Adrian Lynn “Bud” Lindsey

Adrian Lynn Lindsey, 99 of Stanton, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024 at his residence.

Adrian Lynn Lindsey, aka, Bud, was born to parents Adam Linn Lindsey and Esther Irene Shannon Lindsey on October 1, 1925, in Ranger, Texas. The event apparently went unnoticed except for his parents. His two-year old sister, Dorothy Jean, probably was told the explanation for this new family member was the result of being ordered from a Sears-Roebuck catalogue.

Bud’s early education and life was always in Texas except for one long detour to Red Oak, Iowa. Bud spent eleven years in public schools in seven different towns, graduating from High School in Brady, Texas, in 1942.

When old enough to obtain a SS number, Bud started his working career as a “sacker” for the H.E. Butt grocery store in Alice, Texas, sorting the good potatoes from the bad in a stack of potato’s that never seemed to become smaller. Bud and a friend delivered Thursday’s weekly grocery circular to the homes in their part of town, splitting the payment of $1.25.

While attending Brady High School, Bud worked at two drug stores as a soda jerk. When WWII broke, Bud was given the opportunity to operate the fountain in Brady’s largest drug store as the owner/manager was being drafted; thus at 16, Bud became an operator of a soda fountain. That all changed shortly after he reached the age of 18, as he was drafted and ended up in the Army, going to Europe. He was captured by the Germans and spent the winter of 1944-45 in Stalag VIIA near Munich.

After returning to the states after the war, Bud passed his Broadcast Radio license to be an engineer. His first jobs as a Radio Engineer was at both Brownwood (KBWD) and Brady (KNEL), both 250 watt, daytime stations. Bud would open up the transmitter in Brownwood at 6:00 AM, work until 1:00 PM, grab a bite of lunch then drive the 45 miles to Brady to work at KNEL until sunset, then back to Brownwood. His method of transportation was a surplus Army Jeep.

In 1947, Bud went to work for KCRS in Midland. It was during the time when KCRS was changing from a high-end frequency to the preset place on the AM dial; 550. The transmitter was located where Denny’s is now located, with the studio in the Scarbough Hotel.

Bud considers the most important event in his life was when he met Juanita Sue Anderson, of Stanton, on a blind date in Midland. Despite that blind dates were “iffy,” this one worked out as Juanita Sue, aka, Babe, were married on May 10, 1952, a marriage that lasted almost 65 years, until Juanita passed away in March of 2017.

In 1950, Bud started filming high school football games for Midland High. The Coach was Tug Boat Jones and his star running back was Wahoo McDaniel. Filming football on Friday Nights became rather busy as he then started developing the film in his garage. This activity, as a “moonlight” sideline to a regular 8 to 5 job continued for about 35 years. Juanita Sue accompanied Bud to most of the out-of-town games, suffering the cold, windy and sometimes damp weather in the bleachers while Bud had more comfort in the press box.

Bud left KCRS in 1960 to work at R&R Electronics, a small chain of wholesale electronic firms. Leaving R&R in 1969, Bud started to work at Region 18 Education Service Center, located at Midland Air Terminal. Region 18 is one of 20 such organizations, located in Texas. They are tasked to provide expert help to public schools in Texas.

Bud and Juanita (Babe) were actively involved in Square Dancing, going to a local or area dance at least once a week. It was an enjoyable time in their lives, making many life-long friends in the process.

Bud and Babe did not have children but were involved in attempting to help friends and relatives in raising their children.

After retiring from Region 18 in 1989, Bud and Babe made the decision to move from Midland to Stanton. The home of Babe’s parents, Mike and Vela Anderson, was in a state of disrepair, so they rolled up their sleeves and started a long process of restoration. It was pleasant living in between Babe’s two sisters; Verla Doggett and Anna Lou Robinson for several years.

Soon after the move from Midland to Stanton in 1991, Juanita and her next-door sister, Verla Doggett, became part of the emerging Old Sorehead Band, a group of musicians of varied talents and senior citizens. The band traveled across West Texas, playing, no charge, for events. Bud accompanied the group, mostly as a person to tote equipment as he had limited musical talents.

Bud, with the support of Jimmy Stallings, Bob Davenport and others, started a three-times-a-year local magazine called The Old Sorehead Gazette. It was a Magazine with contributions from local area and other writers. It was all volunteers, with the writers receiving nothing but perhaps glory. The only expense was for printing and postage. The printer was Pinky Jones and the office keeper was Sally Poteet. If the magazine resulted in any profit, it went to support the Community Fund or the Senior Citizens Foundation. It had a run of 11 years, three issues a year, for a total of 33 issues. Having Bud as the EDITOR was a big stretch, as Bud was hardly noted for his spelling ability. Bud, in his defense, once stated, “At the age of seven, I mastered the word “Mississippi,” and at 65, could instantly spell “broccoli.”

Bud became ill in 1990 and was forced to discontinue the magazine.

Bud wrote and self-published a book (A Soda Jerk Goes to War) about his involvement in WWII, kept hives of bees, restored old VW “Bugs.” and was reasonably proficient in electronics.

Hands down, his life in his last years were the most pleasant, living in the small town of Stanton, Texas! Actually, he said, “It’s a real hoot!”

Bud is survived by his sister, Betty Gilmore of Azle, Texas and 15 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers it is suggested that any donations should be to the Martin County Senior Citizens Foundation or the Martin County Community Fund.

He will lie in state Thursday, November 14, 2024 beginning at 11:00 am at Gilbreath Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 5:30-7:30 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, November 15, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church of Stanton.  Interment with Ft. Cavazos Army Honor Guard will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home.  Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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