He was born in Cleveland, Oklahoma on February 22, 1922 to his parents, Calvin Rea and Lucretia Delp. The last born and the last to die of six children, he lived a blessed life in spite of early hardships. During the “Dust Bowl” of the Great Depression, he had to struggle to finish high school while helping his parents survive on the farm.
During the 1943 to 1952 period, he served in the Coast Guard Reserve and Army and participated in two wars as an amphibian tractor driver: first in the Philippines in WWII and second in the Korean War. He earned the Army rank of corporal and was awarded the Bronze Service Star and Bronze Service Arrowhead.
In 1946, Buz married Maxine LaRue Woods in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He had two wonderful children and remained married until his wife’s passing in 1989. On weekends and during vacations, Buz and his family enjoyed camping, swimming, and collecting unusual stones, driftwood, and sea shells, which his wife used to decorate their yard and make flower arrangements.
Early in his career, Buz worked as a truck driver and welder and, later, as an oil valve assembler and supervisor. During 30 years of work with oil valve companies in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas, he also served as a union representative and rose from the ranks of an assembly line worker to become a company supervisor. In Texas, he was a supervisor in the W-K-M Oil Valve Company in Missouri City and earned awards for his outstanding leadership.
During retirement, Buz continued to work part-time as a handyman fixing house and yard problems at a reasonable price for those in need. He often gave neighbors free practical advice and assistance to fix their houses and, in turn, they helped him and his wife later in life. During leisure time, he loved to go boating and fishing on local rivers and the ocean gulf. Eating barbecue and dancing to Big Band music were among his favorite recreational activities. He was an avid reader of the Bible and a member of the Baptist Church. Also, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Tried and tested early in life by the “Dust Bowl” of the Great Depression and multiple war battles, he was a kind, wise, patient, resilient, steadfast father and loyal friend. Anger never found a place on his face or in his hand. His manner was extremely strong, intelligent, protective, and compassionate. If you wanted to understand his depth, you had to open your heart. He had an unequaled strength of character and a sweet generosity in his heart, eyes, and soul. His love will be forever cherished by his children and friends. He will be sorely missed on this earthly plane but is reunited in heaven with loved ones.
He is survived by his son, Dan Rea, in Statesboro, Georgia, and his daughter, Lola “Deanna” Pfann, in Houston, Texas. Deanna and her husband, Bill Trayham, were devoted to the daily care of Buz during the final years of his life. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Troy Fiesinger for serving as his Primary Care Physician for several years and to the staff at The Hampton at Meadows Place and the Clarewood House for their professional care.
Join us for a Memorial Service in loving memory of Buz to be held at 2:00 pm, December 4th (Wednesday), at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood, Stafford, Texas.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit our website at dignitymemorial.com.
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