April 2012
Honors & Awards
Honorary Member of the House
Citation: To Larry L. Jones: A true gentleman whose life and geology reflect the best traditions of our industry and AAPG and whose scientific endeavors have answered the call for disciplined exploration and development in many different venues, justifying the respect of colleagues and customers.
It has been a long time since a student at the University of Nebraska graduated prepared to make a meaningful entry into exploration geology as much as he was prepared to make a difference in a Nebraska football game. In 1958, one such gentleman did just that. From that point in his life Larry Jones has been and continues to be an example of integrity, sincere, successful scientific endeavor, mentoring, leadership and participation in professional, educational and non-profit organizations. He is a geologist of the late fifties who continues to explore for hydrocarbons, be a husband, father and grandfather, civic minded and a supporter of University of Nebraska geology and football. He embraces each new technology and immediately begins to assess how he might apply it to an area he is prospecting. Retirement he knows not. He embraces the future and has learned from the past. He enjoys the acclamation and respect of his peers.
Larry Jones received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in geology from the University of Nebraska. He began his career cross training in geology and geophysics with Chevron. He was employed with Belco Petroleum, Occidental and Monsanto before rising from Exploration Manager to President and COO of Dixel Resources, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Weatherford International.
For the last 30-plus years Larry Jones has been President and Owner of Spartan Petroleum Corporation where he has directed all geological, geophysical, land, engineering, and accounting functions of this private E & P company with a staff ranging from three to twenty persons. Operations have been conducted in Texas, South Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, California, the Rocky Mountains, Mississippi, Central America and Colombia. Spartan has conducted International Operations with and for Placid Oil, Seneca Resources, Howell Petroleum, Prairie Producing, Gulfport/Jaguar and Esso. Spartan is presently engaged in prospect and 3-D project generation, consulting for three independent clients and providing geosciences, expert testimony.
Larry has been and continues to be very active in AAPG, SIPES, and the Houston Geological Society. He has served on the AAPG Executive Committee, various AAPG Membership Committees, DPA Council, the DPA By-laws Committee, the Advisory Council, and as an Academic Liaison. He is a Trustees Associate Member of the AAPG Foundation.
Honorary Member of the House of Delegates is the highest award of the House presented in recognition of a record of consistent, dedicated, and exemplary service to the House of Delegates through committee work and officer service. Larry has been an extremely responsible delegate for many years to the House of Delegates from Houston. He has been a member and chair of numerous HoD, standing and ad hoc Committees and served as Chairman, HoD from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. It was during Larry’s terms as Chair-elect and Chair that the issues of broadening AAPG’s international leadership representation and graduated dues were brought to the table. Larry played a key role in creating the Vice-President, Regions position. It was through his outstanding leadership that the members of AAPG came to know, understand, appreciate, and support the importance of graduated dues to both the domestic and international members of AAPG.
Prior to his selection as Honorary Member, Larry Jones was selected for and received the AAPG Distinguished Service Award, the House Recognition of Service Award, and the Nine-Year Certificate of Service Award. Recently Larry was asked, and he graciously accepted, a role providing counsel and advice to me as HoD Chair on the appropriateness and necessity of legislation being debated prior to coming to the floor.
In my 42 years of membership in AAPG I have met many outstanding professors, and practitioners of the geosciences and many who have labored tirelessly to help fulfill the mission of AAPG. Among these exceptional ladies and gentlemen, Larry Jones stands tall. His ethics, sense of tradition and belief in the young geoscientists of today and tomorrow are admirable and enviable. As he continues to mentor, we would all do well to listen.