Page 23 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2017- Online Magazine
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around as Roger trained, often some of the residents. Her health a lifetime member of the PTA and
living in someone’s back bedroom improved along with the health of has served on many many boards
and washing clothes in their her students. They all experienced in Lubbock including the United
backyard. But they were happy, the benefits of exercise, and for 32 Way (where she started their Family
and, “That’s what you did.” years, Jane faithfully taught her Counseling Service), the Salvation
classes. She had always found great Army and the Junior League. She
Lt. (later Capt.) Roger Kuykendall fulfillment in helping people, but started the Open Heart Club after
became a command pilot of a B-17 this ministry fit her perfectly. Most her heart surgery, and is the longest-
Flying Fortress Bomber in the 8th of those classes ended with Jane serving member of the Texas Tech
Air Force stationed in Molesworth, waving goodbye with her hands as Chancellor’s Council (50 years).
England. During 1944 and ’45, he well as one of her feet high out of
was lead pilot in 35 missions over the water over her head. It always Roger passed away in 1999, but the
Germany and other parts of Europe. made people smile, which leads us Kuykendall family continues to
He received many decorations, to another story. give to dozens of Lubbock non-
including the Distinguished Flying profits through the Kuykendall
Cross, five Air Medals, and two At the 2011 Texas Tech Foundation. Jane punctuates that
Campaign ribbons. Homecoming, Jane was invited giving with her endless exuberance
onto the gridiron and zest for life. She doesn’t do
After the war, at halftime with all the splits anymore, but she has
the young couple the other former fun racing around on her scooter,
returned to cheerleaders. Many of connecting with old friends like Dr.
Lubbock, Roger them had impressive Carl Anderson, and making new
joined his father’s accomplishments, but friends, like Ryan Smith, both of
car dealership, all Jane could think whom she met at our cover shoot.
Kuykendall of about herself was “The Dash” between her birth year
Chevrolet, then that she could do the and her last year continues to be all
later founded a splits. She was 90. about bringing joy to everyone she
brokerage firm The impressive feat meets.
with his brother-in- garnered lots of media
law Jack Schneider. attention, and she Gabby Sanchez has been Jane’s
Their children was asked to repeat helper off and on for 18 years. She
Karol and Don it several times for offered this description: “I have
came along and several more years, never seen an individual as strong-
Jane immersed in various places, willed, determined, daring and
herself into their including backstage stubborn! But she enjoys life. She
activities. Her years in Las Vegas for loves to make other people happy.
were happily filled performers Donnie and Anything she can do to help others,
with volunteering Marie Osmond. she will do.”
in countless arenas, like Girl Scouts,
Boy Scouts, and PTA. Jane has traveled the world and Jane Prickett Kuykendall’s life is
made more friends than she can her message, but she can put it in
The energetic Mrs. Kuykendall count. In fact, in 2001, thirty of her words, especially if a young person
got a wake-up call at the age of 50, closest friends moved into Carillon is listening: “Trust in the Lord. Give
when she had a heart attack. She at the same time. “We went from Him thanks. Always stand up for
became the first woman in Lubbock playing “Drop the Handkerchief” your convictions. Be positive. Be
to have open heart surgery. She was (in childhood) to playing Bridge. encouraging. Pray. Put others first.
only given five years to live. “I’ve Only three are left. Have FUN!”
used up 45 of them already!” she
quipped. Jane Kuykendall is a great example
of what it means to live life to
“We didn’t know about the benefit the fullest. She is so proud of her
of diet and exercise then.” But Jane children, grandchildren and 16
decided to make some changes. “greats.” Besides her “Swimnastics”
Her mother had moved to John fame, she was named Social Worker
Knox Village (now Carillon), where of the Year in 1967 and Altrusa
they had a brand-new pool. She Woman of the Year in 1984. She’s
offered to teach water aerobics to
Lubbock Senior Link 23
