T. Verne Dwyer

T. Verne is survived by his 4 children; his daughter Marlynn Dwyer LaGreca and husband Kenny, her children Stephen, David, and Michelle, his daughter Shauna Dwyer Gordon and husband Steve, her children Lucas Gordon and Jennifer Carpenter and husband Craig, and her child Connor, his daughter Missy Dwyer and her daughter Nikki, and his son Tom Verne Dwyer II.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

T. Verne was born on August 22, 1933 in Odessa, Texas to parents Thomas Joseph and Agnes W. Dwyer. He attended Texas A&M University and graduated from TCU in 1955 with a degree in Government. Immediately after graduation he accepted a position as a Landman with Gulf Oil in Tulsa, Oklahoma and his responsibilities covered Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas, and Midland, Texas. He then moved to Midland in 1958 with Gulf and worked in both Midland and Hobbs, New Mexico. T. Verne wanted a new challenge and opportunity and began working with TXL as Division Landman in Midland in 1959 which was bought by Texaco in 1962.

In August of 1965 he began a 19 ½ year career with Felmont Oil Corporation in Midland. During his time with Felmont he was led by one of the most influential men in his personal and professional life, Hadley Case. T. Verne was trusted to grow Hadley’s companies, including Felmont, and was instrumental in leading a wide variety of operations inside and outside of the oil industry. He thrived on the opportunity to learn new businesses and develop them into successful ventures for all involved. T. Verne served as President, Vice President, Director, and Manager of numerous domestic and international companies during his tenure.

In March of 1984, T. Verne decided to take on a new challenge. He became an Independent Landman in Midland and began to live his dream of having his own business. He welcomed the new challenges and opportunities that came along with being a Landman. He loyally served his clients in various roles. He tirelessly assisted them as their oil, gas, and mineral consultant with duties ranging from managing both producing and non-producing assets of estates to being a most respected expert witness. First and foremost he was focused on doing the absolute best job possible for each and every client.

In addition to all of the technical aspects of running his business and serving his clients he mentored countless people, both inside and outside of the industry. He would train, educate, counsel, lend an ear, shoulder, hand or whatever anyone needed. He felt it was most important to help others.

He was proud to be a Certified Professional Landman and gave back to the industry in a variety of ways including as a Board member and Past President of the Permian Basin Landmen’s Association and as Vice President of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL). He earned numerous awards and recognition in the industry, two of which included the 2001 AAPL Field / Independent Landman of the Year and the AAPL 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. His passing is an enormous loss to the profession he loved.

Although T. Verne was unmatched in his passion for the industry and his clients, some of his greatest achievements happened in the community. He was a leader and trailblazer for children’s athletics in Midland. He coached Little League Baseball, YMCA football, youth soccer, girls’ basketball and softball. He was one of the founding members of the girls’ softball league and the Camp Fire Girls in Midland.

T. Verne instilled in his children the importance of faith and has served on the Church Vestry, as Youth Director, teacher, usher, and as Sunday School Superintendent.

T. Verne was well known, loved, and respected by all that truly knew him. He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, loyalty, commitment, wisdom, willingness to help others, and his warm heart.

A Funeral is scheduled for Friday, February 26, 2016, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Midland at 10:00 a.m. with Graveside following at Resthaven and then a reception back at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The family would appreciate your participation in this celebration. Visitation will be Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home in Midland.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the T. Verne Dwyer Foundation for Early Detection of Multiple Myeloma and Patient Education and Support would be most appreciated. Contributions may be mailed to the T. Verne Dwyer Foundation, c/o Tom V. Dwyer 14902 Preston Rd. #404-412 Dallas, Texas 75254.