Harry A. Babbitt

Rev. Harry A. Babbitt, 54, of Amarillo, died Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, in Amarillo, Texas.

He was born in Vernon, Texas, and raised in Las Vegas, N.M. He graduated from Wayland Baptist University and received his master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Sheliah McAnear on Dec. 27, 1974, in Clarendon, Texas. He served as minister of education at Ashcreek Baptist Church in Azle, Texas, while attending seminary.

He pastored Normandale Baptist Church in White Settlement, Texas, and South Georgia Baptist church in Amarillo before becoming Pastoral Care Leader at Paramount Baptist Church where he served at the time of his death. He taught theology at Amarillo College for two years and served on the Executive Board of the Amarillo Baptist Association. He served on the Church Ministries Committee for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and also served as the chaplain for the Randall High School football team from 1998 to 2000.

Family members said he enjoyed football, NASCAR and being around family and friends. They added his greatest desire was for people to come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Babbitt.

Survivors include his wife, Sheliah of Amarillo; sons, Aaron Kyle Babbitt, Trevor Allen Babbitt and Jarrod Neal Babbitt (and his wife, Kristin), all of Amarillo; parents, Clifford and Thelma Babbitt of Las Vegas, N.M.; and brothers, Garry Babbitt and Kerry Babbitt (Lanetta), all of Clovis.

Memorials may be made to the Harry A. Babbitt Memorial Scholarship Fund C/O Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 S. Western, Amarillo, Texas, 79109.