Earl, in Blender, in uvmap editor, select the front and back short UV map.

Then go to => UV => Minimise strech.
That evens out what you have now.

You have edges close thogether, and edges far apart, this option evens that out and should help you on the way.

Secondary advantage is that you get a far more even texture distribution ver your object file.

Do not do this everywhere!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes you want this, sometimes not .