Spotlight Story: Jewell Malechek and the Malechek Family of LBJ Ranch

A look at the family, memories, and ranch life that shaped their connection to one of Texas’s most historic landscapes.

Jewell Malechek Scott is a long-time resident of the LBJ Ranch and still lives in

the house that the President and Mrs. Johnson built for her family. The Malechek

family moved to the ranch in 1961. At that time, Lyndon Baines Johnson was Vice President of the United States.

The Malechek Family.  Top row: Kevin, Lyle and Clarie; seated: Jewell, holding Alisa, and Dale.

The Malechek family moved to the Ranch when Vernon “Dale” Malechek, Jewell’s husband, was selected as foreman of the LBJ Ranch. When LBJ assumed the Presidency after the death of President John F. Kennedy, the Malecheks were kept busy turning the working cattle ranch into the summer “White House”.

Dale Malechek giving President Johnson an update on the ranch.

While Dale was running the ranch, Jewell was helping with events and social occasions at the Texas White House.  After the Johnson Presidency and the Johnsons moved to the ranch full-time, you could often find them driving around the ranch at sunset to experience the wildlife.  When not at the ranch, a couple of times a year, you may find them in Mexico for a little R&R…or at a University of Texas football game cheering on the Longhorns.

Jewell driving the President and Mrs. Johnson around the ranch in one of the white Lincoln convertibles.

Life at the LBJ Ranch is defined as much by daily rhythms as by history, and the Malecheks’ connection to the land reflects that balance. Surrounded by open pastures, the Pedernales River, and working ranchland with Hereford cattle, the Malechek family experienced the ranch as a living place. While the ranch is recognized nationally for its role in American history, it has long been a home to the family.

Jewell and President Johnson

Pictured: Jewell, President Johnson, Lyn Nugent, Alisa Malechek, Jesse Kellum and Patrick Nugent

Luci Johnson, Lyn and Nicole Nugent and Alisa Malechek playing on the beach in Mexico.

President Johnson and Jewell and Dale Malechek at a University of Texas football game in Austin.