Bubba Coskey

Julian Bliss (Bubba) Coskey passed away peacefully at his home on March 5, 2026 at the age of 91. He was born on October 14, 1934 in Houston, Texas to Lenore Bliss Coskey and Charles Allen Coskey. Bubba was the youngest of two, growing up in West University Place in Houston with his brother Chuck.

Bubba attended Shriner Junior College in Kerrville, Texas and then went on to attend the University of Texas in Austin, graduating with a Batchelor’s degree in Business. It was in Kerrville where Bubba met the love of his life, Shirley Lucille Murray. They were married on June 9, 1956 at First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville. He treasured every minute of their 69 years of marriage.

Shortly after marriage, Bubba served in the Army at Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon) in Georgia as an infantry captain with the military police division. After 2 years, Bubba returned to Houston where he and Shirley first resided in West University.

He began his working career at Utility Supply Company, learning all about the waterworks supply business. Bubba thrived and was a major factor in the success of the business for many years to come. Later on, he joined up with his dad, who was in real estate development. Bubba eventually took over the reigns from his dad and became Chairman and CEO of Utility Supply Company, Municipal Pipe and Fabricating Company, Trans-Tex Supply Company, Texas-Gulf Investment Company, and Gulf-Tex Company. Gulf-Tex Company still operates to this day. Bubba ran the company for almost 70 years. During those years, Bubba was always very generous with his time and talents. He was a very dedicated individual, always taking the time to mentor and invest his time and talents in others. However, that advice and counsel came with the Polish Suggestion “this is the way you should do it”.

Bubba and Shirley were very devout members of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. They were proud members for many years and participated in numerous activities afforded them. Bubba served on the administrative committee of the church for a number of years under then Pastor Kelly Williams, a man he loved, respected, and talked about all the time.

Certainly, one of Bubba’s greatest passions, was his involvement with The Kinkaid School. He had served on the Board of Trustees of the School since 1978, spanning a period of six headmasters at the school. Bubba served as Chair of the Building Committee for many years, helping to reshape and expand the fields and campus. In 1980, Bubba and Shirley established two scholarships for outstanding juniors. Known as the John and Dorthy Cooper Scholarship and the C.A. Coskey Scholarship, which originally recognized the “top scholar-athlete” and “scholar-athlete of unusual dedication”. Today, these scholarships have been re-named The Falcon Leadership Awards. Since inception, more than 80 students have received full tuition scholarships for their senior year. Bubba loved sports and was one of the early members of the Kinkaid Dad’s Club, eventually going on to serve as its President. He retired from the Board of Trustees and remained on as a Trustee Emeritus, which, exemplified 50 years as a dedicated supporter of the school.

Bubba had many hobbies he enjoyed. He was an avid golfer, and always in support of Shirley’s competitive play. In addition, he was a scuba diver. However, when all of the family would go on diving trips, Bubba always wondered why he did not have a diving buddy (Always talking and gesturing underwater). Bubba loved hunting and fishing. As his dad taught him all about hunting and fishing as a boy, he passed down those skills on multiple outings with his children and grandchildren. He loved to tell stories about all his adventures, of which he embellished up each telling! In addition, Bubba and his close friends hunted and fished all over the world, from Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the rivers of the Amazon, the plains of Africa, and Colorado.

Bubba and Shirley loved to travel. Their traveling friends, affectionately known as the “HUCS”, (an acronym for the first letter of each couple’s last name) traveled the world, spent many holidays together, and were the best of friends. Those friendships have endured over 70 years. Bubba also loved Costa Rica, where he and Shirley treasured spending time together at “Los Suenos” playing golf, fishing the Pacific, or just relaxing. When traveling with the family, Bubba was known as “Captain Fuego”, for he loved waking up early, firing up the gas oven, and cooking breakfast. However, Bubba’s favorite place to go was at their bay house in Kemah, Texas. He loved creating and completing projects in his garage. He most enjoyed his family visiting, cooking breakfast for everyone, but did not understand why no one wanted to eat at 6:00am!

On the personal side, Bubba loved his “special people projects.” Whether giving advice, helping someone start a business, sponsoring a candidate for school, instilling values and work ethic, or guiding troubled youth, he never said no to those who sought help. Bubba, also known as the “telephone commando,” enjoyed going through his list of speed dial contacts, checking in on them often. He refused to join the tech world and kept his Flip-Phone and Big Chief Tablet to the end. Without the help of his longtime and trusted assistant, Judy Parker, he likely would not have read an email from anyone. Bubba was an ever-loving supporter of all of Shirley’s endeavors, most notably her golfing and volunteer activities. He was always so proud of everything she did. Bubba loved a party, namely because he was the party! He also loved giving people nicknames. If he gave you a nickname, he loved you. Teasing people was his best form of flattery.

Bubba was most proud of all his family. To his friends, he never stopped talking about them, especially his grand children. His passion was always team sports. He loved attending and watching them excel – especially football, field hockey, swimming, water polo, and lacrosse.

Affectionately known as Grand Bubba, we love you and will miss you.

Bubba was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Charles Allen Coskey, Jr. He is survived by his wife Shirley Murray Coskey, his son Julian B Coskey Jr. and his wife Anne and his daughter Shari Lyn Coskey and her partner Heidi Link. He is also survived by his grandchildren Julia Coskey Cole and husband (Andrew), Andrew Zelsman Coskey and wife (Patricia), Emerson Link Coskey, and Miller Coskey Link and his great grandchildren William Robert Cole, Catherine Clara Cole, Henry Coskey Cole, Elizabeth Lyle Coskey, Lee Anderson Coskey, and Robert Archibald Coskey.

The family would like to express its sincere gratitude for all the caregivers who took such great care of Bubba. (Lexi, Marie, Fatmatta, Fatoumata, LaTracia)

A service will be held at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street, Houston, Texas 77024, on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 1pm in the Chapel. Afterwards, the family will host a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in his name be directed to The Chapelwood Foundation (Chapelwood.org/give) or The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or MDAndreson.org/Gifts.