Buster Donald Wells

Funeral service for Rev. Buster Donald Wells will be 2 p.m., Fri., Jan. 6, at New Life Baptist Church with Rev. Roy Evans and Rev. Charles Wyatt officiating. Burial with military honors by the VFW 5th District Rifle Squad will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thurs. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.

Buster stepped from this life into the presence of his Lord on Mon., Jan. 2, 2012, at his home at the age of 77.

The second of seven children born to Jesse Melvin and Credith Thelma (Worley) Wells was born March 8, 1934, in Oologah. Buster was a longtime resident of Verdigris. He attended various schools throughout Rogers County, before graduating from a class of twelve students from Owasso High School in 1953. Shortly afterwards he was drafted by the armed services to serve his country druing the end of the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1958. He promptly returned home to his family and wed his sweetheart, Beulah May Leigh on July 8, 1958. They soon gave birth to daughter, Sherry Lynn, and son, Dale Ray, in 1959 and 1962. They have recently celebrated 53 years of marriage. In the year of 1959, Buster received the calling to preach the Gospel while employed with Montgomery Ward in Claremore. As a young child he received a fiddle purchased by his grandmother and later on in life taught himself to play the piano, guitar, and various instruments while Pastoring a non-denominational church at 4th and Lavira which moved to 12th and Florence St. in Claremore before returning to the family home church of Lone Elm Community. Buster was an avid fan of Bluegrass music and was a very talented singer as his family grew up singing together on radio, church functions, weddings, and many funeral services with his sisters: Linda and Barbara. Later he received the invitation to Pastor the Christ Church of Concern on Charles Page Boulevard in West Tulsa for 12 years then returned home to Lone Elm Community Church until his retirement. He also served at the President of Green Country Bluegrass Association and loved attending various festivals and shows of Oklahoma and surrounding states. While perfecting his fiddling skills which came naturally from his love of the instrument as his Uncle Guy and cousin, George were contest winning fiddlers before their deaths. He was friends with many popular Bluegrass entertainers such as Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Doyle Lawson, and Quicksilver. Buster worked as a truck driver for Welch Oil Company, Froman's Propane, and retired from Nordam after 12 years of service. He continued his ministry by visiting area nursing homes and retirement centers. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and he loved visiting with friends and neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Melvin Wells; sisters: Linda Hardison and Mildred Wells; 2 infant siblings; granddaughter, Audrey Mae Wright; and 4 infant grandchildren.

Buster is survived by his wife, Beulah of the home; children: Sherry Lynn Wright of the home, and Dale Ray Wells of Broken Arrow; sister, Barbara Ann Sumter and husband, Henry "J.R." of Claremore; grandchildren: Collen Wade Wells of Claremore, and Drew Ian Wells of Broken Arrow; sisters-in-law: Vesta Lucille "Sue" Wells of Claremore, and Rachel Updegraff and husband, Jim of Springfield, MO; brothers-in-law: Bill Sowells and wife, Linda of Broken Arrow, Leon Leigh of Claremore, John Leigh and wife, Jeannie of Claremore, and Bobby Leigh of Springdale, AR; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.