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{{Infobox person

{{Infobox person

| name=James O'Neill "Jim" Humphreys, Sr.<br>​

| name=James O'Neill<br> "Jim" Humphreys, Sr.​

(Manager of the Pitchfork Ranch in Texas)

(Manager of the Pitchfork Ranch<br> in West Texas)

| birth_date=February 28, 1921​

| birth_date=February 28, 1921​

| birth_place=[[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], [[United States|USA]]​

| birth_place=[[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], [[United States|USA]]​

| death_date=June 9, 2007 (aged 86)​

| death_date=June 9, 2007 (aged 86)​

| death_place=[[Lubbock]], [[Texas]]​

| death_place=[[Lubbock]], [[Texas]]​

| spouse =Berneice Anderson Humphreys (married 1951-2007, his death)<br>

| spouse=Berneice Anderson Humphreys (married 1951-2007, his death)<br>

'''Children''':<br>

'''Children''':<br>

James "Jimbo" Humphreys, Jr.<br>​

James "Jimbo" Humphreys, Jr.<br>​

Jean H. Trull​<br>

Jean H. Trull​<br>

'''Parents''':<br>

'''Parents''':<br>

T. J. and Edna Humphreys

T. J. and Edna Humphreys<br>

'''Note''':<br>

|footnotes='''Notes''': <br>

*Humphreys was a major force in ranching and [[agriculture]] in West [[Texas]] during the second half of the 20th century. Through his role with the National Ranching Heritage Center on the campus of his ''alma mater,'' [[Texas Tech University]], Humphreys worked to restore [[historic]] ranch structures for future generations.​

*Humphreys was a major force in [[ranching]] and [[agriculture]] in [[West Texas]] during the second half of the 20th century.​<br>

*Through his role with the National Ranching Heritage Center on the campus of his ''alma mater,'' [[Texas Tech University]], Humphreys worked to restore [[historic]] ranch structures for future generations.​

}}​

}}​

​

​

==Background==

==Background==

Humphreys was born in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], to T. J. and Edna Humphreys. In 1940, he launched his studies at Texas Tech but was sidelined by service in the [[United States Army]] Medical Corps during [[World War II]]. He served with the 34th Infantry Division in [[Great Britain]], [[North Africa]], and [[Italy]].<ref name=find>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5420/is_200707/ai_n21291525|title=Honorary Director Jim Humphreys Dies|publisher=''The Cattleman''|date=July 2007|accessdate=November 19, 2019}}</ref>​

Humphreys was born in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], to T. J. and Edna Humphreys. In 1940, he launched his studies at Texas Tech but was sidelined by service in the [[United States Army]] Medical Corps during [[World War II]]. He served with the 34th Infantry Division in [[Great Britain]], [[North Africa]], and [[Italy]].<ref name=find>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5420/is_200707/ai_n21291525|title=Honorary Director Jim Humphreys Dies|publisher=''The Cattleman''|date=July 2007|accessdate=July 15, 2007; no longer on-line.}}</ref>​

In 1947, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry.<ref name=obit/>  

In 1947, Humphreys earned his Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry.<ref name=obit/>

==Career==

==Career==

After graduation, he joined the staff of Interstate National Bank in Kansas City but soon returned to the South Plains in 1948 to work at the Pitchfork. He was hired by manager [[Douglas Burns]] to assist with domestic hog operations. He soon mastered ranch operations and became the sixth manager of the Pitchfork when Burns retired to Lubbock but continued to advise the ranch through his role as a director of the parent company.<ref name=books/> On June 9, 1951, he wed the former Berneice Anderson in Creighton, Missouri.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/061007/obi_061007091.shtml|title=Jim Humphreys|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche Journal''|date=June 10, 2007; no longer on-line}}</ref>

After graduation, he joined the staff of Interstate National Bank in Kansas City but soon returned to the South Plains in 1948 to work at the Pitchfork. He was hired by manager [[Douglas Burns]] to assist with domestic hog operations. He soon mastered ranch operations and became the sixth manager of the Pitchfork when Burns retired to Lubbock but continued to advise the ranch through his role as a director of the parent company.<ref name=books/> On June 9, 1951, he wed the former Berneice Anderson in Creighton, Missouri.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/061007/obi_061007091.shtml|title=Jim Humphreys|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche Journal''|date=June 10, 2007; no longer on-line}}</ref>

