Paul Anderson Drickey

Paul Anderson Drickey passed away peacefully on December 4, 2009, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, with his wife at his side.A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at 11:00 AM at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland with Reverend Jan Reed officiating. An inurnment will follow the Memorial Service and military honors will be rendered at Resthaven Memorial Park. He was born December 31, 1917, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Floyd Drickey and Nina Anderson Drickey. He grew up in Rapid City, attending school there through high school and college. He graduated with highest honors from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1941.In July, 1941, he married Dorothy Speed, to whom he remained married until her death on September 15, 1969. His wife suffered a rare and fatal disease and she was survived by her husband and 3 children; Carol, Thomas and Luanne, to carry on alone.He worked for Carter Oil Company until World War II when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, later named the U.S. Air Force. His training included specializing in meteorology at the University of Chicago. After brief assignments in the U.S. he was assigned to foreign duty in Karachi, India. After many months in India he was assigned individually to the 315th Troop Carrier and moved to Moran, Ledo and Sookerating in the Upper Assam Province, close to the Burmese border. He operated as a one man weather unit and an intelligence officer. Paul was promoted to Capitan and was awarded the Air medal and the Bronze Star.After 2 years in India, Paul received orders to return to the U.S. for a 60-day leave. Meantime he was notified that the war was ending on the day he was scheduled to return to duty. Instead he was ordered to report to San Antonio, Texas for discharge.After returning to Midland he went to work in the oil business doing what he had trained for before the war. He worked as a geologist in the oil field for 48 years. The Drickey Queen Sand Field in New Mexico is named after him.The world changed for Paul on December 4, 1970 when he fell in love with and married Ramona Spurlock. Ramona had 3 children; Donna, Debra and Dana, who all blended in to a new family. Paul and Ramona loved to travel and took many interesting trips over the years. The close and happy family continued on though marred by the tragic deaths of Carol on February 17, 1989, Thomas on July 15, 1989 and Donna on January 26, 2004.Paul is survived by his wife; Ramona Drickey of Midland, 3 daughters; Luanne Ryan of Fresno, CA, Debra Marszal of Midland and Dana Kimble of Lago Vista, 12 grandchildren; James Stephens, Joseph Ryan, Amy Ryan, Tamera Duniven, Clint Alford, James Maabadi, Stephen Marszal, Julie Marszal, Christopher Morris, Paula Toliver, Zane Kimble and Matthew Kimble, 13 great grandchildren – 2 of whom are serving in the U.S. Air Force; Alexander and Austin Stephens.In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made in Paul's name to Hospice of Midland 911 W. Texas Midland, TX 79701.Funeral arrangements are under the care of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com,