Obituary of Reuben Burt Carothers

Reuben B. Carothers, III (‘Bud’ or ‘Buddy’)

Bud was born January 11, 1929 in Sulphur Springs, Texas.  He peacefully passed away on February 19, 2018 at his home in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Survived by wife Jane.  Survived by beloved pets, Rex and Ginger Belle, and several cats that chose to come live at the ‘Magnolia Inn’. 

Descended from early well-known family of Sulphur Springs:  grandfathers, W. W. Jones and R. B. Carothers of City National Bank.  Predeceased by parents, R. B. Carothers, Jr. and Kathryn Jones Carothers, well-known piano teacher in Sulphur Springs.  Predeceased by sister, Dorothy Anne Carothers Overton.

Bud is also survived by niece Autie Katherine Overton, great nephews Matt and Lucas Moen, cousins, Thomas E. ‘Tommy’ Jones and John L. ‘Johnny’ Jones and their families, and cousin, Lucy Carothers McRae Vollet and family.

Bud graduated from Texas Tech and then graduated from OCS at Newport, Rhode Island.

The most interesting time of his life was his service as a naval officer aboard the USS Hornet; he literally went around the world.  He often told the story that he walked out the front door of his parent’s house, took the train to Norfolk, VA, boarded the USS Hornet, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, sailed through the Suez Canal, then to Ceylon, Japan, Philippines, crossed the Pacific Ocean, and disembarked in San Francisco, flew to Dallas where his parents picked him up and drove up to the front door of the family home.  He remained in the Naval Reserve retiring as a Lt. Commander.

Bud had a varied career.  After his active duty naval service, he was a Contract Administrator at Convair Aerospace in San Diego, delivering new airplanes all over the country.  He also worked as a stock broker, real estate broker, and in oil and gas leasing.  He also served for a time on the Board of Directors of City National Bank.

Bud bravely accepted responsibility to care for a family member under what proved to be very difficult and trying circumstances following a long-ago family tragedy.

Bud and I married late in life, but we had a fine time together travelling to Canada to escape the Texas heat in summer, building our first house together, renovating the ‘Magnolia Inn’, tramping through the woods on his pride and joy Lake Fork property, and adopting numerous dogs and cats over the years.  He will be greatly missed and an emptiness in my life has opened that will never be filled. 

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Hearts of Life Animal Rescue of Sulphur Springs or the no-kill animal shelter of your choice or to organizations that provide service dogs to veterans.

Much gratitude to Ellen Bracy of Hospice Plus who stayed with me through the darkest moments of my life.  Special thanks to Encompass Home Health, Hospice Plus, and Angel Home Care for kind, compassionate, professional care in these most difficult times.

Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 2, 2018 at West Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 500 S Hillcrest Dr., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com