As ranch manager, Humphreys supervised the operation of some 165,000 acres and 113 windmills in King and adjacent Dickens counties. According to the ranch website, Pitchfork cowboys are known for the quality of their [[horse]]s, such as the  "Pitchfork Gray," a gray horse with a black mane and tail. The Pitchfork brand is of course in the shape of a pitchfork. The Pitchfork is a diversified agricultural business, with an annex in Jefferson County in southeastern [[Oklahoma]]. There have been major [[petroleum]] finds in the Tannehill sands area. The Pitchfork offers guided [[hunting]] for [[deer]], game birds, [[boar]], and other game. Farming has been expanded in recent years to increase winter grazing and grain production. The ranch has some 4,500 mother cattle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepitchforkranch.com/ranch.html Pitchfork Ranch|title=Pitchfork Ranch|publisher=The Pitchfork Ranch|accessdate=November 19, 2019}}</ref>

As ranch manager, Humphreys supervised the operation of some 165,000 acres and 113 windmills in King and adjacent Dickens counties. According to the ranch website, Pitchfork cowboys are known for the quality of their [[horse]]s, such as the  "Pitchfork Gray," a gray horse with a black mane and tail. The Pitchfork brand is of course in the shape of a pitchfork. The Pitchfork is a diversified agricultural business, with an annex in Jefferson County in southeastern [[Oklahoma]]. There have been major [[petroleum]] finds in the Tannehill sands area. The Pitchfork offers guided [[hunting]] for [[deer]], game birds, [[boar]], and other game. Farming has been expanded in recent years to increase winter grazing and grain production. The ranch has some 4,500 mother cattle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepitchforkranch.com/

|title=Pitchfork Ranch|publisher=Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company|accessdate=November 19, 2019}}</ref>

Humphreys served on the board of directors of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the National Cattleman's Association. He was similarly active in the [[Amarillo]]-based American Quarter Horse Association, having served on the association's public information and education committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aqha.com/news/06142007_humphreys.html|title=AQHA Mourns Loss Of Jim Humphreys|publisher=American Quarter Horse Association|date=June 14, 2007|accessdate=June 20, 2007; no longer on-line.}}</ref><ref name=find/> From 1977 to 1980, Humphreys was the board chairman of the Ranching Heritage Center, which operates a highly acclaimed outdoor museum of western and ranch structures on the Texas Tech campus, open free to the public. In 2005, Humphreys, along with Giles Connell McCrary, Jr. (1919-2011) of Post in Garza County, was among five individuals presented with the Ranching Heritage Association "Founders Award."​<ref name=books/>

Humphreys served on the board of directors of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the National Cattleman's Association. He was similarly active in the [[Amarillo]]-based American Quarter Horse Association, having served on the association's public information and education committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aqha.com/news/06142007_humphreys.html|title=AQHA Mourns Loss Of Jim Humphreys|publisher=American Quarter Horse Association|date=June 14, 2007|accessdate=June 20, 2007; no longer on-line.}}</ref><ref name=find/> From 1977 to 1980, Humphreys was the board chairman of the Ranching Heritage Center, which operates a highly acclaimed outdoor museum of western and ranch structures on the Texas Tech campus, open free to the public. In 2005, Humphreys, along with [[Giles McCrary|Giles Connell McCrary, Sr.]], of Post in Garza County, was among five individuals presented with the Ranching Heritage Association "Founders Award."​<ref name=books/>

In 1970, Humphreys received the Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturist Award. He was further honored by the American and Texas Hereford associations and the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in [[Fort Worth]]. In 1990, the National Hereford Show was named in his honor.<ref name=find/> The Southwestern Exposition named Humphreys an honorary vice president in 2006-2007.<ref name= books/> ​

In 1970, Humphreys received the Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturist Award. He was further honored by the American and Texas Hereford associations and the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in [[Fort Worth]]. In 1990, the National Hereford Show was named in his honor.<ref name=find/> The Southwestern Exposition named Humphreys an honorary vice president in 2006-2007.<ref name= books/> ​

