Claborn, John Cecil "Jay"

John Cecil "Jay" Claborn

Services: Have been held.

John Cecil “Jay” Claborn, 83, of Friona, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.

He was born on July 16, 1920, in Post, Texas, to John and Cordie Claborn.

He joined the Army during World War II. He fought in five major battles including the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes forest, the Invasion of Normandy, the Northern France Campaign, the Rhineland Campaign and the Central Europe Campaign. Family members said he was awarded four Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, the “Croix Deguirre” Medal of Honor from France, the Belgium Medal of Honor and the American Defense Service Medal. After being discharged he enrolled in the Landig College of Mortuary Science School. He owned and operated Claborn Funeral Home in Friona for over 30 years. He married Jonell Clark in 1997 in Friona. He was a member of the Friona United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by two sons; and 10 brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. Jobey Claborn (and wife, Janet) of Muleshoe; two step-daughters, Diana Russell and Teresa Carter, both of Clovis; two sisters, Faye Strickland of Plano, Texas, and Lois Staley of Searcy, Ark.; three grandchildren, Jackie Claborn of Dallas, Jason Claborn of Lubbock and Amy Claborn of Arvada, Colo.

The Rev. Steve Patterson will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Friona.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association-Panhandle Region, 2404 W. 7th, Amarillo 79106 or the Friona United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 301 E. 8th, Friona 79035.

Arrangements are by Parkside Chapel Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas.