Clifford Wayne Hacker

Born in Wichita Falls, Tx October 15, 1941 Entered God’s loving embrace November 25, 2023 Clifford Wayne Hacker, age 82, passed from this life surrounded by family on November 25, 2023. He was a man known by many as a tough, West Texas dairy farmer; but those who knew and loved him best, knew that under the tough exterior, was a soft-hearted man who believed in working hard and loving harder. You only had to see the way he looked at his wife one time, to know that words could not adequately describe the love he felt for her. He was a family man at his core and nothing made him prouder than talking about his boys and their families. If you had a minute, you were going to hear a story or two about his family; and if you didn’t have a minute, you were going to hear one anyway. Clifford was a master storyteller and he loved to talk to anyone and everyone. His grandkids were a captive audience for his many tales about the past or just his thoughts on the present. He believed in hard work, grit, honesty, and self-reliance and he did his best to pass that on to the next generation or two. He was not shy about asking his boys and grandkids to put in work, but he also worked right beside them.

Clifford was born in Wichita Falls, Tx to parents Chrystal and Cris Hacker. He was raised on a family farm in Kamay, Tx, the middle of three brothers. He graduated from Valley View High School in 1960 and went on to get his B.S. in Range Management from Texas Tech University in 1966. During his time at Texas Tech, he met the love of his life, Sherry Burns and by his telling, it was love at first sight for him. They were married in Floydada, Tx on September 11, 1966.

As a young man, Clifford spent some time searching for his passion. He worked as a Range Conservationist, in Soil Management, and even spent a year teaching 8th grade Science. He finally went into farming full time and in 1976, he was able to buy his own farmland in Knox City, Tx where he eventually started a family dairy in 1981.

Clifford and Sherry raised 3 boys while farming. It was on the farm that Clifford taught his boys, and many of their friends, life lessons that still hold true today: pride in a job done right, hard work, the importance of standing by your word, and the ability to provide for family.

His generosity and kindness can be found in the memories of many who grew up helping on the Hacker Farm. There are countless stories of Clifford offering jobs to young men who needed them. Through his own livelihood, he offered others the opportunity to learn to provide for themselves as well. He was undoubtedly tough, but always because he cared.

When Clifford retired from farming in 1999, he started the Hacker 5 trucking business which he eventually sold to one of his sons. He was never one to be idle, and even after his “second retirement” from the trucking business, he kept himself busy on his land with his dog Buster always by his side as he saw to his sheep, chickens, and the donkey that held a special place in his heart. He even dabbled in some pumpkin crops.

His grandkids will tell you that he was funny and always chuckling. He usually had a joke, a story or a revelation that Support your local

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The ones who support your children’s activities he would present them with and always with some laughter and fun. He was game for anything they wanted to try, right down to riding a Jetski at age 81!

Clifford loved deeply and that love continues to be felt by his family. It is a legacy that will continue for years to come. He believed in God and spent much of his last few months sharing his faith with his family. He wished for all those he loved to form a deep relationship with God. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, Cris and Chrystal Hacker and his brother, CL Hacker. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sherry Hacker; brother Billy Ray Hacker; son, Cliff Hacker and daughter-in-law Kelli of Tonkawa, Ok; son Cris Lee Hacker and daughter-in-law Kristy of Knox City, Tx; son, Clint Hacker and daughter-inlaw Jackie of Lubbock, Tx; 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and Buster, his faithful dog and companion. Clifford is lovingly remembered and will be dearly missed.

Services will be held in Knox City Texas at the First Baptist Church Thursday, November 30 with visitation at 1 p.m. and the service at 2 p.m