When Humphreys retired from the ranch, he relocated to Lubbock. [[Bob Moorhouse]] (born in Texas in 1947) became the new manager and held the position until his retirement in 2007. Moorhouse is also known for his ranch [[photography]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepitchforkranch.com/meetbob.html|title=Meet Bob Moorhouse|publisher=The  Pitchfork Ranch|accessdate=June 13, 2007; no longer on-line.}}</ref>

When Humphreys retired from the ranch, he relocated to Lubbock. Bob Moorhouse (born in Texas in 1947) became the new manager and held the position until his retirement in 2007. Moorhouse is also known for his ranch [[photography]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepitchforkranch.com/meetbob.html|title=Meet Bob Moorhouse|publisher=The  Pitchfork Ranch|accessdate=June 13, 2007; no longer on-line.}}</ref>

 

==Family and death==

==Family and death==

In addition to his wife, Berneice, Humphreys was survived by a son, James "Jimbo" Humphreys, Jr., of Dickens, rancher active in the National Cowboy Symposium, and his wife, Winona of Dickens; three daughters, LeAnn Lawson of Lubbock, Jane Penman of New Braunfels north of [[San Antonio]], and Jean Trull and husband, Clifford, of Crosbyton in we Texas; a sister, Ann H. Blessing of [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]], [[Kentucky]], and one great-grandson.<ref name=obit/> Humphreys was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Randy Michael Lawson, a Lubbock stockbroker who was [[murder]]ed in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/122996/1996the.htm|date=December 29, 1996|title=The Year in Review|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|January 2, 1997; no longer on-line.}}</ref>

In addition to his wife, Berneice, Humphreys was survived by a son, James "Jimbo" Humphreys, Jr., of Dickens, rancher active in the National Cowboy Symposium, and his wife, Winona of Dickens; three daughters, LeAnn Lawson of Lubbock, Jane Penman of New Braunfels north of [[San Antonio]], and Jean Trull and husband, Clifford, of Crosbyton in we Texas; a sister, Ann H. Blessing of [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]], [[Kentucky]], and one great-grandson.<ref name=obit/> Humphreys was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Randy Michael Lawson, a 39-year-old stockbroker who was [[murder]]ed near his home in April 1994 in a wealthy Lubbock neighborhood.<ref>{{cite web|url=

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-15-mn-46152-story.html|date=September 15, 1995|title=Jury Wastes Little Time Acting in Slaying Case|publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''|accessdate=November 20, 2019.}}</ref>

Services were held on June 11, 2007, at the First [[Baptist]] Church of Lubbock, where Humphreys had been a [[deacon]]. Interment was at Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock.<ref name=obit/>

Services were held on June 11, 2007, at the First [[Southern Baptist|Baptist]] Church of Lubbock, at which Humphreys had been a [[deacon]]. Interment was at Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock.<ref name=obit/>

Humphrey's grandson, Matthew Humphreys (born c. 1982), who grew up in Dickens, established a spur- and bit- making shop in Lubbock. Like his grandfather, he holds a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry from Texas Tech but learned his craft primarily by watching his father, James Humphreys, Jr., when he was the manager of Guitar Ranches at Spur, Texas. The younger Humphreys also makes western trophies. He has since relocated his shop beside his house in Spur.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlawwaterjetdesign.com/bio.html|title=You Dream It, We Build It|publisher=Outlaw Water Jet Design|accessdate=November 19, 2019}}</ref>

Humphrey's grandson, Matthew Humphreys (born c. 1982), who grew up in Dickens, established a spur- and bit- making shop in Lubbock. Like his grandfather, he holds a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry from Texas Tech but learned his craft primarily by watching his father, James Humphreys, Jr., when he was the manager of Guitar Ranches at Spur, Texas. The younger Humphreys also makes western trophies. He has since relocated his shop beside his house in Spur.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlawwaterjetdesign.com/bio.html|title=You Dream It, We Build It|publisher=Outlaw Water Jet Design|accessdate=November 19, 2019}}</ref>