baptist Church and the Golden Needle Quilting Club. She was an avid quilter, loved hummingbirds, and dearly loved her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on November 24, 1981; 2 brothers; and a sister.

She is survived by 2 sons, Noel Bunyan and wife Janet and Greg Bunyan and wife Cecilia all of Amarillo; a daughter, Cheryl Burch and husband Ray of Clarendon; 7 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to Donley County Senior Citizens in Clarendon.

Winfred Carroll “Jiggs” Mann went to be with our Lord and Savior on August 10, 2016 in Amarillo. He was born at home, 8 miles south of Clarendon on March 2, 1929, to Ethel May and Gilbert Mann. He attended grade school at Chamberlain and graduated from Clarendon High School. At the age of 16 years old he began a life that he cherished so dearly, working on the wagon at the historic JA Ranch during the summers. He was so enamored with cowboy-life he wouldn’t even wait for his report card before he was headed south to the ranch. Upon completion of high school, he became a full time hand at the ranch, creating the unbeatable stories from 1940’s and 1950’s that he always loved to tell. He enlisted in the US Army in 1952 and spent a short amount of time in Alexandria, Virginia. Returning from army life around 1953, he was pulled back to his calling and the life he loved when he was asked to return to the JA Ranch as the wagon boss.

Jiggs remained a constant figure on the ranch for many years. He became the Foreman from 1959 to 1969, and continued to have vested interest until after the turn of the 21st century. The time Jiggs spent on the ranch was good to him and his family. It was a great place to raise a family and carry on the traditions of the rapidly disappearing cowboy-life. He fortified friendships and family-like bonds that are irreplaceable and, to this day, are still in place.

In April of 1955 Jiggs married Evelyn Wood of Clarendon. They enjoyed a blessed marriage of 61 years, and their partnership withstood the test of time. They began their own farming and ranching operation in 1969, and together Jiggs and Evelyn successfully operated a commercial Hereford cow-calf operation until retiring in 2011. During this time, they successfully raised many champion Hereford show steers.

Jiggs is preceded in death by his beautiful daughter, Karen Camille Miller. We know that they have joined hands in heaven and are riding through cattle together.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Mann of Clarendon; one son, Mark Mann and his wife Briss of Lubbock; one son-in-law Richard T. Miller of San Saba, Tex.; seven grandchildren including James Ross, Beth Ross, Katie Ross, Hadley Mann, Colby Mann, Bob Miller, and Joe Miller.

Jiggs Mann was involved in 4H, coaching little league baseball, Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association, Clarendon College Board of Regents, and was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, Clarendon. He was also a member of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700 AF & AM and served as a Master Mason for more than 60 years. He proudly supported the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Panhandle Livestock Association. He was awarded the Foy Proctor Memorial Cowman’s Award of Honor in 2001, Cowboy Roundup USA Rancher of the Year in 2005, and the Saints Roost Pioneer Man of the Year in 2005.

Funeral Services were held at the First Baptist Church in Clarendon on Saturday, August 13, 2016, with Rev. Lance Wood and Edwin Campbell officiating. Interment followed at Citizens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the “Karen Camille Miller Scholarship Memorial Fund” at Clarendon College or the First Baptist Church of Clarendon.

Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon, and you may sign the online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

George “G.T.” Mayo, 87, of Amarillo died Monday, August 8, 2016.

On Friday, August 12, 2016 the family held a graveside service at the Citizen’s Cemetery in Clarendon. A “Celebration of Life” memorial was held on Saturday morning, August 13th at Temple Baptist Church in Amarillo. Pastor Richard Dickerson will officiate as we celebrate the life of this beloved man, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

G.T. was born March 14, 1929, in Clarendon and was raised by a Godly mother and grandmother. He graduated Clarendon High School, Clarendon Junior College, and received his BBA and Masters in Education from West Texas State University.

G.T. served in the First Marine Division during the Korean War. He was one of the “Frozen Chosin” who fought their way out of the Chosin Reservoir. He received the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sargent.

G.T. was a teacher and administrator with the Amarillo Independent School District. He began teaching in 1957 at San Jacinto Elementary, served as principal from 1962 through 1965 at Glenwood Elementary and retired from Lee Bivins Elementary in 1985.

After his service with the marines and with the help of his good friend (and future brother-in-law) Joe C. Smith, G.T. met Laura Lou Smith while attending Clarendon Junior College. She couldn’t resist his starched khakis and crisp white shirt and they were married June 7, 1955. Sixty-one years together saw the birth and raising of: their children, Melinda Gunn and husband Gil, Joel Mayo and his wife Bambi; their grandchildren Corey Gunn, Caitlin Belisario and her husband Luis, Jake Mayo and Abby Mayo; and their great granddaughter, Ellie Belisario.

G.T. loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and led his family with his quiet strength, gentle hand and sly sense of humor. He was a faithful member of Temple Baptist Church, joining with Lou in 1957 and serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Sunday School Director before his passing. His greatest aspiration (which he saw achieved) was that each of his children and grandchildren find and follow Jesus.

G.T. and Lou loved to travel, especially with family. Christmas in the mountains with the kids was always a special time. They enjoyed sights and adventures in all fifty states, many on numerous occasions. Even so, at the house with Lou in Amarillo was always “home”.

G.T.’s passing will be mourned by those of us who will miss him dearly, but much shouting and rejoicing was surely heard throughout heaven on the day he met up with Jesus in his forever home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to:

The G.T. Mayo Memorial Scholarship Fund, Clarendon College, PO Box 968, Clarendon, Texas 79226, Attention: Ashlee Estlack

Sandra Gillespie, 75, of Clarendon, passed away on Saturday, August 13, 2016. No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are by Angel Funeral Home, 2209 S. Arthur St., Amarillo, Texas 79103.

Sandra was born April 14, 1941, in Pampa to Jess and Edith Reno. She was a loving mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Gillespie; her parents; one son, Curtis Brewer; one brother, Buddy Reno and one granddaughter, Maya Gillespie.

She is survived by three sons; Lonnie Brewer and wife Susan of Burnet, Bryan Gillespie and wife Janae of Amarillo and Christopher Brewer and wife Telma of Dalhart; two sisters, Peggy Hulsey and Shirley Holm both of Houston; six grandchildren, Mackenzie Farmer and Mattie Gillespie both of Amarillo and Leslie, Christian, Gracie and Christina Brewer all of Dalhart.