John Stewart "Jack" Williamson

John Stewart "Jack" Williamson, 98, science fiction author and long-time professor of English at Eastern New Mexico University, died Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at his home in Portales.  A memorial service celebrating his remarkable life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, in the Ballroom of the Campus Union Building at Eastern New Mexico University.  A reception will follow the service.
Jack Williamson was born April 29, 1908, in Bisbee, Ariz., to Asa Lee and Lucy Betty Hunt Williamson.  While he was still an infant, the family moved to a remote ranch in northern Mexico where Jack spent his earliest years.  They returned to the United States in 1911, eventually settling in Pecos, Texas.
In 1915, seven-year-old, Jack, along with his parents, sister, Jo and brother, Jim, traveled by covered wagon from Pecos to south Roosevelt County, joining other family members who had homesteaded land ahead of them.  In 1927, Jack got a free sample copy of the March issue of Amazing Stories and was officially introduced to the world in which he would live the rest of his life.  A year later, he broke into print when his first story, "The Metal Man" appeared in that publication.
Over the ensuing years, Jack attended West Texas State University and began honing his writing skills with a series of stories sold to pulp magazines of the era.  His travels included a memorable journey down the Mississippi River in a motor boat with fellow writer Ed Hamilton, and a trek across through the desert southwest in a stripped-down Model T car with his brother Jim.
Jack spent World War II as a weatherman for the Army Air Force, mostly stationed in the Southwest Pacific.  On Aug. 15, 1947, he married Blanche Slaten Harp, in Portales, and inherited a stepson, Keigm, who would precede him in death, and a step-daughter, Adele, who would provide him loving care for his entire life.
In 1947, Jack's first hardcover novel, The Legion of Space, was published by Fantasy Press.  It was to be followed by more than 90 books, including collections and reprints.  His last novel, The Stonehenge Gate was published by Tor Books in 2005.
In 1956, Jack returned to the classroom at Eastern New Mexico University to formally continue his own education.  He completed his bachelor's degree in the spring of 1957, and his master's degree a few months later.  The next two years were spent as an instructor at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell.  In 1960, he joined the faculty at Eastern New Mexico University as an assistant professor of English.  He completed his doctorate through the University of Colorado in 1964, all the while teaching at ENMU.
Jack loved being in the classroom.  While he officially retired from ENMU in 1977, he continued to teach occasional classes in science fiction and creative writing the rest of his life.  Due to declining strength, he taught his last class with the able assistance of Patrice Caldwell in the living room of his home in the spring of 2005, celebrating his 97th birthday near the end of the semester.  His lengthy involvement with ENMU included establishment of the Jack Williamson Endowed Chair in Science and Humanities in 2000, and a number of scholarships given annually through the ENMU Foundation.
During a writing career which spanned nine decades, Jack has been honored often and with great generosity by his colleagues in science fiction.  He was presented the Grand Master Nebula Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Science Fiction Writers of America in 1976, and he was Guest of Honor at the World Science Fiction Convention in Miami, Fla., in 1977.  In 1985, his autobiography, Wonder's Child earned Jack his first Hugo award.  He received a second in 2001 for Ultimate Earth, a novella which was also given a Nebula Award in 2002.  He counted many of his fellow writers and fans among his closest friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Blanche; his sisters, Jo Harvey and Katie Littlefield; his step-son, Keigm Harp; and his step-grandson, Nikki Harp.
Survivors include his brother, Jim Williamson (Nancy), of Pep; his step-daughter, Adele Lovorn, of Portales; his step-daughter-in-law, Donna Harp, of Cornelius, N.C.; five step-grandchildren, Neil Lovorn (Lynn), of Canyon, Texas, Karla Lovorn, of Blue Water, N.M.,  Carol Pushor (Rick), of Littleton, Colo., Valerie Lawson, of Cornelius, N.C. and Dawn Goforth (Rick), of Hickory, N.C. ; his sister-in-law, Berwyn Forbes, of Littleton, Colo.; 12 nieces and nephews, Betty Williamson (Milz Bickley), of Pep, Gary Williamson (Christine), of Portales, Stewart Williamson (Toni), of Portales, Larry Littlefield (Trinda), of San Carlos, Mexico, Sherry Snyder (Allan), of Glendale Heights, Ill., Don Littlefield (Jeannie), of Waldron, Ark., Karen Vardeman (Dwayne), of Portales, W.D. Slaten, of Portales, Janet Occhialini, of Carmel, Ind., Kim Schondelmeyer, of Littleton, Colo., Kraig Forbes (and wife), of Vail, Colo. and Jeff Forbes (Bambi), of Vail, Colo.; 10 step-great-grandchildren, Cody Lovorn, of San Marcos, Texas, Kyle Lovorn, of Lubbock, Texas, Matthew Lovorn, of Amarillo, Texas, Dawn Nicole Pushor, Justin Pushor, Nicholas Pushor, all of Littleton, Colo., Sean Yo, of Cornelius, N.C., Dae Nicole Yo, of Florida and Mason Goforth and Mikayla Goforth, both of Hickory, N.C.; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, including Sheryl Vickers, of Roswell, Chloe Williamson, of Portales and Katie Williamson Bickley, of Pep; a beloved friend and colleague, Dr. Patrice Caldwell, of Portales; and countless friends in Portales, the University community and from the world of science fiction.
Jack's memorial service will be conducted, at his request, by fellow science fiction author and longtime friend, Connie Willis; his friend and colleague, Patrice Caldwell; and his niece, Betty Williamson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Jack and Blanche Williamson Scholarship at the ENMU Foundation, Station # 8, Portales, N.M.  88130, or the Portales Public Library, 218 South Avenue B, Portales, N.M.  88130.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales, (505) 356-4455