May 8, 1941 — July 4, 2024
Clarence Henry Potter Jr., 83, of Columbus passed away on July 4, 2024 after a difficult battle with cancer at his home surround - ed by his family. Henry was the first born of Clarence Sr. and Marjorie Eloise Hester Potter on May 8, 1941 in Columbus. Both his maternal and paternal ancestors have resided in Colorado County for generations. He attended all grades in Columbus public schools, graduating in 1959 from Columbus High School. As a boy most of his afternoons and summers were spent at his parent's Texaco Service Station on Walnut Street and at the Hester Ranch south of Columbus gaining knowledge and skills that would serve him throughout his life. He enjoyed hunting and learned to be an avid horseman and cattle rancher, running the family cattle operation up until his death. As a youth he was a member of Cub Scout Pack 312, Boy Scout Troop 312 and Explorer Post 888 where he earned the BSA's highest rank - Eagle Scout in 1958. He was also active in Future Farmers of America achieving the Lone Star Farmer Degree and raising numerous livestock projects. In the fall of 1959 he enrolled at The Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) to pursue a degree and become a "fish" (freshman) member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (FTAB). Throughout his four years at A&M he was a trombone player in the FTAB and as a senior earned a position on the bugle rank as well as being the Executive Officer of the White Band (outfit). His band "buddies" have remained a close-knit group of friends, gathering for their own class of '63 reunions every year on the weekend following Aggie Muster. He graduated in May of 1963 with a degree in Agricultural Education and later earned a Master of Education also from A&M. Following graduation he took a summer job as manager of the Columbus City Swimming Pool while waiting to begin a teaching career in the upcoming fall. During that summer he began dating one of the pool's lifeguards, Pamela Arcade Morris his future wife and the love of his life. They often went to the local drive-in to grab a burger after closing the pool in the evenings and to dances at the area's surrounding dancehalls on the weekends.
At summer's end Henry moved to Houston and began what he considered his life's most profound assignment, that of Vocation - al Agriculture teacher at Mirabeau B. Lamar High School where he taught for 10 years (1963-73). At Lamar he mentored hundreds of young people from diverse backgrounds treating each one of them equally while instilling them with vocational skills as well as helping build their character. As a testament to his diligence many of his students often say that they still use the knowledge they received from Henry daily. In the 1990's Henry and his former students began holding reunions each spring in conjunction with the Lamar FFA show and auction. The reunions were well attended with dozens of his former students gathering to reminisce of the times spent as members of the Lamar FFA and as Henry's students. These alumni also supported the Lamar FFA chapter through donations and buying current student's projects in the auction. The love that Henry and his former students shared cannot be over - stated, their relationships were just as strong in Henry's last days as they were 50+ years ago at Lamar.
On October 30, 1971 after 8 years of dating, Henry and Pamela were married at First Baptist Church Columbus. They resided in Houston where they both remained as teachers for HISD until 1973. Henry's parents opened their retail business, Potter's Western Store, in 1965 and by 1974 were ready to retire. Henry and Pamela purchased the business from his parents, moved back to Colum - bus and remain the store's current owners now at 59 years of continuous operation. Over the years the employees and customers of Potter's have become like family. Several employees have worked at Potter's for decades and there are loyal customers that have made purchases throughout their lives. The experience of shopping at Potter's is as much about the conversation with Henry and Pam as it is about the purchasing of the actual merchandise.
Henry and Pamela bore three children Charles Henry Potter, Brian Morris Potter and Amanda Arcade (Potter) Williams all of whom followed in their father's footsteps by earning degrees from Texas A&M University. Henry was a selfless husband and father, living every day to be the best provider he could be. He was very involved in his children's education and extracurricular activities providing encouragement to pursue their dreams. Henry also found enjoyment in his three main hobbies throughout his life barbed wire collecting, date nail collecting and owning Lionel model trains. Henry was baptized into the fellowship at First Baptist Church Columbus where he and Pamela attended regularly.
