List of people from Midland, Texas

This is a list of notable people who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with the American city of Midland, Texas.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Armed forces

• Tommy Franks, retired General, United States Army
• Steven Dale Green, (served life in United States Penitentiary, Tucson until he hanged himself^[1]), a former U.S. Army soldier guilty of rape and murder.
• George H. O'Brien, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient

Arts

Film, television, and theater

• Michael Arden, actor
• Kathy Baker, actress
• Jeannette Charles, actress
• Woody Harrelson, actor
• Tommy Lee Jones, actor
• Bessie Love, actress
• Carolyn McCormick, actress
• Douglas McGrath, film writer and director
• Jackson Rathbone, actor and musician

Journalism and literature

• Raymond Benson, author of James Bond novels
• Tracy Daugherty, author and biographer
• Patrick Dearen, Western author^[2]
• Doyle Glass, historian and sculptor
• J. Evetts Haley, author and historian of the American West
• Stephen Graham Jones, writer
• Larry L. King, author^[3]
• Cathy Luchetti, writer
• Eileen Wilks, romance and urban fantasy author

Music

• Jay Boy Adams, musician, songwriter
• Kirk Covington, drummer with Tribal Tech
• Explosions in the Sky, three out of four members of indie rock group hail from Midland
• Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano

Athletes

• Cedric Benson, NFL player
• Mookie Blaylock, NBA player
• Hal Dean, NFL player
• Jim Hall, racecar designer, owner, driver
• Bobby Hillin, NASCAR driver
• E. J. Holub, NFL player
• Wahoo McDaniel, AFL player and wrestler
• Jayson Nix, MLB player
• Laynce Nix, MLB player
• Tony Peyton, last surviving member of original Harlem Globetrotters
• Judy Rankin, LPGA all-time money winner
• Doug Russell, 1968 Olympic gold medalist
• Mike Stanton, MLB player
• Mike Timlin, MLB player
• Rex Tucker, NFL player
• Ryan Tucker, NFL player
• Randy Velarde, MLB player
• Joseph Walker, CFL player^[4]
• Spud Webb, NBA player
• Eric Winston, NFL player
• James Zachery, CFL player

Business

• Frederic C. Hamilton, businessman, philanthropist
• J. Hugh Liedtke, founder of Pennzoil^[5]
• Clarence Scharbauer (1879–1942), rancher, president of the First National Bank of Midland and the Midland Fair.

Government and politics

• Ernest Angelo, Mayor of Midland, 1972–1980; Republican national committeeman, 1976–1996
• Pat M. Baskin, state district court judge 1980-1992; member of Midland City Council 1968-1972; president of Midland Community Theatre; lost 1972 mayoral election to Ernest Angelo
• Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States
• Barbara Pierce Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush
• George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States
• George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States
• Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida
• Jenna Bush, daughter of Former President George W. Bush
• Laura Bush, former First Lady of the United States
• Frank Kell Cahoon, Midland oilman; the only Republican in the Texas legislature, 1965–1966; former Midland City Council member
• Mike Conaway, United States Congressman
• Tom Craddick, District 82 State Representative and former Speaker of the Texas House
• Donald Evans, former US Secretary of Commerce
• Deborah Fikes, executive advisor and representative to United Nations for World Evangelical Alliance
• Kenn George, former state representative from Dallas County and unsuccessful candidate for Texas land commissioner
• Gary Painter, Republican sheriff of Midland County since 1985, known for warnings of ISIS terrorism through the Mexican border^[6]
• David J. Porter, Republican, Commissioner, Railroad Commission of Texas, 2010-2016
• W. E. "Pete" Snelson, member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature from Midland; later an educational consultant in Austin
• Clayton Williams, businessman and 1990 gubernatorial candidate
• Michael L. Williams, Texas Railroad Commission member

Science and technology

• Leeon D. Davis, plane designer and builder
• Jim Hall (racing driver), race car designer and builder using aerodynamics ground effect to produce winning race cars ^[7]
• John V. Pliska, designer and builder of Pliska aircraft, flown in 1912^[8]
• Leo and Fairfax Windecker, designers of the first composite aircraft to be FAA certified, founders of Windecker Industries

Other

• Jessica McClure, "Baby Jessica"

References

1. "Former soldier at center of murder of Iraqi family dies after suicide attempt"
2. "Patrick Dearen". goodreads.com. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
3. "Celebrated for the Least of Reasons: Larry L. King's Letters". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats :: Official Site of the Tiger-Cats
5. "W.C. Liedtke; Co-Founder of Pennzoil". Articles.latimes.com. Associated Press. 2003-04-05. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
6. "Texas Sheriff: Reports Warn of ISIS Terrorist Cells Coming Across the Border". CBS-TV in Houston, Texas. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
7. "Chaparral Gallery". Petroleum Museum. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
8. "American airplanes: Pl - Py". Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 2012-11-16.