Obituaries

Jo Anne Sibley Benton Brown, 78, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Amarillo.

Services were held Friday, July 12, 2013, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Anthony Knowles, officiating.

Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas.

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

Jo Anne was born September 21, 1934, in Amarillo, Texas to Guymond Noble and Lois Verina LaFon Sibley. She moved to Clarendon in the early 1940’s where her family farmed in the Martin Community.

Jo Anne started to school when she was six years old and then attended school in Clarendon when she reached the eighth grade. She graduated from Clarendon High School in 1951 then attended Clarendon Jr. College. She started working at The Donley County State Bank in May after graduating from college. She married Benny Benton in 1956 in Clovis, NM and they had one son, Richard Benton. Benny passed away in 1961. She then moved to Amarillo for a time, working for Pantex where she met Frank L. Brown, Jr. They married at her family home in Clarendon in October of 1967.

She returned to The Donley County State Bank where she worked a total of 30 years. After Frank’s death in January of 2000, she moved to Canyon. Jo Ann was a Baptist, attending the Close Walk Sunday School Class while in Canyon. She had attended the First United Methodist Church while in Clarendon. Jo Anne belonged to the Jim Wilson Duplicate Bridge Club, Randall County Extension Service, and while at Clarendon Jr. College, she belonged to the Kappas and the Science Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Benjimin Benton; and by her second husband Frank L. Brown, Jr.

She is survived by a son, Richard Benton of Canyon; a step son Timothy Frank Brown and wife Paula of Pampa; a sister, Wanda Root and husband Harold of Canyon; 3 step sisters, Ann Hommell of Clarendon, Betty LaGrone and husband O’Dell, Judy McCully both of Amarillo; 3 grandchildren, Aerial, Jill, and Gracelyn Brown; 2 great grandchildren, Cade and Ethan Brown; a niece Gena Barrett and husband Brian of Canyon; a nephew, Dan Root and wife Natalie of Canyon; 3 great nieces, Kristen Barrett Flowers and husband Darren of Amarillo, Ripley and Jaidyn Root both of Canyon; a great nephew, Benjamin Barrett of Canyon; and a great-great niece, Leah Flowers of Amarillo.

The family request memorials be sent to Olivia’s Angels at BSA Hospice in Amarillo.

Marjorie Florence Brock Holland, 82, died Friday, July 5, 2013 in Clarendon, Texas.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 8, 2013, at Robertson Funeral Directors Saint’s Roost Chapel with Rev. Lloyd Stice officiating. Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Marjorie Florence Brock Holland was born March 21, 1931 in Seminole, OK to

Roy D. and Oma E. Wade Brock. She moved to Donley County in 1941. She married Billy Ray Holland in Clarendon on October 3, 1952 and together they raised 4 children. Marjorie enjoyed painting, sewing, and reading but her greatest passion was her life- long devotion of selfless care to her daughter, Dena. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death her husband, Billy Ray Holland, on Feb. 20, 2000; triplet brothers, Floyd Brock, Boyd Brock, and Lloyd Brock; twin sisters, Lorene Riley and Irene Stewart; and a brother and sister at very young ages, Louis and Norma Jean Brock.

She is survived by her son, Danny Holland, of Littlefield; 3 daughters, Deborah Merchant and husband Bob, of Amarillo, Dondra James and husband Scott, of Cabot, Ark., and Dena Holland of Clarendon; her sister, Mabel Dean Wilson, of Clarendon; 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorials be to Burton Memorial Library, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Mary Elizabeth Gatlin, infant, died Monday, July 1, 2013 in Amarillo, Texas.

Graveside services were held on Friday, July 5, 2013, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Rev. Bill Hodges, officiating.

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

Mary Elizabeth Gatlin, infant daughter of Jeremy and Katrina Gatlin was stillborn July 1, 2013.

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents.

She is survived by her parents, Jeremy and Katrina Gatlin of Clarendon; a sister, Alana Gatlin of Clarendon; her grandmother, Kate Simmons of Amarillo; her great grandfather, Kenneth Swinney of Hedley; her aunts and uncles, Renee Miller and husband Larry of Channing, Brenda Swinney of Hedley, and Willy Lewis of Hedley.

