Charles Argyle Tolleson Jr.

Charles Argyle Tolleson Jr. was born November 28, 1945. He was the only child of Anna Lou Bunton and Charles A. Tolleson Sr. He was born at Hermann Hospital. Buster was a big brother to 13 siblings. He was raised in Houston and would often tell stories about walking in the woods to what is now Interstate 59 and playing in the Camp Logan WW 1 training camp, which is now Memorial Park.

In 1965 he joined the United States Marine Corps and was sent to Vietnam. He served three tours, was the recipient of many medals and ended his military career as a Sergeant. If you were to tell Buster he was a brave man, he would reply something like “not really, in the Corps you just do what you are told”. Then he would casually change the subject. He never liked talking about his service. Occasionally, he would mention guarding President Nixon but mostly he kept his service private.

While he was home on leave, he met his “soul mate” Donna Lee Woods. Buster and Donna married and had 5 children. They settled in Southeast Houston and started the next chapter in their life. He was a devoted father never missed a baseball game, dance recital, dirt bike races. Buster was always there. He would take the kids fishing and let them sit on his lap while he was driving the boat. He would pretend the boat wouldn’t start and tell them king nuptune stories. Everything they did, they did as a family. Buster and Donna built a solid foundation based on love, respect and laughter. If you were one of their kids, you knew how to work hard, you had integrity and you were taught to always put family first.

He began his new career at Brink’s Inc. as a Security officer. Brink’s promoted him to the Assistant Manager over the Texas region. He would often take the kids to the office and let them sit on bags of money. Somewhere there is a picture of the kids napping on millions of dollars! Due to the traveling requirements he changed his career path and joined Local Union 135 and became a union Iron worker. He retired as a union iron worker for over 35 years, during his career one of his great accomplishments was building the Transco Tower.

Buster was a member of C.A. Fortner 1304 Masonic lodge where he proudly served as a Master Mason. He was a member of Kennedy Commandry #61 were he proudly served as a Knights Templar, and Lloyd L. Gibson #394 and Lloyd L. Gibson #481 where he proudly served in the chapter and counsel.

Buster found pure happiness in being a Papa to the girls and Pop to the boys. Buster has 11 grand kids and 3 great grandchildren. He remained the constant in all their lives.

Buster buried his wife 17 years ago and never really got over it. If anyone asked him if he wanted to date or meet someone, his answer was always, “No, that wouldn’t be fair to the other person. No one could ever compare to my sweetheart.” He remained loyal to his one true love until his dying day.