Jimmy Clemmons

Jim Clemmons passed away on April 20 at his home in Lubbock, TX.  He was born on December 8^th in Talco, Texas to his parents Fred M. Clemmons and Mae Bradley Clemmons.  He was 80 years old.

Jim was a graduate of Talco High School in 1962.  He went on to attend Weatherford Jr. College where he played basketball.  He later transferred to East Texas State University and was on the basketball team when his arthritis ended his playing career.

At East Texas State he met Ann Duke and they were married in 1967.  He graduated and began chasing the first of his passions, coaching.  He coached football, basketball and track at several schools in East Texas, Oklahoma and eventually in New Mexico, soon becoming a head coach and athletic director.

In 1981 Jim made a career change and moved to Roswell, NM to help run the El Provacador Ranch which developed into one of the state’s premier horse breeding facilities.  He soon restarted his coaching career by becoming a Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.  He would often say it was his “Equine track team”.  Jim was well respected by horsemen across the state of New Mexico and was selected to be a board member of the New Mexico Horseman’s Association.  He had a true passion for horses and demanded they were treated properly.

In 1991 Jim returned to coaching at Roswell High School for a few years but soon found his way back to the racetrack where he finished out his training career and retired in 2012.

He is survived by his loving wife Ann Clemmons; children Jason and Lesli Clemmons of Lubbock, Texas, Justin and Kyle Clemmons of Franklin, Tennessee and Chaney Clemmons of Dallas, Texas; beloved grandchildren, Jacob Clemmons, Caitlin Clemmons and Avery Clemmons; brother and sister-in -law Jack and Candy Clemmons, sister-in-law Jenny Clemmons, sister-in-law Jone Clemmons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John Clemmons and Jerry Clemmons.