Wayne “Poppy” Carlton

Wayne “Poppy” Carlton, 97, of Amarillo, TX passed away peacefully at home with family on October 1, 2020.

He was born as a fraternal twin to Chester and Lillian Hobbs Carlton in Gallup, NM on September 29, 1923. Upon completing work with the National Park Service in the Four Corners area, his parents returned to Colorado City, TX where their daughter Evelyn “Blondie” Hibbs was born.

The family then moved to Ranger, TX, and eventually settled in Breckenridge, TX where his father ran Carlton Tire Store during the Great Depression.

Wayne’s grandparents had Rose Hill Dairy in Hillsboro, TX, and he and his siblings fondly recalled spending summers with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins collecting chicken eggs, enjoying fresh garden vegetables, as well as many fresh fruit pies and cakes baked by his grandmother. Both his paternal and maternal grandmothers were prolific quilters. Between both sides of his family, there were 49 cousins.

Wayne and his brother played on the tennis team at Breckenridge High School and graduated from there in 1941. Wayne and Wendell spent a semester at the University of Texas in Austin before enrolling in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Wayne was stationed in South Dakota where he became a flight instructor and taught celestial navigation to pilots. His twin brother, Staff Sargent Luther Wendell Carlton, was lost in the European theatre and received a purple heart for his service. After WWII, Wayne returned to UT Austin and played on the UT tennis squad. He completed his degree of Bachelor of Business Administration in 1949. He was a lifelong Longhorns fan, as well as a Cowboys fan. Following college, he became a traveling salesman. His sister attended Texas Tech and introduced him to Barbara “Noppy” Stallard, whom he courted and later married in Tucumcari, NM in 1952. He often spoke of how he fell in love with her beautiful singing voice and sense of humor. After marriage, they lived in Tucumcari, NM where Wayne tried his hand at farming.

Their son, Marc was born in 1954. The family moved to Amarillo, TX in 1955. Their son, Philip, was born in 1956. He loved his sons and was proud of them.

He studied stocks and investments in NYC with Merrill Lynch, and he worked in the Amarillo branch of Merrill Lynch from the late 1950’s through 1978. He also worked in the cattle business, starting Mar-Phil Cattle Company, in which he stayed active for many years.

The family’s residence was built in 1958, and he was involved in the design of the home. He became an avid gardener growing vegetables, flowers, and stunning roses. His yard was a beauty to behold.

His appreciation for music originated in his childhood where he sang traditional songs and hymns with his family. He built several radios, eventually tuning in around the world with his shortwave radio. His love of music, which he shared with his family, stayed with him through his life, and he continued to play harmonica up to the end.

Education was important to him, and he supported several young people in getting a higher education.

He was a highly skilled tennis player, playing doubles matches right up to the age of 88.

He loved adventure and took the family on numerous trips around the country creating treasured memories.

He knew how to spin a yarn. His storytelling, humor, generosity, kind heart, razor-sharp wit, and wisdom will be greatly missed. He had a deep love of family, as well as friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, twin brother Wendell in WWII, spouse Barbara “Noppy” Carlton, and son Philip Carlton.

He is survived by sister, Evelyn “Blondie” Hibbs; son, Marc Carlton; grandchildren, Joy Carder, Daniel Carlton, Alicia and Tyrone Easter, Brian Carlton and Crystal Conway; great-grandchildren, Tyra Easter, Eli Carder, Hadley Carlton, Raiyne Carlton, Zach Carlton, Raleigh, Josiah, and Tyler; extended family, Cheryl Carlton; and honorary family, Elaine Hazlewood and Ollie Luginbill.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the love and care given to Wayne and Barbara by everyone involved in their lives.

Memorial services will be held October 6, 6-8 pm at the Carlton residence. Flowers can be sent to the Carlton residence.