Leslie Charles Broadhurst, 65, of Canyon, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, October 28, 2024.
Visitation with the family will be held from 5:30-7:30 PM on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Funeral service will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2024, at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Howard K. Batson and Jonah Sternenberg officiating. Burial will follow at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.
Leslie was born on November 11, 1958, in Lockney, Texas, to Charles and Carolynn (Cator) Broadhurst. As the eldest son of a pastor, Leslie’s early life took him to various towns and cities as his family followed their calling in ministry. Leslie’s love for sports began at a young age, and by age 6, he had decided that his ministry would be coaching. He attended Lubbock Monterey High School, where he excelled in both football and basketball, graduating in 1977. Leslie then attended Hardin Simmons University, where he played basketball for two years before transferring to Texas Tech University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education—a degree that would serve as the foundation of his storied career as the founder and director of Honors PE at Randall High School.
After earning his master’s degree from Texas Tech, Leslie began his coaching career at Lubbock High School as an assistant coach. He later took an assistant position at Borger under legendary coach Duane Hunt before becoming the head coach at Morton High School. In 1988, Leslie achieved his dream job when he became the head basketball coach at Randall High School in Amarillo, Texas. Over his 42-year career in education, Leslie built one of the most remarkable legacies in Texas basketball history, serving as the only head coach of Randall High’s boys’ basketball program for 36 years until his retirement this past May. His accomplishments include leading 24 playoff teams, 10 regional tournament appearances, 12 district championships, 12 Coach of the Year awards, and 2 state tournament appearances. He also served as President of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches from 1995 to 1996.
In recognition of his exceptional career, Randall High School named its gym the Leslie Broadhurst Gymnasium in his honor this past April. In June, he was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame as its 207th member. In September, he became the 28th inductee into the Raider Hall of Fame at Randall High, and on November 8, he will be inducted into the CISD Hall of Fame.
Despite his many accolades and the thousands of players he coached as well as leading yearly Bible studies, Leslie always prioritized his family, his greatest love. On August 5, 2006, Leslie married the love of his life, Heather, and they shared an inseparable bond. Together, they shared four children: Brooke, Blair, Jonah, and Jacob. Leslie cherished his role as a father, but when his grandchildren came along, “G-POP” became his most beloved moniker.
Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Carolynn Broadhurst.
He is survived by his wife, Heather Broadhurst of Canyon, Texas; his daughter Brooke Burciaga and husband Ismael; his son Blair Broadhurst and wife Erin, all of Amarillo, Texas; his son Jonah Sternenberg and wife Celeste of Conway, Arkansas; his son Jacob Sternenberg of Lubbock Texas; and beloved grandchildren: Whit, Merritt, Kennedy, Palmer, and Elizabeth. Leslie is also survived by his sister Ladonna Coursey of Amarillo; his brother Lance Broadhurst and wife Shanda of Littlefield, Texas; his nephews Steven Coursey and wife Lindsey, Jordan Broadhurst and wife Becca, Jonathan Coursey and wife Danielle, and Hayden Broadhurst and wife Emily; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
Leslie will be remembered not only for his extraordinary coaching career but more importantly for his deep faith, unwavering love for his family, and the lasting impact he had on all those who knew him.
The family would like to thank MD Anderson in Houston and Texas Oncology in Amarillo for the excellent care.
Memorials may be made to:
The Leslie Broadhurst Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Opportunity Plan, Inc, PO Box 1035 Canyon, Texas 79015 Or online at: www.opportunityplan.com/broadhurst
Don Max Vars, 86, of Canyon, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Memorial services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, November 1, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Canyon with Rev. Bryan Houser officiating. Private burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
Don Max was born July 17, 1938 in Tulia, Texas. The Swisher County Picnic was in full swing that day in spite of the heavy rain that was falling. These were Don Max’s two favorite events, the Picnic and a good rain. His parents were John Stanley and Olga Samantha (McGlaun) Vars. His brother, Jay Gerald Vars (survived by Marcy and family) preceded him in death. He grew up on the family farm attending and graduating from Tulia High School, serving as the president of the student body. In athletics, football, basketball and track he was known as ’Smiley.’
He attended Texas Tech University following high school graduation with membership in Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity and social fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He earned a degree in Business Administration and Finance. After graduation he worked for the U.S. Treasury as a National Bank Examiner assigned to Lubbock. In June of 1962, he married his college sweetheart, Lila Buske, from Friona, Texas. He was transferred to Amarillo as the Head Examiner in 1963 and shortly after, took a position in the First National Bank of Canyon. He and Lila have resided in Canyon since 1964. They immediately became involved in the community by first joining the First Baptist Church. They served together working primarily with young married adults. He was ordained a deacon and became a trustee, a position he still holds.
