Jack Motley, age 78, passed away on Sunday in the early hours of May 17, 2026, at his home in Edna, Texas.

He was surrounded by those who loved him.

Jack was born on December 3, 1947, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Howard Smith Motley and AnnaMary Schott Motley.

He is a fifth-generation Texan and is a descendant of Charles S. Taylor and William Clark, Jr., signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. At age 10, his family moved to Calhoun County, where he grew up and graduated from Calhoun High School. He attended Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He continued his education over the years at Stephen F.

Austin University and the University of Houston- Victoria, completing his M.Ed. and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor.

To know Jack was to know a man who could build almost anything, fix almost everything, and still stop long enough to notice the beauty of a sunset, a good song, or the quiet of the Texas night sky.

He was a strong man in every sense of the word; physically tough, fiercely hardworking, and unafraid to speak his mind. Beneath that strength was a deeply sensitive soul who cared intensely about people, justice, music, nature, and making the world better than he found it.

Over the course of his life, Jack wore many hats, though none ever fully captured him. He owned and operated businesses in fencing and rain gutters, taking pride in honest, well-done work. He also devoted much of his life to serving others through education and counseling, working as a special education teacher, school counselor, and Licensed Professional Counselor.

He believed deeply in people, especially those who felt unseen or underestimated, and spent his life encouraging others to recognize their worth and potential.

Outside of his day job, Jack was an entertainer at heart. He was a singer, songwriter, storyteller, and performer who loved bringing people together through music and laughter. He produced two albums, Glad I’m from Texas and In Treatment. You can listen to Jack’s music on all major platforms.

He also left behind a treasure trove of You-Tube videos captured by his many friends.

Whether on a stage, in a parade, around a fire, or in a living room with a guitar in hand, he created moments people remembered.

He was equally at home working livestock, tending the land, building fences, or sitting quietly beneath a sky full of stars.

One of Jack’s favorite pastimes was running his chainsaw, pruning the trees, and enhancing every acre of the Circle S ranch where he lived.

He would then get on his tractor to haul all the brush and wood to build fantastic bonfires. He left us with two bonfires ready to burn and enjoy. A proud advocate for Texas land conservation and dark sky preservation, Jack believed the natural world was sacred and worth protecting. He supported the arts, valued creativity, and encouraged people to think deeply, question freely, and live authentically. Though raised in the Catholic faith, he later chose a more personal spiritual path, believing that spirituality lived more in compassion, wonder, honesty, and human connection than in organized religion.

He believed in hard work, personal responsibility, kindness, and standing up for what mattered. He was outspoken and opinionated, but also deeply loving and loyal to the people he cared about. He taught those around him not only how to work with their hands, but how to think critically, feel deeply, and live with purpose.

More than any title or accomplishment, Jack was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband to Lura Faye, a proud father to Clark and Emily, and a cherished grandfather to Cora, Bowen, Birdie, and Schley. His family knew him as a protector, mentor, and a soft place to land — the man who would show up when needed, tell the truth whether it was comfortable or not, and love fiercely through every season of life.

Jack is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lura-Faye (Strane) Motley; children, Clark (Kim Hahn) and Emily (Ryan) Schneider; grandchildren, Cora and Bowen Motley, and Emmylou (Birdie) and Schley (Sly) Schneider. Loved siblings: AnnaLou (Ben) Nix, Buddy (Brenda) Motley, Schott (Terri) Motley, Polly (Molly Davies) Motley, and MaryMartha Motley.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews who brought him great pride and joy.

Beyond his family, he leaves behind a wide circle of lifelong friends and fellow musicians who shared in countless songs, stories, late nights, hard work, laughter, and adventures over the years.

The family extends special thanks to Norma Bell Bandy, whose loving presence transformed a difficult vigil into one filled with dignity, stories, music, nourishment, gentleness, and peace.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jack’s life on July 18 at the family home; further details to follow.

In place of flowers, the family encourages donations in honor of his values and passions to the non-profit organizations he supported: Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation (www. kerrvillefolkfestival.org) and Lumpy Lizard Reptile, Poultry and Exotics Rescue (www.lumpylizardrescue. org).

“In my perception, the land is never really possessed by you. Rather, you are possessed by the land and are its steward.

Therefore, you have the responsibility to act in such a way that when your stewardship is ended, the land is better than it was when you commenced.

” William B. Blakemore, III