James Daniels

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     This will be an attempt to tell in a few words the story of an individual who was nurtured in an oil family and then rose to prominence both in the geological profession and the petroleum industry. 

     The story commences in Ponca City, Oklahoma where Jim was born in August of 1928.

     Jim's dad, James I. (Jimmie) Daniels, well known to many of the "old timers" of our profession had worked for the old Empire Oil Co, one of the predecessors of Cities Services prior to World War I.  After serving in World War I, he returned to Empire Oil for a period before joining Marland Oil, the predecessor to Continental Oil, in 1919.  He worked in many areas including Mexico and Texas.  He left Marland for a period to study under Dr. Cushman at Harvard. After returning to Marland he was District Geologist for Kansas and it was while working in this capacity that he was responsible for the discovery of a major oilfield, Geneseo in Rice Co.  He left Continental in mid-1936 and joined the independent firm of Pryor and Lockhart in Wichita where he worked until 1940 at which time he became a geological consultant.  He remain active in consulting until 1966, a year prior to his death, Jim's mother was born in South Dakota, but moved to Marion, Kansas at an early age.  She met Jim's father in Kansas and they were married in 1920.

     Jim commenced elementary school in Oklahoma.  After completing 2 years, the family moved to Wichita where he attended Hyde Elementary, Robinson Intermediate and then graduated from East High School in 1946.

     Jim then enrolled at the University of Wichita where he believes he was fortunate in having Dr. Ver Wiebe and Dr. Berg as instructors.   In 1947 he left Wichita and pursued studies in Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, Golden.  Again he was exposed to some outstanding instruction from Drs. Van Tuyl, Carpenter, and Leroy.  Some of his fellow students at School of Mines are current or former members of the KGS: Walter Martz, Wayne Lebsack, Forest Woodside, and John Lockridge.

     After graduating in 1951 and spending a short time consulting with his father, Jim spent two years in the service as a Lieutenant with the Corp of Engineers.  This would take him to Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, then to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, and back to Ft Huachuca.  He completed his service career at Beale Air Force Base near Marysville, California.  During most of this period he was involved in the training of airfield builders. 

     After his discharge in 1953, Jim worked once again with his dad in geological consulting until 1961.  In 1955, Jim married Patricia Ann Phillips and to this union were born five children:  Kathleen Teel, a teacher in Overland Park; Bob, a geologist and Vice President of Anadarko Petroleum in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Mike, President of Kansas State Bank in Manhattan; Tim, an attorney in Dallas; and Colleen Parker who resides in Pratt.  There are thirteen grandchildren.  His wife, Pat, died in August 2001
 In 1961, he and Glenn Dunne Jr. formed D and D Drilling with the partnership continuing until 1967. 

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