Walter Hoxie Smith

Hoxie Smith, beloved husband, father, and friend to all, passed away on January 6, 2015 after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer. Hoxie was born in DuQuoin, Illinois on October 29, 1954 to Frank Hoxie Smith and Virginia Smith. His favorite memories growing up were his summers spent in Steamboat Springs, Colorado at Perry-Mansfield Boys Camp where he hiked and backpacked the Rocky Mountains. He developed a life-long love of the outdoors and the beauty of God’s creation. Hoxie graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. Degree in Geology (1982) and joined ARCO Exploration Company in Denver, Colorado where he conducted exploration for hydrocarbons in the overthrust region of western Montana. He received his Master's Degree in Geology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (1995) while working for Dawson Geophysical Company in Midland, Texas. Starting in 1996, he served full-time as a Principal and Vice President of GeoSpectrum, Inc., a reservoir development company based in Midland. Hoxie has presented at numerous professional society meetings, including national conventions of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He has authored and co-authored over twenty-five publications in his field and was the Project Manager for the FutureGen Project of the U.S. Department of Energy.  Hoxie served as the Director of Midland College’s Petroleum Professional Development Center beginning in 2003 where he provided continuing education coursework and timely industry-oriented workshops for oil and gas professionals. Hoxie loved being involved in Kairos Prison Ministry and worked on teams to bring good news to prisoners in the Lynaugh Unit of the TDC in Fort Stockton. Hoxie loved the Lord and was active at Grace Presbyterian Church and enjoyed participating in Community Bible Study. He was involved in various church and community boards and committees and was a member of the Backsliders, a gospel bluegrass group. Hoxie was the Regional Director of the FutureGen Project and was a consultant for Summit Energy, working to bring a clean coal power plant to West Texas. When his daughters, Alyssa and Lauren, were growing up his greatest joy was spending time with them taking road trips for camping, skiing, hiking, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors in any and every way. They fondly remember him singing, playing the guitar, and playing John Denver CDs over and over. “And what’s the key objective? FUN!!” Hoxie loved to travel with his wife Sally and they enjoyed many wonderful trips, despite grueling cancer treatments. He always had a positive attitude, even in the hardest of times. Hoxie had a genuine caring spirit and loved to help people. He was loved and respected by all. He had the selfless essence of a gentleman, a true gentle man. Hoxie was preceded in death by his father Frank Hoxie Smith. He is survived by his mother Virginia Smith of Mesa, Arizona, his beloved wife, Sally, his daughter Alyssa of Key Largo, Florida, his daughter Lauren of Fort Collins, Colorado, his brother George of Boston, Massachusetts, his brother Daniel of Mesa, Arizona, his sister Suzanne Rawlings of Mesa, Arizona, and various cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 pm on Friday at Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home in Midland. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 11 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas under the direction of Rev. Cheryl Homsher of Grace Presbyterian Church. Donations can be made in remembrance of Hoxie to Kairos Prison Ministry, P.O. Box 50002 Midland, TX 79710, Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield St, Midland, TX 79705, and to the W. Hoxie Smith Memorial Fund through Midland College. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com,