Obituaries

George W. Self was born on April 16, 1938, in Lelia Lake, Texas, to George and Pearl Self.

After studying chemistry at WTSU in Canyon, Texas, he spent his career working for companies in Wisconsin, Missouri and Arizona; and he played a leadership role in the Arizona chapter of the American Chemical Society. George pursued many hobbies throughout his life such as woodworking, painting, and motorcycle riding. But probably the one he loved the most was flying. After getting his pilot’s license in his thirties, he owned several planes, the last being a 1946 Piper Cub that he rebuilt from the wheel struts up.

George is survived by his three children and their spouses, Kristi and Larry Shade, Mitch and Elena Self, Brad and Yoshi Self; his five grandchildren, Courtney McGinty, Laura Walters, Mateo Self, Nicholas Self and Jeffrey Self; and his eight greatgrandchildren, Parker, Molly, Lucy, Micah, Jack, Georgia, Elliott and Anthony.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilee Self.

George passed away on October 13, 2023, in Pampa, Texas. He was loved by many and will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Steven Ray Thornton, 64, of Clarendon died Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Amarillo.

Graveside services will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 1, 2023, in Ash Creek Cemetery in McAlester, Oklahoma.

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

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon, Texas.

Steve was born May 9, 1959, in Pampa to William Allen and Marlene Griggs Thornton. He married Ann Marie Kutz on September 25, 1993, in Pampa. He had been a longtime resident of Pampa before moving to Clarendon in 1999. Steve was an active member of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department since 2013. He enjoyed fishing, shooting, and a strawberry shake from Sonic. He deeply loved his family and his grandkids.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, and his step father, Don Riddle.

Survivors include his wife, Ann Thornton of Clarendon; his mother, Marlene Riddle of Pampa; his step mother, Glenda Thornton of Oklahoma; his sons, Brandon Thornton, Jake Chamber and wife Kelly of Illinois, Zach Brown and Kristin of Borger, Steve Thornton, Jr. of Iowa Park, Carl Thornton and wife Emma of Wellington, and Jerry Hardy and wife Rachel of Amarillo; his daughters, Jennifer Brady of Idaho and Lora Cabrialez and husband Armando of Mathis, Texas; his brothers, Brian Thornton of Oklahoma and Brian Tollison and wife Racheal of Montana; his sisters, Janet McNeely of Pampa and Stephanie Quaid and husband Jeff of Oklahoma; 9 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 364, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Joyce Yvonne Johnson Jackson passed away October 30, 2023, at her home in Lubbock at the age of 85. She was born August 12, 1938, in Hedley to George Johnson and Ollie Bell Moore Johnson.

Joyce Yvonne graduated from Lelia Lake High School and attended Clarendon Junior College. She married Lon Burnie Jackson in December of 1957 at Memphis. She joined Rebekah Lodge in 1962 at Claude, and became a member of Lubbock Rebekah Lodge 321, and later joined the Ladies’ Red Hat club in Lubbock.

In 1987, she was a member of Lamb County Sheriff’s Posse. She attended Lelia Lake Methodist Church until she moved away in 1957. She worked as a cashier at Texas Tech University Center Cafeteria from 1976 until she retired 20 years later.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Ollie Johnson; sister, Jewel Ismanel Johnson Gray; husband, Lon Burnie Jackson, and son, Lonny Gale Jackson.

She is survived by her son, Burnie Dale Jackson and wife LeAnne of Lubbock, Texas, daughter Yvonne Jackson Gipson of Levelland, Texas, two grandchildren: Cody Gipson and Amanda Gipson; three great-grandchildren: Aralyn Gipson, Kason Gipson and Eliana Gipson, all of Levelland, Texas.

No service will be held as she requested. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to either the Salvation Army or St Jude’s Childrens Hospital in her honor.

Bradford Rhea McGuire was born February 18, 1965, in Haskell, Texas. The son of Douglas Allen McGuire and Ann Levell Cargill Davis, Brad and his family lived in Rochester, Texas, Mannheim, Germany, Kermit, Rankin, Ballinger and Clarendon, Texas. A graduate from Clarendon High School, Brad received his Bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Sul Ross State University.

Brad and Karen met at the KVLF Radio station in Alpine, where he taught her to be a DJ. They developed a children’s radio program that featured Brad as the voice of a desert rat, Philo, and Karen as Philo’s wife, Prissy Sue. The program consisted of a theme song,” Smile and the World Smiles with You”-, a character-building children’s story and conversations with Philo and Prissy Sue.