 LaRue Marjorie Shadle Pittman, 88, of Amarillo died Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Services were held Saturday, July 6, 2013, at St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Perry Hunsaker, minister of congregational care officiating. Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

LaRue was born on March 27, 1925, in Wise County to Thomas Marvin Shadle and Louise Koeninger Shadle. As an infant, she moved to Donley County with her parents. She graduated from Clarendon High School with the class of 1942 and from Clarendon College in 1944. She attended Texas Womens University and graduated from West Texas A&M University.

She married Robert Ray Pittman on June 30, 1946, in Clarendon. She had

been a member of First United Methodist Church of Clarendon, Polk Street United Methodist Church and Pleasant Valley United Church, where she taught Sunday school for 20 years and served in several capacities with the official board. She later became a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

LaRue taught school at Hedley High School from 1944 to 1945 and at Skellytown Grade School from 1945 to 1946. She was employed by Upshaw Insurance Agency, Realty Company and Investment Corp. from 1946 to 1966. She was employed by Amarillo College in 1966 and retired as accounting supervisor in 1987.

LaRue always said her greatest accomplishments in life were the friends she made.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Marvin Shadle, on Aug. 11, 1968; her father on Aug. 3, 1988; her husband on June 17, 2005; and her mother on Dec. 31, 2005.

Survivors include two nephews, James Dennis Shadle and wife Susie and Joe Neal Shadle and wife Raenell, all of Clarendon; two nieces Cheryl Shadle Anderson and husband Randy of Canyon and Barbara Shadle Williams and her husband Roy of Clarendon; 12 great-nieces and great-nephews; 31 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; a great-great-great-niece; a sister-in-law, Cherrye Shadle Howard of Clarendon; a brother-in-law, Billy Mae Pittman and wife Ruth of Amarillo; two nephews-in-law; seven nieces-in-law; and a number of friends who were very dear to her. Also survived by Alice Harrison and husband Edward, Verna Moore and husband Robert and Jeannie Lucas and husband Roger, all of Amarillo, Sue Keesee of Barstow, Calif., Mary Alice Bucher and husband Chuck of Houston, Nelda Wilks and husband Ronnie of Lubbock and Kathy Lott and husband Jerry of Pearl City, Ill., two nephews, Charles Lee Wood and wife Patti of Green Valley, Ariz., and Gene Wood and wife Carolyn of Holly Lake Ranch.

The family suggests memorials be to the LaRue S. Pittman Scholarship Fund, in care of Amarillo College Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 447, Amarillo, TX 79178; Citizens Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 983, Clarendon, TX 79226; St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4317 Interstate 40 West, Amarillo, TX 79106; or a favorite charity.

Susan Carol Nelson Thompson, 59, of Lazbuddie, Texas died Monday, July 1, 2013.

Susan was born January 24, 1954, to Teddy & Sybil Nelson in Kermit, Texas. She graduated from Wheeler High School and raised her daughters in Clarendon. She served as the secretary of the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon for several years. Susan graduated from Clarendon Jr. College in

1997 and later graduated from West Texas A&M in 2009 with a degree in teaching. She taught 6/7 grade English, History & Art at Lazbuddie ISD till her death.

She is survived by 2 daughters: Sheri D. Hall-Cox & husband Shel Cox of Dumfries, Virginia and Debi J. Hall-Betts & husband Diamond Betts of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 6 grandchildren: James M. Bollinger (21) of Lubbock, Abbygail P. Cox (10) & Joshua D. Cox (9) of Dumfries, Virginia, Gavin Z. Hall (10) of Clarendon and Dominic R. Hall (3) & Taye R. Hall (3) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 1 Brother: Larry Nelson & wife Dale of Tuttle, Oklahoma; Mother: Sybil Alexander of Amarillo; Husband: San Thompson of Clarendon and several Nieces, Nephews & Cousins.

Susan’s ashes will be laid to rest beside her Daddy at Gageby Cemetery north of Wheeler. There were no services.

Church Services for Irene Sis Stephens, 86, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday July 5, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Matador, TX with Anthony Knowles officiating. Interment will follow at East Mound Cemetery in Matado, TX under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home of Matador, TX. Sis passed away July 1, 2013 in Childress, TX.

Sis was born January 3, 1927, in Hayes, Kansas to Jack and Rose Rumsey. She graduated from Elmdale High School in 1945. Working part time and having 5 children at home she started college at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma in 1963. She transferred to West Texas State University in Canyon and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in May 1973. Sis married William Morris Stephens on May 21, 1972, at the +S Ranch in Whiteflat, Texas. She began her teaching career at Matador Elementary in August 1973. Sis continued her teaching career at Motley County Intermediate School, Crosbyton Junior High School, Childress Prison System and finally at Valley School before retirement.

