Jimmy Tittle, a veteran and longtime architect known for his work on iconic landmarks around the community, is being remembered for his impact and lasting legacy in Abilene and beyond.
Friends, family and other loved ones will remember Tittle in services set for Saturday, July 19, after he passed away on June 22. He was 97.
According to his obituary, Tittle will be celebrated in an outdoor gathering at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap, Texas, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, following a private graveside service earlier that morning in the Abilene Municipal Cemetery, 1133 Cottonwood St.
The Abilene native was known for his architectural work at the Abilene Regional Airport terminal, the city’s zoo and the Taylor County Courthouse and buildings at area colleges, among other high-profile locations.
But Lynn Barnett, a member of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council who was a longtime friend and caretaker of Tittle, said his legacy goes beyond his contributions to iconic Abilene landmarks.
“I think the remarkable thing, the special thing about Jimmy, was he made such an impact in whatever he did,” she said.
Barnett said Tittle leadership and reputation were known throughout the state and country, noting that he was recognized as a distinguished alumnus by Texas A&M, served as chancellor for the American Institute of Architects and was appointed by the governor to the Texas Commission on the Arts, among other honors. He also served as chairman of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce.
“Jimmy, between his talent and his personality, just became a leader in whatever he does … he really brought his gifts to whatever it was that he was involved in and just made a huge impact on so many different organizations and fields of interests,” she said.
About Jimmy Tittle and his legacy
According to his obituary shared through Hamil Family Funeral Home, Tittle was born in Abilene on Oct. 15, 1927, and, except for four years in College Station and a stint at Fort Sill where he served his country as an Army Lieutenant, he planted his life in the hometown he loved.
The first time his name appeared in the Abilene newspaper was in 1930: Dear Santa Claus, I am a little boy 3 years old. I want you to bring me a little play watch, an airplane on wheels and a collar for my little puppy, Major Muggs. Your little friend, Jimmy Don Tittle, 2041 N 3rd.
His boyhood home still stands on North 3rd Street, a warm house where George “Blue” and Hester Tittle raised four girls and three boys – Jimmy was the caboose. His father was George Blueford, but everyone called him Blue and he cut a distinctive figure in town as did his son Jimmy. Jimmy’s mother gave him his eye for aesthetics. His siblings were Juanita Pollard, Waurene Cannon, George (“GB”), Mack, Rebecca Barker and Mary Bex.
As a boy, Jimmy walked across the railroad tracks hundreds of times on his way to Central Elementary and then to Abilene High where he graduated in 1945, just weeks after being crowned Prom King. He then headed south to the Promised Land where he thought he might study chemical engineering but, to Abilene’s great benefit, he graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in architecture in 1949. His young career began mid-century, just in time to bring mid-century architecture to Abilene.
Jimmy Tittle set out to bring great architecture to Abilene, saying early on, “You can’t make a living if you’re not drawing lines on paper.” So, he and his partner, Jack Luther, drew lines and changed the look of their hometown. Among others, he worked alongside Horace Loving and mentored a long list of young architects.
His stamp on the look of the Abilene area ranges from the Taylor County Courthouse to the tiny Perini Chapel in the Buffalo Gap cemetery. In addition, his mark included expansions to Hendrick Medical Center, the design of the Abilene Regional Airport, the Abilene Zoo, and numerous buildings at both Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University. On more than one occasion he was asked to make a list of his designs, he always begged off, knowing that no project was his alone.
As a young man, when he was not at work, he played softball, tennis, badminton and golf. He designed sets for Abilene Community Theatre, and was a frequent speaker for study clubs and civic groups.
Jimmy helped to advance Abilene Cultural Affairs, helping to launch the Paramount Performing Arts Series and Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit. He gave his time to the Grace Museum which honored his commitment in 2000, naming him as gala honoree. The Abilene Chamber of Commerce selected him as the city’s Outstanding Citizen in 1988. He served on the Texas Commission on the Arts and Texas Cultural Trust, and was elected president of both. He also took a turn to serve as president of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce.
In 2023, Jimmy was honored by Texas A&M as an Outstanding Alumni, the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of the university. And he was not just a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, but was one of the few to ever be named as Chancellor of the College of Fellows. Jimmy was awarded the AIA Edward C. Kemper Award for Outstanding Service to the Institute. He served as president of the Texas Society of Architects and was the 1997 recipient of the Llewellyn Pitts Gold Medal award for Lifetime Achievement.
When people described Jimmy, you often heard him labeled as: debonair, the most eligible bachelor, an excellent dancer, a snappy dresser and a popular wit. He was also shy and reticent to ever talk about himself; he was compassionate and sentimental, humble, dedicated, and, not only committed to his hometown, but devoted to his friends as well.
His longtime friend Fred Lee Hughes once wrote of his friend: “We grew up together. We went through the most glorious times of our lives growing up in Abilene and attending Texas A&M. Together, in our own way, we have focused our energies on West Texas where we have planted our roots. You make sand castles last forever. But the brick and stone will never hide the heart.”
In 1963, the Abilene Parks Board hired Tittle to create a new zoo. In 2022, the zoo lake was named “Tittle Lake” in his honor. He had envisioned the lake as a way to take advantage of the prevailing southwesterly winds and provide a cooling breeze for zoo visitors. Tittle Lake is peaceful and calm, providing a refreshing breeze, a place you enjoy coming upon. So too, Jimmy Tittle was peaceful and calm. He provided a refreshing breeze to our lives as he beautified, promoted and served Abilene. You enjoyed seeing him coming with that sly smile and those twinkling eyes.
At the time of his death, Jimmy was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Jimmy had no children, but is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Appreciation is expressed to his caregivers, Belinda, Mercedes and Amanda, and all the friends who shared his last days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation, c/o Kathy Morehead, 1326 CR 650, Tuscola, Texas 79562, or Abilene Arts Alliance, 1101 N 1st St, Abilene, TX 79601.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Longtime Abilene architect Jimmy Tittle remembered for legacy beyond iconic landmarks
Reporting by Adam D. Young and Ronald W. Erdrich, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
