John Clifton Taylor, 78, of Friona, Texas passed away on August 10, 2025 in Friona. Viewing was held Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM with family visitation from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Celebration of Life Services set for 2:00 PM Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at the Sixth Street Church of Christ in Friona with Jeff Procter, officiating. Burial following in the Friona Cemetery entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
John was born on July 9, 1947, in Hereford, Texas to J.B. and Anita Taylor. He graduated from Friona High School in 1965 and from West Texas State University in 1969. John married Sherri Tannahill on June 8, 1968, and they enjoyed a 57-year marriage. He farmed in the Friona community for a number years before becoming a co-owner of 4-Way Pump Service for 40 years. John had a servant’s heart and loved his community. He joined the Friona Volunteer Fire Department in 1983 and served in various capacities for 40 years, retiring in 2023. He also joined the Friona Police Department, serving for several years as an officer and then as the Chief for four years. After this, John continued in public service by serving on the Friona City Council for six years and as Mayor from 2002-2010. John loved serving in his church and providing a helping hand to others, whether taking communion or food to the homebound or mowing at the church and cemetery. He enjoyed woodworking and leather working and loved sharing his work with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons, Aaron Stowers and Reagan Stowers.
John is survived by his wife, Sherri, and two daughters, Carolyn (Gary) Stowers and Teresa (Kelly) Jack. And, he was so proud of his grandsons (Andrew (Emily) Stowers, Blake Stowers, Jared (Emmy) Jack, and Tyler Jack and great-grands (Rylee, Layla, Payson, Ellie, Cohen, and Wayde). He has one sister, Dianna (Dale) Williams, and one brother and life-long best friend, Jim (Amelia) Taylor, and numerous nieces and nephews.
For those wishing to honor his memory, the family requests donations be made to the Friona Volunteer Fire Department or a charity of your choice.
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Avis Henry, 77, of Friona passed away peacefully at home on August 10, 2025, in Friona. Celebration of Life Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, August 14, 2025 at the Friona Cemetery. Burial following entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Avis was born March 12, 1948, in Roswell, New Mexico to James C. and Deserrea (Keith) Henry. The highlight of his life was being the beloved husband to Linda (Spence) Henry for more than 55 years. The two married on September 5, 1969, in Hereford, Texas. Avis was a U.S. Army veteran and volunteered with several local organizations, including the American Legion, Friona Volunteer Fire Department, Parmer County Sheriff’s Posse, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He volunteered on the Friona ambulance service as an EMT and, in 1984, became the first person from Friona to receive their paramedic certification from Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo. He loved western books and movies, good jokes, animals, and fishing. He hated the Dallas Cowboys. In his later years he particularly loved spending time with his local grandkids, Justin, Christopher, and Timothy.
Avis was preceded in death by his parents, James C., and Deserrea (Keith) Henry, and a brother, James “Jimmy” Henry.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda, of Friona, and four children: Tabatha Thornton of Gallup, New Mexico, Shannon Green of Lubbock, Dawn Henry of Friona, and Chad (Sarah) Henry of St. Louis, Missouri. He was the loving “Papa” of eleven grandchildren: Justin Henry, Christopher Johnston, Timothy Johnston, Jordan Ross, Katelynn (Daniel) Pierpont, Hannah (Dustin) Snyder, Gabriella Thornton, Allanah (Jaime) Murillo, Sean Henry, Madelyn Henry, and Camille Henry. He has one sister, Caroline Peterson, of Capitan, New Mexico.
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Melvin Smith, 77 of Abilene, formerly of Friona passed away August 9, 2025 in Abilene. Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Friona with Kevin Wiseman officiating. Cremation and arrangements entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Melvin was born April 14, 1948 in Roy, New Mexico to Thomas and Ollie Woodard Smith. He later married Linda Walton September 22, 1979 in Plainview. Melvin was called by God into the ministry and served several churches in Texas and New Mexico as Pastor. Being bi-vocational, Melvin also taught 8th grade history in Hereford and Friona. He was quite a handyman with great carpentry skills. Woodworking was more than a hobby for Melvin it was a talent. When he was not busy, he loved to drink coffee with his friends and enjoy their company.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents- Thomas and Ollie Smith, wife- Lindo Smith, 1 son-Jonathan Smith, 3 brothers-Frankie, Louis, and Ferman Smith.
