Paul Henry Hitch, 64, passed away early Friday, March 14th, 2008, at Baptist-St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, Texas, following a courageous battle with cancer.
The son of Annie Laurie "Lala" (Moores) and Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Paul was born May 25, 1943, in Liberal, Kansas.
He attended school in Guymon until high school at which time he transferred to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, for his final two years, graduating in 1961. Upon graduation, Paul attended Oklahoma State University where he completed his degree in animal science within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1965, he moved to Palo Alto, California, to complete a Masters in Business Administration at Stanford University.
Paul was united in marriage to Lynda Lou Surguy on July 22, 1967, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After the wedding, the couple resided in Guymon, where Paul had already joined his father and grandparents at Hitch Enterprises, Inc., the family's agriculture business. During his lifetime in the business, Paul saw the business grow from cattle feeding into a credit corporation, cattle buying services, commodity services, and pork operations. He became President of the business in 1978 and assumed the additional title of Chairman of the Board in 1996, positions he held until his death. His dedication to the business was obvious as he worked every day until his last.
Within the cattle industry, Paul was active at both state and national levels serving in various leadership capacities for Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Texas Cattlefeeders' Association, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), including most recently holding the position of President-Elect for NCBA. Paul was also active in the pork industry, and his efforts there were recently honored by the Oklahoma Pork Council with an induction into the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame.
At the community level, Paul believed in giving back, as evidenced by his active participation in numerous organizations over the years including the Guymon Chamber of Commerce, the board of City National Bank & Trust, Inc., the board of the Texas County Family YMCA, and PROAG. At the state level, Paul was a member of the Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors, the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Additionally, he served for six years on the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture.
Paul's church, Victory Memorial United Methodist Church of Guymon, was also important to him. He served on countless committees over the years and also acted as a local and state layperson representative for state and national Methodist conferences. Paul also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation.
Paul is survived by his mother, Lala Hitch; wife, Lynda Hitch; two sons, Jason Hitch and wife, Sara; Chris Hitch and wife, Brooke; and grandson, Tyler Hitch, all of Guymon. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Jane and husband, Clark Willingham of Dallas, Texas; an aunt, Joyce Gray of Guymon; mother-in-law, Opal Surguy of Owasso, Oklahoma; and many other extended family members.
Paul was preceded in death by his brother, James Charles "Jim" Hitch, and his father, Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Jr..
Memorial services will be Wednesday afternoon, March 19th at 2 p.m., at the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, Guymon, Oklahoma, with Rev. Michael Burkett, Pastor, and Rev. Barry Bennett, Associate Pastor, officiating. Services are under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.
Memorials may be given to National Cattlemen's Foundation, Hitch Legacy Fund, or the No Man's Land Historical Society, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.
*********
Paul Hitch was a kind and generous man. When my brother passed away, even though he was going to use the airplane for something else, he allowed my husband to use it to fly us to my brother's funeral in Colorado. He will be missed.
The son of Annie Laurie "Lala" (Moores) and Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Paul was born May 25, 1943, in Liberal, Kansas.
He attended school in Guymon until high school at which time he transferred to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, for his final two years, graduating in 1961. Upon graduation, Paul attended Oklahoma State University where he completed his degree in animal science within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1965, he moved to Palo Alto, California, to complete a Masters in Business Administration at Stanford University.
Paul was united in marriage to Lynda Lou Surguy on July 22, 1967, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After the wedding, the couple resided in Guymon, where Paul had already joined his father and grandparents at Hitch Enterprises, Inc., the family's agriculture business. During his lifetime in the business, Paul saw the business grow from cattle feeding into a credit corporation, cattle buying services, commodity services, and pork operations. He became President of the business in 1978 and assumed the additional title of Chairman of the Board in 1996, positions he held until his death. His dedication to the business was obvious as he worked every day until his last.
Within the cattle industry, Paul was active at both state and national levels serving in various leadership capacities for Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Texas Cattlefeeders' Association, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), including most recently holding the position of President-Elect for NCBA. Paul was also active in the pork industry, and his efforts there were recently honored by the Oklahoma Pork Council with an induction into the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame.
At the community level, Paul believed in giving back, as evidenced by his active participation in numerous organizations over the years including the Guymon Chamber of Commerce, the board of City National Bank & Trust, Inc., the board of the Texas County Family YMCA, and PROAG. At the state level, Paul was a member of the Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors, the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Additionally, he served for six years on the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture.
Paul's church, Victory Memorial United Methodist Church of Guymon, was also important to him. He served on countless committees over the years and also acted as a local and state layperson representative for state and national Methodist conferences. Paul also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation.
Paul is survived by his mother, Lala Hitch; wife, Lynda Hitch; two sons, Jason Hitch and wife, Sara; Chris Hitch and wife, Brooke; and grandson, Tyler Hitch, all of Guymon. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Jane and husband, Clark Willingham of Dallas, Texas; an aunt, Joyce Gray of Guymon; mother-in-law, Opal Surguy of Owasso, Oklahoma; and many other extended family members.
Paul was preceded in death by his brother, James Charles "Jim" Hitch, and his father, Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Jr..
Memorial services will be Wednesday afternoon, March 19th at 2 p.m., at the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, Guymon, Oklahoma, with Rev. Michael Burkett, Pastor, and Rev. Barry Bennett, Associate Pastor, officiating. Services are under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.
Memorials may be given to National Cattlemen's Foundation, Hitch Legacy Fund, or the No Man's Land Historical Society, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.
*********
Paul Hitch was a kind and generous man. When my brother passed away, even though he was going to use the airplane for something else, he allowed my husband to use it to fly us to my brother's funeral in Colorado. He will be missed.
