Roll Call Tribute

DOWNING & LAHEY EAST MORTUARY obituary
6555 East Central
Wichita, KS 67206
316-682-4553
316-685-8624 (fax)
toll free: 1-800-369-8784

J. Fred Hambright
December 04, 2018

John Frederick Hambright, III (J. Fred) passed away on December 4, 2018, one month after his 90th birthday, which he celebrated with friends and family on November 4, 2018. J. Fred was born and raised in Roby, Texas, on a cotton farm which is still owned by the family. He was a proud graduate of Texas A&M University where he received a degree in petroleum engineering. He was also a member of the A&M Corps of Cadets, as well as the Ross Volunteer Company honor guard. After graduation, he served as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and later held posts in England and Germany. After his discharge from the service, he moved to Plainville, Kansas, where he worked for his uncle, Fielding Patrick Hambright, as an Oil & Gas Landman. During the course of his work, he met Dolores Mae Carty of Denver, CO. They married in 1954 and moved to Wichita, Kansas, where J. Fred would eventually found J. Fred Hambright, Inc. He remained active in the oil and gas leasing business for the rest of his years. The breadth and volume of his work would eventually lead to him being inducted into the Legacy Gallery of the Kansas Oil Museum, as well as the Kansas Oil and Gas Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores, to whom he was married for 61 years. He is survived by his daughter, Marjorie B. Hambright (“Marby”) of San Luis Obispo, CA, son, John F. Hambright Iv (Kim Marie) of Wheat Ridge, CO, and three grandchildren, Benjamin Frederick (“Be”), John Jefferson (“J.J.”), and JoDee Marie of Denver, CO. J. Fred was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church and the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association, as well as numerous other oil and gas-related organizations. He was an Eagle Scout (he recently traveled to Seattle to bestow the honor on one of his young cousins), proud alumnus of Texas A&M (where he recently served as Muster Chairman of the Wichita Chapter), and helped countless people get their start in the oil and gas business. J. Fred was a bowler, a fisherman, and he loved a good pun. His quick wit, warmth, and generosity will be more than missed. He was a man who enjoyed life to the fullest, proud to have made lasting contributions in business and in life, and to have encouraged and supported as many people as he did. J. Fred’s Guestbook may be signed at: Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E. Central Ave, Wichita, KS. J. Fred’s memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, at Reformation Lutheran Church, 7601 E. 13th Street North in Wichita. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either: Union Rescue Mission, 2800 N. Hillside Street, Wichita, KS 67219; or Smile Train, 633 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017.


MEMORIAL SERVICE
Reformation Lutheran Church
Saturday, December 15, 2018
11:00 AM
7601 E. 13st N.;
Wichita,, KS 67206