Obituaries

Jason Keith Lowrie, 58, of Clarendon went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Plano.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at the Clarendon Methodist Church. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery.

Jason was born in Canyon to David D. Lowrie and Judith Kay Gaines on August 7, 1966. He was a graduate of Caprock High School. He later moved to Clarendon, where he has been a lifelong resident, after marrying his wife of 29 years, Sharon Renee Spurlin Lowrie, on November 22, 1991. Together, they had one child together, Jessica, who later gave Jason his best little friend and grandson, Waylon.

Jason was a lifelong farmer and rancher who loved all things outdoors. Hunting, fishing, riding ATVs, and shooting were some of his favorite pastimes. He was also a very talented artist and loved to draw. Jason was a longtime member and past deacon of Clarendon Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon in 2020; and his father, David Lowrie in 2013.

He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Lowrie of Capitan, New Mexico; mother, Judith Chandler and husband, Terry, of Amarillo; stepmother, Paula Lowrie of Clarendon; two brothers, Jeffery Lowrie of Amarillo and Nathan Lowrie and wife, Shonda, of Clarendon; his grandson, Waylon Riggs and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Craig Merritt Snell, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 3, 2024, in Los Suenos, Costa Rica.

He was born on April 30, 1952, in Friona, Texas, he was the son of Gene and Jean Snell. Craig graduated from Pampa High School. He was known for his hard work and dedication to providing for his family.

A man of great passion, generosity, and knowledge, Craig’s brother, Kim, often referred to him as “Google before Google existed”. His journey took him from the farm fields of Pampa, Texas, to becoming a successful business owner in the Texas Panhandle. Craig loved fishing, hunting, exploring new places, enjoying good food, and sharing a good-natured tease.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Brad Snell, and his parents, Gene and Jean Snell.

He is survived by his wife, Kim; two sons, Eric Snell and wife Michelle, and Kyle Snell and wife Cristin; a daughter, Sheridan Frazier; and seven grandchildren: Madison Mason and husband Cole, Merritt Snell, Gavin Snell, Perry Frazier, Carder Snell, Sloan Frazier, and Callen Snell. He is also survived by his brother, Kim Snell and wife Jamie; two sisters, Jen Snell and Becky Harris; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

An informal celebration of Craig’s life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the River Falls Venue, 13851 Wild Horse Trail in Amarillo, at 2:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity.

Mary Joan Wood was born on January 17, 1938, in Hardeman County, Texas to George and Elizabeth Myers. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Lockney, and that is where she grew up and graduated high school in 1956.

Mary went to college at West Texas State University in Canyon where she excelled in bowling and led the team to many championships including the first ever women’s bowling traveling trophy. During her time at West Texas State, she was introduced to the love of her life, Bobby Wood, a young farmer from Groom, Texas. It was love at first sight and just four months later that farmer asked Mary for her hand in marriage. They were married on September 29, 1961 in Bushland, Texas.

Mary was no stranger to hard work, as she was Bobby’s right hand woman on the farm and ranch in Groom. There they raised registered Hereford cattle and farmed wheat, corn, and milo. Mary and Bobby traveled the country showing their cattle and gaining many life-long friends along the way. In 1963, the couple welcomed their daughter Kellye into the world, and four years later their son Kevin completed the family of four. Mary held many different clerical positions including working at banks, the Groom hospital, Groom ISD, and eventually retiring from the Pantex plant in Amarillo. Mary was a talented seamstress and enjoyed sewing beautiful garments for her daughter and granddaughters that even included matching dresses for their baby dolls. She enjoyed teaching her grandchildren how to sew for the 4-H fashion shows and was an expert at patching Bobby’s work overalls. Mary was also a very talented painter and her many art pieces are cherished by her family.

Mary also had a very competitive nature and could often be found sitting in the bleachers yelling for the players and at the referees when they missed a call. She was also quite a card shark. She enjoyed playing all types of card games with friends and family, where no one was safe from her competitiveness.

The greatest legacy that Mary leaves is her love for Jesus Christ and her love for others. Mary gave her life to Jesus at an early age and served Him faithfully until her final breath on Earth. She served in countless Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible Schools, preparing meals for people, and never hesitated to open her home to those in need. We may never know the number of lives that were changed due to her servant’s heart. Mary and Bobby also shared a deep love of Southern Gospel music, and they attended numerous concerts and revivals with family and friends.

Mary entered her Heavenly Home on October 10, 2024; surrounded by family and friends at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler, Texas.

