Jack R. Hunnicutt

We are sad to announce that we have lost a true West Texas Legend. In the early morning hours June 6, 2022, Jack R. Hunnicutt passed away peacefully, at home with family, after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was born June the 15th, 1936 in Snyder, Texas to parents; Cecil Herman and Eula Vera Hunnicutt. Raised in Fluvanna, Texas on a farm with his parents and brothers, Preston and John R., Jack spent his time raising pigs and horses, working the farm and ranch, trading hogs, riding bulls and bucking horses, and exercising in good hearted mischief around Scurry County.

Jack started his career in the oilfield selling parts for Oilwell and moving around the Permian Basin developing his career as an oilfield hand selling parts, equipment and service. At the right time, those travels took him to Levelland, Texas where he met his wife, Judy Bowman. They married December 21, 1963, moving to Odessa, Hobbs, N.M., and settling in Midland finally in 1968. They raised two children, Bryan and Kara in Midland and eventually moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1991 with Wilbros. At this stage of his career, after literally never having lived farther than 150 miles from his birthplace, he took on the role of an international pipeline safety supervisor and saw the world. His frequent travels took him to Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Each time returning with stories that he would entertain friends and family with for years to come. In 1998, Jack “retired” and moved back home to Midland where he worked for several companies until recently as a salesman and mentor. He reconnected with many of his old friends but also established countless new relationships and friends who will remember him and his stories forever. It is impossible to summarize his life in a few paragraphs. He was a fixture at Ranchland Hills Country Club, The Petroleum Club of Midland, Hogan Park gin tables, Monday Lunches at The Bar Midland, and many others. He was fiercely loyal to family, strong and loving to his children and wife to the end.

Predeceased by his parents and brothers, Jack leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Judy Hunnicutt; son Bryan Hunnicutt, his wife Cindy and their children, Amanda and Jake; daughter Kara Melton and her children Ashley, Bradley and Cali; great grandchildren, Maddison and Mason; nieces, Gail Simmons and Jan Varner; nephews, Rick Hunnicutt and Kirk Rogers. Jack also leaves friends that must number into the hundreds, all of us to remember his stories, his incredible wit, his ability to engage a person or room full of people and command their attention and hang on every word and most of the time end up in laughter. He was free with advice, mentorship and friendship and is likely entertaining a room full of folks in heaven today.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. We will have a small burial service at Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock, Texas on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 2:00 pm. There will be a Memorial Service for Jack, Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 3:30 pm at First Christian Church in Midland, Texas, followed by a reception at The Petroleum Club of Midland at 5:00 pm in the Wildcatter Room.

The family would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the Staff, Doctors and therapist at Encompass Health in Midland; the staff and nurses at Hospice of Midland who are truly doing God’s work. We would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Shylesh Ganta for his attentive care and friendship to Jack for many years and especially the last few weeks.

If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest Hospice of Midland and First Christian Church of Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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