James Edward Fultz

April 15, 1922 – April 3, 2016

James Edward Fultz (Bud) was born April 15, 1922 in Petrolia, Texas, to Roy Russell and Frances Christopher Fultz. During his high school days he was active in band, playing clarinet and saxophone. Bud was selected to play in the Texas All State Band in Mineral Wells, Texas. He also formed a swing band which played at the local American Legion and VFW Clubs. Bud played football in high school where he lettered and was voted Best Player in 1938.

In 1940, Bud enrolled in Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. Then along came WWII. He joined the Marine Corp and was assigned to their V-12 Unit. After training at Parris Island, SC and Quantico, VA, he was assigned to the 5th Amphibian Corps, Operations and Planning in Hawaii. He was involved in the invasion of Guam and Iwo Jima.

At the end of the war he returned to TCU and graduated in 1948. He then worked in the oil field supply business and was transferred to Casper, WY where he met and married Ellen Ireland. When it was time to retire Jim and Ellen moved to Sun City, AZ. He was active in the Willowbrook Methodist Church, serving as a chair of their outreach committees and Habitat for Humanity. He served in the Sun City Republican Club for several years.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Roy Russell and Frances Christopher Fultz, his sisters Mary Fultz Sigler and Bettye Fultz Moore, and his wife Ellen Ireland Fultz. He is survived by his sister Dorothy (Dort) Fultz Estes of Tomball, TX, his daughter Cindy (Curt) Larson of Sun City West, AZ, his grandsons Peter Larson of Windsor, CO, Eric Larson (Carrie) of Laramie, WY and great grandson, Samuel Sherman Larson. He was beloved by many nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services will be held in Petrolia, TX.

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.