She was preceded in death by eldest daughter Merry Gaye Lyons 1950, eldest grandson Jack Leon Lyons May 1994, husband William Morris Stephens November 2000, eldest son Had Franklin Lyons October 2007, granddaughter Jessica LeaNora Lyons July 2005, daughter in law Cherri Fallis Lyons March 2012.

She is survived by her children Sherry Faye White of Waynoka, OK, Matt Eugene Lyons of Woodward, OK, Luke Lynnwood Lyons of Cherokee, OK, and Shonda Kaye Martin of Clarendon, TX. She had 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Bob Rumsey, Jim Rumsey, Bill Rumsey, Patty Kaul, Annie Black, Eddie Walcott, and Larry Walcott.

Johnny Oran Philley, 80, died Friday, July 5, 2013, in Claude.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Great Plains Western Church in Washburn with Larry Richardson, officiating.

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

Johnny was born October 28, 1932, in Clarendon to Stephen Oran and Madelion Davis Philley. He was married to Delores Wensley for 58 years. He had been a resident of Phoenix since 1968 where he worked for Moore Business Forms prior to his retirement. He was an active member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona where he served as a deacon. He dearly loved his family and loved his home state of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on September 20, 2012.

He is survived by a son, John O. Philley, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona; a daughter, Diana Lasher and husband Jeff of Phoenix, Arizona; 2 brothers, Bob Philley and wife Margaret of Amarillo and Jim Philley and wife Joyce of Clarendon; 2 sisters, Glenda Castillo of Alabama and Kay Dye of Claude; 5 grandchildren, Holly Plunkett and husband Christopher, John Lasher and wife Corry, Amber Lasher, Jessica Philley, and Stephen Philley and wife Jackie; 3 great grandchildren, Vanessa Philley, Jackson Plunkett, and Payton Philley; and a close friend, Doyle Littlefield of Clarendon.

The family request memorials be sent to a favorite charity.

Jerry Charles Gage, 70, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Clarendon, Texas.

Services were held on Friday, June 28, 2013, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lloyd Stice, pastor, and Rev. Terry Tamplen, officiating.

Burial followed at 3:00 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2013, at the Afton Cemetery in Afton, Texas.

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

Jerry was born May 1, 1943, in Matador to Charles and Ouida Wilson Gage. He had been a resident of Clarendon since 1971. He married Gloria Copeland on March 24, 1967, and they had two sons, Jay in 1969 and Lee in 1973. He married Ouida Jackson on March 2, 1989 in Floydada. Jerry worked as an agent for ASCS from 1968 – 1981 and taught the Ranch and Feedlot Operations program at Clarendon College from 1982 – 2004.

Jerry was a past member of the Clarendon Lions Club, past member of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and served as Fire Chief from 1977-1980, member of the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association, Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700 AF&AM, and the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon. Jerry was a man of his word and he always strived to do what was right in all situations. Jerry loved the land and he loved ranching, fishing, and golf, but above all else he loved his family.

He was a great teacher as well and loved to teach his grandkids about fishing and taking care of cattle, and there is a whole generation of young men and women in the cattle business today who learned the business from him. He will always be remembered for his character, his integrity, and his love for people. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Ouida Gage

He is survived by his wife, Ouida Gage of Clarendon; 2 sons, Jay Gage and wife Becky of Throckmorton, Lee Gage and wife Lexi of Amarillo; 3 step sons, Todd McCandless of Phoenix, Arizona, Darrell McCandless and wife Janice of Decatur, Don McCandless and wife LaNell of Floydada; a step daughter, Billie Hendrix and husband Joel of Floydada; 3 sisters, Evelyn Yeates and Geneva Giesecke, both of Lubbock, Pat Forbis of Afton; 17 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

James O. Hoggatt, 59, died Friday, June 21, 2013, in Phoenix, AZ.

Services were held on Friday, June 28, 2013, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Anthony Knowles, officiating.

Burial followed in the Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon

James was born in Yuma AZ on December 18, 1953. He graduated from Hedley High School and attended Clarendon College.

James married his loving wife of 22 years, Clairece Hoggatt, in Hedley on September 1, 1990. He loved ranching and horses. He was a correctional officer for 20 years but his first love was cowboying.

