Blog
Stories like these keep our community vibrant. Share a story today.
Advancial Federal Credit Union, with whom many ARCO Alumni continue their long relationship, has opened a new branch on 36th Street in midtown Anchorage. This new branch, designed with the Advancial colors, is bright and welcoming. Whether you visit the branch for some financial services, to say hello, or because you are interested in job opportunities, they invite you to stop in.
Amanda joined us at the recent Energy Alumni event at O'Malley's on July 21 and we thank her and Advancial for their support and services. Many alumni have been Advancial members for up to 35 years.
February 5, 1948 - June 29, 2022
James Marion Higbee died on June 29, 2022, from a glioblastoma brain tumor at the age of 74. Jim was born on February 5, 1948, in Spokane, Washington.
According to the funeral home, the following services have been scheduled: Viewing, on July 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., ending at 10:45 a.m., at Eagle Crest Second Ward, 14919 South Eagle Crest Dr, Draper, UT. Funeral service, on July 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., at Eagle Crest Second Ward, 14919 South Eagle Crest Dr, Draper, UT. Interment, on July 9, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., at Lindon City Cemetery, 600 North 200 East, Lindon, UT.
After high school, Jim attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, prior to serving a 2 ½ year mission in Taiwan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints. On that mission he learned to read and write Mandarin Chinese, the study of which became a lifelong avocation. After his mission, Jim returned to BYU in 1971, where he met and married his eternal love and companion, Kimberly Wilde Higbee. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 22, 1972.
Jim graduated from BYU in 1972 and earned his law degree and an MBA at the University of Washington, but his education never ended. Jim was a lifelong researcher, and learner. Jim’s law review article changed insurance law in three states by the time Jim was 30 years old. After graduation, Jim joined a law firm, but, feeling the lure of international business, joined the oil and gas company, ARCO, for whom he traveled the world negotiating international oil and gas joint ventures. As part of his work, the family lived in California, New Zealand, Texas, Kazakhstan, China, and the Philippines, where precious memories and lifelong friendships were made.
Jim retired in 2017, and in 2020, Jim and Kim settled in Draper, Utah, in a home with an unobstructed view of the mountains he always loved—Mount Timpanogos and the Wasatch Range—the outdoors where he loved to be. Jim is survived by his wife, Kimberly, their four children, nine grandchildren, his brother, Glen, and his sister, Jean.
Jim wrote a book of negotiation principles, each prefaced by a Chinese proverb or chengyu. One of Jim’s favorites was The Old Man Who Lost His Horse. The proverb begins with an old man losing his horse. All the villagers say, “How unfortunate!” The old man replies, “Perhaps.” Then some months later, the horse returns with a mate, and the old man has two horses. The old man’s only son rides the new horse and is thrown and breaks his leg, making him a cripple for a time. All the villagers say, “How unfortunate!” The old man replies, “Perhaps.” War then comes to China, and all able–bodied men are called to the front, where most die in battle. But due to the broken leg, the son remains safe at home with his father. The moral of the story is that sometimes things that appear to be unfortunate are indeed a blessing. This is how we feel about Jim’s passing, for we know that we will be reunited again, and until that time, he will be faithfully at his patriarchal post, loving, guiding, and protecting all of us, his family.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Eagle Crest Second Ward Chapel, 14919 South Eagle Crest Drive, Draper, Utah where family and friends may attend a viewing from 10:00 – 10:45 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lindon City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.
Newcomers Cheryl Pressley and Chris Lewis, BP both won the Advancial Spring Showers Bring May Flowers prizes.
Cheryl is looking for part-time or project work. She previously provided contracting support of international drilling projects (Brazil, Libya, Egypt, Indonesia, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Iraq). Chery was with ARCO until 2000 when she joined BP. She left BP for Hess in 2006.
Chris joined BP in 2007 as a Finance Advisor.
Susan Alonso is working for her son at Cantium LLC. Gloria Ballin and Cindy Stowell both work at EOG Resources, and met at the happy hour for the first time. Gloria works the Delaware Basin Unconventional Properties. Cindy, an IT Manager, is celebrating 20 years with EOG Resources and 40 years in the industry.
Walt Bozeman, Carl Steffensen, and their wives were busy catching up and talking about travel plans. Life is good and everyone was pleased to be together.
Norman Nadorff, Tim Seidel and John Brame represented AIOGC. Norman is working at Mayer Brown LLP, Tim is retired and always reliable for bringing the ARCO memorabilia. John is working for BP. Christy Smith joined ARCO in 1973, worked most recently for LINN Energy and Forest Oil and is transitioning to consulting as a geologist. Craig Moseley retired in 2010 from BP and is pursuing his lifelong hobby, photography.
