Jack Cave

Jack Cave of Farmington, New Mexico went to his heavenly home to meet the Lord on July 14th, 2024 at the age of 89. Jack was born in Hobbs, TX on August 15th, 1934 to J.C. Cave and Alice Eliza Whitby Cave. Jack met the love of his life, Lee Gilliland, as a young boy in Fisher County when at the age of 8, he pulled up to the home of one of Lee’s relatives and started to throw rocks at Lee and her sister. Throughout the years they went to school together from time to time and by the time she was 13 and he was 14, in the 8th and 9th grade they went on a double date with her sister Donna, and Howard Denton. It was the start of a long and loving life together as they married in 1953 and remained married for over 71 years before his passing. Their legacy together included 6 children, (Cerina, Val, Tina, Kim, Jimmy, and Rod), 17 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren. 

Throughout the years Jack proved to be a brilliant businessman, owning and selling several companies in oilfield tubular inspection. He was able to prove that although he came from humble roots as a poor farm boy, that through hard work and perseverance you could become a self-made man running a business that was successful even during hard times. 

Jack loved Jesus, his Savior, his lovely wife Lee, his children, and all of his many grandchildren. He loved hard work and could often be found working alongside those that worked for him. His hobbies included hunting and fishing, and growing a huge garden every year. He was able to pass on that work ethic and his love of gardening to many of his posterity. Jack had a love for all animals, (except squirrels - lol) but most especially his schnauzers and all dogs. Jack most certainly left this world with much more than he came into it with by sharing his love for life, his passion for hard work, and the love of his family and his Father in Heaven. He will be remembered for all of this and also for his amazing laugh, his spectacular sense of humor and for the stick animals that he always drew for the grandchildren. He will be remembered for sneaking snacks to work, telling great jokes (he loved to make people laugh), and for his coveralls, which we loved and will always think of him in. He was a lifelong friend to many, a cherished husband and father, and a beloved grandfather who will be greatly missed. 

Jack was preceded in death by his daughter Tina Foster, parents J.C. Cave and Alice Eliza Whitby, and sister Barbara Looney. Jack is survived by his wife, Lee Cave, his sons, Jimmy Cave (Lori), Rod Cave (Sheila), son-in-law Mike Foster, daughters Cerina Tanner, Val Schofield (John), Kim Roquemore (Randy), brother Don Cave (Connie), and sister Loretta Carter. As mentioned above, he also had 17 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren. 

Services will be held at Calvary Chapel on July 23rd, at 10:00am. Andy Fine will be officiator. Following the service, burial will be at Memory Gardens cemetery. A reception will be held at Calvary Chapel after the graveside service. 

Pallbearers will include Joe Schofield, Jacob Schofield, Brad Roquemore, Jason Cave, Rooster Foster, and Dillon Bradford. Honorary pallbearers include Don Cave, Jacy Cave, Larry White, Howard Ray, and Denato Monroy.