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CC spring enrollment hits new record
Clarendon College set a new record for spring enrollment following the 12th class day last Wednesday with final headcounts coming in at 1,393.
That total reflects a 13.34 percent growth compared to the spring 2016 enrollment of 1,229. The new record is the highest spring enrollment in the school’s 118-year history and marks CC’s fourth consecutive semester of double-digit growth.
“Our success is due to hard work and a lot of effort on the parts of a lot of people,” CC President Robert Riza said. “Our faculty and staff are committed to student success and work very hard to achieve these goals.”
Dr. Riza pointed to growth in CC’s correctional education program and increasing dual credit among area high schools as reasons for the higher enrollment numbers.
“We also had two vocational nursing cohorts start in January when we realigned the program to better align with our bridge program,” the president said.
The number of students taking classes in correctional facilities was 82 higher than this time last year, and the number of high school students taking college classes grew by 85 with the largest growth coming from students in Pampa, Groom, and Amarillo.
Head counts on campuses in Clarendon, Childress, and Amarillo were down, but enrollment at the Pampa campus was up by 4.2 percent.
CC also saw more students taking classes online with growth in that segment of enrollment up 73.6 percent.
Contact hours, which is part of what the state uses to determine CC’s funding, was also up 10.7 percent.
Riza also says his administration has plans to build on this spring’s enrollment growth with proposals that will be put before the CC Board of Regents next week.
Memorial service praises Robertson’s life
Funeral services were held Monday for Delbert Wayne Robertson, who was remembered for his service to his community and his fellow man.
Robertson died Thursday, January 26, at the age of 82 in Shamrock. Funeral services were held in the Clarendon College Harned Sisters Fine Arts Auditorium with Rev. Bill Hodges officiating. Interment will followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors and funeral procession led by the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and other emergency vehicles.
Robertson’s grandson, Chuck, eulogized the man he called his superhero and remembered the lessons that he taught his family through example while serving as a funeral director for 60 years and spending a lifetime in service to his community.
“My quick math shows that he handled about 8,000 funerals,” Chuck Robertson said. “That included 19 deaths from the tornado that hit Howardwick (in 1970).”
Through it all, the younger Robertson said, Delbert always put the needs of grieving families first and considered the funeral director’s service to be a mission.
“He was far from perfect but always steadfast and constant,” Robertson’s grandson Greg Collins said as he recalled stories of his grandfather’s hardworking nature.
Dr. Robert Riza, president of Clarendon College where Delbert was a 54-year board member, also spoke of Robertson’s legacy and extended condolences to the family on behalf of State Sen. Kel Seliger, State Rep. Ken King, and leaders among community colleges.
“Mr. Robertson served a lifetime in service to this community,” Riza said and noted that he and four former CC presidents agreed that Robertson was kind, gentle, compassionate, and servant.
Rev. Hodges praised the life of a man he called a close personal friend.
“Delbert was a good man,” Hodges said, “not so much so because of his actions but because at some point he accepted Christ as his savior.”
Delbert was born June 17, 1934 in Clarendon to George Andrew “Andy” and Sallie Elizabeth Robertson. Delbert was a native of Clarendon and a 1952 graduate of Clarendon High School. Delbert was also a 1953 graduate of Landig College of Mortuary Science in Houston. He then volunteered for the US Army near the end of the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso.
In August 1953, he married Patsy Darlene Wallace in Clarendon. He returned home to Clarendon in 1956 and became a funeral director for Murphy Funeral Home for almost 10 years before obtaining a job with Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors in Amarillo in the mid-1960s. Delbert then came back home and worked again for Murphy Funeral Home.
He then opened Clarendon Funeral Home in October 1973. In December 1973, Delbert Robertson along with Maurice Schooler and Mack Gordon, funeral directors from Amarillo, purchased Murphy Funeral Home. Murphy Funeral Home and Clarendon Funeral Home ownerships combined and the name was changed to Schooler-Gordon-Robertson Funeral Directors. In 1975, Patrick Robertson, Delbert’s son, graduated from mortuary school and joined the firm. In January 1977, Delbert and Patrick bought out Schooler-Gordon and the named changed to Robertson Funeral Directors.
In 1998, Delbert and Patrick opened a satellite location in Claude. In October 2003, his grandson Chuck joined the firm. The Robertsons, purchased funeral homes in McLean in 2009, Shamrock in 2011, and Memphis in 2009, and bought out their competitor in Memphis in 2015.
After Patrick’s death in 2014, he then became partners with his grandson, Chuck. He has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Texas since 1957 and was awarded a 60-year licensee at the Texas Funeral Directors Association convention this past June.
Delbert was a lifetime member of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Dept. and served as the Fire Chief of the Department for 32 years from 1980 until 2012 when he retired from that position and has been a lifetime member since 1953. He also a certified firefighter through State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas.
