Buell V. Mallory

Buell Virgil Mallory died Wednesday, April 21, 2021. He was 91 years old.  We celebrate his life. Buell was born August 9, 1929, in Mineola, Texas – Wood County – to the parents of James Irman and Bernice (McMillian) Mallory.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie Fulleylove; his parents; brother, Herman Mallory; sister, Marion Mallory Austin; and grandparents, Georgia (Dean) and Verchie (aka Tuna Mac) McMillian. He is survived by eight children and three stepdaughters.

As a teen, Buell moved to Amarillo, Texas where he attended Patton School. In Amarillo, he reunited with and later married Clendell Mallory, a childhood acquaintance from East Texas. They were together for 37 years and had eight children together.

Buell was a hard worker sometimes working two jobs to feed his family. Although he was a business owner and worked many jobs, the one that he enjoyed the most was as a diesel mechanic. He could listen to the sound of a motor running and immediately know if it was operating properly. He worked for over 30 years at Red Ball Motor Freight, and often bragged that he never missed a day from work.

Buell had many hobbies and interests. He loved music, driving fast cars, storytelling, traveling, sports (especially the Dallas Cowboys), and people. Every Monday he cooked the family’s meal, which always included butter beans - his favorite dish. He enjoyed telling a good story. The one about the fictitious monster Ding Dong was his best.

Buell gave back to his community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels.  He was a longtime member of Community of Grace United Methodist Church. He served on many committees, including finance and the Board of Trustees. He was also a founding member of Wyatt Memorial United Methodist Church where he attended with his eight children and their mother Clendell. He loved all of his children and considered how he raised them to be his greatest accomplishment of his life. He taught each to love God, family, and hard work. He was more proud of their many achievements than his own.

He believed his children were a reflection of himself, and that it was his responsibility, with the help of God and family, to raise them to be productive citizens. Because he was a diesel mechanic, he reared them as if he were giving them fine tune-ups – using as many spark plugs as possible.

He began with his son, Dr. Rev. Lynn R. Mims (wife Dr. Stacey Mims and daughter Donnitta) by giving him a spark of love of God, nature, and people. Dr. Mims went on to become a Pastor of numerous churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri; a Professor of Theology at SMU University Dallas and Oklahoma City University; a Theologian; world traveler; and humanitarian.

With the spark of love of mechanics, Buell tuned his son, Travis Buell Mallory (wife Nita, children: Ronald, Carla (deceased), Travis, Jr., Alison, Buford, Demetrice and Rickie) into an engineering mechanic. Buell taught him the intricate knowledge of diesel mechanics.  Travis travelled all over the U.S. applying his skill.

Next came son Barry O’Neal Mallory (children: Carmen, James, Brian (deceased), Ryon and Rhomnee). He was fine-tuned into loving food, music, and having a great deal of agility. Barry is a culinary professional, great percussionist (drums), and golfer. In high school Barry qualified in the regional meet in the 880-yard dash.

His youngest son also received a love of diesel mechanics and fast cars. Larry Mallory (wife Brenda, and his children: April and O’Brien) collects antique and race cars. Buell affectionately named him “Red Ball” after his long-time employer, Red Ball.  It helped that Larry has red hair. He is a professional in the aerodynamic industry where he assists in building helicopters to use for secret missions. He never misses work.

Buell’s sparks also fired up his four daughters. The first, Berna Dean Mallory Steptoe (daughter, Lurea) is a TV political analyst, an Emmy nominated Political TV Producer, and has accepted a prestigious Walter Cronkite Award for political coverage.

Honorable Barbara Mallory Caraway (husband, Dwaine) received an electric current that set her on the path to becoming a public servant. She served for many years as a member of the Dallas City Council and later in the Texas House of Representatives. She was inducted into the Palo Duro Hall of Fame. As a world traveler, Barbara has visited such places as Japan, South Africa, and Jamaica West Indies.

Buell fined tuned and sent his third daughter on to seeking remedies in the judicial system. Attorney Berneter Mallory Bryan (husband, Newton, their daughter, Moraita) is a member of the federal bar of the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court; and The Third Circuit Court of Appeals of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She is also an active member of the Supreme Court of the Pennsylvania Bar. Berneter has traveled extensively throughout the West Indies.

His spark of love for humanity and public service has driven his youngest daughter, Janet Mallory-McKinney (son, Calvin) to devote her talents as a Health Inspector. She is a Registered Sanitarian for the state of Texas, and a Registered Code Enforcement Officer.

Buell was a mechanic who knew how to apply his skills successfully. He not only used them on machines but also on people. He had many spark plugs to use for his children and stepdaughters, Charlotte Hunter, Cynthia Smith, and Pam Landers.

Buell will be deeply missed by all who loved him. He lived a long and honorable life whose sparks will forever energize those whose lives he touched.

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