Roll Call Tribute

Richard Thomas "Dick" Chamblin, Sr. 

August 26, 1933 - October 10, 2023 

Richard “Dick” Thomas Chamblin passed away of natural causes on October 10th, 2023. He was 90 years old. Dick was born on August 26,1933 in Palestine, Illinois to Charles Donald Chamblin and Bertha Mae Cox Chamblin. He was the third of all boys, with older brothers Charles Donald Jr. born in 1924 and William Jack born in 1931. Dick grew up in Robinson except for the 4 years the family spent in Albany, Texas. After graduating from Robinson High School in 1951, he enrolled in Texas A&M University to study Petroleum Engineering. He met and dated the love of his life, Virginia Lee Brown, in high school and throughout college. They were married on September 4, 1954, at the First Baptist Church. They were married for 68 years. Dick finished his Senior year at A&M in May of 1955 and they returned to Illinois.

Dick started his career with the Ohio Oil Company (now Marathon) the summer of 1955 in Bridgeport, Illinois, digging ditches and working as a floor hand on drilling rigs. In June of 1956 he was transferred to the Bridgeport office where he was promoted to Production Foreman and eventually Head Engineer. In 1969 he was transferred to Iraan, Texas, as head Engineer of the Yates Field. Four years later he was transferred to Findlay, Ohio, and promoted to Senior Engineer for International Operations. In 1975 Dick was promoted to Project Manager which put him in charge of overseeing design and construction contracts and negotiations for the production facilities for the newly discovered Kinsale Head Gas Field in offshore Ireland. He and his family moved to Dublin in August 1975. The project was completed in 1979 and this gas project allowed Ireland to be self-sufficient in its gas supply for the first time ever. Just recently a Stone Memorial was erected in the town of Kinsale, Ireland, commemorating the significance of this project for Ireland. Four names of Marathon employees that were a large part of this project were placed on the Memorial Stone --- one of which was Dick Chamblin, Project Manager.

Marathon then transferred Dick to London to work on the Brae Oil Field project. In 1983 Dick was promoted to Vice President of International Production, except London. Marathon had production all around the world. After extensive overseas travels for over 8 years, Dick took early retirement in June of 1991. Dick and Gini lived several more years in Houston before moving to St. Petersburg, Florida. Playing and watching golf tournaments on TV became their passion. In 2019 they decided it was time to move closer to their daughter, Nancy, in Lafayette Louisiana. where they enjoyed seeing family more often and of course the Louisiana Cajun cuisine.

Dick was able to enjoy his 90th birthday on August 26 this year with family that traveled in to celebrate his big day.

Dick was preceded in death by his daughter, Debbie Wilson, and his wife, Gini. He leaves behind his daughter, Nancy Vickers (husband Michael), son Richard Jr. (wife Jennifer) and son-in-law Joe Wilson. He is survived by his 8 grandchildren: Anthony Wilson; Ashley Vickers Burkardt; Sarah Vickers Walaszek; Richard Chamblin III; Kyle Chamblin; Jacob Chamblin; Michael Chamblin; and Jade Chamblin. There are 6 great grandchildren: Emersen and Parker Wilson; Emma Burkardt; Elliott Chamblin; Henry Chamblin; and Pierce Chamblin.

Services are being planned for mid-May 2024 with details to be posted later on the Pulliam Funeral Home website.