John Franklin Faught

John Franklin Faught, age 92, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, in Midland, Texas. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and lifelong student of geology, history and faith, John’s life was marked by a love for learning, devotion to family and friends, and service to others.

John was born on August 9, 1933, in Eldorado, Texas, to John Francis Faught and Wilhelmina Baethge Faught.

The youngest of nine children, John grew up on family farms near Eldorado and Lampasas. His family raised cotton, corn, and peanuts, along with cattle, chickens, and hogs. He attended Nix Elementary School and graduated from Lampasas High School in 1951.

From 1953 to 1954, John attended San Angelo College (now Angelo State University) before serving in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. Stationed in Germany, he participated in surveying operations as part of the post-World War II occupation effort.

Upon returning from Germany, John pursued a bachelor’s degree in Geology with a minor in Mathematics at Sul Ross University, graduating in 1959.

His career in geophysics took him to Utah, California, Oklahoma, and Saudi Arabia, but he spent most of his professional life in Midland.

John married Needa Lou McMillan in 1966 and helped raise her three children, Michael, Gary, and Steven. Together they welcomed three children of their own: John (1967), Rebecca (1969), and David (1973).

In 1987, John married Shirley Kay Holsapple Kemper. Together they enjoyed traveling, gathering weekly with close friends for games of Joker, and sharing fellowship with their Sunday School class. A lifelong Baptist, John was an active member of First Baptist Church of Midland for more than fifty years. He and Shirley especially cherished the friendships they formed there and enjoyed traveling with church friends.

In his younger years, John enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and boating. Later in life, he became an avid and skilled woodworker, crafting beautiful music stands, jewelry boxes, Joker boards, and walking canes that are treasured by family and friends. He loved Bible study, genealogy, geology, World War II and American history, and spending time with his nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife, Shirley Kay Faught of Midland; his children and their spouses, John (Christi) Faught of League City, Rebecca (Tom) Hanna of Midland, and David (Wendy) Faught of San Angelo; his stepchildren and their spouses, Michael (Lyndal) Cain of Monahans, Gary (Jacque) Cain of Midland, Steven Faught of Mesquite, Brent (Heather) Kemper of San Antonio, Kevin Kemper of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and Bryan (Richelle) Kemper of Denver, Colorado; his nineteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the chapel of First Baptist Church of Midland on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Memorials in John’s honor may be made to Hospice of Midland, First Baptist Church of Midland, or CARC, Inc. of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

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