G.W. Brock

In loving memory of G. W. Brock.

G.W. Brock lived a wonderful life, in every sense of the word. He was born August 11, 1926, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and passed away peacefully at home in Midland, Texas, on August 16, 2023. He did everything he wanted to do, except drill a few more wells and live to be 100.

His character and values were shaped by the Great Depression, the segregated South, and World War II.  G. W. never met a stranger.  He treasured friends in every generation and all walks of life, and he treated everyone the same way.  His integrity was never shaken, his faith was unwavering.  He was kind and generous, and the last of the Honest John’s, he was a gentleman.

G.W. grew up in Shreveport an independent and resourceful boy who made his own way delivering milk and blocks of ice, working at a filling station and later, as a self-taught draftsman. He rode bare back and fished with childhood friends, and remembered always having an interest in geology, with an early introduction to the oilfield through his uncle, who owned a trucking company. In the 1930’s, he rode on trucks hauling steam boilers and moving rigs with a driver named Jesse Wallace, who loved G. W. so much that he took Brock as his last name.

After graduating C. E. Byrd High School, G. W. enlisted in the United States Navy.  He served with honor and humility in the Pacific, a Coxswain on the U.S.S. Goodhue, until the end of WWII, and his love of country endured all the days of his life.  On July 20, 1946, G. W. married his childhood sweetheart, Sophia Nell.  She encouraged and supported every endeavor and enriched each day.  She was his best friend, partner in all things, and greatest love.

G.W. attended Centenary College in Shreveport, and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity, before moving to Oklahoma City, where Sophia worked, while G. W. hitch-hiked to Norman, to attend the University of Oklahoma on the GI Bill. In 1950, G. W. earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology, nearly completing a master’s degree. He later served on the alumni advisory council of OU’s school of geology, and attended too many football and bowl games to count. Boomer Sooner!

He joined Globe Oil & Refining and Lario Oil & Gas in Denver, Colorado, moving to Midland in 1952 for a short-term assignment to reorganize and manage exploration.  After 24 years running Lario’s programs in the Permian Basin, South Louisiana and Canada, G. W. started his own independent exploration company, and spent the rest of his life generating prospects and exploring for new fields.  An old school wildcatter, his passion for geology and eternal optimism never waned.  Always a student and a teacher, he enjoyed working with legends and all hands in the oil and gas industry, equally at home in a board room, on a rig floor or in a mud logging unit. He also enjoyed membership in professional organizations and honorary societies, especially the West Texas Geological Society, SIPES, The Midland Wildcat Committee, AAPG, AIPG, and Sigma Xi.

G.W. was dedicated to the community of Midland. Over the years he was active in the Jaycees, on the board of the Salvation Army, and as a Deacon and treasurer at First Presbyterian Church. He was also a most loving father who nurtured the talents and education of his daughters, volunteered for Bowie Elementary carnivals and Midland High homecoming parades, sent them to Camp Mystic, took them out on wells, taught them the art of fly fishing, and even became a Longhorn fan, except for one certain game in October. Hook ‘em!

G.W. had a distinct voice, a tremendous sense of humor, and a lot of fun. He was The Original GWB. He was happy all of his life and thankful for his many blessings, including his survivors, among them younger friends and family, and his beloved daughter and landman, Michelle.

A private celebration of life and interment at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery was held   August 25, 2023, with Dr. Steve Schorr, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Midland.

For anyone wishing to make a memorial gift, please support a favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

Thanks be to God for the life of G. W.

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