Those left to cherish her memories are her husband of 63 years, Bobby Wood; daughter, Kellye Jackson (Alan); son, Kevin Wood (Jennifer); and her sister, Sandra Hill. Endeared as “Nanny” to many more are four grandchildren: Kaci Bailey (Mitchel), Kolton Wood (Rebekah), Kyndal Dixon (Wade), and Kaleb Wood; and seven great-grandchildren: Micah, Karter, Andy, and Jeffrey Bailey; Knox Wood; Hank and Annie Dixon; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, George and Elizabeth Myers, and her
grandparents.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of East Texas, Home Care, and Home Place for the wonderful care they gave so graciously to Mary. There are numerous others we want to express our sincere gratitude to including her care-givers; Wanda Johnson, and dear long-time family friend Mike Watson.

Celebration of Life services were held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Landmark Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. A similar service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Robert Adolph Boehm, in accordance with his lifelong dedication to his own personal brand of decorum, muttered his last unintelligible and likely unnecessary curse on October 6, 2024, shortly before tripping backward over “some stupid mother****ing thing” and hitting his head on the floor.

Robert was born in Winters, TX, to the late Walter Boehm and Betty Smith on May 6, 1950, after which God immediately and thankfully broke the mold and attempted to cover up the evidence. Raised Catholic, Robert managed to get his wife Dianne pregnant (three times) fast enough to just barely miss getting drafted into the Vietnam War by fathering Michelle, John, and Charlotte between 1967 and 1972. Much later, with Robert possibly concerned about the brewing conflict in Grenada, Charles was born in 1983.

This lack of military service was probably for the best, as when taking up shooting as a hobby in his later years, he managed to blow not one, but two holes in the dash of his own car on two separate occasions, which unfortunately did not even startle, let alone surprise, his dear wife Dianne, who was much accustomed to such happenings in his presence and may have actually been safer in the jungles of Vietnam the entire time.

While the world was in conflict elsewhere, Robert made due by learning to roof, maintain traffic signs with the City of Amarillo, and eventually becoming a semi-professional truck driver—not to be confused with a professional semi-truck driver.

With peace on the horizon, Robert’s attention somewhat counterintuitively drifted to weapons of war, spanning the historical and geographical spectrum from the atlatl of 19,000 BC France, to the sjambok of 1830s Africa, to the Mosin-Nagant M1891 of WWII-era Soviet Union. So many examples of these mainstream hobbyist items litter his small Clarendon, Texas, apartment that one of them may very well have been the item referenced in his aforementioned eloquent final epitaph.

A man of many interests, Robert was not to be entranced by historical weapons alone, but also had a penchant for fashion, frequently seen about town wearing the latest trend in homemade leather moccasins, a wide collection of unconventional hats, and boldly mismatched shirts and pants.

Robert also kept a wide selection of harmonicas on hand—not to play personally, but to prompt his beloved dogs to howl continuously at odd hours of the night to entertain his many neighbors, and occasionally to give to his many, many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to play loudly during long road trips with their parents.

Earlier this year, in February, God finally showed mercy upon Dianne, getting her the hell out of there for some well-earned peace and quiet. Without Dianne to gleefully entertain, Robert shifted his creative focus to the entertainment of you, the fine townspeople of Clarendon, Texas. Over the last eight months, if you have not met Robert or seen his road show yet, you probably would have soon.

We have all done our best to enjoy/weather Robert’s antics up to this point, but he is God’s problem now.

Robert’s farewell tour will be held Monday, October 14th, at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E Interstate 40 Hwy, Amarillo, TX 79118. The family encourages you to dust off whatever outdated or inappropriate combination of clothing you have available to attend. A tip jar will be available in the front; flowers are also acceptable.

Sara Francis Spalding Carter, 80, passed away on September 29, 2024, in Plainview. A memorial graveside service will be held in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview.

Sara was born on September 27, 1944, in Clarendon to Alfred B. and Eloise (Leach) Spalding. She grew up in Hedley, Texas where she graduated from High School in 1962. She married Gary Carter on May 25, 1977, in Clayton, New Mexico. She worked for Clayton Cattle Feeders as a bookkeeper for 30 years before retiring. She enjoyed following her children and grandchildren to their activities including sporting events and livestock showing. She also enjoyed playing card games with her family and loved planning our yearly ski trips to Red River and Angel Fire. She loved spending time with her family.

She lived for making sure others were taken care of! She was a long-time member of the Clayton Methodist Church and she was also a member of P.E.O.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Carter; parents, Alfred and Eloise Spalding; sister, Martha Lowe; and her mother-in-law, Martha Jean Carter.

