Schlenker, J.R. "Chick"

J.R. “Chick” Schlenker

Services: Have been held.

Mr. J.R. “Chick” Schlenker, 94, of Portales, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.

He was born on Oct. 24, 1908, in the Rhea community in Parmer County to Amelia and Charles Schlenker.

He was the first baby whose birth was recorded in Parmer County. He attended high school in Friona and graduated in 1927. He attended West Texas State College for two years. In 1928, family members said he was the Texas high jump champion at WT. He married Maurine Boykin on Feb. 14, 1937, in Comanche, Texas. They operated a dairy and farm and ranch in the Portales area and the Lollipop Play School in Portales. He was a member of the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ. Family members said he enjoyed developing wind turbines to generate electricity, reading and raising Great Pyrenees sheepdogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Oscar, Willard, Floyd and Harold Schlenker; four sisters, Florence Dorsey, Beula Hopkins, Esther Mae Burns, and Mabel Hartwell; and his wife.

Survivors include a son, Johnnie Schlenker (and wife, Lynne) of Arroyo Grande, Calif.; two daughters, Jo Day Cope and Patsy Neely, both of Portales; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Helen Potts and Louisa Wilson, both of Friona.

David Bennett will officiate the services with the assistance of various family members.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Brook Neely, Jonathan Hawes, Mark Hawes, Rick Rosa, Leroy Schutz, Floyd, Kendall and Charles Schlenker and Jay Potts.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.