1924
James
2009
James Calvin Claughton
March 26, 1924 — August 22, 2009
Mr. Claughton was born in Denver, Colorado to James C. and Martha Gril Claughton, March 26, 1924, but lived in Amarillo most of his life, completing primary and secondary education and graduating from Amarillo High School in 1941. He was an Electrical Engineering graduate of the University of Oklahoma.
He married Margaret Lane in Norma Oklahoma in 1946-she preceded him in death. In 1975, he married Christine Lasley in Amarillo.
He was a Navy Veteran, enlisting in 1942 and served on active duty both during World War II and Korean Conflict. In 1975, he retired from the Navy Reserve as a Captain and had commanded several Navy Reserve Units drilling in Amarillo, winning first place (J.J. Manning Trophy) in National competition for excellence among Navy Reserve (C B) Construction Battalions in 1962. For his exemplary Naval Reserve leadership, Gov. George W. Bush commissioned Captain Claughton as an Admiral in the Texas Navy in 1999. He was a life member of the Naval Reserve Association, having served as President of the local chapter, and was a member of the Military Officers Association.
In 1945, he began working for Southwestern Public Service Co. and in 1986, retired as Manager of Engineering Services & Planning. Mr. Claughton was a licensed Professional Engineer in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and was a life member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).
He was past president of the Amarillo Knife & Fork Club. He had served also as President of the Panhandle-Plains Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was a past-chairman of the Panhandle Section of IEEE. HE was a charter member of the Hi-Plains Kiwanis Club of which he had served as president. He was a past president of the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and had also served as President of a regional utility technical organization, The Southwest Meterman’s Association.
He was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board for many years and was a past chairman of finance and a former Church Treasurer. For many years after retirement from SPS, he was a dedicated volunteer at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, also at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a volunteer tour guide at the Alibates National Monument at Lake Meredith.
J.C. is survived by his wife Christine of the home; his son James Lane Claughton and wife Mary of Corpus Christi, TX; daughter, Nancy Lynn Malcom, and husband Scott of Austin, TX; one grandson James Andrew Claughton and wife Lauren of San Antonio, TX; three granddaughters Margaret Elizabeth Harrison and husband Dean of Cedar Park, TX; Courtney Claire Humphreys and husband Charles of Austin TX; and Elizabeth Lee Harris of Plano, TX;
He married Margaret Lane in Norma Oklahoma in 1946-she preceded him in death. In 1975, he married Christine Lasley in Amarillo.
He was a Navy Veteran, enlisting in 1942 and served on active duty both during World War II and Korean Conflict. In 1975, he retired from the Navy Reserve as a Captain and had commanded several Navy Reserve Units drilling in Amarillo, winning first place (J.J. Manning Trophy) in National competition for excellence among Navy Reserve (C B) Construction Battalions in 1962. For his exemplary Naval Reserve leadership, Gov. George W. Bush commissioned Captain Claughton as an Admiral in the Texas Navy in 1999. He was a life member of the Naval Reserve Association, having served as President of the local chapter, and was a member of the Military Officers Association.
In 1945, he began working for Southwestern Public Service Co. and in 1986, retired as Manager of Engineering Services & Planning. Mr. Claughton was a licensed Professional Engineer in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and was a life member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).
He was past president of the Amarillo Knife & Fork Club. He had served also as President of the Panhandle-Plains Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was a past-chairman of the Panhandle Section of IEEE. HE was a charter member of the Hi-Plains Kiwanis Club of which he had served as president. He was a past president of the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and had also served as President of a regional utility technical organization, The Southwest Meterman’s Association.
He was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board for many years and was a past chairman of finance and a former Church Treasurer. For many years after retirement from SPS, he was a dedicated volunteer at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, also at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a volunteer tour guide at the Alibates National Monument at Lake Meredith.
J.C. is survived by his wife Christine of the home; his son James Lane Claughton and wife Mary of Corpus Christi, TX; daughter, Nancy Lynn Malcom, and husband Scott of Austin, TX; one grandson James Andrew Claughton and wife Lauren of San Antonio, TX; three granddaughters Margaret Elizabeth Harrison and husband Dean of Cedar Park, TX; Courtney Claire Humphreys and husband Charles of Austin TX; and Elizabeth Lee Harris of Plano, TX;
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