Honoring the Broncos
Bronco Spirit
Greer lifts his way to 8th in State Meet
By Sandy Anderberg
Clarendon senior Seth Greer has worked hard in the weight room all year and last Saturday at the State Power Lifting Meet in Abilene, all that hard work paid off.
Greer posted a personal best in the squat at 530 pounds and the bench where he lifted 425 pounds. Greer’s total weight lift of 1505 was also a personal best and helped him to come home with an eighth place medal. He lifted 550 pounds in the deadlift.
“Seth did a very good job all year long,” coach Johnny Nino said. “He worked hard and all his hard work paid off. I will definitely miss him next year. I would like to thank the administration and the student body for all their support. The sendoff on Friday was great and to Ms. Luna and the cheerleaders, a big thank you for all you did. And thank you to all the coaches and our athletic director, Coach Jack, for all you do.”
Greer will be making his way to West Texas A&M next year to play football for the Buffs.
Lady Broncos snag two big wins
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos finished a good week of softball and racked up two wins. They defeated Claude, 24-19, and got the best of Booker, 18-6. According to coach Gary Jack, the ladies played well, but fell short from the mound.
“We just did not pitch consistently,” Jack said. “We used three different pitchers in the game. We just couldn’t throw strikes.”
The Lady Broncos’ bats made up for the pitching as the ladies racked up 22 hits in the game. They jumped out early and led from the first inning. A huge fifth inning helped them to control the pace and get the win.
“We played well and had several that hit the ball well,” Jack said. Claude also struggled from the mound, which allowed several Lady Broncos to get a walk. “The walks kept us in the game,” Jack said. “We dominated otherwise. We survived and got through it.”
Jack noted that Brianna Butler, Allyson Hogan, Hannah Hommel, Darcie Hunsaker, and Emily Johnson hit the ball well.
The Lady Broncos also hit the ball well against Booker at home last Friday. Butler smacked a homerun and Hogan it the fence twice, according to Jack.
“We played well against Booker,” Jack said. “Defensively, we did a good job and we hit the ball well. Briley Chadwick did a good job pitching for us also.”
Chadwick, Jensen Hatley, Zaryia Smith, and Hunsaker did a good job from the plate.
“These girls did a good job hitting the ball,” Jack said. “Madi Gay played good defense and did a good job at first base. Emily made some good plays on third.”
Jack felt Smith and Hommel did well in each of the positions they played.
“We moved some players around and they all did a good job,” Jack said. “Overall I am pleased with our play. We have won the last four and we are 4-2 in District.”
The Lady Broncos will travel to West Texas on Friday, March 31, and take on Gruver at home April 4.
Hunsaker home runs help lift Broncos over Memphis
By Sandy Anderberg
Kade Hunsaker took advantage of the gusty wind last Friday hitting two home runs and helped the Broncos to a 17-3 District win over the Cyclones at home. He finished with six runs to his credit. He was also on the mound for four innings and only gave up one run while striking out eight and allowing two hits.
Several Broncos hit big in the game and helped their team to the win. Payton Hicks connected with a double early on, and the Broncos took advantage of an error to take the lead in the first.
The third inning was huge for the Broncos as they scored 10 runs. After the Hunsaker home run, Andy Davis, Josh Cobb, and Nick Shadle doubled to drive in runs.
The Broncos finished with 13 total hits in the game and Cobb, Hunsaker, and Preston Elam had several hits each. They were able to steal 13 bases as a team with Shadle posting three stolen bases.
Earlier in the week, the Broncos defeated River Road 18-6. Clay Koetting was on the mound, earning the win and pitching for four innings. Koetting only gave up three runs, five hits, and one walk. He struck out four batters.
The Broncos were in control from early on and never looked back. They were able to score four runs in the seventh. Big hits came from Hunsaker, Hicks, Davis, Koetting, and Shadle and Cobb posted two stolen bases.
The Broncos will host Wellington on Friday, March 31, at 4:00 p.m., and the junior varsity will play Borger on Saturday, April 1.
Joe Frank Robinson
Joe Frank Robinson, 96, of Clarendon died Wednesday, March 22, 2017.
Services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, March 25, 2017 in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Kirk Watson and Don Stone, officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Joe was born February 28, 1921 in Hereford to Esker and Mae Robinson. He graduated from Lewisville, Texas High School in 1938 and Texas A&M University in 1942. After being commissioned at A&M, he served as a B-17 Pilot in the 8th Army Air Corps and flew 30 missions in the European theater during WWII. He flew as command pilot for many of these missions. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf clusters and four Bronze Battle Stars and was the last surviving member of his crew. While ferrying airplanes for disposition in the U.S. after VE day he stayed overnight in Deming, New Mexico. He was awakened by a violent shaking of his quarters shortly after 5:30 a.m. on July 16, 1945. He later discovered it was from the first atomic bomb explosion in Alamogordo about 100 miles away.
He married Vernelle Orr in 1942 and they had 4 children. Vernelle passed away in 1975. Joe married Ruth Patman Word in 1977 and they recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. They were completely devoted to each other.
He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, The Texas Cattle Feeders Association, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and had been a board member of the National Finance Corporation. He was awarded the 2009 Pioneer Man of the Year by the Clarendon/Donley County Chamber of Commerce.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Gourley and his brother, J.B.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Robinson of Clarendon; a sister Grace New and husband Paul of Denver City, Texas; three sons, Jim Robinson and wife Tessie of Clarendon, Jack Robinson and wife Susan and Joe Robinson, Jr. all of Amarillo; a daughter, Janny Longan and husband Ronnie of Howardwick; stepson, Bill Word of Clarendon; step daughter, Libby Talley and husband Billy of Amarillo; and many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family request that memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Vernie D. “Bubba” Ford
Vernie D. “Bubba” Ford, 76, died on Wednesday, March 15, 2107, in Clarendon.
