Mark Merritt will be fondly and respectfully remembered by the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this month’s report.
My friend and PBPA chairman Mark Merritt lost his courageous battle with cancer on June 1.
He leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Kay, and their children and grandchildren. He also leaves behind a very grateful PBPA.
Mark was born July 28, 1958, in Dimmitt, TX to Glenn and Mona Brock Merritt. He graduated from Dimmitt High School in 1976 and from Texas Tech University in 1980. Mark then took a job with Union Oil of California in Midland as an engineer where he worked for five years. He accepted a position with Henry Engineering, and later Fasken Oil and Ranch. He worked for Fasken for almost 29 years.
Mark was a brilliant engineer and manager. Mark was an inspiration to all of us. His incredible faith, strength, and courage were all the more remarkable for the way they were combined with a gentle, caring spirit.
When Mark spoke, people listened. In his respectful way, he commanded the attention of everyone around him.
Always soft spoken, sometimes I had to lean forward to hear what he said. That changed when we were faced with the proposed listing of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard. I will never forget the Board meeting when we were discussing strategic options and he actually raised his voice and banged his fist on the table. The room fell silent and from then on, Mark led much of the PBPA policy debate with respect to Endangered Species Act issues.
His guidance was extremely helpful in our efforts on the Lizard as well as the Lesser Prairie Chicken.
Mark was a true leader in every sense of the word and I am grateful having had the privilege of knowing him.