Jackie Lee Hill

Jackie Lee Hill (Sr.), age 89, passed away on April 18, 2023, at his beloved home, Hilltop Ranch, in Tuttle, Oklahoma.

Jackie was born on June 18, 1933 in Bridge Creek, Oklahoma, to Virginia and James "Frank" Hill. He came from humble beginnings raised on the Hill family farm alongside his nine brothers and sisters where he developed a work ethic by necessity and sales talents that would serve him well throughout his life. As a youth, Jackie was an inaugural member of the first Sunday School Class of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Bridge Creek. Jackie later graduated from Bridge Creek High school in 1951. Jackie then joined the United States Army in the early 1950's, where he served in artillery units in Germany and other areas of Europe.

Upon return from the service, Jackie met Oma "Jo" Ainsworth when her yellow dress caught his attention at a dance. The two were married in Durant, Oklahoma on September 21, 1956 in Jo's mother's home. The two were blessed with four children Jackie Lee, Jr., Jeffrey Lynn, Jerry Lyndl and Jodi Melinda. He was a father with character who provided well for his family, while putting their upbringing first. His children knew they were loved, as did his 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren who all know him as “Papa.”

Jackie was best known for being a successful businessman, who pushed hard, but was always fair. Anonymous philanthropy to help those in his home communities was near and dear to him. He lived by the philosophies of: "Never Lie,” and, “You never lose by helping another."

Jackie was a successful entrepreneur in every field he pursued. It all began while he was pushing a broom for an ice machine sales company in Oklahoma City. After being promoted to sales under less than desirable circumstances, he quickly overcame the adversity and rose to the top of the sales team. While attending night school in Oklahoma City on the GI Bill, he met E.J. Drabek. The two of them formed Drabek & Hill Heating and Air Conditioning in OKC. Jackie's forte' was his natural talent in sales, business dealings and developing public trust in the integrity of the new company. After hitting the road hard and early every day with the support of his wife Jo for nearly twenty years, Jackie sold his share in Drabek & Hill and "retired" to farm in the Tuttle and Bridge Creek areas for the rest of his life under the name “Hilltop Ranch.” As if farming wasn't enough retirement work, Jackie and Jo then founded Hills Land and Construction developing land, and building single family homes. Jackie’s work as a developer and builder may have been his most long-lasting legacy in the Tri-City communities of Northern Grady and McClain Counties. Customers were drawn to work with Jackie and the Hill's Land team because of their trust in his integrity, and the quality of the homes he designed and built. Just as with his heat and air and farming businesses, his work ethic was second to none. Those traits were later passed on to Jackie and Jo’s children and grandchildren.

As a leader in the community, Jackie was approached to be a minority spokesperson for a brand-new bank charter in the early 1980's. However, as circumstances developed, he soon became the organizing founder, and Chairman of the Board, of the First National Bank of Tuttle. Later First National became known as Tri Star National Bank as it expanded also into the Newcastle and Blanchard communities. Even though he had no prior training or experience in banking, his strong work effort and sales abilities allowed him to drive the success of the new bank during otherwise adverse banking environments. Through all of these businesses, Jackie and his wife Jo continued to run Jackie’s beloved farming and ranching activities, which was his heart’s most joyous pass-time. His official "business uniform," whether building homes, banking, or farming were his striped bib overalls!

Jackie’s “hobbies” were his work…But he did enjoy his and Jo’s cabin on Lake Texoma and their hunting farm in Western Oklahoma which they loved to share with their family and friends.

"Often imitated but never duplicated" Jackie was a trailblazer in the many industries he was involved in and broke records by going against the grain of most text book models. His impact as a leader and entrepreneur will be greatly missed in the communities he served.

Jackie is survived by his wife of 66 years Jo; son Jackie Hill, Jr. and partner Ms. Jayme Howard; son Jeff Hill and wife Kimberly; son Lyndl Hill and wife Raye; daughter Jodi Hill-Wallace and husband Luther; grandchildren Heather Hill, Ashley Gillum, Jacob Hill, Jack Lee Hill, III, Desiree Love, James Colton Hill and wife Angela, Jordan Hill-Williams and husband Bobby, John Logan Hill, Marissa Wallace, Marcus Wallace, Brooklyn Hill and Hannah Hill; great grandchildren Jayden, Kenzington, Bradley, and Charlotte. Jackie’s surviving siblings are his sister Jewell Thornburg; brother Bill Hill, brother James Hill. Jackie also has hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jackie is preceded in death by his parents Virginia and “Frank" Hill; sister Carrie Thomas; sister Viola Jun; sister Pauline Burgess; brother Frankie Hill; sister Eileen Robinson and brother Danny Hill.