Clay "Papa" Lock

Clay “Papa” Lock, 71, of Lefors passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, September 20, 2024, in Amarillo.

Services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Lefors with Pastor Matthew Honeycutt officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Heights Cemetery in Lefors. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory. 

Clay was born May 2, 1953, in Mineral Wells to Clayton and Dorothy Lock. He graduated from Lefors High School in 1971 and continued to be a true “Pirate” until he passed away. After high school he attended Clarendon College for a year before he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Clay served faithfully for four years and then served in the National Guard for over 20 years. On May 29, 1978, he married the love of his life, Tonya Wyatt, in Lefors. They have celebrated 46 years of marriage. 

Clay was a dedicated hard worker for Gray County Precinct 2, retiring in 2010 after over 25 years of service. He was also dedicated to First Baptist Church in Lefors, serving as a deacon. Clay was a longtime member of the Lefors Volunteer Fire Department, served on the LISD School Board, coached Little League baseball, coached Pee Wee basketball, and was on the chain gang at the football games. Clay also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also collected hats; he had a hat collection of over 200 hats that he was proud of. 

Clay was known as Papa not only to his family but many others in Lefors. He never missed any of his children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren’s events or games. He was always there to support them in all of their activities. Clay was a quiet person, until you got to know him, he loved to tell stories. He loved to give people a hard time and it wasn’t uncommon for him to call you a “Wuss”. If he called you that, you knew you were his friend. He will be missed by not only his family, but also the “Pirate Nation” in Lefors. 

Clay was welcomed to Heaven by his parents; brother, Leonard Lock; mother-in-law, Nelle Wyatt; brother-in-law, Scott Parsley; four grandbabies and two great grandbabies were also waiting for him.

Survivors include his wife, Tonya of the home; daughter, Jennifer Shephard and husband Marcus of Lefors; son, Len Lock and wife Valerie of Amarillo; brother, Dale Lock and wife Pam of Lefors; 10 grandchildren, Ashley Cruz and husband Oscar, Amber Shephard, Alana Seipel and husband Shad, Anthony Shephard, Avery Shephard, Adam Shephard, Taylor Nguyen and husband Ethan, Teagan Rangel, Ambrosia Lock, Aurora Lock; four great grandchildren, Zayne Ponce, Julian Retana, Matt Cruz, and Nataleigh Cruz; nieces, Stephanie Weatherly and husband Matt and Shawna Frazier and husband Scott; nephews, Brandon Parsley and wife Chelsie, and Gilbert Ulibarri; great nieces and nephews, Vivi, Scott, Henry, Noah, and Braydon; sisters-in-law, Kristy and Toyo of Chama and Aimee Ulibarri and husband Orlando of Chama; father-in-law, Jack Wyatt of Chama.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Lefors Volunteer Fire Department.

The family will receive friends at 117 W. 6th, Lefors, Texas on Monday evening from 6:00-7:30 PM.