Robert Wilson Ezzell

Robert Wilson Ezzell, 76, of Canadian, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2025, at Capstone Healthcare of Perryton.

Memorial services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Canadian Methodist Church with Cory Campbell, Gary Jahnel, Les Gullett and Bob Rogers officiating, followed by private graveside services at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Robert was born on August 13, 1948, to Ben and Nancy Ezzell at the Hemphill County Hospital. He attended Canadian public schools and graduated with the Canadian High School Class of 1966. He attended West Texas State University in Canyon, where he lived and worked before returning to Canadian.

Robert was born with a servant’s heart and a lifelong desire to help others. He loved his family, loved his community, loved his church, loved his country, and loved God. 

Robert used his gifts selflessly and tirelessly to enrich his hometown and to help those in need in countless ways: as a volunteer poll worker in Hemphill County elections; as a City Councilman; as an active member of the Canadian Rotary Club, always at the front line of its many community projects; as a board member of the Canadian Little League, Golden Spread Emmaus Community, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and Rachel’s Little House, where he successfully championed the construction of a much-needed new daycare facility; as Hemphill County Hospital Administrator for nearly two decades; and as a willing and caring friend to others.

Robert’s dedication to his church and his community was best described in a letter honoring him as an “Angel of Light” to the Hemphill County Hospice: 

“As a gifted and talented carpenter, he has spent countless hours building whatever the need might be for an elderly widow woman, a handicapped person in need of a wheelchair ramp, bookshelves at the local daycare center, arbors for our hospice patios, and the list can go on and on. Many times over the years, and especially since [his retirement in] 2011, I have seen him climb behind the wheel of the church bus and shuttle our church youth groups back and forth from events such as ski trips and basketball and football games. In 2000, he was voted Man of the Year by his peers for his proactive efforts in the economic development of Canadian and Hemphill County.”

Robert was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ray Ezzell; parents Ben and Nancy Ezzell; brothers Ben Ezzell and David Ezzell; and son Lance Gray.

Survivors include his wife, Janet of the home; three sons: Colby Ezzell of Canadian; Trent Ezzell, wife KayLynne and grandchildren Sawyer (18), Carly (15) and Grady (10) of Crested Butte, Colorado; and Cody Gray, wife Liza and grandchildren Ellie (18), Jude (15), Jonah (10) and Kenley (8) of Lantana, Texas; two daughters: Kristen Redick, husband Jerod, and grandchildren Kellyn (12) and Brielyn (8); and Ashleigh Wilson, husband Topher, and grandchildren Hendrix (12), Harrison (7), Jovi (4), and Beck (2), of Farmington, Arkansas; and three sisters: Emmy Ezzell and Catherine Ezzell, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Laurie Ezzell Brown of Canadian.

The family asks that memorials gifts be made to: Capstone Health Care in Perryton, Hemphill County Hospice, Mesa View Senior Living, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or to a charity of your choice.