Servies were held on Friday, March 17, 2017, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Anthony Knowles, officiating.
Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Vernie was born April 25, 1940, in Turkey to Si Monroe and Edna Beavers Ford. He married Mary Diaz on February 29, 1996 in Hedley. He had been a lifetime resident of Clarendon. He worked in Road Construction from 1962-1972 then became self-employed hauling dirt in Houston until 1982. In 1982 he moved back to Clarendon and was self-employed doing hauling, cement construction, and trailer loading. He loved telling jokes and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Clarendon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and several brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ford of Clarendon; 2 daughters, Donna Ford of Canyon and Brenda Lungrin and husband Jeff of Newark, Texas; 2 sisters, Helen Ford and Sue McDonald both of Kingston, Oklahoma; 3 grandchildren, Stephen Ford, Dustin Ford, and Madison Gonzales; a great grandchild, Khole Ford; and many nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be sent to a favorite charity.
Richard Louis “Rick” Alexander
Richard Louis “Rick” Alexander, 69, died Monday, March 20, 2017, in Claude.
Memorial services will be private on Thursday.
Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Claude Chapel.
Rick was born November 23, 1947, in Sayre, Oklahoma to Raymond Dale and Virginia Ward Alexander. He married Syd Blackburn on February 24, 1997, in Clovis, New Mexico. He had been a resident of Claude since 1997 and was an auto body technician prior to his retirement. He loved fishing, gardening, and music. He also loved his kids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a step son, Jackie Millwood; and a brother in law, Donnie.
He is survived by his wife, Syd Alexander of Claude; 3 sons, Russell Alexander and wife Lori of Denver City, Casey Alexander and wife Missie of Weatherford, and Stacey Alexander and wife Jonna of Ft. Worth; 2 daughters, Tina Hook and husband Mike of Claude and Sissy Millwood and Don Thompson of Amarillo; a brother, John Alexander and wife Barbara of Matador; 2 sisters, Annette Brittain and Raenell Shadle and husband Joe Neal all of Clarendon; 11 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.
The family will receive friends at 507 West 1st in Claude Thursday starting at 2:30 PM.
The family request memorials be sent to BSA Hospice of the Southwest.
Truck sets fire near H’wick home
A Howardwick residence was threatened Sunday after a truck set grass on fire near Carroll Creek.
Howardwick Fire Chief Will Jordan said a pickup owned by Tim Britten got into some grass and brush and heat from the vehicle’s catalytic converter started the fire.
Volunteer firemen were paged to the scene about 5 p.m. Three Howardwick trucks and five firemen responded to the fire and had the problem contained in about 2½ hours, Jordan said.
The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department also responded.
Jordan said the fire burned about two acres or less and came within 15 feet of a residence. A strong wind could have made the situation much worse, the chief said.
Jordan reminds citizens that Howardwick is a certified Fire Wise Community. Volunteers have been trained by the Texas Forrest Service to help citizens minimize fire risks on their properties.
“Fires are going to happen,” Jordan said, “but there are many different things you can do to protect your home.”
For a Fire Wise assessment, Howardwick citizens can call City Hall at 874-2222.
Clarendon firemen have also been busy in the last several days.
On Monday, the CVFD responded to a call at 308 E. Sixth where a power line made contact with a tree, burning up a fence and threatening two homes, Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said.
Clarendon also joined firemen from Groom, McLean, Mobeetie, and Lefors in assisting the Hoover Volunteer Fire Department with a grass fire south of Pampa near SH 70 last Friday.
Local officials remind everyone to use extreme caution as dry conditions continue to create a high threat for wildfires.
CC equine program returning for fall ‘17
Clarendon College is moving to revive a proven program this fall as a way of boosting enrollment and complementing its well established agriculture programs.
CC’s Equine Judging program was successful seven years ago, and college officials say it will be again.
“The program coach left and the college didn’t fill that position back then,” CC President Robert Riza said. “Now we’re looking to add programs, and we have everything we need to bring back equine judging.”
The program’s return was approved at the February board of regents’ meeting, and Dr. Riza says interviews for the coaching position will begin soon.
“This is a program that we can add in Clarendon, it will add numbers in the dorms, and they are good kids,” Riza said. “This is also a program that feeds directly into West Texas A&M and Texas Tech where many of our kids go.”
CC Vice President of Academic Affairs Brian Fuller says equine judging is a great opportunity for students and adding the program will further develop the ag offerings at the college.
“Students can gain useful knowledge for careers as horsemen, ranch environments, and livestock evaluation,” Fuller said. “These kids will also see the biggest professional and amateur competitive horse shows there are, and the program will help them prepare to become carded judgers in the future.”
The equine judging program, which will be one of the few junior college programs in the state, will mostly travel to Ft. Worth, Oklahoma City, and Weatherford and to the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.
Students will also visit other minor shows to gain experience, Fuller said.
West Texas A&M University has the premier equine judging program, and Clarendon’s program will work closely with WTAMU with academic ag credits designed to transfer to WT and other regional universities.
Fuller said CC already has top meat and livestock judging teams, but livestock judging does not generally include horses.
“This program will help round out our judging program,” he said.
The equine judging program competes in teams of five, Fuller said, and Clarendon College expects to add 15 to 20 students with the program this fall.
To get more information about the new equine judging program, call Clarendon College at 806-874-3571.
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