FRANKLIN THOMAS (Tommy) BUELL was born on July 9th, 1929, an interesting time in American history. His family believes his arrival and the stock market crash were coincidental, but one can never be sure.
He attended Jesuit High School and Washington and Lee University. After a bit of daring-do as a Naval helicopter pilot during the Korean Conflict, he finished his college degree at SMU.
In 1969 he purchased Elliot Shields Planing Mill and, through the years, he transformed it into the third largest solid-core door manufacturing company in the US, Buell Door Company.
If Tommy wasn’t home, he was hunting or fishing, well, after work hours anyway, unless playing hooky from the door company.
He was an avid supporter of Ducks Unlimited and a member of the Little Sandy Hunting and Fishing Club, his favorite place on the planet.
In his later years, he was a fixture in the 19th Hole at Brook Hollow Golf Club where he regaled friends with tales of days gone by.
He is survived by his wife of just short of 64 years, ANNIS SINGLETON BUELL, his daughter DEBORAH BUELL COONTS and her husband, GRANT FERGESON, his son, FRANKLIN THOMAS (Tom) BUELL III, one nearly ancient dog, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends and acquaintances, cohorts in mischief, and other sundry characters who will miss him but will remember him well and who all wish him Godspeed on the next journey.
A funeral will be held at Calvary Hill Mausoleum North Chapel, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, TX at 2pm on Friday, September 20th, followed by a graveside blessing. A reception honoring Tommy will be held in the Oak Room at Brook Hollow Golf Club, 8301 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX immediately following.
Donations in Tommy’s honor may be made to: Immersed in Christ, Inc., 1310 Dellwood, Memphis, TN, 38127.
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