Carl Frank Thorne

Carl Frank Thorne passed away peacefully on January 9, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Rosella; his son Mark; daughter Shawn Gray and husband Jay Gray; grandson Austin Carl Gray; brother Jim Thorne and wife Earlene; brother-in-law H.E. ‘Bud’ Malone and wife Rokhshie; brother-in-law Wayne Malone; and many wonderful friends and relatives.

The son of Rex and Leona Thorne, Carl was born in 1940 and raised in the small central Texas town of Luling. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1963 and a Juris Doctorate from Baylor University College of Law in 1967, where he was Editor in Chief of the Baylor Law Review.

The following year, Carl joined SEDCO, Inc., an energy service company founded by the late William P. Clements, Jr., a two-term governor of Texas. He lived and worked in the Middle East and Europe from 1971-1984, retiring as President of SEDCO in 1986.

Carl embarked on his second major career in 1987 when he co-founded ENSCO International Inc. Under his leadership, ENSCO grew into a multi-billion dollar enterprise and one of the world’s preeminent energy service companies. Carl led by example, inspiring thousands of people with his unwavering integrity, code of ethics, entrepreneurial spirit, and vision. He made every one of ENSCO’s thousands of employees – and indeed everyone he met – feel like family with his warmth and humor.

After his retirement from ENSCO in 2007, Carl and Rosella divided their time between their homes in Dallas and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Together, they continued their passion for collecting fine art, including building an extensive collection of American painting and sculpture.

Carl was a brilliant, charismatic, kind, and generous man who loved his family and lived life to the fullest. His example inspired those around him to achieve greater heights. He captivated everyone he met with his magnetic personality, wry sense of humor, and stories of adventures near and far. Carl was deservedly blessed with the love and respect of family and friends all around the world.

The interment will take place on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway in Dallas. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Ellis Chapel of the Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, with a reception to follow in the Ellis Parlor.

If you wish to make a donation in Carl’s name, please send a contribution to the Thorne Family Scholarship at the Baylor University College of Law, One Bear Place #97288, Waco, Texas 76798-7288.