Lee Roy "Buddy" Pyssen, Jr.

Lee Roy Pyssen, Jr., “Buddy” age 87, of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025 surrounded by his children.

A Funeral service will be held at Iago Community Church in Boling, Texas on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 1:00pm. A burial will follow the service at Evergreen Memorial Park in Wharton, Texas. Pallbearers will be Jacob and Jared Carpenter, Brandon and Clayton Gibbs, and Justin Strube.

Lee Roy was born in Newgulf, Texas on October 8, 1937. He grew up in Boling, Texas, helping his family farm rice and raise cattle. He enjoyed rodeoing and activities as a Boy Scout, including attending Camp Philmont in New Mexico. He met the love of his life, Laura, in 1950 while participating in youth rodeo. They were both members of the Rocking W Rodeo Club. He participated in roping, barrel racing, ribbon roping, and pole bending. Later in high school, he focused solely on calf roping. He was active in school with football, FFA, tennis, archery, and the glee club. Lee Roy graduated from Boling High School in 1956.

He attended Wharton Junior College, Texas A&M University where he was in the Corps of Cadets, and Southwest Texas State University. He and Laura married on June 12, 1959 and were married for 63 wonderful years. They moved to Beaumont in 1961 and Lee Roy began working for Texasgulf Sulphur Company. He graduated from Lamar University in December 1972, completing his BBA while working full time. In 1975, he and Laura moved their family to Fort Stockton where Lee Roy became the plant superintendent at the Texasgulf Comanche Creek Sulphur Plant. He spent the last few years working in the Newgulf Plant and in 1994 he and Laura retired to Austin, Texas.

His biggest hobby was raising Longhorn and Black Angus cattle. He was a member of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, International Texas Longhorn Association, Coastal Conservation Association, and the Texas Angus Association of which he served many roles including President in 2005. He and Laura also enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states. They looked forward to their family summer vacations, which started with a weeklong trip to Galveston in 2000 and have continued every year since. His favorite pastime however, was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Laura drove all over Texas to watch the kids’ various activities. His grandkids delighted in hearing “Grandpa Stories”.

Lee Roy is survived by his sister Dixie and husband JD Laird;

sister-in-law Eleanor Pulver and sister-in-law Frances and husband Tom Gregg; his 3 children, Royce and wife Tana Pyssen of Wall, Laura Beth and husband Bart Gibbs of Rockdale, Judith and husband Jason Carpenter of Rockdale; his 6 grandchildren, Allison and husband Justin Strube, Jacob and wife Brooke Carpenter, Brandon and wife Jennifer Gibbs, Jared Carpenter, Clayton and wife Kaitlyn Gibbs, and Joli Carpenter; his 7 great-grandchildren, Stehl and Suede Strube, Collyns and Callen Gibbs, Peyton and Carson Carpenter, and Hallie Gibbs; and many other family members and friends. Lee Roy is preceded in death by his wife, Laura; his parents, Lee Roy and Julia Pyssen; his brother, Bobby Pyssen and wife Zada; and his sister, Mary Ann Powell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the charity/organization of your choice or the Iago Community Church.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and visits during this very difficult time.

Funeral Servcies are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.