Earl Richard Bullock

Earl Richard Bullock, 82, of Dallas, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Bullock was born Jan 9, 1931, in Frankford, Kansas, the youngest of five children and the only boy. He was raised on a farm, where he learned the value of hard work and the importance of God and family. He graduated from Westmoreland High School in May of 1948 and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Sue (Bateman) Bullock on May 24, 1953, in Manhattan. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1954 and later received a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois. After graduation, Earl served a short term in the Army and then began his career as an electrical engineer. Eventually, he and his wife Shirley settled down in California, where they lived for nearly 20 years and raised a family of three children. He began his career in the radio industry there, designing components used to automate radio station equipment. In 1980 he moved the family to Texas, where he continued in that industry, eventually starting his own business remanufacturing the equipment he helped design. Earl traveled the world for his job, visiting four continents. He filled dozens of slide carousels with photographs of his travels, which he pulled out anytime friends and family visited. Earl became involved in the PONY Baseball organization when his son, David Earl, became old enough to play. Over the years, he and Shirley traveled around the country, helping run tournaments and making many life-long friends. He loved the game, sharing his enthusiasm with his grandsons and loved to watch them play. He even threw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers baseball game. A man of faith, Earl rarely missed church service and volunteered his services there whenever possible. He was a kind and trusting man who believed in the sanctity of a handshake and a promise made. He charmed friends and family with a big smile and his sense of humor. Earl was quick to offer assistance to those in need. Family was of great importance to him, especially his grandchildren whom he loved deeply. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Silas Bullock; mother, Floy Rose (Smith) Bullock; and wife Shirley Sue (Bateman) Bullock. He is survived by his son, David Earl Bullock, of Los Alamos, N.M.; daughters, Shari Sue (Bullock) Wallace, of Rockwall, Texas, and Amy Sue (Bullock) Barnes, of Watauga, Texas; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.