Gerald Vernon Mendenhall passed away on December 30, 2014 with his family at his side.Gerald was born Feb 17, 1930 in Lincoln, NE to Vernice N. and Mamie M. (Wear) Mendenhall. A year later the family moved to Haigler, NE where Gerald grew up on the family fish hatchery. In 1946 the family moved to Yuma, CO where Gerald graduated from high school in 1947. He attended the University of Nebraska from 1947 and majored in Geology with a Bachelor of Science in 1951 and Master of Science in 1953. The family Buffalo Creek Fish Hatchery near Haigler, Nebraska was sold in 1949. On April 5, 1953 he and Ruth Irene Bergstraesser married in Lincoln, NE. Two children were born to this marriage, Susan Kay, resident of Midland, TX and John Mark, of Austin, TX.Gerald served on active duty for 41 months during 1953-1957 in the US Navy serving in OCS at Newport, RI and aboard the USS Pawcatuck (AO-108) as Deck Officer, Gunnery Officer, Operations Officer, Navigator and Command Duty Officer Underway operating out of Norfolk, VA in the Atlantic 2nd Fleet also in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean 6th Fleets. He retained a permanent rank of Navy Lieutenant reserve commission. In June of 1957 he joined The Pure Oil Company in Wichita, KS as a Geologist and worked in Wichita, KS, Fort Worth, TX, Chicago and Palatine, IL and Midland, TX in domestic and international exploration and development. He left Union/Pure employment in 1981 and retired from Union Oil Company of California in 1985. He joined Horizon Exploration Company as regional manager in Midland, TX in 1981. In 1987 he established a consulting business in Midland as Wei-Ji LTD. He served as a consultant in geologic and regulatory matters as well as industrial rocks and minerals.Gerald was a licensed geologist in Texas, a member of American Institute of Professional Geologists where he served as Treasurer and President of the Texas Section and Vice President of the national body, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists and president and treasurer of Sigma Gamma Epsilon geologic fraternity. He was a Life Member of the American Rifle Association and pistol instructor for CHL in Texas. He belonged to Midland Lutheran Church and served as member of several committees, council member and president of the congregation and for ten years was the Chairman of the Boy Scout Troop 333 Committee. For many years he acted as Technical Advisor, Member and Chairman of the Board of the Permian Basin Graduate Center. He was an avid historian and genealogist, and a member of the Midland Genealogical Society and Secretary and Director of the international Mendenhall Family Association. He was a member of the Permian Basin Petroleum Pioneers and served as editor of the newsletter, The Gusher, for the Santa Rita Club volunteers of the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum.Gerald is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Midland, TX, a daughter, Susan K. Benham, of Midland, TX and son, John M. Mendenhall, and his wife, Weiling, of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Erin Elizabeth Benham Pommeranz , and husband Garrett Vernon and great grandson, Benjamin Garrett Pommeranz of Eden Prairie, MN, Sara Jayne Benham of West Lafayette, IN, Grace Helen Mendenhall of Oakland, CA, and grandson, Miles Vernon Mendenhall of Austin, TX. Gerald’s brother, Maurice Elvin (deceased), lived in Aurora, CO; and his sister, Mrs. Raymond (Phyllis) Marie Tillery (deceased), lived in Woodward, OK.Memorial services will be held at Midland Lutheran Church at 2 P.M., Wednesday, January 7th, 2015. Interment will be in Resthaven Memorial Park & Mauseleum, Inc., Midland, TX Memorials may be made to charity of choice. The family wishes to thank all those involved in Gerald’s care.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com ,
