Obituaries

J.M. “John” Dickson, Jr., died on May 4, 2017, in Hedley.

Graveside service will be at 2:30 pm on Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley, with Mickey Brown, officiating.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

John was born June 18, 1943, in Clarendon. He was the eldest son of J.M. and Ida Lou Dickson. He graduated from Hedley High in May 1961.

He met the love of his life at Clarendon College and married Eunice (Stice) Dickson on May 19, 1967, in Dozier, and from this union came their three children: Donna, Leah, and Tamara.

He served in the U.S. Navy for nine years, returned to Texas in 1971, completed his B.S. degree at WTSU Canyon, and then went full time into the leathercraft business having custom leather shops in Amarillo, Samnorwood, McLean, Panhandle, and finally back to Hedley, where he lived most of his life.

John Dickson became a baptized member of the Church of God on August 14, 1971, and has never wavered from that commitment for the past 46 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Lou Dickson, and brother, Richard Dickson. He is survived by his father, J.M. Dickson; his devoted wife of 50 years, Eunice; his children: Donna Ashley, Leah Tippin and husband Larry, and Tamara Burrell and husband Jeremy; and his six granddaughters: Samantha, Jessica, and Miranda Ashley, and Lauren, Lindsey, and Lilly Tippin.

The family request memorials be sent to:  Rowe Cemetery Association, Hedley Sr. Citizens or a favorite charity.

Terry Elman Bailey, longtime resident of Giles, Texas, passed away on Thursday, May 4th, 2017 in Amarillo. Services were held on Saturday May 6, 2017, in First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rob Lackey and Lewis Ellis officiating. Burial followed in Rowe Cemetery.

Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon

Terry was born in Hedley, Texas on July 24, 1939, to Elmore and Margie Bailey.  He graduated from Hedley High School in 1957, where he played any sport offered.  He was especially fond of basketball and played under Coach Don Haskins.  After high school, he attended Clarendon College on a basketball scholarship. He began his work career with General Telephone in Memphis in the early sixties.  After the birth of his first child, he wanted to be home more and began farming in Brice.  He farmed for 20 plus years before becoming a business owner in 1986.  He successfully ran Bailey’s Convenience Store for almost 20 years touching many lives along the way.  He was known for his giving spirit and was always ready to help anyone in need.  A few years after retirement, he bought a farm and moved to Leila Lake where he loved to work outside and be on his tractor as much as possible.  After some health issues arose, he moved to Panhandle to be closer to his daughter and lived briefly at The Cottages Assisted Living in Amarillo.  He received excellent care there before the Lord called him home.

Terry loved all children, especially his children and grandchildren.  He had a great sense of humor and loved to have fun, sometimes at other’s expense.  He loved to do anything outdoors: riding motorcycles, fishing, hunting and cooking out.  He also made many trips to Silverton, Colorado to ride the mountain passes.  Anytime friends and family wanted to get together for any reason, he was the first to volunteer.  He hosted many celebrations at his home in Giles and enjoyed every minute of it.  Making memories with the people he loved was very important to him and he treasured his life at Giles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother Stanley Bailey, niece Cyndy Bailey, and a special cousin Tommy Bailey.

He is survived by a son Todd Bailey and wife Melissa of Amarillo, daughter Kristi Wagner and husband Todd of Panhandle, sister Jean Stavenhagen and husband Mac of Clarendon, sister Nita Graham and husband Gary of Memphis, grandchildren Evan Bailey of Amarillo, Clay and Brice Wagner of Panhandle, step-grandchildren Michael Blackwell of Amarillo, and Lindsey Blackwell of Nashville, Tenn., the mother of his children JoAnn DeBord of Clarendon, 3 nieces and 3 nephews that were close to his heart.

The family request memorials be sent to Rowe Cemetery Association, PO Box 185 Hedley, Texas 79237

Janet Lou Kimes, 69, died on Thursday, April 27, 2017 in Memphis.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017, in the First United Methodist Church in Memphis with Rev. Bobby Wilson, officiating.

Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.

Janet Lou Powell Kimes was born June 25, 1947 in Wichita Falls to Shelton Burnett Powell and Tommie Grace Wilson Powell, the youngest of seven girls. She married Billy Joe Kimes on July 1, 1979.

She was preceded by her parents; 4 sisters, Francis Marie, Patsy Leona, Sue Ann Osteen, and Tommie Joyce.

