Fred "Pa Fred" Bullard

Fred Bullard, better known as Pa Fred or simply Papa, passed away on July 24, 2015, after a lengthy illness. Papa Fred was 80 years old when he went home to be with the Lord. Fred was born on May 20, 1935, to J. D. & Nina Mae Bullard in Las Cruses, NM. While Fred’s formal education did not surpass the 8th grade, he was wise beyond his years and one of the smartest decisions he ever made was on Dec. 27, 1958, when he married his wife, Evelyn McCown. They were married for 57 years. Fred was also fortunate enough to father two children, Jeff and Leora. Fred had a few things in life he was great at. If you know Pa Fred, you knew he could throw an angry fit better than any child, but he was also quick to turn around and make you laugh. That may be what he is known for the most – his jokes. If you spent any amount of time with him, you heard one or 100 jokes and everyone has their favorite. He was telling jokes all the way to the end. Along with telling jokes, Pa Fred was a master in the kitchen. He could and would cook anything and it would be the best thing you had ever eaten and you would consider slapping your mamma. Hard work was also one thing that made Fred the man he was. Everyone knew he was a Mozart with a welding torch. He could weld any two pieces of metal together and they would stay that way forever. He had even been known to weld wood. As amazing as he was with a joke or in the kitchen or with a welding torch, it is not those things that will be missed most. His willingness to help anyone with anything is what made him truly special. He would and has literally taken the shirt off of his back to lend a hand. He may not have been a rich man as far as money is concerned, but where it mattered most – love, friendship and the admiration of everyone he ever met – he was the richest man ever. His presence is what will be missed most and not just by his family, but by everyone he has ever met. Fred Bullard is preceded in death by his parents and several siblings. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Bullard, his son, Jeff Bullard & wife Tina, and his daughter, Leora Duncan. He is also survived by his most loved possessions, his grandchildren, Nick Loos, Matt Wyatt & wife Jessica, and Andy Bullard along with a great granddaughter, Kynslee Wyatt. Upon Pa Fred’s wishes he will be cremated and a memorial celebration will be held at the Dimple Community Center on Aug. 8, 2015, starting at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, P. O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309. Cremation is under the care and direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home. Pa Fred leaves behind a legacy of greatness whether he knew it or not and everyone that has ever known him now has the monumental task of following in his boots, even though those boots weren’t very big, they left a big mark in the world and if we can all achieve half of what Pa Fred did we can all rest easy knowing we have lived a great life.