Paul Henry Hitch, 64, passed away early Friday, March 14th, 2008, at Baptist-St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, Texas, following a courageous battle with cancer.
The son of Annie Laurie "Lala" (Moores) and Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Paul was born May 25, 1943, in Liberal, Kansas.
He attended school in Guymon until high school at which time he transferred to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, for his final two years, graduating in 1961. Upon graduation, Paul attended Oklahoma State University where he completed his degree in animal science within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1965, he moved to Palo Alto, California, to complete a Masters in Business Administration at Stanford University.
Paul was united in marriage to Lynda Lou Surguy on July 22, 1967, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After the wedding, the couple resided in Guymon, where Paul had already joined his father and grandparents at Hitch Enterprises, Inc., the family's agriculture business. During his lifetime in the business, Paul saw the business grow from cattle feeding into a credit corporation, cattle buying services, commodity services, and pork operations. He became President of the business in 1978 and assumed the additional title of Chairman of the Board in 1996, positions he held until his death. His dedication to the business was obvious as he worked every day until his last.
Within the cattle industry, Paul was active at both state and national levels serving in various leadership capacities for Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Texas Cattlefeeders' Association, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), including most recently holding the position of President-Elect for NCBA. Paul was also active in the pork industry, and his efforts there were recently honored by the Oklahoma Pork Council with an induction into the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame.
At the community level, Paul believed in giving back, as evidenced by his active participation in numerous organizations over the years including the Guymon Chamber of Commerce, the board of City National Bank & Trust, Inc., the board of the Texas County Family YMCA, and PROAG. At the state level, Paul was a member of the Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors, the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Additionally, he served for six years on the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture.
Paul's church, Victory Memorial United Methodist Church of Guymon, was also important to him. He served on countless committees over the years and also acted as a local and state layperson representative for state and national Methodist conferences. Paul also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation.
Paul is survived by his mother, Lala Hitch; wife, Lynda Hitch; two sons, Jason Hitch and wife, Sara; Chris Hitch and wife, Brooke; and grandson, Tyler Hitch, all of Guymon. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Jane and husband, Clark Willingham of Dallas, Texas; an aunt, Joyce Gray of Guymon; mother-in-law, Opal Surguy of Owasso, Oklahoma; and many other extended family members.
Paul was preceded in death by his brother, James Charles "Jim" Hitch, and his father, Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Jr..
Memorial services will be Wednesday afternoon, March 19th at 2 p.m., at the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, Guymon, Oklahoma, with Rev. Michael Burkett, Pastor, and Rev. Barry Bennett, Associate Pastor, officiating. Services are under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.
Memorials may be given to National Cattlemen's Foundation, Hitch Legacy Fund, or the No Man's Land Historical Society, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.
*********
Paul Hitch was a kind and generous man. When my brother passed away, even though he was going to use the airplane for something else, he allowed my husband to use it to fly us to my brother's funeral in Colorado. He will be missed.
The son of Annie Laurie "Lala" (Moores) and Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Paul was born May 25, 1943, in Liberal, Kansas.
He attended school in Guymon until high school at which time he transferred to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, for his final two years, graduating in 1961. Upon graduation, Paul attended Oklahoma State University where he completed his degree in animal science within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1965, he moved to Palo Alto, California, to complete a Masters in Business Administration at Stanford University.
Paul was united in marriage to Lynda Lou Surguy on July 22, 1967, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After the wedding, the couple resided in Guymon, where Paul had already joined his father and grandparents at Hitch Enterprises, Inc., the family's agriculture business. During his lifetime in the business, Paul saw the business grow from cattle feeding into a credit corporation, cattle buying services, commodity services, and pork operations. He became President of the business in 1978 and assumed the additional title of Chairman of the Board in 1996, positions he held until his death. His dedication to the business was obvious as he worked every day until his last.
Within the cattle industry, Paul was active at both state and national levels serving in various leadership capacities for Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Texas Cattlefeeders' Association, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), including most recently holding the position of President-Elect for NCBA. Paul was also active in the pork industry, and his efforts there were recently honored by the Oklahoma Pork Council with an induction into the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame.
At the community level, Paul believed in giving back, as evidenced by his active participation in numerous organizations over the years including the Guymon Chamber of Commerce, the board of City National Bank & Trust, Inc., the board of the Texas County Family YMCA, and PROAG. At the state level, Paul was a member of the Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors, the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Additionally, he served for six years on the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture.
Paul's church, Victory Memorial United Methodist Church of Guymon, was also important to him. He served on countless committees over the years and also acted as a local and state layperson representative for state and national Methodist conferences. Paul also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation.
Paul is survived by his mother, Lala Hitch; wife, Lynda Hitch; two sons, Jason Hitch and wife, Sara; Chris Hitch and wife, Brooke; and grandson, Tyler Hitch, all of Guymon. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Jane and husband, Clark Willingham of Dallas, Texas; an aunt, Joyce Gray of Guymon; mother-in-law, Opal Surguy of Owasso, Oklahoma; and many other extended family members.
Paul was preceded in death by his brother, James Charles "Jim" Hitch, and his father, Henry Charles "Ladd" Hitch, Jr..
Memorial services will be Wednesday afternoon, March 19th at 2 p.m., at the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, Guymon, Oklahoma, with Rev. Michael Burkett, Pastor, and Rev. Barry Bennett, Associate Pastor, officiating. Services are under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.
Memorials may be given to National Cattlemen's Foundation, Hitch Legacy Fund, or the No Man's Land Historical Society, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.
*********
Paul Hitch was a kind and generous man. When my brother passed away, even though he was going to use the airplane for something else, he allowed my husband to use it to fly us to my brother's funeral in Colorado. He will be missed.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
