Harry Moody Bettis

Founder of the Bettis Companies

Harry Moody Bettis was the founder of many Bettis companies. Educated in the public schools of Olney, Young County, Texas, Harry attended Texas A&M University upon graduation. He was granted an appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point, graduating in the class of 1948, and later obtained a Master's Degree from Purdue University.

After graduating from West Point, Harry transferred his commission from the US Army to the US Air Force. He served as a B-29 and B-50 bomber pilot in the Air Force, flying combat missions during the Korean conflict. Before leaving the Air Force, he was also part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), commanding his bomber, which at times was armed with nuclear weapons.

In 1955, upon completing his military service, he moved his family to Graham, Texas, and began his career in the oil and gas industry. He was one of the founding principals of Bettis, Boyle and Stovall, Inc. and served as president of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, where he was honored as Oilman of the Year in 2006. With a well-established business in the industry, Harry not only focused on his professional ventures but also deeply involved himself in community service. Known for his philanthropic activities, especially in supporting educational initiatives in Young County, and a firm believer in giving back, he established The Jean and Harry Bettis Educational Foundation Scholarship, aimed at providing financial aid to promising students. Colleagues and peers described Harry as a visionary, whose relentless pursuit of innovation was always balanced with a grounded sense of ethical responsibility and community service.

Harry passed away on June 4, 2011, at the age of 85. He was larger than life, with a heart and passion for the "oil patch". He lived his life by the credo, "A man ought to have at least one bet out every day, otherwise he might be walking around lucky and not know it."