Larry Clinton "Chip" Formby, 67 a lifelong Hereford resident passed away at his home on July 12, 2020 . Services and cremation have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. Funeral services have been scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2020 at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Hereford, TX, with  Pastor Chris Flickinger and Tom Simons officiating. Viewing will be Sunday, July 19, 2020 from 5-7 PM at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home.

Chip Formby was born in Hereford, TX on January 14, 1953 to Clint and Margaret Formby.  Chip was the eldest of 5 children. He attended Hereford schools and graduated in the HHS class of 1971. Chip was a member of many garage bands while growing up in Hereford, including "The Stanton Five", "Knights of Malta" and "Reflections of Tyme".  After graduation he attended Texas Tech University and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1978. During his time in Lubbock he was a member in the band, "Chicken Lips." He pledged Phi Delta Theta where he made many lifelong friendships with his fraternity brothers. In 1978 he began working as the News Director and engineer for KPAN radio. Chip met Lisa Drake in 1979 and they married on October 11, 1986. They brought two sons into this world Jonathan in 1988 and Lane in 1991. Chip was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hereford TX, and the Crime Stoppers board of Deaf Smith County. In the 1980s he played a key part in blocking the nuclear waste dump plant from being located in Deaf Smith County. Chip was a lifelong conservationist and environmentalist.

Along with being a talented musician and guitar enthusiast, Chip also loved snow skiing. He spent many days at Taos Ski Valley over the past 50 plus years. His love for snow skiing was passed onto his wife and both of his boys who are avid skiers. He also enjoyed windsurfing at Lake Meredith, Ute Lake, Corpus Christi, and The Aquatic Center Pond. Chip enjoyed everything outdoors including backpacking, hiking, and car camping. Chip had a love for hot rods, his first car was a 1968 Nova and his last hot rod was a 2017 50 ^th anniversary SS Camaro. He spent many hours at the drag strip throughout high school and the rest of his life.

The Chipster was the Local Newsman for KPAN radio until his passing. He became the General Manager of KPAN in 1994, he became part owner of the radio station in the early 2000s and majority owner in 2012. During his time at KPAN he oversaw the continuation of Hereford High School Sports being broadcasted and sent them worldwide on the KPAN website. He brought computer automation to KPAN, he was unbiased with his newscasts and reported facts. He oversaw the installation of a wind turbine at the downtown studios of KPAN in 2008. Chip was an integral part in making KPAN become the National Weather Service cooperative observer for Hereford in 1981. Chip was elected to the Texas Association of Broadcasters Board on two separate terms to represent small market radio.

He was preceded in death by his sister Linda Kay, mother Margaret and father Clint.

He is survived by his wife Lisa Formby of Hereford, his sons Jonathan and wife Kayla of McKinney, Lane and fiancé Courtney Mitchell of Houston, and one granddaughter Riley.  He is also survived by one sister Brenda "Ben" Formby of New York City, and two brothers Marshall and wife Betty of San Antonio, TX, Scott and wife Kathy of New York City, two nieces, Alison Haley of Lubbock and Lauren Formby of San Antonio, and many adopted sons who were friends of the boys.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Arbor Day Foundation at https://shop.arborday.org/forest-replanting-donation or to the Humane Society of Deaf Smith County P.O. Box 2145 Hereford, Texas 79045.

You may go online and sign the guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com