PBIOS - October 2021 - 13

Honoree
Truman Laro
" Woody " Gregory
2021 PBIOS Honoree
PBIOS Part Of Gregory's Legacy
ODESSA, TX.-At times
throughout its history, the
Permian Basin International
Oil Show has illustrated
the indomitable spirit of
the Permian oil and gas
industry at large, and the
resolve of industry leaders
to carry forth through even
the hardest of times.
The 2021 PBIOS
is a testament to that,
following last year's
postponement. And up until 2020, the devastating
downturn of 1986 was generally considered the
industry's most trying hour. T.L. " Woody " Gregory,
this year's PBIOS Honoree, was the president of the
´86 show. Gregory passed away at the age of 87 on
Nov. 6. He had been active in PBIOS since the late
1950s, and was one of the longest-serving members
of its Board of Directors.
Friends, family and associates remember Gregory
for his kindness, humor, work ethic, knowledge and
community leadership. Ever the optimist, Gregory's
tenure as president will always be remembered for his
steady leadership role during the difficult days leading
up to the 1986 show as oil prices plummeted.
" Spirits were low and things looked very bad
for the industry, " Gregory told AOGR in a 1998
interview. " We had to do a lot of work to promote
that show that we had never had to do before. "
After a concentrated effort by volunteers, however,
the show opened to sold-out exhibit halls and a full
house of attendees. " I cannot tell you how good it
felt on the morning the show opened to know that it
was sold out, " he remarked. " That was no small feat. "
Gregory said all the work was made worthwhile
by a comment from one of the visitors. " As I was
entering the showgrounds, a guy stopped me at the
gate and said, 'I just want to thank you. We really
need something upbeat like this show to happen to
us.' That one statement probably impressed me more
than anything, " he recalled.
Then, as now, the PBIOS is a reminder that the
Permian's future is bright. It is also an occasion to honor
and celebrate those, who like Gregory, have devoted
so much energy and talent to advancing both the show
and the local industry. A lifetime of service in the oil and
gas sector came naturally to Gregory. After returning
stateside following active duty in the U.S. Air Force in
Japan, Gregory went to work at Wilson Manufacturing
in Houston in 1957, the same the company that had
employed his father for years.
Three years later, he and his brother, Don, opened
Gregory Rig Service, where they were representatives
for Wilson Manufacturing. The brothers
survived the early days by operating out of their
cars to cut expenses. Before long, their dedication
and penny watching paid off, and the company grew
to the point where it employed almost 200 people
in three locations.
Gregory's hard work resulted in success in business
as well as in the community, where he served as
adviser to numerous boards, including the Odessa
Country Club, the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum,
Bank of the West and the Ector County Utility
District. He was a member of the Odessa Chamber of
Commerce, as was an inductee in its business hall of
fame. On the occasion of his 75th birthday in 2008,
the mayor of Odessa declared Gregory's birthday
" Woody Gregory Day. "
Twenty-six years after Gregory helped guide the
show through a tumultuous downturn, his son, Don,
followed in his steps as 2012 PBIOS president, making
them the only father and son to serve in that capacity.
This year's show will be the first in decades not to
have Woody Gregory's presence and leadership. We
are pleased to honor him in this way.
OCTOBER PBIOS 2021 13
PBIOS - October 2021

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