Arnold Bryce Booker passed away Friday, May 14, 2010. He was born Oct. 25, 1930 in McKenzie, Ala., to Jason L. Booker and Addie Brown Booker. After attending school in Mckenzie, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 until 1952. In 1952 he enrolled in Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. While attending college, he met the love of his life, Ruth McElroy, and they were married in 1953. Bryce immediately became a beloved member of Ruth’s family. After graduating from Graceland, Bryce worked for a surveying and engineering firm in Kansas City, Mo., and Denver.
Bryce received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering in 1965 from Colorado University. Following graduation, he began his career as a design and construction engineer for Chevron. This was a rewarding career that took him and his family to Rangely; Snyder, Texas; Denver; Houston, Texas; Hobbs, N.M.; and Midland, Texas. After Bryce retired from Chevron, he continued to work as an independent contractor for Mobil and Occidental oil companies.
Bryce was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and a member of First United Methodist Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers, a sister, and beloved son Andrew Bryce Booker.
Survivors are his beloved wife, Ruth; son Gregory Booker and wife Cindy of Rangely; daughter Christi Harris of Midland, Texas; granddaughters Erin Willis and husband Jon of Rangely and Andria Booker of Rangely; grandson, Adam Booker of Cibolo, Texas; great-grandsons Brandon Gregory Willis and Bryce William Willis of Rangely; daughter-in-law, Kelly Booker of Midland, Texas; and sister, Maxine Majors and husband Gene of Sweetwater, Tenn.
Memorial services have been scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday May 22, 2010. Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Andy Booker Memorial Fund, in care of Permian Basin Area Foundation, 200 N. Loraine, Suite 500, Midland, TX 79701.
