Buford Prentice Osteen

Osteen, Buford Prentice (“BP”)

It is with much sadness that the family of BP Osteen announces his passing on September 14, 2021, at the age of 101. BP was born to Ruby Clara Mae Clifton and James Elzie Osteen on April 11, 1920, near Cleburne, Texas. Shortly after his birth Ruby and James divorced. She married Charles (“Charlie”) Myers in 1922 and had five more children. Charlie raised BP as his own, sharing his love of hunting, fishing, and mechanical tinkering with him.

As a young man BP was in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) doing rock masonry at Mother Neff State Park. He played fiddle in a band along with his sister JoJo.  JoJo introduced him to her friend, Kathleen Dumas. He fell in love with Kathleen, and they married on November 12, 1941.

In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps and they moved to Sarasota, Florida where he was stationed before serving in the Pacific during WWII. In Florida he worked as a First-Class Lineman restoring power after a hurricane. He was then sent to the Marianna Islands and worked as an electrician on B-29 bombers.

After the war BP and Kathleen moved to Waco, Texas where he began a long career at Texaco and they had two daughters, Pam (b. 1947) and Carla (b. 1958). BP worked for Texaco as a secretary while attending, and later teaching, at 4-C Business College at night. He held several positions with Texaco while in Waco, including truck driver. In 1969 Texaco transferred him to Midland, Texas and promoted him to Office Manager. He later became Wholesale Credit Manager, retiring in 1978. After retiring, he worked for Texaco Credit Union as Manager and later became a realtor. He was a faithful church member, sang in the choir, and was the song leader in his Sunday School class for over 30 years. He was an active Mason and Shriner and sang The National Anthem at the annual Shrine Circus for years. He enjoyed golf, and often competed in tournaments.

BP and Kathleen enjoyed an active social life with family and friends. In retirement, they traveled all over the United States and to Europe. In 2012, they moved to Flower Mound to be near family, eventually moving to Rosewood Assisted Living where BP made many close friends.

BP was a devoted husband to Kathleen for over 78 years. She preceded him in death on March 28, 2020. BP leaves behind his loving daughters, Pam (Don) Hutcheson, and Carla (Johnny) Neal, grandchildren, Robin Palmer, Ryan Hutcheson, Sara (Brian) Monzingo, Alex Neal, Daniel Neal, and great grandchildren, Chelsea (Patrick) Radney, Josh Smith, Annabeth Monzingo, and great great grandchildren, Aniston Attaway and Lachlan Radney. Another great great grandchild, Allexa Jaimes, preceded him in death in 2017. He is also survived by his sister, Jeri Pauling, and brother, Clifton Myers.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Rosewood Assisted Living, Dr. Najam Khan, and Kathy Drake for their loving care of BP. We also want to thank the staff at Rambling Oaks Rehabilitation, and the doctors and nurses at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. Special thanks to Ken, who treated him with such respect and tenderness during his final hours.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 20th, at 11:00 a.m. at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro, Texas. In honor of BP’s memory, please consider donating to your favorite charity. Due to Covid, the family encourages any who attend his service to please wear a mask.

Mr. Osteen will lie in state Sunday, September 19, from noon to 5:00pm at Marshall and Marshall Hillsboro.