Bobby Kuykendall

Funeral services will be held under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Section of Ector County Cemetery, located at 300 S. Dixie Blvd.

Bobby was born on July 15, 1945, in Seminole, Texas, to Robert D. Kuykendall and Ila Waldeen Kuykendall. He was the oldest of nine children. From an early age, Bobby was fiercely independent and always marched to the beat of his own drum. He grew up quickly, preferred the company of adults, and knew early on that school was not for him. After completing the 7th or 8th grade, he chose to work and make his own way in the world.

A self-taught businessman, Bobby’s first job was selling donuts on the streets of South Odessa when he was only about ten years old. When his family moved to Midland around the age of fourteen, he later worked with his grandfather and uncle in Gatesville, Texas, where he learned to texture and paint houses. Upon returning to Midland, Bobby worked alongside his father and friends buying and selling cars—an industry that would become his life’s work.

In 1967, Bobby was drafted into the United States Army and served at Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas, as a cook. He received an Honorable Discharge in September 1971. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksman Rifle Badge. The Army played a significant role in shaping Bobby into the man he became.

Following his military service, Bobby worked for Billington Motor Company in Midland and later owned several businesses before earning his dealer’s license. For the past 30 years, he owned and operated Bobby’s Auto Sales in Odessa, Texas. He was well known throughout the south side of Odessa and built his reputation on honesty, hard work, and loyalty.

Bobby was never afraid to take risks if there was a chance to succeed. He was generous to friends who stood by him and was known for being fair and straightforward in all his dealings. Over the years, he helped many people, working closely with business partners to buy and sell vehicles. He owned property in both Gatesville and Odessa and lived a life marked by perseverance—going from rags to riches more than once.

He loved his ranch in Gatesville, though even there he worked nonstop. Bobby never took vacations for leisure; he was always focused on business and improvement. He especially enjoyed buying and selling cattle, driving his tractor, mowing weeds, trimming trees, and constantly working to better his land.

Bobby believed in security—his property always had a fence, a lock, or both. His favorite color was black, and his favorite vehicle was a Cadillac, of which he bought and sold many throughout his life. He admired Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, whose music reflected his independent spirit.

As written in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” And as Frank Sinatra famously said, “I did it my way.” Bobby truly did.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; his brothers Donny, Matt, and Kenneth Kuykendall; his sister Rita Kay Kuykendall; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

He is survived by his sisters Suzy Harris, Carol Stith, Anita McLain, and Ann Powell.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa for the compassionate care Bobby received.

Pallbearers will be Junior Boiles, Shan Johnson, Leo Stone and Ed Brady. Honorary pallbearers are Dennis Roberson and Eddie Erwin.