Herschel O’Kelley of Midland, Texas passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 31, 2016.Herschel was born in Ducktown, TN to Frank and Esther O’Kelley on April 26, 1936. He grew up in St. Louis, MO and graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1954 where he was described as a “triple-threat” playing football, baseball and basketball. He continued his success in sports by receiving scholarships for both baseball and basketball to Southern Methodist University from where he received his BBA in 1958.His college years were full of life. Always an entrepreneur, Herschel started his first business while also achieving academically, going to the Final Four with the Mustangs two years and participating as an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.He married, began his family and worked for a short time in the insurance business in Dallas. Soon thereafter he moved to Abilene, then Odessa, where he and partners opened and operated Gibson’s Discount Centers in Odessa, Midland and El Paso until 1982. He also began a career as an independent oil and gas operator in 1978. After his daughters graduated from high school in Odessa, he moved to Midland where he continued growing Rendova Oil Co. and partnered with long-time friend, John Dunagan, in Winged Foot Oil Co. He was passionate about his work and continued going to the office until several days before he passed away. He married Melissa Vestal Late in 2004 and shared a wonderful life full of love and many friends.Herschel was known for his wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and continued as an athlete playing tennis and golf. He served the community through the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Odessa Planning and Zoning, and the United Way. He was a member of the Racquet Club and Petroleum Club of Midland and was President of both the Odessa and Midland Country Clubs. He supported Midland Memorial Hospital, Hospice, and Odessa Boys Club. He was a member of Christ Church Anglican. Herschel personally cared for and helped those around him and others we may never know about. He treated others with respect and was respected by many.He cared deeply for his family including Melissa’s sons Blair and Christopher Late and Christopher’s wife Kelti and daughter Elin. Many fond memories were made with his golfing buddies, the “gangsome” and numerous special friends here and departed. He leaves a legacy of love, caring, dignity, hard honest work and generosity. We have lost a fine gentleman.Heart-felt thanks to friend and Dr. Summer Merritt, Ray Garcia, Esmerelda Coronado, Geri Filip, Joyce Barthelemy and his Visiting Angels.Herschel is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Esther O’Kelley.He is survived by his wife, Melissa O’Kelley; daughters: Cathy Smith and husband Madison of San Antonio and Christy Atkinson and husband Kevin of Annapolis, MD; grandchildren: Drew Smith and wife Cassie, Sydney Aschbacher and husband Jake, Claire Thompson and husband Glen, Garrett and Kelley Atkinson; Christopher, Kelti and Elin Late and Blair Late.Services will be held Friday, February 5, 2016 at 2:00, Christ Church Anglican, 5501 N. Midkiff Road, Midland.Honorary pallbearers are Madison Smith, Kevin Atkinson, Christopher Late, Blair Late, Drew Smith, and Garrett Atkinson.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Christ Church Anglican, Hospice of Midland, The JTR Suitcase Fund, Midland Memorial Foundation or the charity of one's choice.,
