NCHA Members Hall of Fame inductee and former NCHA Executive Committee member Perry Michael Wells, 84, Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, July 19. Born and raised in Houston, Wells was a fourth generation Texan, whose great-great-great grandfather, James Wells, came to Texas to fight with Davy Crockett and later joined Sam Houston’s army.

Mike Wells began a career in banking in 1958, after graduating from the University of Texas. Over the years he served as chief executive, board member, and director for numerous Texas banks, as well as president and chief operating officer of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Wells joined the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1965 and over the years served on and later chaired the Cutting Horse, Quarter Horse and Palomino show committees. It was through his experience and influence with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well with the banking industry, that Wells became an invaluable NCHA committee member. His efforts to showcase the NCHA World Finals during the famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo event were instrumental in promoting the sport of cutting to the world.

Wells and his wife, Marilyn, owned a ranch in Fulshear, Texas, and were active cutting competitors in the 1980s, when Mike was chief operating officer of the Super Syndicate Ltd stallion program. Rosie O Lena, a Doc O Lena daughter bred by Wells, was an NCHA Futurity Open finalist during this time under Jim Reno.

Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home in Houston is handling memorial details for Perry Michael Wells.