John Lloyd Kuykendall, 72, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2012 in Llano, Texas. A visitation was held Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at the Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home in Llano, Texas. A private burial service will be held at the Kuykendall Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service for John Kuykendall will be held Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 3 P.M. at the Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Wright Street, Llano, Texas, with fellowship and refreshments following the service.

The Celebration will be led by Doug Suggs, Preacher, Cherokee Church of Christ; Dick West, preacher, Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church; and Rodney Tedford, former preacher at Llano Church of Christ and current preacher at Avenue T Church of Christ in Temple, Texas.

John Kuykendall was born in Temple, Texas on September 4, 1940 to James and Zudora Kuykendall and was reared on the family ranch outside of Cherokee, Texas in San Saba County. John graduated from Cherokee High School and enrolled at Tarleton State University. He transferred to Texas A&M College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science in 1963. That same year he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Howell, on July 13, 1963. He continued his education at Texas A&M University and graduated with a Master of Science degree in Animal Science in 1965. John loved Texas A&M University and was on the wool, meats, and livestock judging teams during his time in college. Throughout his life he continued to participate in Aggie events in the community including Aggie Muster/Fish Fry, attended Texas A&M football games, and enjoyed seeing both of his children and granddaughter continue their education at his alma mater. During football season you could always see his Aggie flag flying at their family home.

John enjoyed a 31 year career with Texas AgriLife Extension Service first as an assistant agent in Jim Wells County and then for 29 years in Llano County.

Upon his retirement in 1995, John returned to carry on the work at Kuykendall Hereford Ranch. He poured all of his energy and enthusiasm into the ranch that has been in his family since 1878. Raising quality Hereford cattle for show steers and breeding stock was a passion and love that he and his brother have shared working the ranch together for many years during retirement. It was a thrill for him that Kuykendall Ranch was designated as a Texas Century Ranch by the Texas Department of Agriculture and he loved sharing the family heritage and ranch history with family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Patty Kuykendall; daughter Lisa Whittlesey and husband Randel of College Station, Texas; son Jeff and wife Veronica of Llano, Texas; grandchildren Taylor Whittlesey, Cole Whittlesey, Case John Kuykendall, Carson Kuykendall, Sydney Kuykendall and Harper Kuykendall; brother Lovell Kuykendall and wife Sandra of Cherokee, Texas and numerous nieces, nephew, and many dear friends.

Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to:

Cherokee Church of Christ, 308 S Indian Ave, Cherokee, Texas 76832; Cherokee Children’s Home, P.O. Box 295, Cherokee, Texas 76832; or to the Llano County 4-H Program, 1447 E State Highway 71, Unit E Llano, Texas 78643.

Funeral arrangements made under the direction of Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Homes, Inc. Llano, Texas. E-mail condolences may be sent to whhfuneral1@verizon.net or you may log onto our website, www.whhfuneralhome.com for online condolences.