Thomas H. Mitchell, 73, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in Midland, Texas. Tom was born Jan. 29, 1940 in Independence, to Anna Daniels and Elvyn Ellis Mitchell. He graduated from Iola High School in 1958.
Tom served in the U.S. Army for three years. He was stationed in France. After arriving back stateside, he began working for NI Baroid in the logging department for five years and then transferred to Baroid’s drilling fluids department.
Tom and Beth were married in Casper, Wyo. June 19, 1971, after which Tom was transferred to Vernal, Utah, for four years before moving to Midland in 1975. With the training Tom and Beth both had working for Baroid, they started their own company, West Texas Drilling Fluids, Inc., in February 1986, which became United Drilling Fluids, LLC in 2005. Tom was active in the day-to-day operations of United Drilling Fluids, LLC until Dec. 31, 2012.
Tom was a 32nd degree Master Mason and belonged to Midland Masonic Lodge No. 623, El Paso Scottish Rite Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star Norman Read Chapter No. 1010, Society of Petroleum Engineers and American Association of Drilling Engineers. Tom and Beth organized and began the Scottish Heritage Society of the Permian Basin in 1996, which became the Celtic Heritage Society of the Permian Basin in 2002.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Heather Lynne Mitchell, Midland, and brother Melvyn Mitchell, Kansas.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Beth Mitchell; grandchildren, Genna Leigh Anne Mitchell, Moran, and Andrew Thomas Mitchell, Midland; brothers, Loren Mitchell and wife Bobbie, Iola, Carl Lee Mitchell and wife Elaine and Wayne Mitchell, and sisters Theda Pentlin and Linda Simpson, all of Kansas.
Services were held Monday in Midland. The family requests memorials be directed to First Presby-terian Church Mission Fund, 800 W. Texas Ave., Midland, TX 79701; Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas St., Midland, TX 79701; or the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.
Tom Mitchell
