Funeral services for Mr. James Clayton La Grone, age 71, of the Deadwood Community of Panola County, Texas, will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at the Deadwood United Methodist Church Family Life Center with Rev. Mervin Scott and Bro. Harold Gunstanson officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. A Masonic graveside service will follow in Deadwood Cemetery under the auspices of the Carthage Masonic Lodge # 521 A.F. & A.M. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Mr. La Grone passed away on Sunday morning, June 13, 2010, at his home in Deadwood.

James Clayton La Grone was born on May 5, 1939, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Henry Joyce La Grone, Sr. and Dorothy Ethel Waters La Grone. He graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1957. Clayton attended Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961 in Petroleum Engineering. While working for the Texas Railroad Commission, he attended the University Of Texas School Of Law, where he earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1964. That same year, he was admitted to the Texas Bar. He was also a member of the Gregg County Bar Association. While in Austin, he met and married Sidna Dorcas Gillis on May 12, 1962, in New Braunfels, Texas. He was a nationally recognized lecturer in natural gas and gas pipeline issues. During 10 years with Phillips Petroleum Co., he helped develop policy for the oil and gas industries. Later as a partner with the firm of Hall, Estill, Harwick, Gable, Golden, and Nelson Law Firm in Tulsa, he represented Williams Engineering Co. and served for a period of time as general counsel for Northwest Energy Co. and Northwest Pipeline of Salt Lake City, and opened law offices for the firm in Washington D.C. In 1993, he joined Coughlan, Crowson, Fitzpatrick, and Westbrook in Longview. He was licensed to practice in Texas, Oklahoma, and the District of Columbia. Clayton was the developer and president of the family owned Deadwood Land & Cattle Co. LC, a business offering a variety of outdoor activities. He was a board member of the Carthage Education Foundation, by whom he was honored in 2010, as a distinguished alumni. He was a member of the Carthage Masonic Lodge #521. Clayton was passionate about protecting groundwater rights for the surrounding area and played an integral part in establishing the Panola County Groundwater Conservation District, of which he served as president. He served as vice-president of the Deadwood Water Supply and was formerly past-president. Clayton was president of the Deadwood Cemetery Association and served on the board of trustees of the Deadwood U.M.C. Contrary to popular belief, Clayton was not the "one old grouch" so affectionately referenced on the sign as you enter Deadwood. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Henry Joyce La Grone, Jr., Charles Burgess La Grone, and an unnamed infant brother.

Mr. La Grone is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sidna La Grone of Deadwood; one daughter, Jennifer La Grone Carlson and husband Marc of Tulsa; two sons, Clayton Gillis La Grone and wife Tami of Dallas and Bradley Michael La Grone and wife Debra of Longview; one sister, Diane La Grone Page of Deadwood; step-mother, Veltya Powell La Grone of Carthage; five grandchildren, Ashleigh, Patrick, Zachary, Abrea, and Georgia; nieces, Brenda Monge, Patricia Hirsch, Cindy Monahan, and Teresa Beighley; and two nephews, Scott Page and wife Brandi and Monte Page and wife Somer. Numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mr. La Grone.

Serving as pallbearers are Patrick La Grone, Scott Page, Monty Page, Mike Isbell, Basil Gibbs, and Dale LaGrone.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Deadwood U.M.C. Family Life Center, c/o Mrs. Reba Coxen, 1678 FM 31 S, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.