Obituaries

Cecil Lee Hook, 88, of Clarendon passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Amarillo.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Church of Christ in Hedley with Tom Anderson officiating.

Cremation and Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Cecil Lee Hook was born in Dickens on April 12, 1935, to Andrew George and Mary Jane (Williams) Hook. On December 27, 1954, he married Lillie Baker in Snyder. He had been a resident of Clarendon for 43 years where he worked as a welder for most of his life. Cecil was a member of the Hedley Church of Christ. He enjoyed playing dominoes, fishing, hunting, loved dancing, and was an expert at just about everything he did.

Cecil is preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife of 48 years, Lillie; his brother, Elbert Hook; and his sisters Hazel, Delores, and Lorene.

He is survived by his sons Cecil Hook, Jr., and wife Barbara of Amarillo; Rick Hook and wife Vickie of Amarillo; Michael Hook and wife Tina of Claude; one daughter, Deanna Gasser of Clarendon; brother Denzil “Hass” Hook; sister, Betty Joe Bittle; ten grandchildren; and twenty-two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hedley Church of Christ, PO Box 166, Hedley, TX 79237.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Norma Virginia Bruce, 97, of Clarendon, died Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in McLean.

Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Norma was born November 8, 1925, in Amarillo to Roy Everett and Kensey (Gold) McDowell. She was a long-time resident of Clarendon, prior to moving here, she lived in Phoenix, Ariz., and worked for Motorola. Norma enjoyed sewing and cooking and loved her family. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; eight siblings; and a son, James Bruce.

Survivors include daughters, Sharyn Morrow and Sonyia Hill both of Clarendon; daughter-in-law, Michelle Bruce of Clarendon; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donald Eugene Stone passed from this earthly life to be with Jesus our Lord on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Clarendon Church of Christ with Brad Thompson and Justin Cardwell officiating.

Family will receive friends for visitation at the funeral home on Friday, April 21st from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Don was born December 2, 1930 in Prescott, Arizona to Alta Clark Stone and Henry Melton Stone. He married Virginia (Ginger) Crocker January 21, 1955 in Pampa, Texas. He had been a resident of Clarendon since 1972. Don was the local Church of Christ preacher in Clarendon for seven years. Don preached full time in Fritch, Austin, Stinnett, Bovina, Fritch again, and Hobbs, NM. He later did interim preaching at White Deer and Hedley. He also taught Bible classes at the Colonies Church of Christ. He taught a community Bible class for several years here in Clarendon as well as in Bovina and Fritch. He was Bible Chair Director at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces where he taught Bible for college credit and also at Clarendon College.

He has performed numerous weddings, funerals and baptisms. He has preached in 69 churches in gospel meetings, VBS, lectureships, and special classes.

Don operated a sign shop business for many years. He did business all over the Panhandle area. He also had an art studio. He had a talent for drawing and painting.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his two brothers, Kenneth Stone and Norman Stone.

Survivors include his wife, Ginger; daughter, Laurie and husband, Steve Holcomb, of Sweetwater; grandchildren, Whitney and husband, Andrew Lamming, of Lubbock, Ashley and husband, Justin Cardwell, of Wichita Falls, and Brady Holcomb and wife, Leslie Ann, of Abilene; and two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Grace Cardwell and Cole Eugene Lamming.

Memorials may be sent to the Donley County Senior Citizens, Drawer B, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Marvin Leon Elam, 68, of Amarillo died Monday, April 3, 2023.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Saint Stephen Church of Amarillo.

Marvin was born November 21, 1954, in Groom to Isaac and Ruby (Taylor) Elam. He graduated from Pampa High School, furthering his education by earning a Bachelor at West Texas State University, and a Master of Education from West Texas A&M University. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity while at SW Texas State University

He married Sharon Joy Underwood on December 20, 1989.

Marvin was a member of Saint Stephen Church of Amarillo, formerly known as Saint Stephen United Methodist Church.