Outside of raising a family and running two businesses Henry found time to be involved in numerous organizations within his community and beyond. He spent close to 30 years as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Cubmaster, Scout - master and as District Advancement Chair, he received the Silver Beaver award for outstanding service to the hundreds of youth he led. Henry was a Life Member of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo where he volunteered for over 50 years. He was appointed to the board of directors in 1976 and was later made an Honorary Lifetime Director. Henry served as Area III President of the Texas Vocational Ag Teachers Association and received honorary Chapter and State FFA degrees.
Other organizations and clubs he was a member include Columbus Chamber of Commerce (former President) which recognized him as Volunteer of the Year in 1992, Columbus Historical Preservation Trust (Life member and former President), former Pres - ident Columbus Community Hospital Board of Trustees, Life Member and Sponsor Colorado County Fair Association, Program Chair Colorado County Historical Commission, former Fund Drive Chair Columbus Community Chest, Columbus Quincentennial Commission Board of Directors, City of Columbus Planning and Zoning Committee for over 25 years, Texas Barbed Wire Collec -
tors Association former Vice President and Barbarian of the Year, Texas Retailers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Charter member Texas and Colorado County Farm Bureau, Life Member Harris County Farm and Ranch Club, Found - er's Club Colorado County Ag Complex, Charter Member Colorado County Arena Association, former Chairman Independent Cattleman's Association, National Eagle Scout Association, Texas Date Nail Collectors Association, Order of the Arrow BSA, Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Association, Century Club Member The Association of Former Students Texas A&M University, Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association, Lionel Collectors Club of America, Colorado County Courthouse Centennial Committee, Co - lumbus Downtown Merchants Association, Columbus Old Town Merchants Association and The Texas Trail Riders Association.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Eloise, brother Joe Hester Potter and in-laws Hugh Leon Morris Sr. and Frances Chaisson Morris. Survived by wife of 52 years Pamela, sons Charles of San Antonio and Brian of Houston, daughter Amanda and husband Robert David Williams of Pinehurst as well as four grandsons Evan Michael Williams, Luke Henry Wil - liams, Ryan Thomas Williams and Andrew Zayde Potter. He is also survived by his double first cousin and closest friend Douglas John Potter of Columbus.
Visitation will be held on Thursday July 11, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 pm and a viewing Friday July 12, 2024 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Henneke Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday July 12, 2024 at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church Columbus, Texas.
Pallbearers are son-in-law Robert Williams, nephew Brandon Brookshire, cousin John Koch, Cecil Wilson, Mike Reid, Don White, David Sands, and Pat Restivo. Honorary Pallbearers are The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Class of 1963, all former Lamar HS Vocational Ag Students from 1963-73, Doug Potter, Dave McCane, Charles Sebesta, Mac Ruffeno, Stephen Draper, Virgil Thompson, Johnny Ray Thompson, Leslie Heinsohn, Fritz Willms, Walter Willms, Cord Willms, Dr. Tom Hancher, Jerry Haluska, John Hollis Massey, Travis Wegen - hoft, David Koch, Dr. Joseph Koch, Lee Massey, Bruno Burris, Craig Potter, Keith Potter, Dan George, BJ Malatek, Judge Don Clark, Dr. Bart Klaus, Gerald Heintschel, Jimmy Burge, Bobby Neath, Dale Alexander, Everett Moore, Nick Arredondo, Christian Pontikes, Evan Pontikes, Ed Jackson, Judge Stan Warfield, Ardene Poncik, Cole Easterling, Bob Tait, Jason Gunderson, Edward Halcom, Jimmy Garcia, Charles Todd, and Sam Todd.
The family would like to thank Henry's physicians Dr. Bart Klaus, Oncologist Dr. Ryan Huey, the Columbus Community Hos - pital, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Amedisys Hospice for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Columbus Community Hospital, 110 Shult Dr., Columbus, TX 78934 or First Baptist Church Columbus, 1700 Milam St., Columbus, TX 78934.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com. Henneke Funeral Home, Columbus, Texas
