Mark Dale Wilson

Mark Dale Wilson, 85, of Midland, TX, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 9, 2011 at MMH. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Clark Ford and Dr. Steve Schorr officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday at Resthaven Memorial Park, where the Commemorative Air Force will fly over in honor of his Naval service during World War II.Mark was born on the family farm on August 26, 1926 in Kennonsburg, Ohio to Henry and Daisy Wilson. In 1943, at the age of 17, he was accepted in the Naval V-12 Corps at Ohio State University where he was also a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was transferred to the University of Pennsylvania for his junior and senior years by the Navy where he was commissioned as an Ensign upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1947. He attained the rank of Lieutenant JG at the end of his naval career in the Naval Reserve during World War II. In 1949, he received a Master of Science in Geology from Ohio State and was a member of Alpha Epsilon, a graduate scientific fraternity.He met the love of his life, Mary Lou Evans, at Ohio State University where he rented a room in her home one block from Ohio State University campus. They married on September 18, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio. On January 9, 1950, Mark and Mary Lou moved 2000 miles to Midland, TX where he worked for Shell Oil for three years. During this time, they welcomed their first three children, Scott Evans Wilson, on August 12, 1950, Todd Montgomery Wilson, on October 7, 1951, and Holly Lynn Wilson on September 16, 1952. In 1953, Shell transferred Mark and his family to Roswell, NM as a district geologist where they lived for 8 years. They welcomed their fourth child, Heather Gwen Wilson, on April 3, 1957. From 1961-1963, Shell transferred them back to Midland. In 1963, Mark resigned from Shell in Midland, and moved the family to Artesia, NM, where he worked as an independent geologist and had a close association with Yates Petroleum Corporation. Because of his extreme generosity he started his family corporation, Rio Pecos, in 1976 in Artesia, NM, and eventually employed three of his children and two sons-in-law. Along with his amazing geologic accomplishments, he was a very devout Christian, which was demonstrated by his incredible integrity and high moral values. Mark always put God first and loved his family with all of his heart. He devoted his life to his family and his zest for life gave him the nickname of the "Eternal Optimist." He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Artesia, NM for 19 years and served as an elder and chairman of the board, and he was also a member of Memorial Christian Church in Midland and First Presbyterian Church in Midland.Mark was a loyal supporter of the New Mexico Boys Ranch, the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale, Trinity School, and the Republican Party. He was a member of AAPG, AAPG Trustees Foundation, WTGS, SIPES, SEPM, and was president of the Midland Exchange Club in 1998. Mark received the Pioneer Award from the West Texas Geological Society in 2003.Mark was an avid reader, loved nature, played golf and softball, loved fishing, hunting, bridge, poker, blackjack, and ping-pong. He loved New Mexico, Taos, and Santa Fe, and he owned a second home in Cloudcroft, New Mexico overlooking the golf course. He always said that Cloudcroft was his favorite place on earth. Mark was known by his grandchildren as "Two Daddies" and the name was surely befitting to him because almost everyone called him Two Daddies.He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Wilson, of Midland; his children, Scott Evans Wilson and his wife Cindy Wilson, of Austin, and their three children Ryan Wilson and his wife Robin Wilson of Telluride, Colorado, Shelby Wilson Strattman and her husband Kai Strattman of Houston, and Garrett Wilson and his wife Liz Wilson of Austin; Todd Montgomery Wilson and his wife Carol Wilson of Midland and their son Colton Wilson and his wife Kim Wilson and their daughter Lila Wilson of Austin; Holly Lynn Wilson Elliott and the late Roger Elliott of Midland and their children Carson Elliott of Santa Fe, NM, Forest Elliott Wallace and her husband Mike Wallace and their children Lynnley Wallace and Laney Wallace of Midland, Cody Elliott and his wife Lacy Elliott and their children Parker Elliott and Thomas Elliott of Midland; and Heather Gwen Wilson Echols and her husband John Echols of Midland and their children Tarabeth Echols of Arlington, John-Mark Echols of Midland, and Wilson Echols of Austin.In place of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association of Midland.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.co,