She is survived by her husband, BJ Kimes of Brice; 2 daughters, Coerena Tate and B’Randa Bennett and husband John all of Memphis; her grandchildren, Sasha Waddle and husband Aaron of Mustang, Oklahoma, DJ Privitt, Jamee Tate, Cordell Moore, Brooklynn Moore, Jeremy Bennett; Great grandsons, Blake Waddle and Derrick Waddle; her sisters, Marybeth Harmon and husband Buster and Nancy Smith all of Wichita Falls; and many many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family suggests that memorials be sent to the TTUHSC Willed Body Program, Attn: Jason Jones, 3601 4th Street Stop 6525, Lubbock, TX 79430-6525. In Memory of Janet Kimes, include address of Box 796, Memphis, TX 79245, if you want the family notified of the donation.

Linnie Salmon Crosnoe, 51, passed away peacefully Monday, April 10, 2017, at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.

She was born June 12, 1965, in Perryton, to Nolan and Sue Keever Salmon.

She was a 1983 graduate of Clarendon High School and graduated from Clarendon College in 1985. After college, Linnie embarked on a successful 31-year-career as a flight attendant with TWA and Southwest Airlines.

She married Steven Crosnoe on Feb. 5, 1994, in Clarendon. The greatest joys of her life were her daughter, Bailey, and son, Brayden.

Linnie was warm, generous, vibrant and truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. She enjoyed travel, cooking and outdoor activities and adventures with her beloved family and friends. She had an amazing ability to reach people with her kindness, generosity, humor and fun-loving spirit.

She is survived by her husband, Steven; daughter, Bailey; and son, Brayden.

The funeral services were held Friday at First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

Memorial donation may be sent to the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT), 5350 Poplar Ave., Ste 430, Memphis, TN 38119 (or at transplants.org). Please indicate on the check that Linnie Crosnoe is the memorial tributee. If you would like a card sent to the family by NFT, please provide the following address: 2313 Bannister Drive, Frisco, Texas.

Lewis A. Bevers, 77, of Clarendon died Monday, March 27, 2017.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 22, 2017, in Lakeview Cemetery in Hall County.

Mr. Bevers was born Nov. 11, 1939, in Lakeview to John and Lola Bevers.  He was an Army veteran and a special agent at Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

He is survived by his brother, Leon Bevers, of Edmond, Okla.

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, 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, 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.

Carla Jean Davidson died peacefully after a long battle with cancer on March 9, 2017.

Carla is survived by her children, Mike Scott, Michelle Sparks and husband Kenny, Mitchell Scott and wife Brooke all of Amarillo and Collin Davidson and wife Lisa of Indialantic, Florida; sisters Patsy Shaw and husband Gary and

Connie Daniels and husband Rex of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Carla also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Carl Waag.

Carla was born on April 30, 1941 to Betty and Carl Waag in Denver, Colorado. Carla lived in several places throughout her life but spent a majority of her years in Cheyenne, Wyoming where she worked as a legal secretary for Tom Long Law Firm for many years. Carla spent the last part of her life in Clarendon where she lived on Lake Greenbelt with her best friend and dog, Benji.

Carla was a strong, determined and loving individual who treasured her family, Benji, Dallas Cowboys, flowers and enjoying her time spent at the lake. She was an active and dedicated member of the Arena Cowboy Church.

A memorial service is scheduled for March 21, 2017, at 2:00 pm at Arena Cowboy Church in Clarendon. Pastor Bunk will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Carla’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arena Cowboy Church in Clarendon, TX or the Amarillo SPCA.

The family would like to thank all of her hospice nurses, friends, caregivers and church members for their constant and unfailing love and support during her lifetime.

Neita Carol Casteel, 72, died Tuesday, February 28, 2017, in Amarillo.

Memorial services were held Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Larry Capranica, officiating.

Cremation & arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Neita was born April 29, 1944, in Lakeview to C.I. and Vera Johnson Casteel. Neita lived most of her life in Clarendon.  She was a great cook and enjoyed cooking for her family.  Neita was a loving Mother, Granny Neita and GiGi to family.  She was a member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers and 1 sister.

She is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Leeper and husband Tommy of Clarendon; 2 sons, Chris Phillips and wife Mitzi of Amarillo, Steven Phillips and wife Stephanie of Amarillo; brother Kenneth Casteel of Houston; 2 sisters, Rose Lee Watson of Clarendon and Elizabeth Smith of Denton; 6 grandchildren, Bridgette Matthews, Adam Leeper, Kylie Hall, Quinton Phillips, Trey Phillips, and Shealee Carlisle; 7 great grandchildren, Laylah Leeper, Charlie Grace Leeper, Shay Lee Hall, Riley Phillips, Tripp Carlisle, Kannon Carlisle and Ayden Alfonsa.

The family request memorials be sent to any domestic violence center.