J. B. Autry

J B (Jake) Autry

August 26, 1928 - September 27, 2020

Jake Autry, 92 of Cuthbert, TX died on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at Good Life Senior Living in Snyder, Texas.

A private graveside service for Mr. Autry will be held at Cuthbert Cemetery with Howard Stovall officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

Mr. Autry was born August 26, 1928, near Cuthbert, TX to Barney Lee and Susan Katherine (Bozeman) Autry. He married Wanda Thurman June 4, 1951, in Cuthbert, TX.

Jake was a farmer and rancher in Mitchell and Scurry Counties from a young age. He saw a lot of changes during his lifetime from plowing with a mule as a child to driving a 400 horse power air-conditioned tractor. He believed in hard work and did whatever it took. During the drought in the early 50’s he worked in a gravel pit on the Colorado River. When work was slow he observed that the dragline operator was the last to go so he practiced after hours and kept the dragline held together with baling wire. He was the last man standing. It finally rained so he got to go back to his first love – farming and ranching.

He enjoyed flying lessons when he was young but got busy and didn’t get back to finishing the lessons until he was around fifty. He obtained his private pilot’s license and owned a couple of Cessna’s. He was a volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol and participated in some searches for missing persons.

Music was important to the Autrys’.  Jake didn’t play an instrument but he looked forward to family reunions and enjoyed listening to all the musicians.

Jake’s lifelong dream was to own a ranch in New Mexico. After many years of hard work, good investments, and saving, it finally became a reality. At sixty when most are looking to retire he moved to his ranch and ran a large cow and calf operation with everyone telling him he was crazy not to run steers because of the rough winters. For twenty one years, he worked and branded all his cattle, looked after fifteen windmills, raised wheat, and hay with Wanda as his only hand. Wanda was such a good hand that she got job offers from neighboring ranchers.

As the Bible says Jake gave to his family first, but he also gave to others. He was a member of Santa Rosa Baptist Church, taught Sunday school, and was involved in the services at the Truckers Christian Chapel on I-40.  He was a member of Vincent Baptist Church before they moved to NM and after they moved back to Texas.

Throughout his life Jake walked the walk and his life can be summed up in II Timothy 4:7  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

He is survived by:
Wife - Wanda Autry, Colorado City, TX
1) Son:
Lance Autry and wife Sherry, Colorado City, TX
3) Daughters:
Linda Autry, Victoria, TX
Beverly Pfau and husband James, Colorado City, TX
Angeline Stovall and husband Howard, Cisco, TX
1) Sister:
Katherine Talbot, El Paso, TX
9) Grandchildren:
Heather Holland, Anchorage, AK
Delanie McElroy, Grape Creek, TX
Virginia Thompson, Hereford, AZ
Cyndi Wilsdorf, East Peoria, IL
Jessica Higgins, Clyde, TX
Ben Stovall, Cisco, TX
Zac Stovall, Cisco, TX
Terryn Castanon, Austin,
Taylor Watson, Snyder, TX
15) Great Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by:
1) Son: David Autry
3) Sisters:
Viola Payne, Rowena Moitoret and Frances Jones Teleki

No visitation is planned.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

Vincent Baptist Church

c/o Cheryl McCall

604 Bucknell

Big Spring, TX 79720

Online Condolences may be posted at www.bellcypertseale.com