Jack E. Hillman

Jack Hillman was born in Fort Worth, Texas to Mattie Mae Jordan and Helwig Hillman on January 26, 1933. Later that year his family moved to Houston, where he lived and raised his family. Jack attended Austin High School, where he was the quarterback of the football team, and graduated at mid-term in 1952. He attended the University of Texas where he was a member and president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He met Gayle Cutshall during college and they married in 1956. Jack graduated from UT in 1957 and served in the US Army for 6 months in Augusta Georgia and Fort Hood, TX. He was a member of the military police and was in the reserves for 8 years leaving the service as captain. He worked for Tenneco, Texas Commerce Bank, and for 29 years at Hillman Distributing Company as president and general manager.

Jack enjoyed volunteering and serving as president of Keep Texas Beautiful, Chairman of the Go Texas Committee at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and on the board of the Houston Zoo. He also loved coaching his kids in their various sports, especially the girls softball teams.

Jack was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He spent countless hours throwing the ball in the backyard, helping his children with scouting projects and attending every single game or performance of his children and grandchildren. His family could always count on him to not only be there to support them but to be their biggest cheerleader.

Faith was very important to Jack, and he was a devoted member, lifetime member of the board of trustees, and recipient of the Heart of Christ Award at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. He loved the mentoring program at Spring Branch Elementary and was on the funeral ushers committee, hospitality committee, and a Gathering Place volunteer. He also loved his Saturday morning breakfast and golf groups with his Chapelwood guys and the Genesis Sunday School class.

For over 20 years, Jack and Gayle spent quality time with their children and friends at their lake house on Lake Livingston. Many of his children's best memories were from the lake. It is also where he hosted the legendary “Family Honor” games annually. The final trophy is still in hiding. Jack and Gayle also spent many years enjoying their ranch outside of Brenham, TX. For years, they spent every Wednesday - Saturday there working and enjoying their grandkids.

Jack and Gayle shared a love of travel. They traveled together, with friends, and with their grandchildren. Their sense of adventure is reflected in the journeys of their children and grandchildren.

To his friends, Jack was known as ‘Mister Nice Guy’, and the title came naturally. He was loved by everyone who met him. But that didn’t make him any less competitive - either playing his favorite game, Joker, or during the Family Honor weekends! He loved games as much as he loved the friends who played them with him.

Jack leaves a legacy of loving life and loving others. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Gayle, and by his mother, father, and son, David Hillman. He is survived by his son Scott Hillman; daughter, Susan Thomas and husband Tim; and daughter-in-law Kimberly Hillman. He also leaves grandchildren Jordan and Gabriel Hillman, Hailey Thomas Hasenbank and husband Charlie, Loren Thomas, Kate Thomas Jacobs and husband Madison, Reid, Luke and Addie Hillman, and great-granddaughter Emma Hasenbank.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at Chapelwood UMC (11140 Greenbay Street, Chapel, Houston, TX 77024) on June 9, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Zena Launchpad. https://www.thezenalaunchpad.com/donate