District Honors
Polar Express boosts fund
Montie Goodin
On Tuesday, November 23rd, Montie Goodin passed away, very peacefully, in her home surrounded by her family.
Services were held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 in the Claude United Methodist Church with Rev. Dick Gravley, officiating. Burial followed at Goodnight Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Cleo Lemonte (Montie) Hubbard was born December 3rd, 1931, in Goodnight, in the original Goodnight House to Cleo and Retta Hubbard. Montie had three sisters, Mary Joyce, Lugenia (Jeannie) and Ann. Montie grew up in Goodnight and then attended Baylor University. On a visit home, she met Emery Goodin, on a blind date. When she graduated from Baylor, Montie flew to Alaska to marry Emery while he was serving in the Air Force on July 12, 1952. For five years, they lived in Alaska, giving them a lifetime of memories.
They returned to the Texas Panhandle to start a family. In 1964, they moved to Goodnight, with their daughters, Elizabeth and Susanna. Emery started farming and ranching and Montie taught several grades in the Claude School District. She obtained her M.S. in Library Science and was instrumental in major renovations of the Claude School libraries.
She and Emery were avid square dancers and she played the organ at the First United Methodist Church. They also enjoyed fishing, camping, and travelling. Montie played in several bridge clubs in Claude and Clarendon.
Throughout her teaching career she was an active member of the international honor society for educators, Delta Kappa Gamma, Zeta Zeta Chapter, serving as chapter president for a time. In 2021, she received her 50-year pin.
Upon her retirement in 1994, Montie became very involved in both the preservation of the original Goodnight buffalo herd and the Armstrong County Museum. During this time, she wrote two plays, “Charles Goodnight: a Soliloquy” and “My Molly” about the relationship between Charles Goodnight and his wife, Mary Ann.
Montie was serving as chair of the Armstrong County Museum when the organization began the renovation of the original Goodnight House and the building of the historical interpretive center. Her passion and enthusiasm were contagious bringing many people together and building lasting friendships. She was honored to receive numerous awards for her work in Texas historical preservation.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Emery. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Magar, son-in-law David Magar, daughter Susanna, granddaughter Kate Freeman and husband Bryon Freeman and granddaughter Sarah Kite, great-grandsons Robyn Kite, Mason Freeman, Ethan Freeman, and great-granddaughter Scarlett Leach.
The family request memorials be sent to the Armstrong County Museum.
2021 Clarendon Christmas festivities Saturday, Nov. 27
Local merchants encourage you to shop locally this weekend as the community celebrates “Christmas in Clarendon” and the eighth annual lighting of the Donley County Courthouse.
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone to shop local businesses, and the Chamber and its partners have lined up several activities to make shopping at home fun, including a downtown Christmas Craft Fair, a Christmas Bingo promotion, and four nights of Late Night Shopping.
As part of Small Business Saturday this weekend, a Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with vendors set up at the CEDC restaurant building at Kearney and US 287, the future home of Loaded Nutrition in the old book store, and the Masonic Lodge Hall. If needed, vendors may also be located in the Arena of Life Cowboy Church. Everyone is encouraged to come downtown and check out what the vendors have available there. Shonda’s Snack Shack will be serving in the Masonic Lodge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a food truck is also planned for Saturday.
A coloring contest and entertainment will be held at the Mulkey Theatre from noon to 5 p.m. The official coloring pages and contest details are available online at
ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents. Check out the same page for details on the Chamber’s Christmas Bingo contest. Bingo cards are available at participating merchants as well as online. The bingo winner will be drawn, and the coloring contest winners will be announced at 7 p.m. at the CEDC building.
The fun continues Saturday evening at the Donley County Courthouse where Santa Claus will be on hand to visit with the kids starting at 5 p.m. before the official Courthouse Lighting at 6 p.m. The Lions Club will be serving hot chocolate, and musical entertainment will be provided by the Clarendon Elementary Ensemble, Gary Cockerham, and Jesse Lincycomb. Activities will also be available on Third Street between Sully and Kearney following the courthouse lighting.
The Christmas celebration continues Sunday evening with a special showing of The Polar Express at the Mulkey Theatre. Admission will be a donation to the Donley County Community Fund, and attendees are encouraged to get into the spirit of the movie by wearing their pajamas to the show, which starts at 6 p.m.
The shopping fun continues with Late Night Shopping dates set up for December 2, 9, 16, and 23. Check online at ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents for a list of merchants who are staying open late for your holiday shopping convenience.
Local merchants are ready to help you find something for everyone on your Christmas list with their Black Friday and Small Business Saturday specials on November 26 and 27. Details on local sales are printed in the Holiday Gift Guide included in this week’s Clarendon Enterprise and also available at ClarendonLive.com.
