Henry Cestero Libby

Henry “Harry” Cestero Libby of Richardson, TX, passed away on February 6, 2024. He was born August 6, 1926, in Melrose, MA, to Frederick E. and Maria C. Libby, and was the youngest of ten children. After losing his father at the age of 3, the family relocated to Puerto Rico to be near his mother’s family. At 12 years old he boarded a ship in San Juan, P.R., and set off to join his 14-year-old brother at the Carlisle Military School in Bamberg, SC. Upon completion, he and his brother were given the choice of returning to live in Puerto Rico or traveling via train to settle in Lubbock where several of their siblings already resided. Since they had already been on a ship, they chose Lubbock so they could take the train (The Tennessean) where they reunited with their mother and siblings.

After graduating from Lubbock Senior High School, Henry enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in WWII from 1944-1946 where he was stationed as a Radio Operator in Guam. After his discharge, he returned to Lubbock and attended Texas Tech, and was a member of the Silver Key Fraternity (Phi Delta Theta). Henry graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Petroleum Geology and moved to Midland, TX where he began his career with Lion Oil Company. After working for a couple of the majors and four independent oil companies he became an Independent Geologist in 1985 specializing in the Eastern Shelf of the Permian Basin.

In 1956, he met Genevieve Slayter in Midland and they married on September 21, 1957. They had two children, daughter, Lisa, and a son, Paul. Henry and Genevieve lived in Midland until April 2007, when they moved to Frisco, TX to be closer to family.

While in Midland, Henry was active in St. Luke’s UMC where he was a member for 48 years. He was recognized as a Permian Basin Petroleum Pioneer by the mayor of Midland and was a past president and Honorary Life Member of the West Texas Geological Society. He was also a member of the AAPG, SIPES, and a Master Mason in Midland Lodge No. 423. He has been a member of the First UMC - Frisco since 2007.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Genevieve, his parents, and 9 siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Caire, and husband Rob; son, Paul Libby, and wife Carrie; grandchildren, Jason (Caroline), Jenna, John (Alissa), Luke, Adam, and Jacob; and a host of extended family and cherished friends.

The family wishes to thank caregivers Stella, Joan, Joyce, and Joanitha along with Driskoll Tubbs, Paul Lyford, Don Hood, Bill Meek, and many others for their love, support, and encouragement through the years.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family asks that donations be made to T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Parkinson’s Voice Project, or a charity of choice.