He enjoyed working cattle with his cousin Jimmy and feeding cows and horses with the grandkids. James was a good-natured, soft-spoken, God-loving, and kind Cowboy. He was loved and will be missed by all but will live in the hearts of all he touched.

James was preceded in death by his father, Bud Hoggatt.

James is lovingly remembered by his wife, Clairece and his mother Betty Hoggatt, his step-children: Clifton Wilkinson of Lubbock, Dusty Wilkinson and wife, Stephanie of Hedley, Jeff Wilkinson and wife, Sandy of South Fork, Colorado, Tiffany Hartman and husband Lucas of Wellington and brother Johnny Hoggatt and wife Kathy of Hedley. He is also survived by seven-grandchildren who called him Gramps: Jeffrey, Brittney, Kelsey, Cody, Jaycey, Domonique and Ethan. He was uncle to Johnny Hoggatt and wife Jana Hoggatt, James Hoggatt and fiance Kristy Saenz and Mary Tolbert. James was great-uncle to Nathan, Clay, and Kaitlyn Hoggatt, Abby, Elizabeth and Robert Tolbert and Battle Hoggatt. James is also survived by several cousins including Jimmy Kennedy who was like a brother and Bill Kennedy of Hedley.

The family request memorials be sent to Rowe Cemetery Association, Hedley, TX 79237, or the American Cancer Society.

Billy Joe McFall, 83, of Pampa, passed from this life peacefully, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at his home with his wife and children by his side.

Services were held at Central Baptist Church on Friday, June 7, 2013, with Pastor Norman Rushing officiating. Burial followed at Citizen’s Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas, under the direction of Carmichael Whatley Funeral Directors.

Billy Joe was born December 2, 1929, to Sid and Delila McFall, of Polar, Texas. The family later relocated to Quitique, Texas. At the age of 13, Billy Joe left home to work as a cowboy for the R O Ranch near Clarendon which was owned by the Lewis family. While there, Billy Joe made his home with Johnnie Rex and Bill McClellan at Hodge Camp south of McLean and would later move to the ranch headquarters northeast of Clarendon. He was the oldest of the 3 remaining R O Ranch cowboys – the others being Butch Turpin and Joe Glass, both of McLean. Billy Joe later worked for the late Jake Chamberlain, who managed the Shoe Bar and Shoe Nail Ranches.

From 1950 – 1952 he served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. After returning from his tour overseas, he married Jo Dean Trout, and began his work on the Sitter Ranch.

In 1966, Billy Joe moved from ranching life to Pampa to begin his livestock management tenure at Heaton Cattle Company and then managed the Wheeler Feed Yard until his retirement.

Billy Joe was the epitome of a southern gentleman and a true cowboy through and through. He devoted his life to the cowboy way which was evident in his character, beliefs, remarkable and respected business sense. He took the very essence of what being a cowboy was all about and displayed this through his artistic abilities through leather works, rawhide plaiting, and horse shoe creations. Growing up with parents who were share croppers he knew from a very young age that adversity was not a time to give up but to survive the best you could. He had an impeccable work ethic and expected no less from others. He was very much a perfectionist and believed that a hand shake was your word. He always helped anyone in need and felt his horse was his partner.

On February 14, 2009, Billy Joe married, Roberta Collins. They resided east of Pampa where they have enjoyed family and worshipping together at Central Baptist Church.

Billy Joe’s all time motto was: Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. –John Wayne.

Billy Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Jo Dean, parents Sid and Delila McFall, his brother, Sid McFall, son-in-law, James Pergeson and great-granddaughter, Kensi Jo McFall.

Survivors include wife, Roberta, of the home, son, Gary McFall, and wife, Cheryl, of Pampa, daughter, Donna Simpson, and husband, Scott, of Morton, daughter, Diane Goodman, and husband Anthony, of Pampa, and daughter, Danette Powell, and husband, John, of Fort Worth along with 16 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and one on the way. Also surviving are step-daughters Tammy Hiett, Dianne Cornelison, and husband, Jackie, and Sebrina Ozment and husband, DJ, all of Amarillo, 3 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great grandchildren, his 2 brothers, Jack McFall, and wife, Jo Ann, of Silverton, Texas, and Bud McFall of Cottage Grove, Oregon, and sister Alpha McFall of Watsonville, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Baptist Church, 513 E. Francis, Pampa, Texas, 79065, Citizens Cemetery, P.O. Box 983, Clarendon, Texas, 79226 or Saints Roost Museum, P.O. Box 781, Clarendon, Texas 79226.