J. Fred Hambright
November 4, 1928 ~ December 4, 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.
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Fred was a wonderful gentleman and I had many delightful conversations with him during my 32 years as a Landman for Petroleum, Inc.
Rest John, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Fred was a wonderful friend and first rate landman. His staff is well trained, and he bought me many oil & gas leases in several states, always clean and professional. A visit to Fred was always both profitable and hilarious, as he was gifted with an ‘off the wall’ sense of humor…it was like a contest! He called me ‘Ferd’ and I called him the same. I will miss him a lot, and God rest his soul.
~ Fred (‘Ferd’) James
Fred gave me my start as an independent landman in January 2006. I have never looked back. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Fred, Kenny Hoop and all in his office. I have very fond memories. I would say I will keep plugging, but then again, Fred would tell me to never say plug! Thank you Fred!
I first met Fred when I was a little boy, my Dad and Fred were working for Freds Uncle. What a gift Fred was to the Oil Industry !
Fred was Landman to each of us – he gave us a special lease on life fill with special friendship and laughter- a special blessaing to his wonderful family – especially the one who must clean off his desk…we deeply respected, admired and appreciated our landman Fred. Pain and sorrow of his death is deeply shared at our house.
While I did not know Fred personally, one of his landmen, Randall Taylor, RPL, of Taylor Land Services of Laguna Niguel, CA, who he trained and had worked for him many years regaled me with many stories about Fred. Randy and I have worked together in the California Oil Patch since 2002. May he rest in peace, while doing land work on the big lease play in the heavens.
Regards.
He was a great American. Fred was honest and a good Landman. Every time I did business with him it was a pleasant experience. He had a good sense of humor and best of all, he was a fellow Aggie. We always had good discussions about Aggie football. The Land profession will miss him dearly, as his friends will.
A true gentleman, a kind and considerate man, and a damn fine landman! He saved my bacon on more than one occasion…and didnt give me too much of a hard time about it!
My sincere condolences. Fred was a wonderful man. Served on aapl board with him in the 1990s.
Mr. Hambright will be greatly missed. I used to see him in our building almost every morning. He never lacked a kind word and was always terribly nice to people around him. We shall miss this kind and generous man. May you be comforted by the Lords Hand.
J Fred was the first field broker who worked for me when I was at Conoco in Oklahoma City. He worked on a commission basis of all things!! I always wondered what the meant on Conocos Lease processing worksheets but now I know. He was the consummate professional and prompt and thorough in every report and lease he sent in. I served with him on several AAPL committees and he positively influenced everyone he came in touch with. I will miss him dearly and know that he is in Heaven with all the other famous land professionals who resides therein!! Vaya Con Dios Fred Hambright and Gig Em!!
In all the years that I knew J. Fred – throughout the 1970s when I lived in Wichita and in the years thereafter when we met at various meetings and functions, I dont think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. He had a great attitude, a quick wit, and sense of humor that infected everyone around him leaving them feeling a little better. You will be missed Fred.
Fred will always be the highlight of my Wichita years. The first landman in KS to take me to lunch, explaining the 1/8th lease is still standard up here my new friend. Little did I know that day the Shepard presents he would serve in my career. Rest In Peace my friend. To God be the glory.
Just as Fred enjoyed finding richness in the land, he enjoyed finding richness in everyone he knew.
Fred Hambright was a mentor to me. He taught me so much about the Landman profession. Long after I moved from Wichita to California, we stayed in touch and I would always help him with a request if I could. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. RIP, Pal.
My condolences to the family. I am a friend to the Herveys in San Luis Obispo and have enjoyed Marbys company. Also have a lease agreement for our family land in Kansas. Gwen Stanhope
Fred gave me my first chance to work as a landman in 1975 during my first year of college. He took the time to work with me and always made me feel comfortable in a new setting for me as a young person getting started. I looked forward to our Monday meetings. I know he was a good friend to my father and was a great family man. Thanks Fred for starting my career. Any landman or businessman could only wish for all the friends and contacts that Fred had during his many years of work in the industry. He is a legend.
The Hambrights were the greatest neighbors. We lived next door for ten years and it was a pure joy. I learned a great deal about honor and values from Fred and have always been greatful.
I first met J. Fred when I worked at Kansas Blueprint under the direction of Dick Holke drawing maps. Between Dick & Fred they knew everybody in the entire mid-content oil patch. That was 60 years ago. There was never a day that I couldnt call Fred & get the best advice on lease prices, proper lease forms or most anything else … except cards. I knew better than to play cards with J. Fred. I miss him already.
Fred – Thanks for the laughs and all the help! You helped me navigate Kansas title and I will always think of you with a smile on my face. Your sense of humor was legend. Rest in peace my Friend.
Fred what a wonderful human being, a great businessman and friend. Always with a sense of humor and giving great encouragement he made you feel like you could accomplish anything. Sure gonna miss our Monday conversations save some leasing for me up there, your pal.
So many wonderful memories and stories about J Fred. I have read every one of the warm and tender passages people have written about him in this forum. He was many things to many people. My one takeaway that I am the fondest of is that he made you feel like you were the most important person he had talked to that day. I will look forward to another celebration of Freds life in Colorado when he will once again be reunited with his beloved wife Dee.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.