Those to mourn his passings include 2 sons-Jeff Smith of Amarillo, Jason Colston of
Hereford, 1 daughter-Karen James and husband Ben of Abilene, and 1 granddaughter-Embree James.
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Gaylon Dale Rhodes, 89 of Bovina passed away on August 5, 2025, in Farwell. Viewing was held Friday, August 8, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM with family visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Celebration of Life Services with Military Honors held Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Bovina with Pastors Chris Craig and Howard Rhodes, officiating. Burial following in the Bovina Cemetery entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home in Friona.
Gaylon was born on January 10, 1936, in Mountain View, OK to Othel (“Friday”) Conner and Maybian Lucy Rhodes. He graduated from Friona High School in 1954 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959 as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. He served again from 1961 to 1962 at Fort Bliss, TX as a helicopter mechanic. While stationed in North Carolina, Gaylon met Shelby Jean Norris in Saint Pauls. They married on October 2, 1959, and eventually moved to Bovina, TX in 1964, where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives together. This year would have marked their 66th wedding anniversary. Gaylon stayed busy in Bovina over the years. He served on the Bovina ISD School Board, was Fire Chief of the Bovina Volunteer Fire Department, and held leadership roles with the Bovina Chamber of Commerce, Bovina Lions Club, the Bovina City Council, and the Bovina Senior Citizens Association. He was also a longtime Deacon at First Baptist Church. He was proud to support both the Bovina Mustangs and Fillies, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Gaylon spent his life working in agriculture, and at 65, found his favorite job yet—as a crop insurance adjuster. He worked throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, and especially enjoyed visiting with farmers and riding his Gator out into the fields to check crops and swap stories. He was all about two things: his bride and his work. He loved his family.
Gaylon was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Margaret and her husband Paul Coker; his brother Cleatus, Cleatus’s wife Karron, and their son Kyle; his son-in-law Darryl Heinrich; grandson Brooks White; brother-in-law David Smith; nephews Richard Albertson and Larry Rector.
He is survived by his wife, Shelby; daughter Pam and her husband David White of Bovina, TX; son Jim and his wife Joy Rhodes of Fairview, OK; daughter Mendy and her husband Tommy Hutto of Hereford, TX. He leaves behind a big family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will all miss him deeply: Justin and Ashley Heinrich of Montgomery, TX; Lance and Danielle Rhodes of Fairview, OK; Meagan Rhodes of Washington, DC; Jaxon and Jordan Warlick of Hereford, TX; Macy Warlick of Lubbock, TX; Jonnie and Dustin Glick of Amarillo, TX; Meredith and Craig Garner of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; Wade White of San Antonio, TX; Courtney and Huck Bailey of Odessa, TX. Great grandkids include Harper, Weston, Palmer, Collins, and Hallie Heinrich, Ella Rhodes, John John and William Garner, David II, Braxton, Grayson, and Charlie White, Lincoln and Grant Glick Also surviving are brothers and sisters: Betty Smith of Amarillo, TX; Wayne and Judy Rhodes of Duncan, OK; Howard and Belinda Rhodes of Mechanicsville, VA; Darla (Rhodes) and Jerry Shelton of Hot Springs, AR; Barbara (Rhodes) and Brad Woods of Amarillo, TX. And lastly, survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial in honor of Gaylon to: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 550 Bovina, TX 79009. Bovina Senior Citizens P.O. Box 563 Bovina, TX 79009, American Legion, P.O. Box 553 Friona, TX 79035
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“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” —2 Timothy 4:7