Tracy Peele Clark

Tracy Peele Clark was born April 30, 1921 in Spring Grove, Indiana to Tracey and Frances Clark. Tracy passed away in his home on December 22, 2016 surrounded by his family and his amazing care givers. After graduating high school in Richmond, Indiana, Tracy served four years in the United States Army. He then received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy in 1948 (now UTEP.) Tracy accepted a job with Stanolind Oil & Gas (Amoco-BP) in Roswell, New Mexico as their District geologist. It was during this time the company discovered the Empire ABO Field. Tracy also met the love of his life Mary Jane Villard in Roswell and they were married in 1952. Tracy and Jane had three children. Tracy moved his young family to Artesia, New Mexico to accept a job with Carper Drilling Company where the Corbin ABO field was discovered. Moving to Midland in 1965, Tracy accepted a job with McGrath & Smith as their Chief Geologist and when the company formed Coquina Oil Corporation in 1969, Tracy moved up the ladder becoming president of Coquina in 1980. Under his leadership, Coquina was very active in southeast New Mexico and was sold in 1983 with total assets of 17,649,000 equivalent barrels of production. Tracy became an independent Geologist in 1983 working closely with his son Reb Clark, and Landmen David Rogers and Ferrell Davis until early 2016, when he retired at the age of 95. Tracy received the Pioneer Award for his discoveries from West Texas Geological Society (WTGS) in 2009 and the Oil & Gas Pioneer award from New Mexico Landman Association in 1999. He was a member of several organizations including WTGS, NRA, Ducks Unlimited, and the Dirty Dozen. Tracy was a very giving and generous man and supported many causes like WTGS, Scott & White, and United Way of Midland. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter his entire life, harvesting his last buck at the age of 94. Tracy is survived by his three children, Alyson McMinn of Roswell, Kim Pooley of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Tracy Reb Clark and his wife Molly of Midland, Texas; and by five grandchildren, Traci McMinn Jobert and her husband Greg of Santa Fe New Mexico, Clint Pooley of Mineral Wells, and Seth Clark, Duncan Clark, and Cooper Clark, all of Midland. Tracy is also survived by his sister, Cynthia Corsi of Tucson, Arizona; and brothers-in-law, Jack Villard of Alamogordo, New Mexico and Richard Villard of Roswell. A celebration of life gathering is planned for Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Green Tree Country Club from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to West Texas Geology Foundation (WTGS) Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 1595, Midland, Texas 79702 or Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 51051, Midland, Texas 79710. Arrangements were under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.