Delbert served more than 50 years as a regent for Clarendon College, more than any other board member. He was a member of the first independent board of regents after the college separated from the public school district in 1962 and was a board member when the new Clarendon College campus was built and opened in 1968. He has served in various board offices and has served under many of the college presidents.
He was also a member of the Clarendon Lions Club where he has served in many offices including past president. He was a member of the Donley County Hospital District board when the new hospital was built in 1971 and held various offices on that board as well.
He was also a member of American Legion Adamson-Lane Post 287 in Hedley was a 50-year member of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700, AF & AM.
Delbert has been awarded funeral director of the year three times by the Panhandle Funeral Directors Association for the years 1979, 1985-1986, and 2004-2005. He also was awarded the Panhandle Firemen’s & Fire Marshals’ Association Firefighter of the Year in 2008. The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce bestowed their highest honor, the Saints Roost Award, on him in 1984 and again in 2001.
In August 2009, he married Naomi Lowe in Red River and they made their home in Clarendon and Shamrock.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Patsy on June 7, 2008; his son, Patrick on December 22, 2014; his step daughter, Linda Allison in 2015; two sisters, Maxine Howe and Georgia Speed; a brother, Glenn Robertson; and a daughter-in-law, Edie Robertson.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi Lowe of Shamrock; a daughter, Debbie Thompson and husband Michael of Clarendon; three grandchildren, Greg Collins and wife Jennifer of Bushland, Tiffanie Word of Clarendon, and Chuck Robertson and wife Amanda of Clarendon; seven great grandchildren, Abi and Maci Collins, Tristan Black, Gavin and Aiden Word, Jaxon Robertson, and Keighen Crump; his sister, Margaret Vines of Wellington; a daughter-in-law, Vicky Robertson of Clarendon; three step sons, Gary Lowe and Dennis Lowe both of Shamrock, and Boe Lowe and wife Sue of Lumberton; a step daughter, Glenda Harvey and husband Mike of Jonestown; a step son-in-law, Con Allison of Shamrock; his adopted grandsons, Cameron Word and Brayden Phillips; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Clarendon College Foundation, Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, Citizens Cemetery Association, or a favorite charity.
Sign the online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
Robert Harold “Bob” White
Robert Harold “Bob” White of Clarendon passed away Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the age of 57.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 15, at 2 p.m. in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Chris Moore officiating and arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Graveside services will be held prior to the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in the Rowe Cemetery near Hedley.
Bob was born September 8, 1959, in Groom to Harold and Mary Ruth Sargent White. He married Pat Trout on March 26, 1977, in Clarendon and had been a resident of Donley County most of his life where he was a successful peanut and cotton farmer.
He was a board member of the Panhandle Peanut Growers from 1992-2009, National Peanut Board from 2010 to present, and served on the American Peanut Council from 1999 to present. Bob was an avid supporter of Clarendon and Hedley and served in several different capacities throughout his life. He was a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ.
He is preceded in death by a daughter, Tracy Amber White.
Survivors include his wife, Pat White of Clarendon; his parents, Harold and Mary Ruth White of Hedley; two daughters, Mandy Gay and husband Michael of Clarendon and Holli Jo White of Amarillo; three sisters, Tanya Gibson of Amarillo, Renee Shields of Lelia Lake, and Shauna Herbert of Hedley; three grandchildren, Madisen, Alex, and Maddex Gay all of Clarendon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be sent to Harrington Cancer Center in Amarillo, Kindred Hospice, or Advo Companies.
Sign the online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.
Enterprise publishes 2016 Fall/Winter welcome guide
The 2016 fall/winter edition of the Clarendon Welcome Guide is greeting visitors and newcomers to Donley County this week courtesy of The Clarendon Enterprise in cooperation with the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce.
The 48-page, magazine format guide features welcomes from Mayor Larry Hicks, Donley County Judge John Howard, and Clarendon College President Robert Riza as well as Clarendon School Superintendent Mike Norrell and Hedley Superintendent Colby Waldrop. The guide also includes information on local events scheduled through February 2017.
“We’re very proud of this publication, and we appreciate the support of all the local businesses and organizations who purchased advertising space in this endeavor,” said Enterprise publisher Roger Estlack. “This has proven to be a very popular publication, and it continues to grow with each edition. The first guide one year ago was 36 pages, and it has now grown to 48 pages.”
The Welcome Guide has maps for the county and the cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick with locations of popular attractions and landmarks marked; lists important information and contact numbers for those cities and the county; and provides contact numbers and information for local schools, and health care providers.
Local churches are listed in Guide as are local real estate agents and rental properties. Greenbelt Lake and the Clarendon Country Club are featured prominently, as is the Saints’ Roost Museum. A directory of Chamber member businesses and organizations is also published in the Guide.
