ALBERT RALPH "BUDDY" SCHWARTZ, 88, passed away on
March 29, 2020.
Buddy was born on Jan. 18, 1932 in Vinita, OK to
Albert & Ester Schwartz. He served in the U.S.
Navy and after his service earned a Bachelor’s
Degree from Oklahoma A&M (OK State University).
He worked as an electrical engineer for many
years at Western Electric Co.
In June of 1953, he married the love of his life,
Patricia Ann Henry. They were married for 57 years
until Patricia was called home in 2011. They raised
five children, Russell, Patti, Steve, Doug & LuAnn.
Buddy grew up on a farm in rural Oklahoma. He loved
to tell stories about his childhood and all the
lessons he learned from life on the farm. Buddy
attended a one room schoolhouse for his elementary
years and later attended Bluejacket High School
where he met his future wife while riding the bus
to school. He enlisted in the Navy after graduation
and served as a radio technician. He then attended
Oklahoma A&M and after graduating, accepted a position
with Western Electric in OKC, later transferring to
Mesquite, TX. He served many years as an elder in
the Church of Christ in Oklahoma and Mesquite.
His loving marriage served as a foundation for
creating a home full of love, and a passion for
caring for children that included providing day
care and a home for foster children for many years.
Buddy was a Godly man who loved to study the Bible
and teach others. You knew he loved the Lord by
the way he lived his life. Buddy was well loved
by his neighbors who enjoyed seeing him on his
daily walks, usually accompanied by a baby in a
stroller or a dog by his side. He never returned
home without a found treasure. He loved to say
“You always look down when you’re walking because
you never know what you will find.” Buddy found
humor in the world around him. He had a habit of
entertaining everyone with his gruff, witty insights.
He passed his characteristically dry sense of humor
on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grand-
children, whom he considered his greatest blessings.
Buddy was preceded in death by his wife, father,
mother, and five siblings, Lois, Joe, Cleta, James
and Sue.
He is survived by his five children, Russell (Susan)
Schwartz, Patti (John) Quick, Steve (Judy) Schwartz,
Doug (Karen) Schwartz, LuAnn (Stacy) Massey, daughter-
in-law Shaylynn Schwartz Matthews, & 13 grandchildren,
Sheila Busch, Kyle Schwartz, Caleb and Jacob Quick,
Neil, Adam and Scott Schwartz, Aaron Schwartz, Katie
Trout, Madison, Seth, Gabriella and Luke Massey, and
10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 3
brothers, Johnny, George and Larry, and numerous
nieces and nephews.