Earl Melvin Buys
November 2, 1933 – May 31, 2021
Obituary for Earl Melvin Buys
Earl Melvin Buys, Jr., retired Colonel, beloved husband of 66 years, devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021. Earl was born November 2, 1933 in Houston, Texas, to Vida and Earl M. Buys Sr. Earl graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston and then attended Texas A&M University earning a degree in mechanical engineering. During his time at A&M, he was a member of the Texas A&M Corp of Cadets. Upon college graduation he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Ida Maxwell. Earl was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force where he served for 23 years and earned his Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Throughout his military career he served in many roles. He was a part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), a Navigator, and he served as Squadron Commander for the 517th Airlift Squadron in Alaska (Firebird). He earned numerous awards for his work while serving our country. Earl was a Vietnam War Veteran. Earl’s military career took he and his family to assignments in California, Nebraska, Montana, Florida, Alaska, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.
Earl retired from the Air Force in 1980 and settled with his family in Dallas, Texas. He started his second career with Texas Instruments (TI). Earl spent 20 years with TI as the Head of Facilities and Construction. During his two decades at Texas Instruments, Earl built and expanded the real estate holdings and manufacture fab facilities.
Earl was an active member at Epiphany Episcopal Church in the Men’s Club, Bible Studies and various volunteer roles and activities for more than forty years.
Earl and Ida spent their retirement traveling, enjoying their family and relaxing at their lake house at Cedar Creek. He was a loyal fan of the “Fightin” Texas Aggies and had a fierce love for A&M. Earl never missed the chance to watch them play football, basketball or baseball. He bled maroon and white. His adoration for the Aggies was only surpassed by his love of God and his family. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was extremely proud of his grandchildren. One of his favorite things to do was to spend time with them at the lake during the summers. Earl is survived by his wife, Ida, son Ron, and wife Kathryn, his daughter Sherry, and son Joel and wife Jean, nine grandchildren: Lauren Sorenson (Matt), Collin Buys (Kathleen), Ryan Buys (Amanda), Jordan Buys (Katelyn), Melissa Dunlap, Jarrod Buys, Jillian Buys, Jenna Buys and Julianna Buys, six great grandchildren, sister Shirley Talley and sister-in-law Patsy and Jerry Benson as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
There will be a visitation on Sunday, June 6th from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home located at 13005 Greenville Avenue in Dallas. Full military honors and a burial service will be at DFW National cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75236 on Monday, June 7th at 9:30 a.m. A funeral church service will be held Monday, June 7th at 12:00 noon at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Richardson located at 421 Custer Rd.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Notre Dame School of Dallas.
– Notre Dame School of Dallas, 2018 Allen Street, Dallas, Texas 75204; Phone: 214-720-3911 https://www.notredameschool.org/giving/give-now/
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Upcoming Events
Graveside
JUN 7. 9:30 AM (CST)
DFW National Cemetery
2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy
Dallas, TX 75211
Memorial Service
JUN 7. 12:00 PM (CST)
Ephiphany Episcopal Church
421 Custer Road
Richardson, TX 75080
Previous Events
Visitation
JUN 6. 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM (CST)
Restland Funeral Home
13005 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75243