87R17817 BK-D
By: Craddick H.C.R. No. 82
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Frank M. Late, a respected entrepreneur who built a
remarkable career in the oil and gas business, is being
posthumously inducted into the Petroleum Hall of Fame on April 29,
2021; and
WHEREAS, Based at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum in
Midland, the Petroleum Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have
made outstanding contributions to the development of the petroleum
industry in the region; and
WHEREAS, Frank Marr Late was born in Johnson, Arkansas, on
November 1, 1908, and he went on to attend the University of
Arkansas; he began working in automotive sales in the mid-1930s,
and through the decades, he became one of the largest automobile
dealers in the Southwest; after residing in Claremore, Oklahoma, he
moved to San Angelo in 1939 and then to Dallas in 1970; and
WHEREAS, A man of many business interests, Mr. Late helped to
found Cactus Drilling in 1944, and he took over as the company's
sole owner in 1967; under his leadership, Cactus Drilling expanded
internationally, and when he sold the firm in 1980, it was the
largest land-based contract drilling company in the country; during
the 1960s, Mr. Late cofounded Cardinal Chemical, which was later
acquired by Dowell Chemical; he also purchased and expanded
Republic Supply International, which he sold in 2000; in addition
to his ventures in oil field services, oil and gas exploration, and
automotive sales, he was involved in banking, soft drink bottling,
and ranching; Mr. Late passed away on November 27, 2002, at the age
of 94; and
WHEREAS, Through his tremendous vision, energy, and business
acumen, Frank Late achieved a rare degree of success in the dynamic
oil and gas industry, and he is indeed a worthy addition to the
Petroleum Hall of Fame; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor the memory of Frank M. Late on the occasion of his
induction into the Petroleum Hall of Fame and pay tribute to him for
his many accomplishments; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Late's family as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.