Arlice Houston Hamby, 77, of Midland, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2017. No services will be held at this time with Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A private family burial will be held in Olton at a time to be determined by the family.Houston was born on August 12, 1940, in Kress, Texas to J.C. Hamby and Pauline Carson.Anyone who knew Houston and was a dear friend called him “Punk”. He cherished the fishing and hunting trips with all of his buddies over the years. All knew him as the “life of the party” and a jokester. He loved pulling silly pranks on his friends and family. He was a beautiful man and beloved PaPa. We will miss you daddy.Houston and his dad, J.C. Hamby, owned a Phillips’ jobbership (liquid fuels distributorship) in Plainview, Dimmitt, Hart, Olton and Halfway, Texas and West Texas Gas, Inc. was able to purchase that jobbership on February 1, 1980, along with keeping almost all of the local employees. Some of those employees were Clyde Schulte, Roy Harmon and Melvin Bramlett. Houston was very knowledgeable and respected in those communities and allowed for the continued growth and success of West Texas Gas. (The company further acquired jobberships in Morton, Clarendon, Seminole, Pecos and other Texas Panhandle communities.) Houston supervised the Northern Districts for many years based out of Plainview. Sometime in the late 90’s Houston relocated to Midland to further the acquisition and operations of several more jobberships in West Texas. Houston knew and was able to help in J.L. Davis’ personal farm operations by his contacts in the cattle business, farm equipment and seed companies.He is survived by his children, Sharissa Karol and husband Mike from Austin, Texas; Crystal Lasater and husband Paul from Midland, Texas; Brent and Christy Hamby from Olton, Texas; Page Perry and husband Jared from Midland, Texas and Ken Hamby from Lubbock, Texas. Grandchildren; Karson Karol from The Woodlands, Texas; Kole Karol from Austin, Texas; Reagan Oneal from San Antonio, Texas; Ryan Cook and Loren Cook from Fort Worth, Texas. Sister, Saundra McCoy; nieces, Rhonda McCoy Coffee, Pamela McCoy; and nephew, Jason McCoy, all from Amarillo, Texas.He is preceded in death by his parents J.C. Hamby and Pauline Carson Hamby.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The C.F. Foundation.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland Texas. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com,
