Frederic Dana Sewell

Born in Tyler, Texas, on September 21, 1934, the second of four sons to James Leslie Sewell and Charlotte Barnard Sewell, Fred grew up in Corpus Christi where he learned to love sailing. During his lifetime he owned several classes of sailboats. The family moved to McAllen where Fred finished his last two years of high school in 1952. He then went to the University of Texas at Austin graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was a Sigma Chi.

As a fifth-year senior, he met a freshman from Dallas, Ann Van Landingham, after telling his fraternity brothers, “I’m through dating freshmen.” They married in February 1958 after he had begun work as a junior engineer with Humble Oil and Refining Company (Exxon) in Denver City, Texas. They moved to Houston in August 1958 for his further training in reservoir engineering. After moving to Beaumont and back and after 11 years with the company, he moved his family with 2 daughters to Dallas to work with an independent oil operator. During this time, Fred met Clarence Netherland, a highly regarded consulting engineer. After a brief time, they co-founded Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., today a top-rated worldwide petroleum consulting firm known in the industry for excellence and integrity. Fred authored the mission and purpose statements inspiring current and future employees. After many years as CEO, he retired in December 2007, immediately starting Sovereign Resources, a small exploration and production company. Fred also served on the board of Comstock Resources, Inc.

Known as an exemplary leader who loved his work, he was highly respected throughout the industry for his utmost integrity and wisdom. A hard worker, he was the consummate engineer, even from childhood, analyzing what made things work and coming up with better solutions to problems either real or perceived. He was granted four patents and was still engaged with his office and two projects until his death.

Far more than his lifetime career, however, Fred loved and served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, coming to know Him at age 28. Privileged to serve on the boards of Dallas Theological Seminary and the Palau Association for 20 plus years each, his priority in life was using his gifts and talents to advance God’s kingdom. Through the years he mentored a number of young men and encouraged many others in the faith.

Married to Ann “my queen” for 67 years, he was clearly the spiritual leader and role model for her, their daughters, and 11 grandchildren, to whom he was deeply devoted. Though serious-minded, he was quite often playful and was engaged in the lives of all of them. They will always remember Camp Sailor’s Rest, our grandkid camp at the lake house at Hideaway in East Texas. Fred taught all of them how to sail and tie sailor’s knots. Another fun shared memory was dancing with him to Marty Robbins and Herb Alpert.

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Ann; his daughters Lillian Jones (Barry), Carrie (Liz) Scroggins (Boyd); grandchildren Rachel Danforth (Jon), Kathryn LeMaster Roberts (Forrest), Laura Jones, Waverly Jones (Hazelwood), Preston Jones (April), Hannah Brooks (Noah), Stephen Jones (Emma), Michael Jones, Erica Nelson (Steve), Ben Rogers (Darah), and Andrea Rogers; great grandchildren Corinne, Isabelle, and Weston Danforth, Liam LeMaster, Hallie Jones, Carter Jones, Eden Sailor (for Grandpop) Brooks, Vera Beth Rogers, and Lucy Rogers (due to join the family next week), and two more expected later this year. Fred also leaves brother, John Sewell, and 4 nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the Pals (aides) who lovingly cared for “Mr. Fred” during the nearly seven years he lived in an assisted living apartment at Belmont Village Turtle Creek Senior Living, just five minutes from Ann. Because of a major stroke in October 2016, he had mobility challenges. He had previously survived a heart attack and a six-way bypass. However, Fred was always known for his smile and appreciative attitude. The colorful reversible sign on his door read, “Find Joy in the Journey” and “Celebrate Everything”.

A service of Celebration and Thanksgiving will be held Saturday, June 14, at 2:00pm, Chafer Chapel at Dallas Theological Seminary (1200 Apple St – corner of Live Oak and Apple St).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dallas Theological Seminary, Watermark Community Church, EvanTell, Inc., or the Palau Association.