John Eli Kimberly

Longtime Midlander John Eli Kimberly, 87, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 11.

John was born on April 15, 1937, in Norwalk, Connecticut, to Oliver and Bessie Kimberly. He graduated from Avon Old Farms prep school in Avon, Connecticut, from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts with a B.A. in geology, and from the University of Texas at Austin with an M.S. in geology. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  He married his high school sweetheart, then Marion Conrow, on June 13, 1959.

He started his long career as a geologist with Anadarko Petroleum Corp. in Liberal, Kansas. He and his wife Marion became Midland residents in 1965 when he was transferred here by Anadarko.  He founded Grand Banks Energy Co. in 1977.

Professional memberships included American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Independent Petroleum Association of America, and Society of Independent Petroleum Earth Scientists.  He served on both the Presidents Advisory Board and the Business Advisory Council at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin.  The latter was the founding board of the Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference.

He also was a member of the West Texas Geological Society, Southwest Texas Oilman’s Tennis Tournament, Exchange Club, Midland Country Club, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Midland where he served as chairman of the board.

John was a superb athlete.  He excelled in golf, tennis, sailing, swimming and skiing.  He enjoyed the slopes of Colorado and New Mexico, particularly Taos, well into his eighties.  He and Marion were world travelers, having visited all seven continents and most of the 50 states.  He enjoyed the challenge of crossword puzzles and Sudoku and was an avid reader of The Wall Street Journal.

Highly regarded in his profession, John’s love for people showed in his many longtime friendships.  John and Marion are big supporters of education and the arts.

John is survived by his wife Marion of 64 years, his children and their spouses, Karen and Peter Finklea of Austin, John and Marlene Kimberly of Fairfield, Connecticut, and David and Stephanie Kimberly of Lubbock.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Andrew Kimberly, Griffin Kimberly, Eli Kimberly and Lauren Kimberly, his sister Joan Campbell of Florida, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Oliver “Kim” Kimberly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Midland or a charity of one’s 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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