Remembering Fred Sewell: A Legacy of Faith and Engineering

Categories: ConsultingEvents/What's HappeningInsuranceNews

A tribute to Fred Sewell, celebrating his life and contributions.

News Summary

Fred Sewell, an esteemed petroleum engineer and faith leader, passed away at 87, leaving behind a legacy marked by significant contributions to the oil industry and a commitment to fostering spiritual growth. Born in Texas, he co-founded a respected consulting firm and served his community through various faith-based initiatives. His enduring spirit and positive outlook inspired many, and a celebration of his life will be held at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Dallas, Texas – Fred Sewell, a renowned petroleum engineer and faith leader, passed away at the age of 87 after a life dedicated to both his professional and personal pursuits. Known for his significant contributions to the oil industry and his commitment to mentoring young men and fostering spiritual growth in his community, Sewell’s legacy will be remembered by many.

Born on September 21, 1934, in Tyler, Texas, Fred was the second of four sons to James Leslie Sewell and Charlotte Barnard Sewell. He spent his childhood in Corpus Christi, where he developed a love for sailing throughout his life, owning several classes of sailboats. The family later moved to McAllen, Texas, where he completed his high school education, graduating in 1952.

In 1957, Sewell earned a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. During his time in college, he met Ann Van Landingham, a freshman from Dallas, and the couple married in February 1958. Their partnership lasted 67 years, during which they raised two daughters, Lillian Jones and Carrie Scroggins, and enjoyed the love of 11 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sewell began his professional career as a junior engineer at Humble Oil and Refining Company (now known as Exxon) in Denver City, Texas. Shortly after, he moved to Houston in August 1958 for further training in reservoir engineering. Over the next several years, he worked in various locations, including Beaumont, Texas. After 11 years, he relocated his family to Dallas, where he collaborated with an independent oil operator. Eventually, he co-founded Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. alongside Clarence Netherland, establishing a respected petroleum consulting firm in the industry.

Fred Sewell was not only an influential engineer, but he was also a respected leader known for his integrity and wisdom. He held four patents and served on the board of Comstock Resources, Inc. Throughout his career, he authored mission and purpose statements that inspired both current and future employees of his firm. He retired as CEO of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. in December 2007 to venture into a small exploration and production company, Sovereign Resources.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sewell’s commitment to faith played a crucial role in his life. He became a Christian at the age of 28 and dedicated himself to advancing God’s kingdom. He actively engaged with Dallas Theological Seminary and the Palau Association for more than 20 years, contributing to fostering spiritual growth within his community. Sewell was a devoted husband and a spiritual leader for his family, teaching his grandchildren how to sail and celebrating life’s special moments together.

In his later years, Sewell lived in an assisted living apartment at Belmont Village Turtle Creek Senior Living for nearly seven years. He faced various health challenges, including mobility issues stemming from a major stroke in October 2016, along with a prior heart attack and six-way bypass surgery. Throughout these difficulties, he remained known for his infectious smile and positive outlook on life, often displaying uplifting messages outside his apartment door, such as “Find Joy in the Journey” and “Celebrate Everything.”

A Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for Fred Sewell is scheduled to take place on June 14 at Chafer Chapel at Dallas Theological Seminary. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to be made to Dallas Theological Seminary, Watermark Community Church, EvanTell, Inc., or the Palau Association, honoring Sewell’s enduring legacy of faith and professional excellence.