Small Business Saturday began in 2010 when it was founded by American Express to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
According to experts, every $100 spent in locally-owned stores returns $68 to the town through taxes, payrolls, and other expenditures. That same money spent in another town or online returns nothing to your local community.
Shop at home this holiday season and remember the important role your local merchants play in keeping your community strong.
Giving Tuesday helps Donley County Fund
As part of a national day known as GivingTuesday, the local Donley County Community Fund (DCCF) is participating in The Panhandle Gives campaign.
For nine days from November 22 through November 30, all funds raised locally will be increased through a match from the Amarillo Area Foundation.
“Participating in this campaign is an opportunity for our local fund balance to grow,” DCCF chair Jacob Fangman said.
The DCCF is a local board whose purpose is to raise money for a perpetuating fund while contributing a portion of the money to local organizations.
Over the past five years, the DCCF has been able to give $6,000 to local charities.
So that the local DCCF can benefit from the match, anyone wishing to participate will need to give their donation by Monday, November 29, so that the final deposit can be made on GivingTuesday.
Contributions can be mailed to Donley County Community Fund, c/o Jacob Fangman, Box 906, Clarendon, TX 79226. Checks should be made out to The Panhandle Gives, with DonleyCCF written on the memo line.
Franks ready for NFR battle
By Ted Harbin
It was the fall of 2020 when Cole Franks made a couple of goals for himself.
He was a sophomore at Clarendon College in his hometown, competing on the rodeo team for his father, Bret Franks, the program’s coach. He also had just purchased his card, allowing him to be a full-fledged member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association instead of a permit-holder.
He wanted to win a college championship for his team for the 2020-21 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association season and hoped to add the PRCA’s Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year title.
The missions were accomplished in multiple ways over the summer run of rodeo. Franks dominated the bareback riding race at the College National Finals Rodeo and also qualified for the championship round in saddle bronc riding to win both the bareback riding and all-around titles in Casper, Wyoming. He also was a major part of the reason the men’s team title went to Clarendon.
Within a few weeks of that, he’d earned enough money to have clinched the rookie crown. He finished with $77,393 in earnings, leading the field by nearly $45,000. With that, though, he added another major accomplishment to his list by qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. In fact, he’ll head to Las Vegas for ProRodeo’s grand finale as the 12th-ranked bareback rider in the world standings.
“Making the finals is really great,” said Franks, 20, now a junior at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri.
“When I got my card this year, I wasn’t focused on it or even looking at the finals this year. I was just looking at the rookie deal and banking on making the finals next year. For it to happen this year is really cool.”
It happened because of relationships he’s developed in his time in ProRodeo. He joined two NFR veterans – three-time world champion Tim O’Connell and 2020 average titlist Jess Pope – on the rodeo trail and gained some education because of it. As Franks moved his way up the bareback riding money list, O’Connell and Pope offered the idea of a switch in priorities: Focus on making the NFR, and the rookie race would come.
That’s exactly what happened. Along the way, Franks picked up some big victories. In fact, he finished the 2021 campaign with 13 event titles and had three rides of 90 points or better, all of which came the same week in early August. He started out the week by scoring 92 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Spanish Feathers to win in Carson, Iowa.
A couple days later, he followed that with a 90 on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Bar Code to win the first round in Dodge City, Kansas, advancing to the championship round at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame event in western Kansas. On Short-Round Sunday, he set an arena record by spurring Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire for 93 points, one of the highest scores of the season in the PRCA.
Born in Guymon, Oklahoma, Franks is the second generation of his family to advance to rodeo’s most prestigious event; Bret Franks was a three-time NFR qualifier in saddle bronc riding. Cole Franks proves the genetics come strong in their athletic form, but so does the love for the game.
He was two months from being born the last time his dad played on the biggest stage in ProRodeo. He’s only seen videos and heard stories, but that never curbed his hunger to be one of the best cowboys in the sport. Like his dad, Cole Franks likes riding bucking horses. He uses a bronc saddle some, especially in college, but he’s excelled using a bareback rigging.
“It’s cool to think I’m following in Dad’s footsteps, even if it’s in bareback riding and not bronc riding,” said Franks, who credits much of his success to his sponsors, Cinch, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, Western Legacy Co. and 287 Ag.
“I have always told myself that I had to make it at least three times, tying Dad’s three,” he said. “But I want to make it to where I have three (world championship) gold buckles to put with Dad’s three back numbers.”
