Isaac Bufkin

Isaac David Bufkin, 95, of Brenham, TX peacefully transitioned to heaven and the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ on December 5, 2017. God was ready for his great big heart and his great big laugh to be in heaven.

David was born May 16, 1922 in a tent in Haynesville, LA to Floran Eugene and Lizzie Pauline Emmons Bufkin. He grew up in Mansfield, LA.

David served his country from 1942-1946 in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a flight instructor, ground school instructor and flight engineer. During this time, he lived in Santa Ana and Oxnard, CA, Marana AZ, Marfa, TX, and San Antonio, TX.

He graduated from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now LA. Tech University) in Ruston, LA with a degree in mechanical engineering. On April 23, 1944 he married the love of his life, Lee Renfrow of Tallulah, LA. They lived in Mansfield, LA, Ruston, LA, Hampton, VA, Shreveport, LA, Houston, TX and Brenham, TX.

David began working for his dad in the family grocery store at age 10. After graduating from college, he worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (later named NASA) at Langley Field, Va. In 1948 he accepted a position as assistant engineer at newly formed Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Co. He retired from Texas Eastern (now Spectra Energy) in 1989 after serving as Chairman of the Board for several years. He received many awards and recognitions as an outstanding business and community leader, including the development of the George R. Brown center and surrounding area, the addition of mounted police in the downtown area, involved with the arts, and met many heads of governments and dignitaries over the years. The most important title he held was that of a follower of Jesus Christ.

David accepted Jesus Christ as his savior as a teenager and was ordained as a deacon at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA and continued serving in that capacity in First Baptist Church Brenham, TX.

Survivors include his wife, Lee Renfrow Bufkin of Brenham; son, David Michael Bufkin of San Antonio; daughter and son-in-law, Peggy Louise and Robert E. Gerst of Houston. His grandchildren are Robert Derrick Gerst and wife Karen, of Durango, CO; Richard Brian Gerst of Durango, CO, and Kathleen Emily Gerst Ham and husband Kevin Ham of Houston, TX. His four great-grandchildren include Caleb Michael Gerst of Durango, CO, Pacey Lee Ham, Avery Kathleen Ham, and Reese Anne Ham all of Houston, TX. He was a wonderful husband, Daddy, Granddaddy, and Pawpaw to his immediate and extended family. He loved well and he loved extravagantly. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 8, from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, TX. His service will be Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10:00 at First Baptist Church Brenham. Pastors Troy Sikes and Charlie Matejowsky will officiate. Burial will be in Prairie Lee Cemetery in Brenham, TX.

Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church Brenham, First Baptist Church School or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements for Isaac David Bufkin are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, TX. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com

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