Jack Favor
Jack Graves Favor | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 30, 1911 Eula, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 1988 (aged 77) Arlington, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | Cadillac Jack Favor |
| Occupation(s) | Rodeo entertainer, salesman |
| Years active | Until 1961 (rodeo) |
| Known for | Rodeo career; wrongful conviction and exoneration |
Jack Graves Favor (November 30, 1911 – December 27, 1988), often referred to as Cadillac Jack Favor, was a notable American rodeo entertainer.[1] [2] Throughout his career, he gained recognition within the rodeo community.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Early life
Born on a ranch in Eula, Texas,[3][4] Jack Favor was the son of Robert and Georgia Favor. He completed his education at Abilene High School. During his high school years, he achieved his initial rodeo victory as a bronc rider in Cameron, Texas.[4]
Later years
From 1929 until 1932, Favor served in the United States Navy, after which he returned to Texas. He found employment as a truck driver for a plumbing company based in Abilene, Texas.[4] Eventually, he made his home in Fort Worth, Texas,[3] before re-enlisting in the Navy in 1941.[4]
Favor maintained an active rodeo career until his retirement in 1961, after which he relocated to Texarkana, Texas and pursued a career as a salesman.[4]
Conviction, incarceration, and exoneration
In 1967, Favor was found guilty of a double homicide following allegations made by a hitchhiker whom he had given a ride. His legal defense was led by Louisiana state senator Joe T. Cawthorn, yet he was sentenced to eight years at the Angola State Penitentiary. A subsequent retrial resulted in his acquittal.[3]
Following his release, Favor pursued legal action for wrongful imprisonment and conviction, ultimately reaching a settlement of $55,000.[5] His story was chronicled by William B. Moody in the book In Jack’s Favor. Additionally, Favor appeared on the NBC late-night talk program The Tomorrow Show and was featured on a radio broadcast hosted by sports journalist Howard Cosell.[4]
Passing and remembrance
Favor passed away on December 27, 1988, due to cancer-related complications in a hospital located in Arlington, Texas. He was 77 years old at the time of his death and was interred at Parkdale Cemetery.[3]
A decade later, in 1998, actor and musician Clint Black portrayed Favor in the television movie Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack.[2] Black also collaborated with country songwriter Hayden Nicholas to compose the track "Cadillac Jack".[1]
In recognition of his legacy, Favor was inducted posthumously into the Texas Trail of Fame in 2009.[6]
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedb - ↑ "Settlement Reached". Reading Eagle. May 17, 1976. p. 57. Retrieved March 24, 2022 – via Google Books. Template:Open access
- ↑ "Inductees by Year". Western Heritage from the Texas Trail of Fame. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.