Submitted by
Barbara (Caddell) Fox
E. A. "Buddy" Brunson
03/30/1934 - 1/20/2008
In Loving Memory
E. A. ”Buddy” Brunson, 73, of Weatherford died Sunday, January 20, 2008 at his residence.
Born March 30, 1934 in Odds, Texas, he grew up in Marlin, Texas and was a long time resident of Weatherford. Buddy was employed for Motheral Printing Company for 27 years. He was a Korean Conflict veteran serving three active years in the US Marine Corps and followed with eight years in the Reserves.
Buddy, in 42 years of service to the youth of Weatherford through Little League Baseball and Softball, touched the lives of hundreds of families and their children. His love for the game extended far from the fields of play to the life preparation as he encouraged the youth to always work hard, have discipline and do their best. Buddy served on the Weatherford Little League Board; coached and managed several of the boy’s teams. He was one of the founding Mentors of the softball program, teaching many girls how to pitch. His dedication and passion for the game was honored in 2006 by naming the field Buddy Brunson Jaycee Field, where it all began in 1965.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Rosie Brunson, brother, Allen Brunson and a sister, Nellie Nichols. Buddy is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Jo Brunson of Weatherford; daughters, Angela Finley and husband Bo of Weatherford, Tracy Rowe and husband Gary of Henderson and Cathy Perry of Weatherford; sons, Aaron Brunson and wife Carol of Lumberton and Jason Brunson and wife Louisa of Keller; grandchildren, Tara Cervi, Adam Brunson, Jenna Finley, Taylor and Colby Rowe, Jessica Finley, Jordan Finley, Josh Perry, Zach Brunson, Jacob Finley, Caity Perry, Noah Brunson, and Sydney Brunson; sisters, Lillie Mae Blann of Marlin, Johnnie Hounsel of Kosse, Jimmie Townsend of Missouri and Vinnie Mayhall of Athens.
Funeral service: 10:00 a.m., Thursday January 24, 2008 at North Side Baptist Church.
Interment: 1:00 p.m., at the DFW National Cemetery.
Visitation: 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be made in Buddy’s honor to Weatherford Little League.
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By Matt Frazier, Star-Telegram Staff Writer
January 23, 2008
Buddy Brunson 1934-2008
Longtime coach had field named for him
As one of six children, E.A. 'Buddy' Brunson didn't have much time to play sports.
He had to work to help support his family.
But as an adult, he spent more than four decades helping hundreds play Little League baseball.
Mr. Brunson died Sunday of cancer complications at his in Weatherford. He was 73.
'He was a great coach. Everybody loved Buddy, even those on opposing teams,' said Charles Buckner, director of Texas Little League District 7. 'He was like a grandfather, and everyone liked to hear his stories.'
Mr. Brunson was born March 30, 1934, in the community of Odds, about 100 miles south of Fort Worth, and grew up in nearby Marlin.
While attending school, he delivered newspapers to help support his family.
After graduating from Marlin High School, he enlisted in the Marines, achieving the rank of sergeant and taking part in the Korean War.
Upon Mr. Brunson's return, he began working at a cafe in Dallas, where he fell in love with the owner's daughter. They married in 1957 and almost immediately took in three of the bride's younger sisters.
'That's the type of person he was -- a caring, giving person,' said his son Aaron Brunson. 'His was welcome to anyone.'
After working for the Weatherford Democrat newspaper for a few years, Mr. Brunson became a typesetter at Motheral Printing Co. in Fort Worth. He worked there for 27 years, retiring at age 67.
But his longest-running job was as an unpaid coach and manager of Little League teams. Mr. Brunson began coaching in 1965 on Jaycee Field in Weatherford when Aaron expressed a desire to play baseball.
He was manager of Weatherford's senior league boys team -- for players ages 13 to 15 -- when it won the state championship in 1974. Aaron was a pitcher and shortstop on the team.
Mr. Brunson later became a founding mentor of the city's softball program.
In 2006, the field where he began coaching was renamed the Buddy Brunson Jaycee Field.
Mr. Brunson retired last year because of his illness.
'He was from the old school,' said fellow Little League volunteer John Chesney. 'He taught hard work, discipline and playing the game within the rules. But sportsmanship was the most important thing. He taught them to have honor and integrity.'
Other survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Jo Brunson; daughters Angela Finley, Tracy Rowe and Cathy Perry, all of Weatherford; son Jason Brunson; and more than a dozen grandchildren.
Services: Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. today, Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday at North Side Baptist Church in Weatherford. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas.
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Submitted by
Ken Gates
Marlin Democrat
Marlin, Falls Co., Texas
E. A. “Buddy” Brunson
March 30, 1934 – January 20, 2008
E. A. "Buddy" Brunson, 73, of Weatherford died Sunday, January 20, 2008 at his residence.
Born March 30, 1934 in Odds, Texas, he grew up in Marlin and was a long-time resident of Weatherford.
Buddy was employed for Motheral Printing Company for 27 years. He was a Korean Conflict veteran serving three active years in the U.S. Marine Corps and followed with eight years in the Reserves. Buddy, in 42 years of service to the youth of Weatherford through Little League Baseball and Softball, touched the lives of hundreds of families and their children. His love for the game extended far from the fields of play to the life preparation as he encouraged the youth to always work hard, have discipline and do their best. Buddy served on the Weatherford Little League Board; coached and managed several of the boy's teams. He was one of the founding mentors of the softball program, teaching many girls how to pitch. His dedication and passion for the game was honored in 2006 by naming the field Buddy Brunson Jaycee Field, where it all began in 1965.
His parents, Gordon and Rosie Brunson, brother, Allen Brunson and a sister, Nellie Nichols, precede him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Jo Brunson of Weatherford; daughters, Angela Finley and husband Bo of Weatherford, Tracy Rowe and husband Gary of Henderson, Cathy Perry of Weatherford; sons, Aaron Brunson and wife Carol of Lumberton, Jason Brunson and wife Louisa of Keller; grandchildren, Tara Cervi, Adam Brunson, Jenna Finley, Taylor and Colby Rowe, Jessica Finley, Jordan Finley, Josh Perry, Zach Brunson, Jacob Finley, Caity Perry, Noah Brunson, and Sydney Brunson; sisters, Lillie Mae Blann of Marlin, Johnnie Hounsel of Rosse, Jimmie Townsend of Missouri, Vinnie Mayhall of Athens.
Funeral services were held Thursday January 24, 2008 at North Side Baptist Church with Interment following at the DFW National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in Buddy's honor to Weatherford Little League.
Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
