Don A. Buchholz, 90, of Garland and Dallas passed away on April 30, 2019. A memorial service followed by a reception will be held Monday, May 6 at 2 pm at Park Cities Baptist Church with Dr. Russell Dilday officiating.
Don was born in La Porte, Texas to Frederick and Chrystine Buchholz on March 10, 1929. He attended Garland High School and served in the United States Air Force. Thanks to the GI Bill, he graduated from the University of North Texas in 1952. Don married his wife of 61 years, Ruth Vernon, on May 17, 1958. They were active in First Baptist Church of Garland and later Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.
He was a self-made entrepreneur and executive who lived the American dream. He was a loving husband, a steadfast friend, a man of strong faith, and his family’s devoted patriarch. A man of clear vision and discipline, Don was a remarkable role model and will be sorely missed.
He began his career as a CPA with KPMG. In 1972, after working together at Weber Hall Cobb & Caudle, Don and Allen Cobb were the principal founders of Southwest Securities, a New York Stock Exchange member firm. Over the years, Don served as the company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, retiring as its Chairman Emeritus in 2011. Southwest Securities, later SWS Group, Inc., continues to exist as part of Hilltop Securities. He was also Chairman of First Savings Bank – Arlington, which is now part of PlainsCapital Bank.
Don rose to the top of his profession and was a leader in his community. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the New York Stock Exchange. He also was a director of the Securities Industry Association, the NASD, and several other industry associations. Don also served as a director of the Dallas Citizens Council, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Old Red Courthouse, Inc. and the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute.
A strong believer in the power of a good education to transform lives and communities, he served as President of the Garland Independent School District Board, and spent 19 years on the Dallas County Community College District Board. He was a Regent of the University of North Texas and received its Outstanding Alumnus Service Award, Distinguished Alumnus Award and an honorary doctorate degree. As Chairman of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board, Don showed his support for Ruth’s alma mater. They received several awards from Baylor, culminating in the Founders Medal.
Don loved nothing more than spending time on his ranches, first in San Saba and, since 1996, near Kopperl. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. In his later years, he taught his grandsons about the business of ranching and improving the land, which they have embraced.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Evelyn Bryant (Jess) and Gwen Heinen, and brothers Bob and Fred. Don is survived by his wife Ruth V. Buchholz, children Robert (Angela) Buchholz and Christy Roberts (Mark), brother Bill (Marilyn) Buchholz, and grandchildren Sam, Don, and Anna Buchholz and Ken and Ruthie Roberts.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Bettis, Bob Canon, R.E. Dodson, Bill Felder, Leroy Howard, Carl Luna, Jerry McPeters, Don Potts, Max Smith, and Jack Wall.
The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Rolando Solis, Dr. Raymon Aggarwal, Baylor University Medical Center, Rose Shields, Elizabeth Davis and the nurses and caregivers at Home Care Assistance of Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Bill J. Priest Center Fund at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas (https://one.unt.edu/giving), or the Don A. and Ruth Vernon Buchholz Endowed Scholarship Fund, est. 1969 (ID#478SAEM), at Baylor University, Waco, Texas (https://www.baylor.edu/give/index.php?id=49837&a=3&f=478SAEM&scode=BUE.D0ENDOW).