“I think this is one of the greatest things we’ve done,” Chamber Manager Bonnie Campbell said. “It is a great way to get information to people about what we have here and the things there are to do in Clarendon.”
The Welcome Guide is updated and published twice each year. A digital edition of the Welcome Guide will be available this week at ClarendonChamber.com.
Billie Jean Roberts
Billie Jean Knox Moore Roberts of Weatherford, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 31, 2016, at the age of 88 in Weatherford.
Billie Jean was born to Lilly and Van Knox in Clarendon on March 15, 1928.
She loved reading more than any other activity. She also was a faithful servant in her church, enjoyed singing in the choir, gardening, playing Kino and “42”. She was a member of Eastern Star, Shady Grove Baptist Church in Weatherford, Tex., Sassy Spicy Peaches Red Hats, Senior Singers, and Weatherford Senior Circle. Sending out cards to family, friends, or anyone that needed some encouragement gave her great joy.
She attended school in Clarendon where she graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1945 and graduated Valedictorian of Clarendon College in 1947. She later completed college at West Texas State University, now University of West Texas A & M, in Canyon in 1967 with a Master’s Degree in English. During her working career, she was the registrar for Clarendon College in Clarendon and Tarrant County Jr. College in Ft. Worth. From there she served as the Dean of Women of West Texas State University, now University of West Texas A & M in Canyon from 1969-1972. That was followed by teaching high school English for 32 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lilly and Van Knox and sisters- Patricia Wallace and Christine Baugh.
She is survived by son Terry Moore and wife Vicki of Amarillo, daughter Teresa Randolph and husband Robert of Weatherford, Tex. She was Nana Bill to her grandchildren: Billie Jo Pierson and husband Wayne, Shawn Moore and wife Dynell, Suzy Foster and husband Jerry, Amy Simcik and husband Brad, Keith Horton and wife Katha, Karen Esquivel and husband Daniel. Great Grandchildren: Meagan Pierson, Tobin Pierson, Connor Moore, Madison Jean Moore, Maggie Foster, Gracie Foster, Will Simcik, Carissa Simcik, Kaylssa Esquivel, and Kara Esquivel, numerous nieces and nephews and many cherished friends.
A celebration service was held at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Weatherford, Tex. on August 3, 2016. Memorials can be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, 2470 W. Lambert, Weatherford, TX 76088. Interment will be at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, August 15th at 10:00 a.m.
William Joseph “Bill” Purvis
William Joseph Purvis, 80, died on Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Amarillo.
Celebration of life service will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Howardwick Baptist Church on Thursday, August 4, 2016, with Rev. Dave Stout officiating.
Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
William Joseph “Bill” Purvis was born July 15, 1936, in Newkirk, Ok to Ted and Dorothy Dailey Purvis. Bill was a Veteran of the US Airforce retiring after 21 years of service. He married Anne Word on May 8, 1987 in the country of Turkey, and together they lived Loveland, CO prior to moving to Howardwick 9 years ago.
Bill was a member of the VFW in Clarendon and American Legion post in Hedley. He loved visiting with friends, delivering Meals on Wheels the past 5 years, and scroll sawing. He was a member of the Howardwick Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Purvis of Howardwick; son, Jeffrey Mahannah; 2 daughters, Teresa Wright and Vicky Hinz; brother, Ted Purvis; 4 grandchildren, Geoffrey Wright, Mikayla Hinz, Keith Mahannah, and Ryan Mahannah; and 2 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to Senior Citizens in Clarendon or the Burton Memorial Library.
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
Patrick Jeton Butler
Patrick Jeton Butler, 73, died on Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Howardwick.
Services were held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2016, in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Brad Thompson and Chris Moore, officiating.
Graveside services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2016, in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulia.
Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Pat was born July 27, 1943, in Amarillo to Loyd and Jeton Butler. He married Carolyn Hastings on May 15, 1970. Pat was a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer after 27 years of service. Pat was also a Chief Appraiser at Young County and was the longest standing appraiser in the same office in Texas serving for 23 years. He was a member of the American Legion Adamson-Lane Post 287 in Hedley and the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association. Pat was also a volunteer firefighter and was a past member of the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department where he served as Assistant Chief. Later he joined the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, where he was currently a member and serving as Assistant Chaplain. He was a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ.
He was preceded in dead by his parents; a son, Dusty Bob Butler; and a brother, Earl Butler.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Butler of Howardwick; a step son, Dr. Brandon Fredenburg and wife Beverly of Lubbock; a sister, Cathy Coile and husband L.V. of Tulia; a sister in law, Em Butler of Tulia; 3 grandchildren, John, Jenni, and Josh all of Lubbock; and many loved nieces, nephews, friends, and Navy brothers.
The family request memorials be sent to the High Plains Children’s Home and the Hali Project both of Amarillo or the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
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