She is survived by her son, Darrell Messer and wife Lori of Gruver; two daughters, Deana Crump of Clarendon, Lisa Vaughn and husband Travis of Petersburg; sister, Kathleen Pixley of Grove, OK; seven grandchildren, Matt Messer, Miles Messer, Mike Crump, Chris Crump, Ky Vaughn, Kenlee Vaughn, Kale Vaughn; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to the charity of your choice in memory of Sara Carter.

Vanetta “Tookie” McClellan Thornberry passed away on Thursday, September 26, after a lengthy illness. Born in 1937 and raised in Clarendon, she was the daughter of Carroll and John McClellan and devoted older sister to Jackie McClellan Clark.

Tookie enjoyed growing up in Clarendon where her life was full of friends, Church, Girl Scout camp, and school activities. She embraced it all with a big heart and a fun-loving spirit, qualities that stayed with her throughout life.

A graduate of Clarendon High School, Tookie also attended Clarendon College. In 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Thornberry, and they shared 63 years of marriage until his passing in 2021. Tookie was a full partner on the Thornberry Ranch, keeping an eagle eye on cattle and weather.

Tookie was a worker. Whether it was in real estate, a long career at the Donley County State Bank, or volunteer activities, she gave her all. She was a lifelong member of Clarendon Methodist Church where she served on various committees and enjoyed Sunday School. Tookie loved her community and its history and was an active board member of Saints’ Roost Museum where she played a role in helping start the Annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff. She also enjoyed her membership in Les Beaux Art Club and served Meals on Wheels for a number of years. She treasured her friends of all ages.

At the center of Tookie’s life was her family. She is survived by three sons – Mac, and his wife, Sally; Lance and his wife, Judy; and Drew and his wife, Lesa. She was the beloved “Meme” to Chase (Caitlan), Cortnee (Matt), Will (Temnite), Mary Kemp; Amber, (Paul); Ashlen, (Patrick); and ten great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister, Jackie Clark, and brother-in-law, Will; her sister-in-law, Pat Thornberry, her nephews Richard, (Leane); Sandy, (Bobbie) and Mark, (Cynthia), and her dear niece, Haley, (David). She cherished each of them and their families.

The Thornberry family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of Goodlife Senior Living for the exceptional love and care they gave Tookie. We would also like to thank Enhabit Hospice for their professionalism and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at Clarendon Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 2, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to can donate in her honor to: Clarendon Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157 Clarendon, Texas 79226 or Saints Roost Museum, https://www.saintsroostmuseum.com/Donate or P.O. Box 781, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Arrangements are entrusted to Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Scharlett Sue Leeper, 84, of Clarendon died Friday, September 20, 2024, in Clarendon.

Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Jerry Koontz and Rev. Larry Capranica, officiating.  Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be held Monday at the funeral home with family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Sue was born June 23, 1940 in Donley County, Texas to Hollis Martin and Mary Ellen Craig Banister. She married Jack Thomas Leeper on May 22, 1958 in Hedley, Texas.  She had been a lifetime resident of Clarendon.  Sue worked for over 40 years as a nurse for the State of Texas and for the Nursing Home in Clarendon.  Her hobbies included painting, artwork, playing games, quilting, quilting with her sister, and getting dressed up to go out to eat with her friends.  Sue had served on the Clarendon College Nursing board, Donley County Hospital board, and served Donley County Senior Citizens for 18 years. She deeply loved all of her family and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of her kids and grandkids. She was active member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, where she played a vital role in Missions and served as the Missions director, and also loved taking kids to Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2003; her twin daughters; and two brothers, Basil and Kelsy Banister.

Survivors include her sons, Tommy Leeper and wife Jackie of Clarendon and Bryan Leeper and wife Kris of Pampa; her daughters, Anna Gay Leeper-Tafoya and husband Johnny of Clarendon and Scharla Miller and husband James of Claude; her sister, Patricia Johnston of Emporia, Kansas; 8 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the Donley County Senior Citizens in Clarendon, Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, or Gentiva Hospice.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Becky Hudson McAnear, 70, of Amarillo died Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in Amarillo.

Services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 18, 2024 in the First Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Tamplen, officiating.  Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be held Tuesday with family receiving friends for visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Becky Ellen Hudson McAnear was born in Clarendon, Texas, on February 27, 1954, to Carroll Becton and Ruth Ellen Palmer Hudson. One of her first proud moments in life was being born ten minutes before her twin sister and lifelong best friend, Bette, thus always being known as the older sister.

