Edward Coster Bullock

Edward (Gussy) Coster Bullock, 91, of Kingsland, Texas, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 18, 2024, surrounded by family. Born on January 31, 1933, in Norfolk, Virginia, Gussy was the son of Anna Marie and Samuel Walter Bullock. He grew up with his two siblings Barbra Ann Sullivan and Samuel (Buddy) Walter Bullock. Gussy attended Norfolk Catholic High School, spent four years in the Air Force, and then attended Virginia Tech University where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. With his Air Force experience, and his passion for aviation, Gussy would next embark on a remarkable 25-year career with the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA).

In his professional life, Gussy contributed to some of NASA’s most historic space exploration programs, including Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and the Shuttle missions. His work as a mission planning and operations engineer was instrumental during NASA’s early efforts in space exploration. He helped solve engineering challenges and contributed to the success of many missions. He remained proud of being a part of these groundbreaking achievements throughout his adult life.

On the personal front, Gussy met Peggy Waters while visiting his mom in the hospital where Peggy worked as a nurse. The two married on September 7, 1957, and together they built a life centered around love, respect, and family. Gussy and Peggy raised five sons: Eddie, Philip, and Paul who were born in Virginia, and then Jeff, and Danny, who were born in Texas, after they were transferred to NASA’s yet-to-be-built facility in Clear Lake. First relocating to La Porte, the Bullocks eventually settled in Friendswood, Texas. Many years later, Gussy and Peggy would “retire” to the hill county of central Texas, on Lake LBJ. In retirement, Gussy and Peggy redirected their attention to their long-established side-business of making “wooden toys for girls and boys”. The Woodway Toy Company was truly a family-affair and provided wonderful opportunities for Gussy and Peggy to travel cross-country with one or more of their grandchildren accompanying them for their summer vacation.

Gussy was easy-going with a wonderful sense of humor and the more grief he gave you, the more you knew you were loved. As an aviation enthusiast, Gussy mastered flying remote-control airplanes and he genuinely enjoyed the opportunities to teach and train the younger generations. Gussy also loved the outdoors and he and Peggy spent most of their family time on fishing, camping, and/or hunting outings. The “Peg and Gus Biggest Fish Tournament”, established in 1976, remains an annual favorite for family and friends alike.

Gussy will be truly missed as he leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. He looked forward to reuniting with his grandson Brian, and is survived by his wife, Peggy, his five sons and their wives: Edward Sr. and Patricia, Philip and Kimberly, Paul and Tara, Jeff and Sheri, Danny and Lisa, 13 grandchildren: Brenden, Trista, Philip Jr., Amanda, Sarah, Patrick, Spencer, Riley, Abby, Jacob, Trevor, Amber, Ryan, and 16 great grandchildren: Everette, Wesley, Isabelle, Casey Joy, Sadie Leigh, Edynn, Liam, Jason, Emma, Reverie, Eden, Coral, Carter, Ford, Ella, and Kynlee.