Albert Ralph (Buddy) Schwartz

On Sunday, March 29, 2020, Albert Ralph Schwartz (Buddy), passed away at age 88. Buddy was born on January 18, 1932 in Vinita, Oklahoma to Albert and Ester Schwartz. He served in the Navy and after his service earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Oklahoma A & M (Oklahoma State University). He worked as an electrical engineer for many years at Western Electric Company. On June 20, 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 and 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. He 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 Oklahoma City, 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 grandchildren, 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, and 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.