In addition to a stint at the Alpine Vet Clinic and the Alpine Pizza Hut [where, believe it or not, their kids actually began to get tired of pizza!], Brad was a volunteer coach at the Alpine Jr. High and one of the favorite monitors of the students in the In School Suspension class! He also served as the Photography teacher at Alpine High School, was an aide to the Special Ed Classes, and wrote the AHS Sports Column for the Alpine Avalanche. Commenting on his time in the dark room at AHS Brad said, “The previous photography teacher gave me the textbooks and the key and said ‘Good luck’. I spent the summer teaching myself how to use the chemicals and develop pictures. It actually was a lot of fun! I put photographs of school sports events on my classroom door and the students could buy any of the prints they wanted all year long. That helped pay for the purchase of more chemicals in the dark room!”

Brad worked as grounds keeper and maintenance man for Paisano Baptist Encampment for about 8 ½ years. He and Karen established the Saturday night Chapel service at Paisano for all comers, which continued for several years after the McGuires moved to town. Brad was interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Fort Davis for 14 months and then began preaching at Hillside in 2008. Some of his best memories were working with the men of the church in ministries at Hillside, attending a Green Bap Packer game at Lambeau Field.

Casey James Mills passed away October 14th, 2023, at his home in Lamar, Oklahoma at the age of 27.

Casey was born April 12, 1996, in Raton, New Mexico to Gerald Dewayne Mills and Kaye Lynn (Wilkerson) Mills. Casey graduated from Moss Public School. After high graduation, he attended Southeast School of Welding in McAlester. He worked as a welder for Platinum Cross Welding Inc. in Okemah, Oklahoma. Casey married Jessye Duckworth on November 23, 2018, in Holdenville, Oklahoma. Casey had his own fencing company at age 16. He was a hard worker and very talented at whatever he did. Casey was an awesome father, good provider, son and husband. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and fabricating. Casey was a perfectionist, always positive and had the best grin.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale Mills, Jan Curtis, Lawrence Wilkerson and Josie Mae Wilkerson.

He is survived by his wife Jessye Mills of the home, parents; Gerald and Kaye Mills, children; Kendall Dale Mills of Lamar, Nova Lynn Mills of Lamar, 3 brothers; Monty Mills and wife Alicia of Holdenville, Alex McClain and wife Kristen of Ft Worth, Texas, Kord King and wife Stacie of Shamrock, Texas, grandmother Mary Kay Mangum and husband John of Clarendon, uncles; Jeff Mills, Johnny Mangum, Bud Curtis and Aunt Frances Miller. Casey is survived by numerous other uncles, aunts, relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers are Monty Mills, Alex McClain, Hagen Mills, Keith McCoy, Kyle Linaueaver and Jarrod Johnston. Honorary pallbearers are Chad Rogers, Mike Goodson, John Goodson, Jimmy Jett, Bill McCoy, Kyle Cates, Paul Camp and Jason Lambert.

Viewing was 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Oct 17th and 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct 18, and the family greeted guests from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct 18, at Hudson Phillips Funeral Home, in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

Funeral service was be 3:00 p.m., Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Holdenville, Oklahoma with Pastor James Poulain officiating.
Interment will follow at Lamar Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

John Wayne Stepp entered into the gates of Heaven on Monday, October 9, 2023, at the age of 86. He joined his wife Mary Ann Stepp to dance eternally in the Grace of God. He was born on October 3rd, 1937, in Abilene, TX to the late John Conley and Ruth Beatrice McMinn Stepp.

John Wayne graduated from Lelia Lake High School and a few short years later married Mary Ann Douglas, and they were happily married for 66 years. John worked in the Agriculture Industry, he started at The Donley County Office in Clarendon, TX, and later retired in 1996 as the County Executive Director from the Calhoun County Farm Service Agency, in Port Lavaca, TX.