By transferring to Missouri Valley, he’s positioned himself to only improve upon his skills. The college is well known for its bareback riding prowess, and Franks will be one of four bronc busters with ties to the college performing at the NFR, joining O’Connell, Pope and Tanner Aus for the 10 nights of action from Dec. 2-11 in Las Vegas.
“Bareback riding is just more of a fight,” Franks said. “I wouldn’t say I’ve always had a fighter’s personality, but I’ve always wished I was in a way. I think that’s what made me stick with it because of the aggressiveness of it. In the bronc riding, you have to be relaxed to a point, but in bareback riding, it’s 100 percent bare down.”
It’s the perfect fit for the young man who won’t back down from a fight with a 1,200-pound bucking beast.
Brass with class
Betty Marguerite Mays Holmes Yankie
Betty Marguerite Mays Holmes Yankie, 69, passed away November 11, 2021, in Dallas, Texas.
Betty was born in Clarendon, Texas October 4, 1952, to Ivan Lester Mays and Mary Marguerite Martin McCrary Mays as the youngest of six children.
Her older brother James Douglas tells a story of being sent to the Mulkey Theater to watch the Sunday Matinee starring Audie Murphy with his younger brother and sister. They stayed through the newsreels and cartoon and both showings before returning home after dark. Upon arriving home, they discovered a new baby sister. They asked where she came from and was told, “the doctor brought her by”.
The family moved to Arkansas for several years but returned while Betty was in elementary school. Betty graduated from Clarendon High School in 1972.
Betty married Mark Holmes, her first husband, in 1972, they had two sons, Mark William Holmes and Christopher Bradley Holmes. Mark and Betty were married for a few years.
Later Betty married Joe Mike Yankie. Joe and Betty operated Yankie’s RV Park & Fireworks Stand. Betty really enjoyed selling fireworks and working in the Clarendon School system Maintenance Department.
Betty was preceded in death by an older sister Peggy Sue McCrary (an infant), her father and mother, and her older sister, Wanda Nell McDonald Cardwell, and her husband, Joe Mike Yankie.
She is survived by two brothers, James Douglas McCrary of Clarendon, and Richard Lee McCrary of Navasota. One sister Alice Marie McCrary Ewing of Garland. Betty’s two sons, Mark William Holmes and wife Sherry of Carrolton and Christopher Bradley Holmes and wife Robyn of Carrolton. Betty also leaves behind Grandchildren and Greatgrandchildren.
Betty attended a Baptist church in her earlier years and always loved the Lord. She was always cheerful and happy to see you. Betty was always full of energy and friendly to everyone. On
Tuesday November 23, 2021, The Sandell Drive-In hosted a Celebration of Life Service get together for family and friends. Come be a part of this special occasion as we remember sweet Betty’s life. The had pictures up on the big screen and some of her favorite tunes followed by her beloved Fireworks.
Arlington V. Barnes
Arlington V. Barnes, 66, of Panhandle died Monday, November 15, 2021, in Amarillo.
Private family memorial services will be held at a later date.
Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Arlington was born September 23, 1955, in Childress to Victor and Bonnie Courtney Barnes. He was a hardworking man and had worked in the oilfield with CRL Pump and Supply, was a diesel mechanic, and a truck driver. He was a soft-spoken man who had a purpose in life to serve others. He was always available to anyone that ever needed him. He loved Jesus with all his heart, and we know where he is, and we will see him again.
He was preceded in death by his father, and his brothers, Roland Barnes and Bert Barnes.
Survivors include his mother, Bonnie Barnes of Ada, Oklahoma; his wife, Olga Barnes of Plainview; his sons, Malachi Barnes of Panhandle, Obadiah Barnes of Lubbock and Elijah Barnes of Lubbock; 6 stepchildren; his sisters, Virginia Webb of Ada, Oklahoma and Vickie Wheeler of Dickson, Tennessee; 10 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his best friend that was like his brother, Richard Ham.
David Lee Hauck
David Lee Hauck, 75, of McLean died Thursday, November 18, 2021 in Shamrock.
Services were held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, in One Way Church in McLean with Rev. Thacker Haynes and Casey Carter, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of McLean.
David was born July 6, 1946, in Corpus Christi to Lawrence and Lopez Hauck. He had been a resident of McLean the past 51 years and worked for Texas Department of Transportation for 30 years prior to his retirement. He enjoyed fishing and video games. He loved watching sports and westerns.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Hollie Parsons.
Survivors include his son, Kane Hauck of McLean; his brother, Don Hauck of Amarillo; his sister, Ann Goodman of Dallas; his grandchildren, Jordan Parsons of McLean, Jadyn Parsons of McLean, and Courtney Parsons of Pampa; and several nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be sent to the McLean Athletic Boosters.
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