Jon R. Brittenum, Sr.

Jon Roger Brittenum, Sr., died October 13, 2022 at his home in San Benito, Texas at the age of 78.

Jon was born on May 27, 1944 in Brinkley, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger Brittenum and Patricia Torry Brittenum, and his older sister, Mollie Ruth Felts.

Jon is survived by his wife, Claudia Snow, and his four children and their spouses, Julie Walters (Doug) of West Palm Beach, Florida, Jon Roger Brittenum, Jr.(Missy) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Bret Torry Brittenum of Miami Lakes, Florida, Brice Torry Brittenum of Arlington, Virginia; as well as six wonderful grandchildren and one adorable great grandson.

As a Brinkley, Arkansas native, he graduated from Brinkley High School in 1962 where he played baseball and football.

He was offered an athletic scholarship to play baseball and football at the University of Arkansas. He chose football where he quarterbacked the Razorbacks in 1963, 1965-66. He led a pair of top 10 teams in his final two years on the Hill. He threw for over 1,100 yards in both 1965 and 1966, earning All-Southwest Conference honors both years. Head Coach Frank Broyles penned in his autobiography that Brittenum was, “the best passer on the move that I’ve ever seen. He could throw it like a frozen rope on the sprint-out series. He was the perfect passer-runner for the system that we played at the time.”

During his time as a Razorback, Jon was awarded many honors, but was most grateful of the Southwest Conference referees awarding him the Outstanding Sportsmanship award for the Southwest Conference in 1966.

While playing football and attending class, he was also very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at the University of Arkansas.

He graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance). Upon graduation from college, he was a future draft choice for the Miami Dolphins and then traded to the San Diego Chargers where he played the 1967-68 season.

After his football career ended, he moved back to Arkansas and started Brittenum & Associates, Inc. In his spare time, he enjoyed time with family and his beloved cutting horses. Like many things in his life, he was successful at raising, breeding and showing them. His horses performed at a top level and actually won the 1974 NCHA Futurity.

He then transitioned from investment banking to the gas industry which took him to Texas where he continued working until shortly before his death.

In 2021, Jon was inducted into the Brinkley Sports Hall of Fame and into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, Class of 2020.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in Jon’s honor to the University of Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes (www.uarkfca.org), 183 N. Stadium Dr., Ste. 209, Fayetteville, AR 72701 or the Concussion Legacy Foundation (www.concussionfoundation.org), 361 Newbury St. F5, Boston, MA 02115.

A private memorial service will be held in San Benito, Texas.

You are invited to share remembrances and condolences on Jon’s Tribute Wall by clicking on the TRIBUTE WALL tab at the top of this page.