Jim Erl Max Westbrook

We wish to convey our gratitude and thanks to everyone who has loved our father, who passed on from this earth on the evening of July 14th, 2020.

He was always known for his… um, “quirky” personality. The way he spoke to everyone in the room, his friendliness and charm, his offensiveness and loud opinions, his tender heart, inappropriate humour and inexplicable love of polka music are just a few things that will linger on in our memories. His daughters (I and my sisters) will remember all the times he took us on tractor rides when we were young, all the times he embarrassingly tried to set us up with the checkout guy at Auto Zone when we were older, and all the many times he told us “I love you so much my jaw hurts.” A tall, loud, outspoken man, coffee shops and restaurants will remember him for his affectionate harassment of the staff. Always a sucker for anyone or anything in need, several stray animals and some stray human souls have benefited from his inability to see suffering without offering help or a home. His room filling presence brought laughter, comfort, division, joy, embarrassment, debate, entertainment and admiration. He was a veteran and served his country in war. He loved old cars, history, family genealogy, his favorite coffee shops, cigars, the Greenbay Packers, animals, children, the US Postal Service, sauerkraut and polka dancing to a good tuba base line.

Dad’s often voiced wish for a quick and painless “exit” was honored. He had been living fairly well with underlying heart conditions but recently tested positive for Covid-19. He fell ill for a bit but was still getting around ok. Tuesday evening he was at home when his heart very suddenly decided to stop beating, and in a flash it was over. We are left with the loss but are so thankful his wish was granted.

His wife and children will miss him dearly, as I’m sure will his friends, although none more so than his old blind poodle Lexi who worshiped him as the absolute, unquestioned center of the Universe. Thank you dad, for all the lessons you taught us for better or for worse, for your humor, affection, car advise and constant love. I love you so much my jaw hurts.

J. Max Westbrook was born on April 11, 1941 in Lamesa, Texas to parents Rupert Wells and Jaynie Lorene (Bassett) Westbrook and entered into eternal rest on July 14, 2020 at the age of 79. J. Max attended Howard County College, Midwestern State University, and The University of Heidlberg. He married the love of his life, Patricia Nilson, on April 26, 1971 in Witchita Falls, Texas. In his lifetime self-proclaimed “Jack of all trades, master of none,” J. Max, had a radio program, a farm and ranch report on Channel 6 in Wichita Falls, and started an oilfield equipment sales and manufacturing company where he designed and built his own pumping unit. A US Army Airborne combat veteran, J. Max also worked for the US Postal Service where he retired at the age of 71. J. Max was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of both the York Rite and Scottish Rite.

In the Cedar Creek area he was a member of Model A Ford Club, Tri County Tractor Club, and regular at Coffee Love where he loved to talk to all kinds of people and never met a stranger. He was a lover of music; especially polka, and was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. J. Max will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

J. Max was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ross Westbrook and sister Ruth Ann LaBorde.

He is survived by his loving wife Patricia Westbrook of Eustace, son Max N. Westbrook and wife Melissa of Denton, daughters; Ruth Westbrook of Denton, Rachel Westbrook of Singapore, Jayne Berry and husband Connor of Juneau, Alaska, and Kathryn Stewart and husband Mike of Ft. Worth, nine grandchildren, other loving family members, and many more lifelong friends.