John Robert "Bob" Lively

1932 - 2011

John Robert "Bob" Lively, a native of Fort Worth, passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Seattle, Wash. Service: The family will have a private service at a later date in Fort Worth. Memorials: May be sent to Midland Memorial Hospital or Museum of the Southwest. Bob was born in Fort Worth on March 9, 1932, to Mary Frances Dyer and John Dillard Lively. He graduated from Paschal High School in 1949. He attended the University of Texas and graduated from TCU, majoring in geology. In 1954, Bob earned a master's degree in petroleum geology from Oklahoma University. Bob worked for Exxon Oil Co. for 30 years, then retired to Midland to work as an independent geologist. He was a board member and president of the board of the Museum of the Southwest. He was a member of the Advisory Council for the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas, where he also served as chairman. He was chairman of the Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series sponsored by the Midland College Foundation for several years. Bob loved to play golf but also had an abiding interest in all sports, especially Longhorn and Horned Frog football. Bob played third base for Paschal High School in the state championship game of 1949 and was invited to try out for the New York Yankees. While at TCU, he covered sports for the Fort Worth Press. Bob loved good food and wine! His interests were diverse and extensive. They included jazz, literature, art, cinema, world travel, theater, opera and the symphony. He loved "March Madness" and root beer floats. He was known for his keen wit and wry sense of humor. Bob was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by friends and family alike. Survivors: His wife of 57 years, the former Patricia Marie Miller, formerly of Pampa; son, Christopher Dyer Lively and wife, Terry Zhu, of Westport, Conn.; daughter, Mary and husband, Christopher Campbell Karsteter, of Seattle, Wash.; granddaughter, Karen J. Lively of Los Angeles; nephew, William M. Arrington of Pampa; and niece, Melanie Arrington Smith of Fort Worth.