Chris Kyker

Chris Kyker, steadfastly into her 92nd year on the Earth, took leave in the early morning hours of September 13th to join the ranks of her contemporaries from “greatest generation” in receiving her eternal award from above.  She passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, and characteristically resolute to the end. She leaves an unmatched legacy of service and achievement as a champion for needs of the State of Texas, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, Abilene Christian University, and her extended family.   Chris was born Jewel Christine White on March 30, 1925, in Temple, Texas to Grace (Wrye) and L. E. White. She graduated from Lubbock High School in 1942, and loved participating in tennis and band. She matriculated to Abilene Christian College under the personal invitation and encouragement of Dean Walter Adams, and went on to earn her B.A. (1946), M.S. (1959), and M.A. (1960) degrees in English, Theater, Speech Education, and Communication. At ACC she participated in band, orchestra, the Ko Jo Kai women’s club, and theater, where she met her future husband, Dr. Rex Paxton Kyker. They married September 1, 1946 in Abilene and became the youngest of thirty faculty members in the Fall semester of 1946 at ACC. Over a storied career as faculty members in speech, theater, and communication departments, they had five children together, seven grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.   Over her professional career, Chris pioneered in these roles with the following organizations: founding executive director of the Texas Department on Aging; founding director, West Central Texas Area Agency on Aging, founding president/CEO, Disability Resources, Inc., Abilene; founding consultant, Rainbow Omega, Inc. Eastaboga, Alabama; executive director, Abilene Mental Health Association; and Director of Theater, Abilene Christian University.   Additionally, Chris served as President of the National Mental Health Association Staff Council, and in 2007, was appointed by Governor Rick Perry as public member of Transition Legislative Oversight Committee and Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness.  She was appointed to the Promoting Independence Advisory Council and the Advisory Council for the University of Texas School of Social Work in Austin. She was founding Board member of Alternatives to Guardianship, and served eight years on the Texas Silver Haired Legislature Foundation (TSHLF) Board of Directors. Additionally, Chris served nine terms in the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (TSHL) from 1992 – 2017, and during that time, served as Speaker from 2002 – 2006, and Speaker Emeritus since 2008. She is the founding curator of the TSHL Archives, located in Abilene Christian University Library Special Collections.   Chris received the Life Time Achievement award from Governor Perry in 2007, and was named the ACU Outstanding Alumnus of the Year in 2008, In 2011, Chris received the Abilene Mayor’s Physical Fitness Leadership Award and was selected by the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) to represent Texas in 2015. Also in 2015, the 81st TX legislative session passed HB 610, which established the Chris Kyker Endowment for Seniors Fund.

Chris was preceded in death by her mother Grace Wrye White (1957), father L. E. White (1972), husband Dr. Rex Kyker (1996), and eldest daughter, Dr. Jeri Pfeifer (2015). She is survived by her brother Lynn White of Abilene, sons Rob Kyker of Addison, and Ricky Kyker of Abilene, and daughters Lindy Fullerton of Ft. Worth, and Dr. Jan Bryan of Flower Mound, Texas. She proudly celebrated seven grand-children and six great-grandchildren who each, to this day, lovingly call her “Mama Chris,” a title she wore proudly.   Visitation will take place at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene on Sunday, September 17th from 2:00 – 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Funeral services will be held at University Church of Christ Monday, September 18th at 10:00 o’clock in the morning, with a graveside service at Elmwood Memorial Park immediately following.   In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Rex and Chris Kyker Endowed Scholarship for the Arts at Abilene Christian University at www.acu.edu/giveonline or call 800-588-1514.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Big Country, Drs. Crumbliss and Fakhoury, members of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature, colleagues at Rainbow Omega, and all her friends at The West Central Texas Council of Governments. She quoted Philippians 3:13-14 often in speeches and memories in her final years. Her family loved her greatly, and the State of Texas retires one of its most dedicated and enduring patriot, servant, and leader.