John Wayne is survived by his daughters, Denise Ann Stepp Pozzi (Zane Hartman), and Carrie Jean Stepp Spence (Jeff Spence). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi (Garrett Tonozzi), Travis Spence (Veronica Spence), Brooke Pozzi Smith (Blake Smith) and Colt Spence. Also, great grandchildren Jaedynn, Haley, Chris, Bryce, Taylor, and Aubrey Spence, Tinlee Tonozzi, and Sloan Smith, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Our Dad and Grandad brought so much joy and laughter, not only to his family, but to everyone who ever met “The Real” John Wayne as he would say. He was known to tell a joke or two, but all jokes aside, he was a good man that would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. In his retired years in Victoria, TX John Wayne enjoyed his days on the golf course, his evenings at Klotch with friends, and always time with family.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann Stepp, and they’re grandson Dillon Spence.

Services will be held at Grace Memorial Chapel, 8819 U.S. Hwy. 87 North Victoria, TX 77904 on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow next door at Son Valley Ranch, 8973 U.S. Hwy. 87 North Victoria, TX 77904. To leave a comforting message, or to share a fond or funny memory, please visit www.gracefuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Gentle Hearts Assisted Living, 1101 Salem Rd. Victoria, TX 77904.

Poem: In loving memory of Dad: Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still love, still miss and always very dear.

Travis Louis Ruthardt, 58, of Childress went to be with his Lord, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in Amarillo.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10 AM at First Methodist Church in Groom with Tyler Leavitt officiating. Burial will follow in Groom Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Travis was born October 20, 1964 to Louis and Judy Brown Ruthardt. His profession was a cowboy, a life he truly loved. He was a joker and loved playing pranks on his loved ones. He definitely kept us on our toes. Travis loved working with cattle, being in the outdoors, and being with family.

He is survived by wife, Helen Ruthardt of Childress; his son, Seth Ruthardt wife Sierra of Amarillo; daughters, Haley Bennett of Amarillo, and Rachel Wade and husband Roger of Clarendon; the mother of his children, Tonja Ruthardt of Hedley; his brothers, Ken Ruthardt and wife Missy of Edmond, Oklahoma and Brice Ruthardt and wife Jeanie of Amarillo; his sister, Judith Ingle and husband Jerome of Groom; his mother, Judy Ruthardt of Groom; numerous nieces and nephews; step son, Colton Fowler and wife Dyan of Childress; step daughter, Jacklyn Sims and husband Dallas of Wellington; and 16 grandchildren.

The family suggest memorials be made to Groom Methodist Church, Groom Fire Department, or St. Jude’s in Travis’ name.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Dorothy Joy Martin, of Midland, born in Donley County, on October 10, 1928, left this world to
be with the Lord on September 13, 2023.

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Ford Martin, her son Mitchell Martin, her grandson Justin Martin, and her sister Jessie Lee Holcomb.

Dorothy leaves behind her son Ricky of Midland, her son Randy of Abilene, sister Carolyn Taylor of Memphis, and brother Jerry Don White of Peoria, Arizona. She also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, many friends and friends of loved ones that she cared for throughout the years. Dorothy grew up in Lelia Lake. She graduated from Clarendon High School and went to every reunion until she could no longer make the drive from Midland. Dorothy and her husband were residents of Clarendon, along with other members of the Martin family who are laid to rest in the Citizens’ Cemetery of Clarendon.

She worked at the telephone company during World War II along with her husband’s sister Merle Martin who introduced Dorothy to her husband Ford Martin. After leaving Borger, Texas, where she and her family resided for many years, her husband’s work took them to Midland where Dorothy worked for several years at the Odessa Country Club. She even created a Breakfast Mini Muffin Recipe which they still use to this day on their buffet. She then went to work in the safety deposit room at a local bank in Midland which became Chase Bank, and she retired after 25 years of service. She saw the company through many name changes and stayed a dedicated employee throughout all of those transitions. After that, Dorothy went to work for the Yellow Rose Retirement Home. She spent the next 15 years as a cook for the home, taking care of the individual nutritional needs of 8 residents at a time. She worked until they closed their doors. She was 89 years old at that time. She continued cooking for her residents and taking meals to them in their new nursing homes until the last one passed away.

Dorothy dedicated her life to other people, spreading so much joy with her cooking, loving those around her, and giving of herself always. She was so very deeply loved and will be incredibly missed.

She walked this earth as one of God’s angels.

The Family will have a Potluck Dinner and Celebration of Life in Honor of Dorothy at Beall Park Clubhouse 5200 West Wall Street in Midland, Texas, 79703 on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, (her 95th birthday) from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please bring your favorite dish and join the family.