George Pettit Macatee III

Macatee, George Pettit, III known as Buddy to friends and family passed away peacefully at home, January 5, 2023. A lifelong resident of Dallas, Texas, Buddy was the only child of Dorothy Buis and George P. (Bud) Macatee, Jr. As a boy, Buddy spent considerable time in the company of adults: paternal grandparents Mabel and George Sr., in Houston roaming around their Macatee Hotel which opened in 1906, as well as with his maternal aunts in their hometown of Kansas City, Mo. Buddy attended Highland Park public schools until 1944; he transferred to St. John's Military Academy, graduating as Salutatorian in 1946. He received his BBA from the University of Texas/Austin in 1951, later continuing his education by earning his MLA degree at SMU in 1973.

While having the time of his life at UT, Buddy was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and The Texas Cowboys. His service included being a first lieutenant in the 49th Armored Division of the Texas National Guard. After graduation, Buddy became the fourth generation to enter the family building supply business started in Houston. He took on leadership of the company following Bud's death in 1956. Never one to shy away from a good date, Buddy found the love of his life in Shirley Elizabeth McBride, marrying her in 1954. They settled into life in Dallas, having the first of five children in 1956. In 1958 The Dallas Times Herald selected Buddy as one of the "Leaders of Dallas".

In 1962, Buddy was elected to the Texas State Legislature. Returning to Dallas after his term in office, having sold the family business, he entered the real estate business forming development and brokerage companies. Buddy had a great eye for real estate but liked to say his "watch never worked" because he was always early to develop or invest. Macatee Capital Corp assembled a sizable land development portfolio in the early 1970's intending to take the company public. One such project, the Bent Tree Golf Course and Community in North Dallas, sold prematurely after development financing fell through.

In 1981, Buddy dedicated himself to making a difference in the African-American community of Fair Park/South Dallas as an homage to the many people of color who raised him "with such genuine concern" during his formative years. Buddy partnered with a retired African-American executive with IBM to stabilize neighborhoods through thoughtful management and ownership of commercial and residential properties. Politics and turf management proved major challenges as did the real estate downturn from 1986-1994. His successes included establishing the English Learning Center and the Jeffries Street Learning Center, the latter becoming a major beneficiary of the Crystal Charity Ball.

Buddy's vision led him to the neglected neighborhood south of Downtown, which he envisioned as a Dallas Bohemian-style Greenwich Village. After numerous loft-conversion projects and land acquisitions, the dream was realized some 30 years later as development sprung forth in what is now known as The Cedars.

Buddy gave of his time in many ways, in later years joining the volunteers for the Aberg Center for Literacy where he was an active teacher and fund raiser, and the Dallas Arboretum and Garden Center where he worked to facilitate major giving from his many old Dallas relationships. Buddy was active in the World Affairs Council of DFW, Toastmasters, Dallas Salesmanship Club, Idlewild Club, Terpsichorean Club, Dallas Country Club, Brook Hollow Golf Club, Dallas Associates, and Little Sandy Hunting and Fishing Club. The Aberg Center honored Buddy at its annual Legacy of Literacy event for his efforts in making a lasting impact on literacy in North Texas.

A voracious reader, Buddy also loved writing. His journal entries, especially on camping expeditions, and his "Letters to Quincy", a euphemistic name for his collective children, were his way of passing on his ideas about life and the world around him. He was a gifted storyteller, and the many forms of his writing became vehicles of the personal expression and connection to others that he so desired. A prodigious letter writer, Buddy's letters were always personal and delivered words of encouragement, advice or condolences. Letters to families in times of loss provided comfort and nostalgia. His children and grandchildren were often recipients of his words of wisdom which were sometimes quirky, sometimes funny but always from the heart. A quarterly newsletter targeted to the family styled These are the Good Old Days grew over its ten years into a widely loved circular. For many years, Buddy was a featured columnist for the Park Cities People. His popular articles featured life and history around Dallas and the Park Cities. He fulfilled a longtime goal by writing Lonesome Pine My Story, a memoir filled with stories of his life and growing up in Dallas in the 30's, 40's and 50's, laying bare the inner conflict and search for peace we all encounter in some form throughout our lives.

Buddy and Shirley loved traveling together and with friends and family. Diehard Anglophiles, they moved to Oxford, England for a year to travel and allow Buddy to pursue his interest in the literary arts. For many years, Buddy and Shirley maintained a second home in Aspen, quenching their love for Colorado and the mountains. Ever the entrepreneur, Buddy and future in-law Johnny Stuart financed a startup hot air balloon company, Aspen Balloon Adventures.

At his core, Buddy was a people person who found great joy in relationships. He thrived on meaningful conversation, and many will remember him for the way he made them feel valued and encouraged. To his grandchildren he doled out humor, wisdom, advice, and a love of the outdoors, camping and fishing. He especially loved the personal relationships with friends of his adult children where he could be both mentor and friend. A lifelong learner himself, he was always encouraging those around him to pursue education and any endeavor which would lead to their own growth.

Buddy is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Shirley, his children, George IV (Melissa), Dayton (Julie), Tandy Babb (Charley), Adrienne Strodel (Dan), Mark (Kelli), grandchildren George Macatee V (Kailee), McBride Oden (Madison), Stuart Macatee, Dayton Macatee, Jr., (Lauren), Molly Cox (Justin), Allyson Macatee, Adrienne Babb, Jennifer Babb, Robert Babb (Savvy), Melanie Macatee, Shelby Strodel, Ben Strodel, Brooke Strodel, Jordan Macatee, nine great-grandchildren, a niece and numerous nephews and cousins

Our family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to a very special man, Dr. Steven Leach, whose relationship and interest in Buddy's wellbeing transcended the common standard of care. We also want to thank the wonderful team of care givers who showered Buddy and all of us with caring attention and support during this last year.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution in Buddy's honor to the Dallas Arboretum, Aspire (formerly the Aberg Center for Literacy) or a charity of your choice.