James A. Middleton

Jim was born in Tulsa, OK to James Arthur and Inez Matthews Middleton on March 15, 1936. He grew up there with older brother John in what he described as an idyllic childhood, visiting grandparents in the rugged terrain of Prescott, AZ, fishing lakes and streams with abandon and finding what turned out to be a lifelong passion for golf. He obtained BA and BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University, where his studies had him working on pre-moon race rocket design. After a stint in the Army’s 815th Engineer Battalion, he began a 40+-year career with Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). A rising star, he began in the fields of West Texas and bogs of Louisiana as an engineering technician and planner. Next he moved to Grand Junction, CO, to manage shale development near Rifle, then to Los Angeles as Manager of the Engineering Department, which included oversight of the challenging Prudhoe Bay project on the North Slope of Alaska. After other various moves, he became Executive Vice President of ARCO until his retirement in 1994. He was dedicated and tireless in his endeavors and a staunch champion of the workers who made everything happen. He sat on numerous boards, both in the industry and charitable, and received many acknowledgements and awards, of which he was very proud.

Jim developed a love of the mountains, which led to memorable adventures in the peaks of Colorado and the vast ranges of Alaska, where fishing was the goal. He developed many lasting friendships and travelled far and wide in pursuit of the gilled ones. Most notably at Tikchik Narrows Lodge in Alaska, where his 30+-year run is unsurpassed. Not to be outdone, his passion for golf took him from Pebble Beach to St. Andrews. Owner of an effortless swing that put the ball out there straight and long, he cherished sharing the game with his children and friends. Never to be forgotten was the look in his eye when he recounted eagling out of a fairway bunker at Bel-Air Country Club. He was a music lover of many types and could recall lyrics on a remarkable scale. Later in life he developed an appreciation for theater and the arts.

Jim welcomed children Robert Arthur, James Daniel and Angela Lynn with wife Barbara Jo Nash and stepson Andrew Davis Fitzhugh with wife Victoria Elizabeth Middleton, followed by grandchildren Makiah, Emily and Garrett. He was predeceased in death by his parents, son James Daniel, daughter Angela Lynn, brother John Allen, wife Victoria Elizabeth and nephew John Jr. He is survived by son Robert Arthur and wife Michelle Renee and their son Garrett Thomas of Durango, CO, stepson Andrew Davis Fitzhugh of Dallas, TX, granddaughters Makiah Nicole Wilmes of College Station, TX, and Emily Joy Wilmes of Dallas, TX, devoted companion Deborah Smith Stack of Dallas, TX, nieces Allison and Jamie plus many friends, co-workers and fellow sportsmen.

The family is grateful to the staff at Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their continued care and support during Jim’s illness and extends a warm thank you to his wonderful caregivers and the Right at Home staff.

The Rosary will be at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 15, 2019 in the Carmelite Monastery Chapel 600 Flowers Ave Dallas, TX. 75211 Jim’s family will visit in the Carmelite Chapel following the rosary. The Funeral Mass will be in the Chapel of the Monastery at 11:00 a.m. Monday with Fr. Paul Weinberger, Celebrant. The family will greet friends at a reception in the Monastery following Mass. Interment 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas.

If desired, Jim requested that memorial donations be made to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of 600 Flowers Avenue Dallas, TX 75211