Jack Hilton

Jack Hilton, 89, of Pampa, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2020 at his home.

Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Rev. Francisco Perez, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Mr. Hilton was born on August 30, 1930 in Amarillo to Roswell (R. N.) and Frances Florene (Flo) Whitfill Hilton.  He graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in 1949 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. In 1951, Jack joined the Army and served as a railway locomotive conductor during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1953.  Jack married Martha Dittmeyer on November 28, 1953 in Pampa, and during their marriage they raised five children.  As a family, they enjoyed outings to the lake and loved to go on vacations to the mountains and visiting family.  They were volunteers for the Red Cross and taught swimming lessons for several years.  They also enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Calico Capers Square Dance Club. In 1976 they opened an arts and crafts store called the Sunshine Factory and operated it for several years.  He was an engineer with Santa Fe Railroad for 43 years, and in 1976, he was chosen to drive the Bicentennial train through Amarillo.  After Martha’s death in October 1991, he became involved in the building of the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Groom.  Always wanting to stay busy, he volunteered his time in making plaques to sell in the gift shop at the Cross Ministries.  He was a devout Christian who loved serving his Lord and Savior at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, and as a member, he became involved with the Knights of Columbus for many years.  In his later years he enjoyed volunteering at Good Sam’s.  

Jack was preceded in death by a grandson, Randy Weld.

Survivors include four daughters, Cheryl Renae Laufer and husband Ron of Panhandle, Rebecca Sue Hilton of Pampa, Martha Ann Newman and husband Kelley of Fritch and Jacqueline Lea Daughtry-Naylor and husband David of Bernalillo, New Mexico; one son, Jack Edward Hilton II and wife Rita Picerno of Amarillo; one brother, Glenn Hilton and wife Kathy of Phoenix, Arizona; 28 grandchildren, 59 great grandchildren, 4 great great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Kindred Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to Jack during his last days here and would like to extend special thanks to his nurse, Natalie.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 810 West 23^rd Ave, Pampa, TX  79065, The Cross Ministries, PO Box 305, Groom, TX 79039, or Good Samaritan Christian Services, 309 N Ward, Pampa, TX 79065.