Steve Freeman, Chevron, is back stateside and enjoyed his first ARCO Alumni reunion. Tom Schmid is an Internal Chevron Consultant to Project Teams to identify and negotiate construction claim settlements on International capital projects. Tom was an Offshore Drilling Engineer and Operations Engineer with ARCO from 1978 to 1982.
Jeanette and Wes Peirce were thrilled to see John Eldred and other friends. Wes Peirce has welcomed his son, Jason, to his firm, Peirce Capital Management. "I work with my nephew and never guessed one of my children would join my company. My nephew came to me with a proposal, and said, I think we should hire Jason."
Jerome and Tresa De La Cruz were at the happy hour, driving in from Georgetown. Tresa heard about the event from her Aunt, hostess Cathy Clonts' mother-in-law. Small world coincidences!
John Bridges is Executive Director, Association of International Energy Negotiators. Paul Jones is with Chicane Solutions.
Log on to see the pictures and to read what everyone is doing!
Donald Ralph Dozier
April 3, 1933 - January 2, 2022
We are saddened to share that Don Dozier, long time ARCO employee and friend to so many, passed away on January 2. Don traveled the world during his 40 year career with ARCO Oil and Gas. At ARCO, he was responsible for all major engineering and construction projects outside the U.S. He also was one of three Project Managers responsible for the design and construction of the oil and gas processing facilities at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He was Vice President of Engineering and a member of the Board of ARCO Pipeline Company.
Pat Foster, who was with ARCO from 1970-1994, first met Don working on the Prudhoe Facilities Project in Pasadena. "He turned out to be my boss, mentor, and one of my best friends," said Pat. "I worked for Don in London on the Thames Project; he, Dotty and my wife, Jan, became very close."
Richard Chapman, ARCO, 1974-1999, remembers Don was the consummate great boss and leader. "Don was patient, an attentive listener, did not get ruffled, ethical, honest, candid, authentic and thoughtful," remembers Richard. "I cannot say enough about his numerous qualities. I enjoyed working for him in both London and in Jakarta. He was both knowledgeable and experienced in managing major capital projects but perhaps more importantly he excelled in managing people and teams. He taught me a great deal during our time together and I sincerely hope that I have been able to emulate him in my management style and to pass his wisdom on to the next two generations of leadership. Some of the best advice that Don gave me was unintentional. After he left Enron but before his political career, Don called me at home late one night and said “Dick, there is only so much golf that a person can play. Do you have any jobs?” My take away was not to retire too soon and to have avocations that you enjoy prior to retiring. Thank you Don. You will be missed."
Malcolm Corry, who was with ARCO British Limited from 1985-1998 said, "It was an honour to work on Don’s team. The boss, yes, but a real Gentle Man and so kind and considerate. Don led by example; he always listened. ARCO and Don Dozier remain in our memory as being the high point of our career."
Don and Dorothy settled in McKinney, Texas after retirement. He was Mayor of McKinney and made significant contributions to the City during his three terms.
Don is survived by many family members and friends. He has two sons, Mike, New Braunfels, Texas and Brook, Hurst, Texas, and three grandchildren, Taylor, Kaelyn, and Aaron. He also has one great-granddaughter, Kayleigh. He is survived by sisters, Sally Leigh of Terrell, Texas and Karen Lancaster of Temple, Texas and their families, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives.
Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association and the American Cancer Society in Don’s memory.
John Currier
September 3, 1957 - November 15, 2021
Danville, VT -- John H. Currier, 64, passed away at his home in Danville, VT comforted by his family early on Monday morning, November 15, 2021, after a nine-year battle with cancer. John began his career at Atlantic Richfield in Texas, meeting his beloved wife Barbara on his very first day of work. He loved a challenging assignment on the Alaskan North Slope, especially after the VP said an Ivy Leaguer would never be able to handle it. He reported that “Dartmouth had gotten me better rounded than he expected and I hung in there including being yanked up the outside of a drilling rig derrick in a harness that was attached to a free-falling 300-pound counterweight!”
Gordon Pospisil remembers John as having a great sense of humor and always being upbeat. "John received some chiding because he studied engineering at Dartmouth…instead of a real engineering program like CSM or UT or A&M…but he took it well," recalls Gordon. "I was impressed with Barb and John’s sense of adventure when they gave up their very successful careers at ARCO to go back to academia (at Dartmouth). Both fantastic people."
