George Nelson Mueller

George Nelson Mueller was born in Wichita on March 19, 1927. He passed away at home on August 4, 2021. He grew up on a family farm that was on the grounds of what is now the Cessna Aircraft Company. His mother Lillian was from Illinois and his father Wilhelm was from Missouri and had a farming background. He is preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Marten of Concordia, KS. George attended a one room school located on what is now McConnell Air Force Base. He went on to attend Roosevelt Intermediate and East High School. At East High, George had many classmates who were later to become distinguished geologists. After graduation from Wichita East High in 1945, George spent two years in the Marine Corp. His entire tour of duty was at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, where he worked in the Engineering Office as a surveyor and draftsman. After his discharge from the Marine Corp in 1947 he enrolled at Wichita University. He was a member of the Men of Webster fraternity, where he made many lifelong friends. In his sophomore year, he made the decision to major in geology. His decision was influenced, in part, by his knowledge of his first cousin George Miller’s successful activities in the oil industry. While attending WU, George found employment at Magnolia Oil Company in the position of “sample boy”, and later as a draftsman. In 1950, George married Bonnie Moore of Wichita. George and Bonnie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in December. They had two sons, both of whom followed George into the oil business. Randall is a retired petroleum engineer, and Scott is a retired petroleum geologist along with four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. After graduation from Wichita University in 1952, George went to work for Mid-States in San Antonio and a year later had an opportunity to transfer back home to Wichita. In 1955 he went to work for NCRA. During his time at NCRA, he was involved in numerous oil prospects that resulted in significant oil discoveries. Most notable were the Elrick Field in Graham County, Kansas, and the Start Field in Ness County, Kansas. When NCRA announced that they were closing the Wichita office and move to Denver, George decided to commence a petroleum consulting business, which he operated it until his retirement. He provided wellsite geological supervision for hundreds of wells over his career, spending several weeks a month in the field. Over the decades of his career, he trained many younger geologists in wellsite geology. In 1972, George purchased a farm near Peck, Kansas and pursued his love of farming on a part time basis. He maintained a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, and raised a wheat crop every year. When he was not working, “farm days” were his favorite recreation. George was a longtime member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and an honorary member of the Kansas Geological Society. He served as Secretary/Treasurer in 1973, Vice President in 1983, and as President in 1984. Survived by his wife, Bonnie J. Mueller; sons, Randall N. Mueller (Darla), D. Scott Mueller (Barbara); grandchildren, Brian Mueller, Aimee Norris (Jason), Justin Mueller, Evan Mueller (Danielle); great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Connor, Elisha Norris and Abram Mueller. Private Family Graveside Service to be held. A memorial has been established with Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East Chapel.