Bart Hotchkiss

Livestreaming of Service:

First Methodist Midland – YouTube

Bart Hotchkiss (Lyman Bartlett) was born on Nov. 24, 1943 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to Dr. Dewitt H. Hotchkiss and his wife, Esther.  Once his father returned from the European theater of WWII, Bart came “home” to Houston, Texas.  Bart was a typical, active child who, joined by his brother, Pete, spent as much time as possible outdoors.  He and his friends became amateur herpetologists.  They provided many snakes to The Houston Zoo, including copperheads and rattlers!

Bart attended The Kinkaid School in Houston, and graduated from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, where he made life-long friends. After graduation he attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.  Here he met and married Sharla Earl, his partner and mentor.  They have two wonderful children, Bret (L.B., Jr.) and Erin.

After graduation he began work in sales.  Bart’s outgoing personality and lively interest in learning made him a natural for jobs where he could interact with others.  After working in Houston and Lubbock, he was transferred to Midland in 1971. When told to move again, Bart quit his job.  The Hotchkiss family had found their home in Midland.

Over the years, he sold computers, ran a garage door company, bought and sold real estate (he got his realtor’s license along the way).  He and Sharla “flipped” houses and managed rentals.  He decided to start a restaurant because no one in Midland sold a Rueben sandwich!  With no experience, but a lot of energy and creativity, he opened the first Murray’s Deli in downtown Midland in 1983.  This restaurant was followed by several more as well as a bakery. Particularly while owning and managing Murray’s Deli, he interacted with and gave assistance to young people at crossroads in their lives. After the big economic downturn in 1985, he continued to own and manage the Murray’s location that is still in existence today on Wadley Street. He sold it in 1998.  Early retirement didn’t work for Bart, so he started The Fire Place, where he could continue his love for cooking and working with others.  After building another successful business, he retired again.

Over the years, Bart gave time as a volunteer to multiple organizations.  He was involved with his children’s school PTAs, coached basketball, volunteered at the Food Bank and served with Hospice, Master Gardeners, Museum of the Southwest, United Way, Keep Midland Beautiful and the KMB TreeKeepers.  He was a member and chair of the City of Midland’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired the Parks Commission and served on the Oil and Gas Committee.  He was elected to the Midland City Council in 1984 and served as Mayor Pro Tem.

Bart is known for his excellent cooking skills.  He loved to entertain “at the table”, serving great meats cooked on his Big Green Egg.  He was a compassionate friend who showed his love for others through gifts of food. He had an active “chicken ministry”.  Many spirits have been uplifted by a gift of smoked meat from his Big Green Egg.

Bart was always ready for an adventure.  He and Sharla traveled around the world.  They were fortunate to share their love for travel with their family and enjoyed getting to see the world through the eyes of their deeply loved grandchildren: Brendan, Christopher, and Elizabeth.

Bart never lost his zest for life, his love for his family and friends or his interest in nature.  He was supported by a circle of friends who laughed, solved the world’s problems, and enjoyed each other.

Bart is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharla; his son, Bret (L.B., Jr.) and his wife Cindy; daughter, Erin; grandchildren, Brendan, Christopher, and Elizabeth; his brother, Pete; his sister-in-law, Carol and his nieces, Jennifer, Jackie and her husband Joe, Jeanine and her husband Andy, Jennifer and her husband Kit and nephew Nils, as well as their children.  He was blessed to have a family that was deeply involved and supportive of one another.

He thanks them and the many friends who contributed to and celebrated life with him.

A memorial service will be held at the First Methodist Church on Saturday, November 9, at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice of Midland, Keep Midland Beautiful, or the charity of your choice.

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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