He was a Texas public school administrator, and coach. He was Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame Coach of the Year 1994. Marvin served in many education related organizations including past president of Panhandle School Leaders Assn., Board of Directors of Texas Middle School Assn., and member of Texas Assn of Secondary School Principals. Other civic roles include life member and past president of Optimist International, past president Clarendon Lions Club, former alderman and mayor, City of Howardwick, and was 2006 Man of the Year, Clarendon/Donley County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac Newton Elam and Ruby Faye Elam; brother, Jerry Thomas Elam; Brother-in-law, Jerry Len Evans; father-in-law, William Benton Underwood; mother-in-law, Glyndel June Underwood; and nephew, Stefan Anthony Miller.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Elam, of Amarillo; brother, W.N. “Digger” Elam and wife Reba, of Amarillo; sisters, Irene Oatman and husband Harvey, of Clarendon, and Karen Evans, of Amarillo; sister-in-law, Shelley White and husband Joel of Amarillo; brother-in-law, Dennis Kevin Underwood and wife Tik of Phoenix, Arizona, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen Jo Land, 96, of Clarendon died Friday, April 14, 2023, in Claude.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood and Steve Ellis officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Robertson Funeral Directors with family receiving friends for visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Helen was born on April 2, 1927 in Clarendon to George and Lela Cannon Bulman. She married Billy Jack Land on October 17, 1945, in the home of preacher Hal Upchurch, while Billy was home on leave from the Air Force during World War II.

Helen was a graduate of Clarendon High School, Clarendon College and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Texas State University. She began her career as a teller for Farmers State Bank in Clarendon. Later, she went on to teach in Goodnight School, Martin School, and Clarendon Public School where she retired in 1991. Helen loved teaching and never took a day off from her teaching duties.
After retirement, she served as an election judge for the county, volunteered for meals on wheels, and they traveled a lot with her brother, Gene and wife Shirley. Helen also loved to sew, quilt, and work in her garden, but in her lifetime, she never learned to swim and was deathly afraid of water and flying.

Helen dearly loved her sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and daughters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, George Bulman, Jr, and Gene Bulman; sister-in-law, Shirley Bulman; sister, Billie Ruth Barbee and brother- in- law Tick; daughter -in-law, Deborah Land and great grandson Jack Land.

Survivors include her husband, Billy Jack of Clarendon; sons, Steve Land of Panhandle and Monte Land and wife Carolyn of Possum Kingdom Lake; grandchildren, Amanda Land of Stephenville, Texas, Mark Land and wife Callie of Panhandle, Texas, Kirk Land and wife Josie and Wesley Land and wife Sarah all of Amarillo, Texas; Great grandchildren; Mackie, Leah, Carly, Joyce and Sawyer due in July.

Family request memorials be made to Donley County Senior Citizens, PO Drawer B, Clarendon, Texas 79226 or First Baptist Church, PO Box 944, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Ira Jean Chunn of Amarillo, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the age of 91.

Graveside services will be Thursday, April 6, at 2 p.m. in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Gary Beauchamp officiating. Viewing was held Wednesday, April 5, from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and the family received friends from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jean was born on January 28, 1932, at home to parents Alfred and Allene Estlack of Clarendon. Jean attended public schools in Clarendon. She then attended Clarendon College and obtained an associate’s degree. She married Bill Chilton and had four sons: Charles Patrick Chilton of Helena, Okla., Michael Chilton of Purcell, Okla., Steven Chilton of Pampa, Texas, and James Lynn Chilton of Lubbock, Texas.

Jean later married Winfred Chunn of Amarillo who proceeded her in death on January 28, 2003. Winfred had three children; Bruce Chunn of Colorado, Mark Chunn of Arkansas, and Cynthia Boles of Amarillo. Jean was a resident of Amarillo for 51 years. She loved all seven children as her own. There are 14 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Jean worked for the state of Texas welfare department for more than 25 years as a supervisor. She also volunteered as a supervisor for the volunteers at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo. She attended Lifeway Fellowship Church in Amarillo.

Memorials can be made to Citizens Cemetery Association, PO Box 983, Clarendon, TX 79226.

