George Gordon Staley, 81, of Midland, TX passed away surrounded by his family and loved ones on November 10, 2015 in Lubbock, TX.George G. Staley was born on September 10, 1934 in Lorado, West Virginia. He was the son of George and Reba Peck Staley of West Virginia. He attended Huntington, WV schools. George served as a Marine in the Korean War where he was part of the first company to march into Monrovia, Liberia and were greeted with a formal reception at the Presidential palace. After the war, he attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where he received his bachelor’s degree in geology. He then obtained a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas followed by pursuit of a PhD in geology at the University of Utah. George loved the opportunity for cave exploring and fossil hunting. Educating groups about geology was something he received great pleasure. His first job was with Texaco in Roswell, New Mexico. In 1966, he moved to Midland where he worked with W.F. (Bill) Roden at HNG. During his time at HNG, he worked on the Discovery well in the Crittenden Field and was present during the Atoka field fire that was the largest well fire of its time. In order to extinguish the fire, the famous Red Adair Co. was called. The painting at the Midland Petroleum Museum portraying the \blowout\ showed George's red car near the well.It was in Midland that he met the love of his life, Sandra Hendrick Staley. The two married on June 29th, 1968. Together they raised four beautiful children.In 1975 George set out on his own to form Staley Gas Co., Inc. as well as Staley Operating Co. which is still operating today. During this time, George also helped form additional companies such as Titan Resources (1996) and Pure Resources (2001).George was always a huge advocate of quality education and served two terms on the Midland Independent school board. He also served as President of the Midland Country Club board and as a board of director at the Petroleum Club. His interest in world events and politics, led him to join the Midland Sister City Committee for China. Sandra and George were one of the first members to travel to China with the Midland Symphony to establish relations with the Sister City, Dongying, China. He entertained many Chinese Delegations coming to Midland.George was a member of the West Texas Geology Society and AAPG as well.George Staley led an active and fulfilling life. He was known for his quick wit and tendency to tell memorable jokes. He was a loyal and honorable man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Thomas Staley of Scottsdale, Arizona.He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandra Hendrick Staley; children, Catherine Staley Hyde and her husband Matt Hyde, Paul Gordon Staley and Mark Ellis Staley and his wife Sarah Faulkner Staley of Midland, Texas and Jennifer Staley Kostohryz and her husband Dr. David Kostohryz, Jr of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Sophia and Max Hillgraf, Elizabeth Staley all of Midland, Texas and Avery and Thomas Kostohryz of Fort Worth, Texas; sisters, Ann Pearson of Huntington, West Virginia and Betty Gilkerson of Wilmington, Delaware; cousin, Bill Peck of Ohio; sisters-in-law, Molly Staley of Scottsdale, Arizona and Fritz Reynolds of Newport Beach, California; and many nieces and nephews.Honorary pallbearers are Paul Staley, Mark Staley, Dr. David Kostohryz, Matt Hyde, Max Hillgraf, F.W. Mills, Ted Fergeson, Tommy Tomerlin, Larry Wagner, Robert McCleskey, Hyle Doss, Vithal Pai, and Edwin “Ed” Magruder. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on November 18, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Memorials can be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Midland and The Salvation Army.,
