- Richard (Dick) Marion Oldham, 79, of Midland, Texas, passed away peacefully at Midland Memorial Hospital on July 22, 2014 following a bold and spirited, 14 year struggle with cancer; his wife, Shannon Oldham, at his side every step of the way. Throughout his life, he maintained a loyalty, wit, and charm that won the trust and hearts of many. He was born on February 14, 1935, in Abilene, Texas, to Dahlia Oldham Evans. He graduated Abilene High School where he was the first chair trumpet player. After attending Texas Tech University briefly, he transferred to Sul Ross State in Alpine, Texas, where he received his degree with a double major in geology and mathematics in 1956. He began his career working at Core Lab in Abilene and Monahans, Texas. Shortly thereafter, he was called to duty to serve our country but after a brief stint at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, he was deferred because of occupation necessary to national defense. After his release, he restarted his career and began a lengthy tenure with Permian Mud, beginning in Monahans, Texas, then Hobbs and Lovington, New Mexico, Fort Stockton, Texas, and then to Midland, Texas, in 1970. Early in his career, Dick began a lifelong friendship with Mr. Clayton (Claytie) W. Williams, and after a few years in Midland, Dick and Claytie started a mud company named Maverick Mud with Dick at the helm. After the oil bust of the 1980's, Dick realized his joy for just 'pounding the pavement' and visiting customers, and he closed the doors of Maverick Mud and moved to M-I Swaco where he kept a desk long after his retirement in 2010. Dick knew his business and he knew his customers and with that combination, he charmed the toughest of patrons! Dick is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Shannon Oldham. Shannon has been a blessing to the family, and was with him during the countless good years; she continued to remain by his side and be his best cheerleader during these last few difficult years. He is survived by his first wife, Sue Applegate Mace of College Station, Texas, and their daughters, Suzanne Oldham Smith of Midland, Texas, and Cynthia (Cindy) Oldham Devlin and her husband Brian Tuckey Devlin of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sterling Scott Mitchell (first grandchild, who gave him his perfectly suited granddad name, Dandy) and his wife Elizabeth Grella Mitchell of Midland, Texas, Margaret Shelby Mitchell of Arlington, Texas, and Alexander Cole Devlin of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Dick's extended family includes many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews who were devoted to and adoring of Dandy. He is also survived by friends too numerous to name. Dick is predeceased by his mother, Dahlia and her husband Robert (Bob) W. Evans. He cherished his daughters: with Suzanne, he was so excited and concerned when she was giving birth to Sterling that he beat her to the hospital by two hours; once Suzanne arrived, everyone knew her! And with Cindy, each time she moved further away from 'home,' he and Shannon visited soon after the move to "make sure her new home was good enough for her." He loved his grandkids. His first, Sterling, is quite the golfer; Dick rarely missed a tournament and relished the fact that he beat Sterling ONCE on the course, albeit, Sterling was a mere 10 years of age. His second and only granddaughter, Shelby, was once injured in Colorado and fainted. Dick carried her a very long distance down a steep mountain to get her to help. He would have carried her to the moon and back if needed. Upon meeting his third and final grandchild, Lex, in New York City, they became easy buddies. When visiting Lex on St. Croix, Dick witnessed him as a Boy Scout marching in the Veteran's Day Parade in downtown Christiansted; Lex became an Eagle Scout at the age of 15 and his Dandy could not have been more proud. Dick loved the outdoors, beginning in the 1960's when camping with family in Colorado; it was there he created his signature recipe, beans and goo. He continued to find opportunities to be in the open air and fished regularly with his buddies; his fried fish was scrumptious! He was quite the cook and for years, he and his buddies A.K.A: "The Goat Mobile Gang", hitched a large barbeque smoker to the back of his car and went from party to party preparing the most tender and juicy of fare! Dick was also known for his whistling and was often referred to as "Whistlin' Dick." His most enchanting quality was his quick wit, great timing, and incomparable ability to tell a joke. However, life was not all jokes, Dick was an honorable and principled man with great compassion for all things, a kind and gentle heart and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was humble and generous never seeking praise or admiration, he gave selflessly setting an example for all to follow. The service will be held at First Methodist Church, 300 N. Main St in Midland at 3:00 p.m. July 28, 2014. ..."
(Published by Midland Reporter-Telegram from Jul. 25 to Jul. 27, 2014).
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Om slægterne Brændgaard & Heilesen
1935 - 2014 (79 år)
Nekrolog