Winston A. Buckalew

Winston A. Buckalew, 95, of Manvel, Texas passed away on August 5, 2024. He was born in Fulton, Alabama on September 26, 1928, to Barney and Janie Buckalew. He was married to Hazel Buckalew for 40 years before her passing in 1986. All his friends called him Buck.

He only had a 6th grade education and at the age of 13 he went to work to help provide for his family. He was a very hard worker, taking odd jobs at restaurants, a shipyard and even helping a friend run moonshine. By this time, he and Hazel had married and started a family, Connie and Mike, then later Rick and Jimmy. In 1957 they moved to Houston, Texas and lived with his sister, Ruby for a short while.

He was a welder and joined the Pipe Fitters Local Union 211 until he retired at age 59. During this time, he had several jobs outside of the US, in South America and Virgin Islands with union members Billy Collins and Gene Hazelwood: now lifelong friends.

He loved all his family. He enjoyed seeing and spending time with his children and their children, watching movies, telling jokes, cooking barbeque, and eating chocolate ice cream. Through his lifetime he owned over 70 vehicles, from old cars, trucks, to motorcycles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Janie Buckalew; wife Hazel Buckalew; sons Richard Buckalew and James Buckalew; sisters Ruby and Mary Nell; and brother Bobby.

He is survived by his children Connie Buckalew, Mike Buckalew and his wife Joyce, and Debra Ofczarzak; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

A funeral service will occur Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 2:30 PM, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598. A committal service will occur Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Forest Park East Funeral Home & Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598.