John Lawrence Buvens Sr.

1922 - 2013

John Lawrence Buvens passed into eternal life on the 16th day of November 2013, at home in the loving presence of his family. He lived a long and adventuresome life blessed by God for the many gifts he enjoyed and the challenges he faced.
Mr. Buvens was born in Houston, Texas on the 2nd day of February 1922, to Pat Buvens and Patti Malsch Buvens. He was a Christian athlete and graduate of St. Thomas High School where he excelled in both football and baseball. He enrolled in Rice University in 1940, lettering in baseball. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, at the age of 20, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1943, he was commissioned as a Naval Officer, earning his Wings as a Navy pilot and the rank of Lieutenant, serving our Nation for 22 years. John's loyalty and service to his Country was representative of his can-do character. His integrity was backed by a strong Catholic faith, full of the American spirit he cherished.
John married the first love of his life, his celestial navigation instructor, Lieutenant Claribel Anna Deihsler, U.S. Navy, a kind beauty with Wings, who he met while in flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Together they welcomed five daughters and a son into the world. They were married for nearly 30 years until Clare passed into eternal life in 1975.
A member of the first graduating class of University of Houston Law Center College of Law in 1950, John practiced law for over 58 years in Houston, Tomball and Wimberley, Texas. He was an Av rated lawyer by his peers.
In 1977, John married Shirley Jane Johnson Waggoner and for more than 36 "years of wonder" they were inseparable, living life to the fullest.
John was always active in the lives of his children, community and Church. This included coaching Little League Baseball (winning championships every year); serving as President of Willow Creek Little League; umpiring Little League Baseball and Tournament Play in District 7; serving as Scout Master at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church; serving as President of the Strake Jesuit Booster Club; supporting the Incarnate Word Sisters, Diocesan Priests, Basilian Fathers, Strake Jesuit Community, Tomball High School, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wimberley Knights of Columbus, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, and the Village of Wimberley.
John's other love was nature. Next to his God, his family and loving friends, he cherished his "Lazy JB Ranch" in Wimberley, Texas. He was a wildlife conservationist and friend of Texas Game Wardens in Hays County, Texas.
Our beloved John is survived by his beautiful wife, Shirley; seven children, Beth Buvens Armstrong and husband Louis, Shirley Buvens Berg and husband George, Chris Buvens Koshenina and husband James, Johnny Buvens and wife Muffy, Carole Buvens Draper and husband Richard, Beth Waggoner Dietze and Jim Waggoner; 15 grandchildren, Jeremy Armstrong, Amanda Berg Wilson, Jonathan Armstrong, Justin Berg, Sarah Armstrong Haeberle, Katie Berg Morrison, Rachel Armstrong Buerker, Catherine Armstrong Terry, Dos Dietze, Weldon Dietze, Caroline Dietze Bradford, Dylan Draper, Anna Clare Buvens, Luke Draper and Jack Buvens; 15 great-grandchildren, David, Caroline and Leah Armstrong, Jacob and Luke Haeberle, Andrew Buerker, Eloise Berg Wilson, Gus and Lily Berg, Emma Murphy, Will Morrison, Walker and Waylon Dietze, Blakely and Brittan Bradford; nieces Ellen Buvens Davidson and husband Bill, Joey Buvens Cronin and husband Jimmy and nephews Pat Buvens, Bill Buvens and wife Clara, and other extended family, too numerous to mention.
Mr. Buvens was preceded in death by his first wife, his lovely and happy daughter Patricia Buvens Somers, great-granddaughter Faith Armstrong and his brothers Pat, Bill and Joe.
He was also preceded in death by his long-time friend, Odie Odell, who schooled him in his favorite career as a rancher.
The family would like to thank John's care-givers, Esther Valdez, Stella Valdez, Dinhora Grimaldo, Anthony Valdez, Anna Quintanilla and Kathy Cisneros for their kind and loving care. Special thanks to loyal friend James Odell, always there for a trip in the pasture and anything to help. John loved them so much.
A Memorial Mass and Celebration of John's life was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wimberley, Texas on Saturday, the 23rd of November 2013, celebrated by the most loving family friend of 47 years, Father Don Schwarting.
John will be interred at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston, Texas.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Catholic Charities (catholiccharities.org/donate) or your favorite charity.