James C. “Jim” Henry

James C. “Jim” Henry, 89, of Midland, Texas went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on October 17, 2023 while at home with his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Paula A. Henry, and sister-in-law, Cynthia Gay, by his side. Jim loved life and was a man characterized by contagious gratitude, joy, and integrity. He made everyone feel special, seen, and deeply valued.

Jim was born in Andagoya, Colombia on September 23, 1934 to James S. and Muriel Henry. His dad was on assignment in Colombia by the South American Gold and Platinum Company. At the age of five, Jim’s family returned to the United States and the family spent time in Marion, Kentucky; Springfield, Missouri; Evansville, Indiana; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Jim graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1952. While in high school he was an active participant in Boy Scouts, tennis, and the Student Senate, while maintaining a paper route that helped him pay for college. Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in 1957 and a master’s degree in 1958, both in Petroleum Engineering, from the University of Oklahoma. While in college, Jim was president of Pi Epsilon Tau, a national honorary Petroleum Engineering Society, served on the Student Senate, and was listed as one of sixteen “campus personalities.”

On January 11, 1964, Jim married Paula Annette Hargrove in Midland, Texas. Jim served two years in the Air Force as Lieutenant and was assigned to the Fuels and Oils Branch of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Wright Air Development Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He was honorably discharged as Captain in 1966.

Jim worked for Humble Oil and Refining Company in the Texas towns of McCamey, Houston, Andrews, and Midland. He also worked for Skelly Oil Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Solar Oil Company in Midland before co-founding H&L Consultants in 1969 with Bob Landenberger. Transitioning from consultants to independent operators, they formed Henry & Landenberger, Inc., drilling their first well in 1971. This company would later become Henry Petroleum Corp. where Jim served as the CEO and co-owner until it was sold to Concho Resources in 2008. Jim then founded Henry Resources LLC.

Jim lived a full life doing what he did best, loving people and helping them succeed. He truly embodied the scripture that “it is better to give than to receive.” Jim lived to give. He was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Toastmasters, Sons of the American Revolution, member of the first class of Leadership Midland, and founder of the Forum for Exploration, Production and Acquisition, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, and the Applied Petroleum Technology Academy.

Jim loved his community and helped it to thrive, serving on many boards including Casa de Amigos, Midland Need to Read, YMCA of Midland, Bush Tennis Center, Midland College Foundation, Permian Basin Petroleum Association, United Way of Midland, Petroleum Club of Midland, Petroleum Museum of the Permian Basin, and the Principal’s Advisory Board to Coleman High School.

Jim received numerous awards and recognitions including the United Way Honorary Life Member, Top Pioneer award and Lifetime Achievement award by the Permian Basin Petroleum Pioneers, Distinguished Citizen of the Permian Basin by the Boy Scouts of America, Outstanding Philanthropist, the first Centennial Citizen award given by the Leadership Midland and The Midland Centennial Commission, recipient of the first Midland Ethics in Business award by the Samaritan Counseling Center of West Texas, the first West Texan to receive the HOPE Award by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the inaugural recipient of the Sam Houston Award by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Jim was respected for his Christian faith and served as Chairman of the Board for the Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat, was an elder and Chairman of the Board at Memorial Christian Church where he was also an adult Sunday School teacher for eight years. In 1984, Jim and Paula joined First Methodist Church where he was an active member and served in various capacities.

Jim is preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, and brother. He is survived by his wife, Paula, two sisters Virginia Smith and Rosemary Graham, daughters Jamie Henry and Beverly Kelly, son David Henry, twelve grandchildren (Jim was affectionately called Dodad by his grandchildren): Brittany, Hope, Justin, Dylan, Bryce, Isabel, Sophie, Austin, Wyatt, Avery, Lexi, and Heather, three great-grandchildren: Opal, Nova, and Oliver James, and a lifetime of friends who meant the world to him.

All are invited to a memorial service honoring Jim’s life and legacy at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 23, 2023 in the Sanctuary of First Methodist Church, 300 North Main Street in Midland. The service will be live-streamed on the First Methodist Church Facebook page and YouTube channel. Memorials may be given to First Methodist Church of Midland or a charity of your choice.

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

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