William Bryan Knowles, 89, of Clarendon went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Clarendon.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Anthony Knowles and Randy Srader, officiating.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Bryan was born July 20, 1933, in Beaver County, Okla., to Francis Earnest and Deborah Ann Alexander Knowles.  He married Patricia Aldeen Starr on February 13, 1957, at Bryan’s sister’s home in Darrouzett, Texas.  He had been a resident of Clarendon for 54 years.  He had worked for Pantex for 32 years, Donley County State Bank, and wrote prepaid funerals through Mission Plan prior to his retirement.  Bryan was a true man of God and had pastored churches at Martin, Brice, Howardwick, Hedley, and was the charter pastor of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon where he was still a member.  In his 54 years of ministry, he performed over 900 funerals, 600 baptisms, and 400 weddings.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Frank Knowles; his sisters, Eula Collingsworth and Ruth Mehnert; and two grandchildren, Amber and Jacob Knowles.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Patricia Knowles of Clarendon; his sons, Anthony Knowles and wife Vicki of Memphis, Brent Knowles of Clarendon, and Dennis Kirk Knowles of Dallas; his grandchildren, Dustin Knowles and wife Krista and Shawn Putman and wife Melanie; six great grandchildren, Michael, Katelyn, Leighanna, Zaiyn, Bayleigh, and Averie; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the Donley County Senior Citizens, PO Drawer B, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Wesley Arlyn Sharp passed away peacefully Monday, March 28, 2023, at the age of 89.

Graveside services will be Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Alanreed Cemetery with Brother Bob Miller officiating.

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

Wes was born on May 19, 1933, to Howard and Anna Belle (Patrick) Sharp. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hart and graduated from the Hart Public School system in 1951. Wes proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.

Wes married Beth Hall on July 27, 1956, in Canyon. They moved to the Sandhills of Nebraska in 1957. Wes enjoyed ranching, roping, and raising and riding good Quarter Horses. The family moved back to Clarendon in 1983. Wes worked for the Archer Daniels Midland Company and Texas Saddlery before starting Sharp Saddlery which he owned and operated for over 30 years. He truly enjoyed the many customers and friends that he made during his travels of West Texas, Eastern New Mexico, and the Oklahoma Panhandle.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Jeannie Mosley; and great-grandson, Kashton Jackson.

Wes was a devoted and loving husband, dad, granddad and great granddad. Those left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy are: wife, Beth Sharp of the home; son Kelvin Sharp and wife Lissa of Lubbock; daughter Evonnda Watkins and husband Joe of Claude; granddaughters Mandi Jackson and husband Blaine of Claude; Alice Conner and husband Chad of Amarillo; Kelsee Lozier and husband Clay of Claude; Lindsey Boatright and husband Brice of Lubbock; grandson John Sharp of Lubbock; great grandchildren Kaylee Jackson, Korbin Jackson, Peyton Conner, Keevin Conner, Addyson Conner, Cadyn Lozier and Kinsley Lozier and brother Jack Sharp of Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alanreed Cemetery Association, C/O Bank of Commerce, P.O. Box 29 McLean, TX 79057 or Donley County Senior Citizens Association, P.O. Box Drawer B, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Owen Merle Kramer, 91, of Skellytown, formerly of Clarendon died Thursday, March 16, 2023 in Pampa.

Services will be at 1:00 PM Monday, March 20, 2023 in the First Assembly of God Church in Clarendon with Rev. Matthew Stidham and Rev. Carter Pirtle, officiating. Burial will follow in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery in Canadian, Texas.

Viewing will be held Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Merle was born July 15, 1931 in Skellytown to John Joseph and Stella Mae Owens Kramer. He married Beatrice Swann Farrington on April 14, 1984 in Pampa. Merle had been a longtime resident of Skellytown and Clarendon where he was a carpenter. Merle’s whole world was carpentry. He built many houses in the time he worked as a carpenter and helped build the First Assembly of God in Clarendon. Merle also worked as a welder for several years. Merle also enjoyed building bird houses and gardening. He was member of the First Assembly of God in Clarendon and attended the First Baptist Church in Skellytown.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a step son, Mark Farrington; a brother, John R. Kramer; and a grandson, John Brodick Strickland.

Survivors include his wife, Bette Kramer of Skellytown; his sons, Kevin Farrington and wife Sandra and Marvin Kramer and wife Sherry all of Skellytown; his daughters, Kathy Caruth and companion Glen Carpenter of St. Johns, Arizona, Rita Kramer of Skellytown and Cyndy Smith of Kileen; two sisters, Mary Jo Terry and husband Leon of Orange, Texas and Anna Davis and husband Marvin of Springfield, Missouri; 17 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com