His involvement in the community continued as he served the Canyon Lions Club as president and as a District Governor. He was a past President of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society, served on the board of the Texas Heritage Foundation, and was Treasurer and investment officer of Partners in Palo Duro since its inception. He served on the High Plains Baptist Hospital Board and later the Baptist St. Anthony’s (BSA) board. He enjoyed his time serving on the board of Baptist Christian Ministries and was also currently the treasurer of Amarillo Area Baptist Association.
Don Max and Lila Gay were married 62 years, and he was very proud of his two daughters. Mayla Vars Paris and her husband, Kyle live in Amarillo. They are the parents of Colt Paris of Canyon, Creed Paris of Amarillo, and Cutter Paris of College Station. Colt is married to Catie, and they have two children, Rollins and Ramsi, with a third, Rye, due on November 29. Creed is married to Lauren, and they have Abel, Haddon, and Brooklyn. Cutter’s wife is Halie and their children are Morgan, Briar and Britton.
Misty Vars Evans and her husband, Gary live in Bluffton, South Carolina. They are the parents of Brett Evans Davis, Sophie Evans, and Emma Sloane Evans. Brett lives in Scottsdale Arizona with her husband CJ Davis, and they have one son, Baker. Sophie also lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Emma Sloane is in school at the University of Georgia. All the grandchildren and great grandchildren lovingly called Don Max ‘Grand.’
Don Max always enjoyed playing bridge with Lila’s sisters and their husbands OR anyone else who was willing to take time to sit down and play. He and Lila were in a local dinner bridge club for 30 years. For years he served as treasurer of the Wheat Empire Investment. If you knew him well, you know his life was one of commitment. If he ever said he would do something he almost always stayed until the end. He loved to watch the stock markets and spent a lot of his day doing just that.
Don Max loved people. He loved to visit with everyone and found each of you fascinating. He wanted to know about those he met. I’m sure that today he is getting to know some of the saints who have gone before him. He now has perfect eyesight, and he can hear everything they say. He is in heaven.
The family suggests that donations be made in Don Max’s name to Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation, 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015 or the Lila Vars Scholarship Fund, WTAMU Box 60765, Canyon, TX 79016.
Alan Van Warren, 63 of Farwell met his Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at his residence in Farwell. Viewing will be held from 9:00AM to 8:00PM with family visitation from 5:00PM to 7:00PM Friday, November 1, 2024 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY with Celebration of Life Services set for 10:00AM Saturday November 2, 2024 at the Hamlin Memorial Methodist Church in Farwell with Pastor Larry Mitchell of Bovina, officiating. Burial following in the Oklahoma Lane Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Alan was born on June 13, 1961 in Friona, to Artemus Virgil (A.V.) Warren and Bonnie Marlene Foster. Alan grew up in Farwell and graduated Farwell High School in 1980. He married his beloved wife Sandra Fleming on May 17, 1985 at the Church of Christ in Farwell. They welcomed a daughter, Bailey, in 1988 and a son, Aaron, in 1991.
Alan had a close group of friends he spent most of his free time with. This rowdy bunch coined Alan “Hound dog,” a nickname no one is quite sure (or willing to divulge) how exactly he got it. The boys spent many weekends together at Conchas Lake and that is where Alan met Sandra in 1982. Alan enjoyed spending time with his family, watching his grandkids games and recitals, hunting, shooting, tinkering in the barn with his son, building and rebuilding go-karts, stock cars, airplanes and everything in-between. Alan was also well known for giving some the best unsolicited, backhanded love imaginable.
After graduation, Alan went to work for Helton Oil for 25 years before deciding to change careers. In 2007, Alan began working at Deaf Smith Electric Co-Op as a Groundman where he worked until his unexpected passing in 2024.
Alan is preceded in death by his father, A.V. and his grandparents Chet and Lillian Warren and Tom and Loucile Foster.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Warren of Farwell, daughter- Bailey Warren of Farwell, son- Aaron (Regan) Warren of Burkburnett, mother- Bonnie Warren-Howard of Farwell, sister Kittie Warren of Tulsa, grandchildren Braelynn (11), Ryder (11) and Hudson (1) and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorials can be made to the Memorial Fund at Hamlin Memorial Methodist Church 324 5th St. Farwell, Texas 79325.
You can send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book on Alan’s memorial page exclusively at hansardfamily.com