Jack Favor
American rodeo performer (1911–1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jack Graves Favor (November 30, 1911 – December 27, 1988), also known as Cadillac Jack Favor,[4][5] was an American rodeo performer.[6][7][8]
November 30, 1911
Jack Favor | |
|---|---|
Favor in 1965 | |
| Born | Jack Graves Favor[1] November 30, 1911 Eula, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 1988 (aged 77) Arlington, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Rodeo performer |
| Spouse |
Ponder Favor (m. 1940) |
| Children | 3[2] |
Biography
Early life
Favor was born on a ranch in Eula, Texas,[1][2] the son of Robert and Georgia Favor. He attended and graduated from Abilene High School. While at high school he won his first rodeo competition as a bronc rider in Cameron, Texas.[2]
Later life
Favor served in the United States Navy from 1929 to 1932, returning to Texas after his discharge. He worked as a truck driver for a plumbing company in Abilene, Texas.[2] He later settled in Fort Worth, Texas,[1] before returning to the Navy in 1941.[2]
Favor continued to compete in rodeos, retiring in 1961 to live in Texarkana, Texas, working as a salesman.[2]
Conviction, imprisonment and acquittal
In 1967, Favor was convicted of a double murder after being accused by a hitchhiker he had picked up. He was represented by Louisiana state senator Joe T. Cawthorn in his court trial, but was found guilty and served eight years of a life sentence at Angola State Penitentiary before being acquitted in a retrial.[1]
After his release, Favor sued for wrongful conviction and imprisonment, settling for $55,000.[9] He was the subject of a book written by William B. Moody, titled In Jack’s Favor, and appeared in the NBC late-night television talk show The Tomorrow Show, and a radio show hosted by sports journalist Howard Cosell.[2]
Death and legacy
Favor died on December 27, 1988, from complications of cancer in a hospital in Arlington, Texas, at the age of 77. He was buried at Parkdale Cemetery.[1]
In 1998, Favor was played by actor and musician Clint Black in the television film Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack.[5] Black also co-wrote the song "Cadillac Jack" with country songwriter Hayden Nicholas.[4]
In 2009, Favor was posthumously inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame.[10]
