John LeVick

The world lost a brilliant mind and generous soul when John LeVick passed away on August 3, 2014. 

John was born on August 16, 1954, in Altus, OK. He grew up on the LeVick ranch and farm and graduated high school in Altus. He went on to attend college at the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a B.S. in Zoology. He then moved to Lubbock, TX, and received his Master’s in Zoology at Texas Tech with a specialty in Small Mammal Behavior, and published his thesis on maternal behavior in Ord’s Kangaroo Rats.

In Lubbock, John met and married the love of his life, Debbie Kay Gray. They moved back to Oklahoma and were blessed with three children. John worked as a Zoology professor at Western Oklahoma State College as well as continuing to help the family ranch.

John changed directions in 1985 and moved his family to Levelland, TX, to attend law school at Texas Tech in Lubbock. He saw success as an attorney, was a member of the State Bars of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, was Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, provided expert testimony in trial, and gave presentations at many prestigious legal seminars. As a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, he served as president of the Lubbock chapter in 2013.

John was a lifelong firearms enthusiast who shot both recreationally and at a high competitive level, and also worked as an expert gunsmith. He was a member of the United States Practical Shooting Association, the International Defensive Pistol Association, and several others. He gave presentations at firearms seminars, and published articles in publications such as Guns and Ammo and American Handgunner Annual. He was a licensed CHL Instructor in Texas and Florida. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his children and grandchildren.

John had a love of learning that lasted his entire life. One of his greatest joys was sharing his knowledge with those around him, in fields from science and mechanics to carpentry. He was his family and friends’ encyclopedia, consulted any time an obscure question needed an answer. Very interested in photography, he was known as the family documentarian, keeping beautiful records at family functions and gatherings. He loved nature and had a soft spot for animals, particularly German Shepherds and his cat, Rip.

His greatest love and joy of all was family. He could repair anything, never missed a sports event or performance, and would drive for miles to provide any help. There were no limits as to what he would do for loved ones, and to say he will be missed is an enormous understatement. The same can be said for his friends and his community.

John was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Edward LeVick. He is survived by his wife, Debbie, of Levelland, TX; his children, Emily Burger and husband Chris of Groom, TX and their children Katelyn, Logan, Wyatt, and Brenna; his son, Keenan LeVick and wife Julie of Austin; his son Tyler LeVick and wife Jerica of Durham, NC; his mother, Imogene LeVick of Blair, OK; his brother, Roger LeVick and wife Liz of Blair, OK.

No public services are planned for John at this time; the Lubbock Bar Association will hold a memorial within the next few months. Family will scatter his ashes at the family ranch in Oklahoma, as was done for his father. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to the Second Amendment Foundation, www.saf.org.

Please celebrate the life of John by visiting www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com