S. T. Miller

S.T. "Buddy" Miller, 81, oil and gas explorationist and Midland businessman passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2005, surrounded by his family at the Hospice Inpatient Unit of Midland Memorial Hospital. A private graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at Resthaven Memorial Park, with Rev. Ken James of Waco, officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 30, 2005 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, 3800 N. Big Spring St. in Midland, from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.Born May 3, 1924 in Maypearl, Ellis County, Texas to Euel William Miller and Edna M. Taylor, he was educated in Hillsboro schools before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corp in 1942. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater during World War II and participated in the air offensive over Japan and liberation of the Philippines receiving eight bronze stars and an air metal with oak leaf cluster. He married his sweetheart and soulmate, Ruth Houston on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1948. Moving to West Texas, he graduated with a B. S. degree in geology from Texas Tech and began his profession career with Stanolind Oil Company as a geophysicist.He worked for Creole Petroleum in Caracas, Venezuela, and Tennessee Gas and Transmission Company in Midland before becoming an independent geophysicist in 1961.Buddy was the founder and president of several companies headquartered in Midland and had additional offices in Houston, Denver, Dallas, Calgary, Canada and Williston, North Dakota during his career. An oil finder, Buddy's work lead to discoveries that were often recognized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Buddy was a fifty-year member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and had been an officer in the local chapter.He was a member of Crestview Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and chaired the Board of Deacons and Benevolence Committee for many years. He was a fourth generation Texan and member of the San Jacinto Chaper of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. Buddy is survived by his beloved wife Ruth, son, Lee Miller of Midland, two daughters, Jan DeVault and husband John of Houston, Kay Brahaney and husband Tom of Midland, and grandsons Bryan DeVault and wife Ariette of Houston, Chris DeVault and wife Chelsey of Houston, Scott Monette and wife Mirta of Mexico City, and Jeff Monette of New York City. Buddy had four great grandchildren—Madeline Taylor DeVault, Jacqueline Ann DeVault, Nicholas DeVault of Houston, and Tomas Monette of Mexico City. He leaves two sisters, Edna Farrell of Fort Worth and Bobby Jean McDaniel of Carrollton, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters Genon Walker, and Mozelle Williams.Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702, or to a charity of one's choice.,