Graveside services for Buz Poage, 68, of Lubbock, and formerly of Levelland, will be

1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2009, in City of Levelland Cemetery. A Celebration of

Life Service will follow at 3:30 p.m., at Second Baptist Church of Lubbock. Rev.

Stephanie Nash, Pastor of Education and Outreach, Second Baptist Church, Lubbock, and

Rev. Jesse Hodge, pastor, First Christian Church, Levelland, will officiate. Services are

under the care of George Price Funeral Home, Levelland. He died Wednesday, March 10,

2009, in Lubbock.

Born on Nov. 7, 1940, on a farm east of Plainview, to Herman Clifton and Wanda Hewett

Poage, he was active in 4-H and showed calves in his youth . He was reared on farms in

Plainview, Cotton Center and Tulia. He graduated from Tulia High School in 1960 and

attended the University of Houston, McMurry College and West Texas State University.

He was an avid sports enthusiast in his youth as a participant and in his later years as a

fan, whether watching the grandkids or cheering Texas Tech Athletics.

Buz worked at Taylor-Evans Seed Company in Tulia, for three years and Growers Seed

Association in Lubbock for over 7 years and had been the owner/president of Levelland

Delinting, Inc. since 1974. He established All-Tex Seed, Inc. in 1975. Buz was active in

his community where he served as Chairman of the 4-H Adult Leadership Committee,

Chairman of the Program and Planning Committee for the Hockley County Extension

Service. He also served as Vice-President of the Levelland Area Chamber of Commerce

and President of the Levelland Area Junior Livestock Board. He was an Honorary

Chapter Farmer FFA in Levelland and Honorary State Farmer FFA in Texas. He was a

member of the Texas State 9-1-1 Commission since 2001. Buz was also active in various

agri-business organizations as Charter President of the American Cottonseed Delinting

Association in 1973, Director of the American Cottonseed Delinting Association from

1974 until 1979. He also served on various committees for the American Cottonseed

Delinting Association. He was Chairman of the Cotton Division for the Texas Seed Trade

Association, President of Texas Custom Delinters in 1983, and a member of the Texas

State Seed and Plant Board from 1995 until 1999. Buz was awarded the American

Cottonseed Delinter of the Year Award in 1982. He was also awarded the Distinguished

Industry Associate Award for 2002-2003 for Distinguished Service to the Cotton Ginning

Industry and the Texas Independent Ginners Association.

Survivors include his sons, Cody Poage and his wife, J-Lyn, of Levelland, Kyle Poage

and his wife, Brenda, of Lubbock; his grandchildren, Khris, Jon, Chelsea, Hanna, Kyler,

Daniel, Kailiegh, and one more on the way; his sister, Dee Dee and her husband, Monty

Davenport, of Lubbock; and many other relatives and friends.

Shocked and grieved to hear about Buz. We have been on the road for the past several

weeks ( in North Carolina right now) so we did not know about his condition. While

living in Lubbock for the past eight years I would run into Buz ever once in a while. It

was always good to see him and to visit with him. He was a good friend. He loved Tulia

and his friends from Tulia High School. Wish I could have seen him before he died.

Mel Hooten

What a wonderful tribute to Buzzy. A lot of memories of the Tulia class came flooding

back when I looked at those pictures. I don’t know if you would remember me or not,

since I only went first semester at Tulia before moving. But I remember most of all of

you. Buzzy's locker was right next to my locker. He was forever blocking me from

getting to my books for the next class. Ha. He was a class act! Very nice and friendly to

everyone and me.

Modene Purcell Moore

Buzzy Poage was my hero, he was the most graceful and humble person I ever had the

pleasure of associating with. I was with him everyday we worked out on the athletic field

together. I improved my athletic ability by competing with him on the athletic field. He

was one of two people I idealized in high school; the other person was the great Ray

eventually able to beat him in competition even though I never beat him in practice. I

was eventually able to defeat the great Ray Sudeth in competition also. Buzzy was my

protector in high school, he always stopped people just before they hurt or injured me.

Billy Wayne Dick

I could not be at Buzzy's Service yesterday, but feel compelled

to share my thoughts about him .... in a small way honor him,

tell his family how much I CARE and provide a way for so many

others and me a way to GRIEVE.

Words that come to mind when I think about Buzzy ....

Leader .... Family and Business

Athlete ... supported Tulia High School with Greatness

Classmate ... known by all and represented our 1960 Class so

well

Friend ... was there for Janice when she really needed it ... and

I am sure Janice was the first in line to greet him

and welcome him HOME.

Our Fonz .... What gal did not like Buzzy? WOW ...

(Almost as much as Jerry Stout).

A Ladies Man … even in this last moments on this earth,

Buzzy was surrounded by special people that could not stop

caring and loving him.

A Wonderful Family ...

Especially his sister Dee Dee for her complete and total Love

for her brother and .... and for sure his sons, Kyle and Cody,

who stood by him with great loyalty to the very end.

Photos ... memorable moments ....

1957

1958

1960

1959

1960

1960

1960

1960

1960

1960

1960

1959

Dee Dee, Kyle and Cody … we love you, our hearts ache for

you, but are so happy Buzzy is in such good hands.

God Bless this wonderful family.

Yea for Buzzy, “Our Fighting Tulia Hornet”! .... Bobby Doan