CC names three distinguished alumni

The Clarendon College Ex-Students Association bestowed its Distinguished Alumnus Award on three former students during the 71st CC Alumni Reunion last Saturday in the Bairfield Activity Center.

Carl Irlbeck, Dr. Keith “Buddy” Hudson, and Leon “Bud” Schaffer, were each recognized for professional and personal achievements, civic responsibility, and continuing support of Clarendon College.

Carl Irlbeck of Plainview graduated from Happy High School before playing guard on the Western Junior College Conference championship team at Clarendon College in 1959. He graduated from Clarendon in 1960 and then received his Master’s degree in PE and math from West Texas State University.

He coached basketball at Nazareth, Clarendon, Abernathy, and Plainview. He also coached at Plainview Christian, Monterey, and Hart. He was known for his crew-cut hair and cowboy boots, which he used to stomp the floor and get players’ attention.  He has an impressive career record in basketball with 1058 wins to 489 losses, and he has been inducted as the 138th member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.
Irlbeck had 25 teams advance to regionals and coached nine state champions in four sports – three in basketball, three in tennis, two in cross country, and one in volleyball. He took the Clarendon Bronchos to the state tournament in 1971, which was an event that did not happen again until this year.

When Carl coached in Hart in 2001 he influenced Emmanuel Barron, a 2002 Hart graduated and now student at Clarendon College.  Barron stated: “He took Hart farther than we had ever been.  I’m going back to college because of him.  I was able to run cross country at Clarendon because of one phone call from him.  He changed my life. He was a legend who took an interest in me – a little nobody.  But he won’t admit that he’s an icon.” 

Dr. Keith “Buddy” Hudson of Goldthwaite attended Clarendon College in 1961 and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his classmates. He was the founding president of the Clarendon Country Club and was elected to the CC Board of Regents at the age of 28.  During his works and lectures as a dentist, Keith gives credit to Clarendon College. He tells people Clarendon is one of the most educated small towns in America thanks to the opportunities Clarendon College provides. He has received numerous honors through the dentist profession and has been recognized for civic contributions as well. 

Through his interaction with young people, he tries to teach them one simple rule – “Do the right thing, tell the truth, and you won’t have to remember your story.” And also, “Every person in your life can teach you something.”

He has touched countless lives and made young people know that they do matter.  Among the letters of recommendation that “Dr. Fuzzy” received was one from legendary cowboy poet and close personal friend Red Stegall, who organizes the Cowboy Gathering in Ft. Worth, which Hudson participates in. For years Hudson setup his chuckwagon and taught youngsters the dying art of Dutch oven cooking. Stegall says Hudson considers it “of vital importance to educate and perpetuate the lifestyle of his roots.” He goes on to say: “The fact that Clarendon College played such a pivotal role in Dr. Hudson’s education is something for your institution to be extremely proud of. I cannot imagine a more worthy individual to be recognized by your college than my friend.”

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hudson was also recognized for his unwavering commitment to his bride, Olivia, and his family.

Schaffer grew up near Groom and graduated from Clarendon College in 1957. He worked for Celanese in Pampa for 38 years and spent many years farming and ranching. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Groom where he has served for many years as the president of the board of trustees.

More than 25 years ago, Schaffer was asked to serve on the board of the ex-students association.  And he served for seven years as the association’s president during the 1990s and later served another three years as president, including this past year. Without fail, he would make the trip to Clarendon for board meetings where he was known for his big grin, his warm heart, and the politeness of what singer/songwriter Alan Jackson calls “a small town Southern man.”

Due to health reasons, Schaffer was unable to attend Saturday night’s reunion. Former association president Roger Estlack presented the award to Schaffer in Pampa earlier that day.

In addition to the Distinguished Alumni awards, the Association presented a Platinum Diploma to Esther Morrison Bowers of White Deer, who celebrated her 100th birthday last Friday and who graduated from Clarendon College in 1929.  Her granddaughter, Susan Bowers – a third generation CC Ex-Student, accepted the award on her grandmother’s behalf.