Being twins and growing up in Clarendon, they certainly drew attention and shared many adventures together with their friends and family. They loved their travels to visit family members, especially when it involved a train ride or time spent at the lake. When one twin wasn’t sure of an activity, the sister could usually encourage the other to participate. Growing up in the First Methodist Church, where she was a lifelong member, they were often found trying to distract their mother from her role as organist during practice sessions.

She graduated from Clarendon High School in 1972 and went on to attend Clarendon College and West Texas A&M University obtaining her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1976. She worked at Pantex for more than 30 years, starting as a mail clerk riding a three-wheel bicycle carrying mail in the front basket before working her way up to become a technical writer until her retirement in 2017. She made many close friends along the way and touched many lives.

Becky and Mike McAnear were ecstatic over the birth of their daughter, Melissa, in 1985 and later their grandson, Josiah, in 2014.

She was known as one of the kindest people with the best smile and a fantastic laugh to go with it. She enjoyed quilting, crafting, exploring family history, keeping up with friends and family, and Dr. Pepper.

Preceded in death by her parents, brother Barry, grandparents Major and Edna Hudson, and Reverend George T. and Myrtle Palmer and her close friend, Jackie Wood.

Survivors include her daughter Melissa and son Josiah of Amarillo; sister Bette and husband Joe Meason of Amarillo, her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and close family members and friends.

Randal “Randy” Lynn Crump, 56,  of Clarendon, TX passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024 in Texola, OK.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 PM Monday, September 9, 2024, at the Clarendon College Matlock Arena with Joe Neal Shadle, Josey Shadle, Ike Hanes, and Brad Shadle officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Randal “Randy” Lynn Crump was born on April 12, 1968 to Janie Ivey Gibson and Morris Crump in Memphis, Tx. He graduated from Clarendon High School and went on to attend Clarendon College.

He married the love of his life, Buckie, on June 1, 2014 in Clarendon. They recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Randy and Buckie dated in high school, but were reconnected by fate many years later.

Randy worked in Hereford, Tx for Johnny Trotter as the cowboy boss before he moved to Clarendon to start his career at TXDOT. Randy retired from TXDOT in November of 2023 and began working at Bird Electric as a heavy equipment operator and was recently promoted to a safety professional.

Team roping was Randy’s life. He would rope with anyone, anywhere, any time and any age. He was a winner and has many buckles and saddles to show for it, but would give them away in a heartbeat. He enjoyed ranch rodeos, fishing and watching any kind of sport he could get on TV.

In addition to all of his rodeo activities, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. He was a protector, loving, the best hug giver, a man with the biggest heart, and he loved to tell jokes and stories.

Those left to cherish his memories and honor him are his wife, Buckie Crump; his 6 pack of children, Carissa Crump; Dustin Crump and wife, Jordan; Jacee Crump; Cody Crump and Charlie; Nash Baker and wife, Larissa; Cameron Baker and fiance, Ryder; his mother, Janie Ivey Gibson; his father, Morris Crump and wife, Linda; his brother, Ray Crump and wife, Mike; and his sister, Laura Bailey and husband, Jason.

He greatly cherished his soon to be, 8 grandchildren. Kitana, Vanessa, Wyatt, Kennedy, Eidynn, Tobias, Mercy, and new baby Crump.

He will be greatly missed and remembered by his numerous nephews and nieces, Mike Crump and wife, Julie; Chris Crump and fiance, Rebecca; Avery Bailey, and Ethan Bailey; cousins, friends and his large rodeo family.

The family request memorials be sent to the Dalton O’Gorman Scholarship Fund.

 

Glenda Kay Koontz Rogers, 82, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, at Citizens Cemetery.

Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Community Fellowship Church with Jerry Koontz officiating.

Glenda was born in Memphis on February 27, 1942. She met and married Gary J Rogers in 1960. They had two daughters and later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they worked and raised their family. Glenda was known for her kind heart and loving soul. She was happiest when spending time with family and loved ones.

She was proceeded in death by her mother and father Delmar Rigdon Koontz and Pauline Lucille Koontz and her sister Cleta Koontz Goad.

She is survived by her husband Gary J Rogers and two daughters Kim Miller of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Kira Shepherd and husband Shaun of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Two sisters, Barbara Helms of Clarendon, and Judy Morgan of Dallas; a brother Jerry Koontz of Clarendon; Three Grandchildren, Crystal Miller of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Nicole Sawyers of Lawton, Oklahoma; Austin Shepherd and wife Elizabeth of Coeur d’Alene Idaho; Four great grandchildren Logan Sawyers, Zander Sawyers, Liam Myers, Andrew Miller and one great great grandchild, Wade Miller, and numerous nieces and nephews.