Conroe residents are mourning the death of 89-year-old Don Buckalew, a 50-year car dealer and longtime supporter of many of the city’s organizations.
From involvement in the Conroe Noon Lions and the Montgomery County Fair Association to his support of the Conroe Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce and his term on the Conroe ISD school board, Buckalew’s impact in Conroe is widespread.
With Buckalew’s death Saturday evening, residents across the city are reflecting on his life and legacy in Conroe.
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“Don’s impact on the fair association is unmatched and he was no doubt our biggest cheerleader. He can be credited with much of the vision, successes, stability and sustainability we have been blessed with for many decades,” said Cody Bartlett, president of the Montgomery County Fair Association. “His leadership and drive through the years were a great asset in building this organization and he generously supported our mission of youth and education every step of the way. He will be dearly missed.
A celebration of his life will take place at 11:30 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Conroe, 600 N. Main. A reception at the church will follow at 12:30 p.m.
A native of Montgomery County, he was raised at a sawmill in the community of Magnolia where he learned the value of hard work and the significance of a strong education. He lived in Magnolia all of his early life and graduated as valedictorian from Magnolia High School in 1952.
He went to Baylor University and graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was a strong supporter and fan of the Baylor Bears for the rest of his life.
After beginning his career in the automobile business in Tomball, he moved to Humble, where he worked at Robbins Chevrolet.
Buckalew became co-owner of Weisinger-Buckalew Chevrolet in Conroe on Jan. 1, 1965. Following the death of W.B. Weisinger, he became the sole owner and renamed the dealership Buckalew Chevrolet in 1974.
He was presented his 50 Year Dealer Award from General Motors in 2015.
Buckalew also was an integral part of many Conroe organizations like the Conroe Noon Lions Club.
In 1963, at age 29, he was the youngest Lion’s Club district governor in the state and his leadership with the International Association of Lion’s Club was established. He went on to serve as an elected international director from Texas 1974-76.
“Our Lion’s Club is extremely saddened about the passing of Don A. Buckalew; he was a Conroe Noon Lions Club patriarch,” said Vicki Musgrove, executive secretary of the Conroe Noon Lions Club. “As a past international director, it was because of his wisdom, knowledge and leadership we continue to thrive as the largest Lions Club in the state of Texas. He truly will be missed, and we give our heartfelt condolences to all of the Buckalew family.”
He was also instrumental in transforming the Montgomery County FFA and 4-H Club member’s junior livestock and non-livestock auctions from a Conroe Chamber of Commerce committee project to the Montgomery County Fair Association in 1978 and served as the charter president for four years.
Buckalew continued to be active and served as a leader in this association until his death.
“Don will be missed. He was the fair association’s greatest champion and someone who has been instrumental in my few years with the organization,” said Brian Hayes, executive director of the Montgomery County Fair Association. “Don leaves a legacy with the fair that will likely never be matched and we were so very lucky to have him in our personal and professional lives.”
Supporting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo also was one of his passions. His involvement with Houston rodeo spanned more than 55 years.
He also was past president of the Conroe Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce and a member of the chamber’s wall of honor.
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“Chamber staff and extended chamber family are very saddened by the passing of Mr. Buckalew on Saturday. His impact on our community through his work at the chamber and many other organizations is second to none,” said Scott Harper, president of the chamber. “Even though his health was failing him, he would still call and ask me first, how I and my family was doing and then dive into his thoughts or questions. He was always wanting to help and support in any way he could. I will be forever grateful for Mr. B as he led the chamber search committee that hired me in 2012 and was instrumental in me being hired again in 2021. Getting to know him allowed me also to get to know the whole family as well. They all have been dear friends to me and my family.”
In The Woodlands, Don. A Buckalew Elementary School was dedicated in November 1998 in tribute to his service on the Conroe ISD board.
Buckalew is survived by his wife, Elaine, and children Debbie, Donnie, Denny, Deann, Kristen, Bryan and Lacey. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
