James Emison Obituary Emison, James W. Founder and owner of Western Petroleum Company, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, died Dec. 28, 2005, peacefully at home. Mr. Emison was 75 years old and resided in Deephaven with his wife, Jane. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, educated there and in Vincennes, Indiana, was graduated from DePauw University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Art degree. DePauw in addition awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities in 2003. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he served on active duty as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. His career in the oil industry spanned 50 years. During that time, he served on the National Petroleum Council from 1970 until recently. He was a member of the American Petroleum Institute, the Northwest Petroleum Association and a member of the American Petroleum Institute Twenty-five Year Club. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Western Petroleum Company and Western International Trading Company, a Director of Hydrocarbon Trading and Transport Company, Inc. of Houston, Texas, and a founder and Director of Community Bank Group Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Emison served on the Board of Governors of the Marine Corps Association and was a former Trustee of the Marine Corps University Foundation. He served as a Director of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and was formerly President of the DePauw University Alumni Association, a Vice Chairman and a member of the DePauw University Board of Trustees since 1982, as well as a past Chairman of the Phi Kappa Psi Endowment Fund, Inc. and a founder of the Small Business Seminars Program at DePauw University in 1977. He was listed in Who's Who in the Midwest,' Who's Who in America' and Who's Who in the World of Oil and Gas.' He was active throughout his career in the formation and promotion of several privately owned business enterprises. He was a co-founder of the Independent Business Association of Minnesota in 1979, as well as a co-founder and director of the Center for Management and Entrepreneurship at DePauw University. Mr. Emison was a member of Wayzata Community Church; The Minikahda Club, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Woodhill Country Club, Orono, Minnesota; Spring Hill Golf Club, Orono, Minnesota; Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Pebble Beach, California; Ballybunion Golf Club and Tralee Golf Club, County Kerry, Ireland; The Army and Navy Club, Washington, D.C.; American Legion, Richfield, Minnesota; The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; The Continental Society Sons of the Indian Wars, and the National Association of Scholars. He is survived by his wife, Jane; two daughters, Catherine Elizabeth Emison of Missoula, Montana and Elizabeth Ann Emison of Poulsbo, Washington; two sons, Thomas Weston Emison of Minnetonka, Minnesota and William Ash Emison of Hamel, Minnesota; and five grandchildren. No visitation. Funeral Service 4:00 PM Thursday, January 5, 2006 at Wayzata Community Church, 125 W. Wayzata Blvd. Refreshments and supper to follow at The Minikahda Club, 3200 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park 55416. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Endowment Fund of DePauw University, Green Castle, Indiana.