Keith Howard Budner

04/26/1955 - 03/26/2026

Keith Howard Budner was born on April 26, 1955 and passed away on March 26, 2026.

Keith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, the second of three sons born to Larry and Doris Budner, of blessed memory.

Keith attended The Lamplighter School from preschool through fourth grade. Perhaps it was the Lamplighter farm that inspired Keith's lifelong passion for animals. His childhood pets included various birds, huge aquariums filled with fish, a boa constrictor, and many dogs. Sandy, his collie, was reported to exhibit humanlike intelligence (or better).

Keith graduated from the St. Mark's School of Texas ('73); Tulane University (BA '77); and Southern Methodist University (MBA '79). Keith was an active member of his alumni associations, fundraising for Lamplighter, St. Mark's, and SMU.

In 1979, Keith began his career in commercial real estate, serving as a project leasing director and marketing officer for a Dallas developer. In 1983, Keith founded a full-service real estate brokerage company, Keith H. Budner & Associates. In 1990, Keith joined Swearingen Realty Group, where he was recognized year after year as a top producer and, in 1990, was promoted to Senior Vice-President and Head of Restaurant Services. Keith was responsible for helping several prominent restaurant chains enter the DFW area, including Fogo de Chão. Keith later opened his own firm, Budner Commercial Properties, where he continued to serve corporate clients and to testify as an expert witness on commercial real estate matters.

Keith was married to Elizabeth Stinson Budner for 32 years. He was an active dad to sons Keith Jr. and Lee, coaching their sports teams, always encouraging their artistic pursuits, and instilling in them his deep affection and care for animals, which continued throughout his life. Keith became an avid scuba diver, traveling the world's oceans to commune with animals of the sea. For over 25 years, he bred Rhodesian Ridgebacks; Keith is survived by Mickey and Mallory and two African Greys, Tony and Kili.

As with animals, Keith's love of professional sports was not a trifle. He was a passionate, die-hard fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers from childhood to the end. In 1979, when Roger Staubach still reigned as the Cowboys' QB, Keith founded one of the earliest fantasy football leagues with some of his closest friends, serving as Commissioner for decades and welcoming additional Budners, including his brother Craig, son Lee, and nephew Ben (the current Commissioner).

Keith was big-hearted, compassionate, generous, and warm. We will miss his broad smile and playful sense of humor. Keith never forgot your birthday or what mattered to you. He was a man of authenticity and substance who made a difference in so many lives.

Like his beloved mother, Doris Budner, Keith was moved to help those in need. Keith served as Board President for the Echad Apartments for the elderly; Board Member for Vogel Alcove Daycare Center for Homeless Children (co-founded by Doris); and a founding member of the Executive Committee of the Young Leadership Group for Golden Acres. Like his father, Larry Budner, Keith had a passion for history. He was involved in fundraising for the Theodore Roosevelt Association when Larry served as President.

Keith is survived by two sons, Keith Budner, Jr. and Lee (Shireen) Budner; granddaughter Sofia June; two brothers, Bruce (Maria) and their children Brooke, Allison, and Kevin; Craig (Dawn) and their children Will, Ben, and Elijah.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on April 16, 2026 in the Stern Chapel at Temple Emanu-El with reception following in the Tycher Gathering Space. For those inclined, donations in Keith's memory to Southwest Exotic Avian Rescue, Vogel Alcove, or Dallas Urban Debate Alliance would be appreciated by the family.