Albert Edward Whitehead Jr.

Whitehead Jr., Albert Edward

February 2, 1930 - October 28, 2023

Al Whitehead, age 93, passed peacefully in his home on October 28th, 2023 in Tulsa, OK. Born on February 2nd, 1930 in Roswell, NM, he lived a remarkable life that touched the lives of many.

 

He was the son of Albert E. Whitehead & Bertie Mae Whitehead, who passed away when Al was only 4 years old. He and his siblings were raised by his father and his step-mother, Lolis Whitehead. He was the oldest of 5 children: twin sisters Peggy Sue and Betty Lou, brother Gene, and step-sister Betty Ann, all of whom have predeceased him.

 

He was a graduate of Roswell High School in 1948 and later attended Eastern New Mexico University, where he was a two time all-conference center on the Greyhound football team. His studies were interrupted when he answered the call of duty during the Korean War. He served for two years with the combat engineers in the United States Army. Upon his return to university he reclaimed his place on the football team and was also elected student body president. In 1955, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration & Marketing.

 

Embarking on a lifelong career in the oil industry, he joined Union Oil Company of California as a landman in Midland, TX. It was during this time that he met Lacy Schovajsa, a cute co-worker introduced by a dear friend. On September 1st, 1956, they exchanged vows in a double wedding ceremony with Lacy's best friend, Charlene Perks and groom Winston McAden, a moment that marked the beginning of their 67 wonderful years together.

 

They were the proud parents of two daughters, Kelly and Joni. In 1959, Al, Lacy and Kelly moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where Joni was born. This is where Al opened the office of Altair Oil & Gas Company for Boone Pickens. After 4 years, he left Altair to start Bridger Petroleum, which drilled close to 100 wells annually in Canada and drilled the second well ever in the Hudson Bay area. The company was sold in 1978. He and the family moved to Tulsa in 1979.

 

He continued his career in Tulsa as the founder or co-founder of several oil and gas exploration firms. Known as a true wildcatter, he explored and drilled all over the world, from Colombia and Australia to the The Malacca Strait, Spain, Papua New Guinea and beyond.

 

Al was an avid fly fisherman with a particular affection for the Highwood and Bow Rivers outside Calgary. He cherished sharing his passion for fishing with friends and family in places like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho. Hunting, tennis and traveling were also on the list of Al's favorite things to do. His adventurous spirit took him and Lacy to Africa for wildlife safaris, travels across Europe and many family vacations.

 

He was a member of the First Methodist Church and also served on the board of directors at Philbrook Museum of Art and the Eastern New Mexico University Alumni Association. He and Lacy made ENMU a top philanthropic priority providing theater and marketing scholarships and supporting student athletes. "All of this is payback for a good education and four wonderful years. I loved every minute I was there." In honor of his generosity, Eastern now has the Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium. The dedication was celebrated on a game winning night under the stadium lights in the fall of 2016.

 

Al lived a large life in a humble way. His integrity, humor, generosity and warmth are his enduring legacy and the impact and influence he had on others will never be forgotten. He is survived by his wife, Lacy, his daughters Kelly Whitehead and Joni Rund and husband Scott, his granddaughter Sydney Rainey and husband Logan, his grandson Storm Rund and his beloved nieces and nephews.

 

A celebration of life service will be held November 8th at 2:30 in the afternoon at The First Methodist Church 1115 South Boulder Ave in Tulsa. Should friends desire, contributions may be made in Al's memory to the ENMU Foundation at www.ENMU.edu/donate or mailed to:

 

ENMU Foundation

ENMU Station 8

1500 S Ave. K

Portales, NM 88130