He grew up on a farm in Shive Texas, as the sixth child of seven.
While in high school, he worked on the family farm and as a day laborer in the community as well as played basketball.
After graduating in 1959, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Alaska for two years.
Upon leaving the military, he returned to Hamilton & Coryell Counties where he trained horses for Punch Oglesby. He shod horses for the public as well as working on the farms of Wayne Parrish and Charles Faubion. He was a dog man at the State School for Boys in Gatesville where he and his favorite dog Jack hunted escapees all over the County.
He later joined the Coryell County Sheriff’s Department where he served for 25 years.
He preconditioned cattle for Graham Wall of Evant and Charles Graham of Gatesville.
He trained some amazing horses along the way, two of which were inducted into the Texas High School Rodeo Association Hall of Fame.
Besides hauling Kyle & DLynn to every rodeo in fourteen counties, he served as director and pick up man for the Evant Rodeo Association and the Region X Chapter of the Texas High School Rodeo Association. He also served as a pickup man for Terry Walls Rodeo Co., Burl Markum & Bradford Ivy.
He enjoyed hauling and roping with his best friend Buddy Bates who he affectionately referred to as
“Tush Hog”.
His greatest joys were riding good horses, and his grandchildren.
He was especially close with the two that lived with him most of their lives. He hauled Kylie and Kaelyn along every step he took, by foot or horseback teaching them how to work cattle, ride good horse and work twice as hard as a man could.
His parents and his three older brothers Billie Eldon, Roy Glen & Carl Van preceded him in death.
He is survived by his son Jimmie Kyle and wife Dawn Chumney of Purmela, daughter DLynn and husband Scott Lee of Merkel, granddaughters Kylie Chumney of Crawford, Kaelyn Chumney of Lampasas, Rhanda and husband Nick Williams of Merkle & Kory Lee of Abilene.
He is also survived by his three sisters Virginia Waldrip of Comanche, Sara Jo Lewis of Levelland, Jeanne Tallent of Moody, and many nieces and nephews. As well as two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund in his name.
