" Dick,rest in the arms of our Lord."
In loving memory of
Lewis Duane Bullard
May 23, 1936 - October 14, 2006
Lewis Duane Bullard CDR, USN Ret died Saturday, October 14 at his home in Georgetown, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer. Lewis was born in Cheyenne Valley, Oklahoma, May 23, 1936, the son of Vaughn Mathis Bullard and Harold Scott Bullard. He grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma, graduating from Edmond High School in1954. Lewis attended Central State College, Oklahoma. Upon graduation, he was commissioned Ensign, U. S. Navy in 1958 through the US Navy Reserve Officer Candidate program.Commander Bullard served his country with distinction as a U. S. Naval Officer for 20 years. Ashore he served at the U.S, Naval Academy as a mathematics instructor and overseas on the staff of Commander, U.S. Military Advisory Command, Vietnam COMUSMACV. But, a Naval Officer serves best at sea and Lewis enjoyed a series of increasingly responsible assignments in USS Braine DD-630, USS John S. McCain DL-3, USS O'Brien DD-725 and on the staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron Nine, all under the overall command of Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Forces, U. S. Pacific Fleet. The capstone of Lewis' Naval career was as Commanding Officer in USS Meredith DD-890.After retiring from the Navy in 1978, he served as Registrar at Jacksonville University, Florida. He moved to California in 1984, and in 1988, married Gay Gerald Parsons. He and Gay spent a year traveling in their RV, and eventually settled in Dripping Springs, Texas, on a lovely acreage where one of his favorite pastimes was rocking on his back porch and watching the birds. He and Gay loved to travel in their R V to Big Bend and the mountains of Colorado. Lewis lived his life with honor and integrity. He was a loving and generous man who cared deeply for his children, his grandchildren, and his stepchildren and grandchildren. He was Gay's soul mate and anchor and became a caregiver to her parents in their final years. He was passionately interested in environmental issues and served as a member of the Hays-Trinity Water Board. Lewis's church community was an integral part of his life and he helped build the church building and served on the board. He was a man with many talents and skills, whose intelligence and dry wit will be sorely missed.He is survived by his wife, Gay, his children: Rebecca Martin and husband Terry Martin; Kirk Bullard and wife, Joan; Barbara Bullard; Greg Bullard and wife, Denia; Drew Bullard and Kent Bullard and wife, Holly. Also, stepchildren: Patrice Marshall and son-in-law Andrew; Bill Parsons and wife Candi, Dayna Parsons and David Parsons and wife Kali.He is survived by his two brothers, Ralph Bullard and wife Starley, Max Bullard and wife, Shirley and his sister, Melba Flesher and husband Cranston, all of Edmond, Oklahoma.He is also survived by grandchildren Grant, Philip and Neil Martin; Lucas, Jason and Tim Bullard; Emily Bullard; Charlotte and Jackson Bullard. Stepchildren are Aaron and Austin Anderson, Ryan Parsons, Kristen Pendley, Nicole Mansueto, Morgan and McKae Desnoyers and Benjamin and Nicholas Parsons.Lewis was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Jack and Gerald Bullard.The family would like to thank Dr. Juan Posada and Dr. Susan Brister and the nurses and staff of Scott and White, Georgetown and the staff of Scott and White Hospice for their compassionate care.A memorial service will be held Monday, October 23 at 3:00 P. M. at the Church of Conscious Harmony, 7406 Newhall Lane, Austin, Texas. For those wishing to make donations in Lewis's name, please send contributions to Hays Community Action Network 14034 Robins Run, Austin, TX 78737, or Scott and White Hospice, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, Texas 76508 or the charity of your choice. Guest book and obituary available online at harrellfuneralhomes.com 4435 Frontier Trail Austin, TX 78745 512-443-1366
Tributes
"Marilyn and family, so sorry for your loss. We are unable to attend the visitation or funeral Mass but want you to know you will be in our prayers."
"So sorry for your loss- thinking of you and your family"
"Michelle and family, My deepest sympathies to you and prayers for a beautiful transition for your dad. Losing a parent leaves a hole, never to be filled, because they will never be replaced. We then are left to honor them the remainder of our lives. God bless you all."
"Dear Bullard Family, I am sorry to hear of the death of your loved one. I hope this letter find you doing as well as can be expected! Have you ever wondered, is there a remedy for death? If so, what hope is there for the dead? Will we ever see our loved ones again? We can because the Bible makes this promise: "Your dead ones will live...They will rise up." And the Bible also says: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth and they will reside forever upon it."--Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29. We can have real confidence in such promises, because Almighty God has not only the power but also the desire to resurrect persons whom he chooses. Jesus Christ himself said: "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."--Luke 20:37, 38. What a time that will be to be reunited with our dead loved ones again in the near future right here on earth under peaceful righteous conditions. I hope this has helped you some to cope with your lose. Christian Love C. Marks, Sr"
"Lewis was a great leader he had showed me the way when I 1st started the bank he had gotten mad at me serveral times but... always help me out if it was'nt for him I would not be where at today. He had helped me out when I losted my son and I knew he was always there for me.. I love him for he was A GREAT PERSON Love Always, Laurie Pot"
"Gay, I was surprised and saddened today when I read of "Lew's" death. I served with him at MACV in Siagon in 1972-73, in fact our office "locked" the door.We crossed paths for maybe 9 months never to talk again. I feel "jilted" not knowing you were in the Austin area - but how would he have known - we did not trade addresses when we left 'Nam. "Lew" gave us humor and lent a serious mature voice to the group. I will not forget his smile. Be at Peace, CDR Bullard, I salute you."
"I am so grateful to have known Lewis. He was an extraordinary man of quiet strength. My sympathy to his wife and family. Lewis was a true hero of this country. Such a man is irreplacable, though it is my hope that you are comforted by his wonderful legacy."
"I am not sure I can put into words what Lewis meant to me and my family. I got Lewis as a father late in my life, but what a fine father and granfather he was. Not only was he always there for me with kind and helpful advice. I felt that he loved me and my children unconditionally, a rare thing we all know is hard to come by. The list of words that I could use to describe Lewis and what a fine man he was could fill many pages. However, I think the thing I respected him for the most is that Lewis truly believed in the "Power of one person, one voice, to make change". He was a man of personal integrity and he will be greatly missed."
"Gay, Laurie and I send you and the family all our Love and support in Bullets journey to the land where we will all meet each other again in peace. Thank you for both coming up to Sandpoint for the Braine reunion. We will always remember our fun week together and each time we see an Eagle fly by Lew watched with a smile of amazement when we were on our lake cruise in the Pend O' Reille river. Bullets is my Hero and has a special place in our hearts to have served with him in the Navy. Gay, thanks for giving everything you did to Lew to make his life as good as it was. We Love You and our door is always open for you with support forever."
"Gay and Ralph We are sorry for your loss of your husband and brother. May you reflect in the joy of his life. Mel and Sherry Shope"