HOUSTON – Joe Welling, 68, who founded one of the first marketing research firms in the oil and gas industry, died August 24th from complications related to congestive heart failure and diabetes.

Welling was founder and president of Welling & Company since 1971, and the firm was considered by many to be the premiere market research consulting firm in the energy industry worldwide, with offices in Houston and London. He also served as adjunct professor and guest lecturer in the field of market research at a number of universities.

Welling was born in Tulsa, Okla., on Aug. 4, 1940 and lived there until moving to Houston in 1990. Memorial services will be held at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 8300 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, 77024, just west of Wirt Road on Friday, Sept. 5th at 10:30 a.m. Services will also be held in Tulsa, Okla., in late September.