ODESSA Mr. M.R. ("Dick") McManigle, Jr., former Mayor and prominent Odessa businessman, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2009, at home in Kingsland, Texas.

Dick was born April 7, 1938 in Vandalia, Ill., the son of M.R. ("Dick") McManigle, Sr. and Elizabeth Suzanne ("Betty") McManigle who died in 1968 and 1994 respectively. His brother Ralph Dean McManigle preceded him in death in 2004.

Dick is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 50 years, Zoe Ann Trogden (OHS'59) McManigle; his son, M.R. ("Rick") McManigle III, his wife Dianne and his beloved grandchildren, Matthew and Katherine. Dick also leaves behind his brother, Drew, his wife Sharon and their children, Vince and Tanya; as well as nephew Ramey McManigle and his wife Melinda and children Ethan and Avalon.

Dick McManigle was widely known as an energetic, creative and dynamic visionary who moved to Odessa with his parents in 1947. He attended Odessa High School where he was an accomplished swimmer and gained a scholarship to The University of Texas. He was voted Most Handsome by his senior class in 1956. Dick's father had worked as a salesman in the petroleum industry in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Oklahoma prior to moving his family to McCamey, Texas. Later they moved to Odessa where in 1954, Dick Sr., entered the oil well servicing industry by forming Devonian Well Service Inc. In the 1960's, Dick went to work for his father's company as a sales representative and field consultant until the time of his father's death in 1968. In 1968, Dick and his brother assumed leadership control of the family business and, while at Devonian, During the growth years of the 1970s, Devonian provided "Top of the Crown" service to every major oil company and most independents in the Permian Basin and eastern New Mexico where it completed and serviced thousands of oil and gas wells. Dick, Dean, and Devonian Well Service, (colloquially referred to as "The McManigle Boys") were active and visible across a wide spectrum of business, social and charitable activities in Odessa and the Permian Basin.

Dick's interests included exhibiting the latest rigs at The Permian Basin Oil Show where he supported cutting edge rig innovations. He was a member of The Association of Oilwell Servicing Contractors, and while serving in the Public Affairs committee successfully lobbied for the exemption of well-servicing rigs from the federal highway usage tax. He was actively involved in numerous social charitable events such as The Crystal Ball Foundation and The Oil Barons Ball. Among his philanthropic involvements and leadership roles were the Easter Seals, Odessa Symphony, Rotary, Exchange Club, Texas Exes, Texas Tech University Hill Country Advisory Board, and Lower Colorado River Authority Lake LBJ Advisory Committee. He was also involved with the UT WETS, supporting the university's swim team.

Dick loved UT and was both an ardent and lifelong supporter of anything and everything "burnt orange & white."
As a notable example, Dick was stricken with polio during the epidemic of the 1950's, but escaped its long-term paralyzing effects. He had a lifetime commitment to physical rehabilitation efforts led by both the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the local Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center where he served in various leadership roles.

In 1978 Dick ran a successful campaign and was elected as Odessa's Mayor. During his tenure, several notable infrastructure projects were completed, including the Odessa water tower located in East Odessa, the creation of the north loop between Odessa and Midland with Midland Mayor Ernest Angelo, and Texas Tech HSC Medical Training facility. He was awarded several service awards during his professional career. In 1980, Dick formed his own well servicing company Escra-Drill where he successfully serviced Gulf Oil Corporation and other major and independent exploration and production companies where he was an early proponent of tertiary recovery efforts during the turbulent mid-80's.

Dick was a deacon in the First Christian Church. He had broad interests that included art, politics, and horticultural gardening.

However, first in his life was always his soul mate, partner and life-long love Zoe Ann. For over fifty years, they walked together unbreakable, unyieldingly and committed to one another. And, Dick loved his son. From Nimitz junior high football through the years they worked together in the family businesses and as Rick earned his M.A. in Political Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, and then entered career field of politics and fundraising. Dick was ever the proud father equaled only by his beloved role as "Pop-Pop" to his beloved grandchildren.


A celebration of Dick's life will be held on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 12 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Garden in Odessa, Texas.

E-mail condolences to whhfuneral1@verizon.net or you may log onto our website, www.whhfuneralhome.com for online condolences.

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