Pomeroy Smith ’46

Pom was born Feb. 2, 1924, in Newark, N.J., to Elmira and Van Tyle Smith. He died Jan. 27, 2019.

He graduated from the Pawling School and entered Princeton in September 1942. In December 1942 he enlisted in the Army. In June 1944 he look part in the Normandy invasion and was caught behind the lines in the Battle of the Bulge. In December 1945 he returned to Princeton, and he graduated in 1946. He was a member of Cottage Club.

Pom was employed by Honeywell in its micro-switch department in New York City. In 1953 he moved to Midland, Texas, as an independent oil operator and in 1968 co-founded Coquina Oil Corp., which later merged into St. Joe Mineral Corp. In 1980 he founded the Bison Exploration Co. and served as chairman and chief executive officer.

While in Midland, Pom was very active in community service, serving as director and president of the YMCA for several years. He also served as a trustee of the Beal Foundation, Midland Memorial Hospital, and the Petroleum Club, and was on the board of the Midland Museum, Racquet Club, Trinity School, Spectrum Energy, Kenbock Petroleum Co., and Marshall Winston Oil.

In 1958 Pom married Betty Jane Perry of Pineville, Ky. They had four children, Elizabeth, Pomeroy II, Andrew ’85, and Timothy, who also survive him. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Reid Elizabeth, Pomeroy III, John Poe, and Caroline. Pom was a much-beloved father and husband and will be greatly missed.