Dr. J.L. “Jim” Huitt, PhD

Dr. J.L. (“Jim”) Huitt, PhD, age 91, died on October 4, 2014. Jim was born August 21, 1923 in Gurdon, Arkansas and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. After being graduated from Neville High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech University. Upon graduation from Louisiana Tech, he joined the chemical warfare unit of the US Army. He later completed Officer Candidate School and in 1945 was sent to Germany where he served as an officer in the US Army Infantry.

After the War, he earned a Master of Science degree and a PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He worked briefly for Mobil Oil, and then accepted a position at the Gulf Oil Company Hamarville Research Center near Pittsburgh, PA. His research resulted in 22 patents held personally and with co-workers on hydraulic fracturing technology, propping agents used in fracturing and other oil and gas reservoir production technologies. At its annual meeting on September 26, 2006, The Society of Petroleum Engineers honored Jim as a “Legend of Hydraulic Fracturing for his pioneering work in the first generation of hydraulic fracturing”.

In 1967 he entered Gulf Oil Co. management as Vice President of Kuwait Oil Co., a Gulf joint venture, where he was tasked with doubling oil production in the state of Kuwait. Subsequently, he served as Director General of Zaire Gulf Oil, Managing Director of Gulf Oil Nigeria, and in various positions in the United States, the last as President of Gulf Exploration and Production in Houston where he was responsible for Gulf’s worldwide oil and gas exploration and production business.
After retiring from Gulf, and for over 20 years thereafter, he raised Limousin Cattle on a ranch near Industry, Texas where he enjoyed long days in the Texas sun personally constructing barns and sheds, stringing fences, bailing hay, working cattle and fishing his tanks.

Jim was active in the Texas Limousin Association, a member of the Industry Lions Club, a member and Elder at Brenham Presbyterian Church, , a Legion of Honor member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, an original incorporator of the Engineering and Science Foundation benefiting Louisiana Tech, a 32nd Degree Mason, Scottish Rite and a Shriner.

He is survived by Janis, his wife of 69 years, a son Jerry and Jerry’s wife Renice of New Ulm, TX and a son Jimmie and his wife Cora of Richmond, VA. He is also survived by two married grandchildren, Adam Huitt who resides with his wife Sarah in Charlotte, NC and Abigail Mackenzie who resides with her husband Fraser in Queenstown, New Zealand; and by an unmarried grandchild, Alexandra Huitt, who is a graduate student at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. Additionally, he is survived by six great grandchildren, Caroline, Hamilton, Carlton and Katherine Huitt of Charlotte, NC and Hatten and Hollyford Mackenzie of Queenstown, New Zealand.

A memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Brenham Presbyterian Church, 900 South Jackson Street, Brenham, TX, followed by a reception for friends and family at the Church.

Gifts in honor of Dr. J. L. Huitt can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71103.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham. 979.836.3611 Leave tributes at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.