In the running for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 & 4 is Clifton “Bud” Fletcher.
Raised primarily in the Texas Panhandle, Clifton has made a name for himself in Gray County, from working many years for Titan, jumpstarting a food truck business, Fletcher Br0s, with his brother Thomas and sister-in-law Esmy, and being heavily involved in numerous sports activities here in Pampa.
Clifton’s father worked in law enforcement for over 40 years, having served with the late Sheriff Rufe Jordan, but Clifton says his dad never wanted him or his brother to get into law enforcement because he was all too well aware of the darker side of humanity and wanted to shield his sons from it.
“My dad never wanted me and brother to go into that because he had done it for so long. He worked midnights, and he always said nothing good happens at night.”
His father never really shared stories or his experiences on the job, but Clifton says that whatever those experiences were, they made him protective over his sons and encouraged them to make sensible decisions.
“He didn’t really bring the job home, but occasionally he would say something about somebody that they pulled over. My dad was a no-nonsense guy, and I think it was because he worked for Rufe Jordan. Dad said that Rufe told him on his first day, ‘we don’t make enough to take any bull off of anybody, that’s not our job. Our job is to enforce the law.’ He’s carried that with him ever since, even after he retired. I’ve always liked that.”
Clifton worked for Titan over 18 years, first starting out in the shipping and receiving department before moving to the machine shop. In 2011, Clifton would be involved in a motorcycle accident that would mark a turning point in his life and career.
“I had gotten off work at Titan and I was going to meet my dad, my wife and my oldest son out at Texas Rose. Usually I turn off Price Road onto Kentucky, but because I was going to the Rose, I just kept going north on Price. At that intersection of Kentucky, there was a pickup in front of me-a guy that I worked with, and there were people behind me that I worked with. He moved over to that turning lane and there was a lady coming onto Price headed north, but she didn’t see me because I was behind the pickup. By the time she pulled out and saw me, it was too late. They said I laid my motorcycle down on the left side, slid into her backwheel. They air lifted me to Amarillo and my left femur was broken, my left ankle was broken, toes on my right foot were broken, and I had a ton of internal bleeding. I was in exploratory surgery for about five hours just trying to fix everything in stomach. My liver and appendix was messed up. I was in ICU for about a month.”
Clifton had to completely learn how to walk again, and not to mention talk due to the trach tube he had put in during his time in the hospital. According to him, it was by the grace of God he lived through that considering he just happened to be wearing a helmet that day, something he rarely did.
“Honestly I don’t know why I put it on. I would take my truck in the morning when it was cold, and by lunchtime it was warm and I would just hop on and go without a helmet. What’s going to happen between here and Titan? For whatever reason, I put it on that day. I still have it. It’s shaved down flat on the right side, and thankfully I didn’t have any head trauma.”
“I feel like if I hadn’t worn my helmet and still would have survived, my grandma would’ve ended me,” he laughed. “She didn’t like people riding motorcycles anyway, especially family because it’s dangerous. My grandpa had wrecked, my uncle had wrecked in Oklahoma City and he’s paralyzed from it. My grandma preached so hard that if you were going to be on a bike or anything like that, you make sure you have a helmet on.”
Unable to go back to Titan due to the nature of his injuries and the nature of the job itself, Clifton kept busy with doing yardwork for churches in town, and it was around this time that his interest in what a JP does really began to take hold., although his interest had started even earlier than that.
Over the years, he did extensive research on what the job entails, and those certain aspects of the job that would be considered the toughest, such as responding to deaths or declaring evictions, Clifton is confident that he could fulfill his duties if elected.
“I don’t think the deaths would really bother me just for the type of guy that I am. I think it would be difficult if it was a child, but it’s part of the job and you have to know that going in.”
“As far as evictions go, we’ve had a rent house so I know that property owners still have bills to pay and other things that still need to get paid, and it depends on the person paying rent. I have compassion, but you still have to follow the law.”
Clifton has played a significant part in the community through Pampa’s various sports programs, from being heavily involved with the Optimist Club when his kids were young, to umpiring and keeping score at softball games and reffing and keeping score at adult volleyball leagues even today.
Clifton is thankful for the friends he has made throughout the years, and he’s grateful for the support they have shown him during this new endeavor he has embarked on, helping build that confidence within him to do the job if he is elected.
“I appreciate all the support I’ve had so far and all the signatures I’ve gotten. I really do feel comfortable with what the job is, and I believe I can do this.”
Early voting will be February 17th through February 27th at the Gray County Courthouse, 205 N. Russell in Room 104. Times are: Tuesday, February 17th through Friday, February 20th-8 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, February 21: 7 AM to 7 PM
Sunday, February 22: 12 PM to 6 PM
Monday, February 23 through Friday, February 27: 7 AM to 7 PM.
Election Day, March 3: 7 AM to 7 PM
Last day to register is February 2, 2026. Mail ballots will begin going out on January 24, 2026. Last day to request ballot by mail is February 20, 2026.
