H. Lynn Packer

A native of Wichita Falls, H. Lynn Packer graduated from Mertzon High School in 1945, served in the U.S. Navy and then returned to Abilene Christian University to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1950.

Soon after graduating from ACU, Packer married fellow ACU graduate Barbara Bell ('50). He joined Wyatt Cafeterias in 1954, became its executive vice president in 1956, president in 1976 and later served as chief executive officer and chairman of the board until 1991.

Packer became an ACU trustee in 1972 and has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1984. Prior to becoming chairman, Packer was chairman of the Board’s finance committee, where he was instrumental in managing funds for ACU’s Mabee Business Building campaign. The building opened in 1984. During his tenure as chairman of the Board, Packer served as co-chair for the campaign to raise funds for the 91,000-square-foot Biblical Studies Building and served on the Presidential Search Committee in 1984.

Packer was honored as ACU's 1984 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, and he and his wife, Barbara, received the Christian Service Award in 1992. Packer and his wife had three children: Robert Packer ('76), Dr. Barry Packer ('78) and Lynda Panaretos ('82). H. Lynn Packer died in 2001.