Drew Bullard

Drew Bullard, 77, passed away Sunday, September 22 at the Covenant Specialty Hospital in Lubbock.

He was born February 25, 1947 in Snyder, Texas to Fred and Jeanne Bullard.

Drew was a fourth generation Scurry Countian descended from the Taylors, Monroes, and Bullards. The family ranch was founded in 1899, on land that was settled under the Homestead Act of 1862. They continued to increase their land holdings to become what is now known as Bullard Ranch. Drew and his parents spent years carefully building a herd of registered Black Angus that regularly won top honors at the San Angelo cattle auction. They were forced to sell much of the herd during the terrible drought of 2011, but persevered and soon rebuilt the ranch to its full operational capacity.

Drew attended Snyder High School, graduating in 1965. He was an avid athlete, playing both basketball and baseball. During his Senior year, he was Captain of both the basketball and baseball teams. The basketball team’s record for the season was 22-5 and the baseball team went to the State Tournament in Austin. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost to a team from Alvin with a pitcher named Nolan Ryan. In 2011, Drew was inducted into the SHS Athletic Hall of Honor.

He subsequently attended Hardin-Simmons University on a basketball scholarship. After two years, he transferred to the University of Texas, graduating with degrees in history and philosophy in 1969.

Drew joined the Peace Corps in 1969. He served in India for two and a half years, living in the small rural village of Banetia, Rajasthan. His mission was to implement new agricultural practices to enhance the wheat crops. He later wrote a book about his experiences called Seeds and Spice, which he published through Amazon.

Upon returning to Snyder from the Peace Corps, he resumed ranching and farming. He also began his lifelong volunteer work at the Scurry County Museum starting with the founding years since 1971. Through this work, he met his future wife, Carol Cramer. They were married September 15, 1973 and were married for 51 years.

After receiving his teaching certificate from Texas Tech University, he taught English and history at Snyder High School for seven years from 1984-1991. During this time, he also helped organize extracurricular activities, and was known for his combination of wit, knowledge, and inspiration in the classroom.

Beginning in 1991, along with partner Jim Featherston, he started a computer business. Soon after, he opened a storefront on College Avenue as Bullard’s Computer Solutions, which he owned and operated for 23 years. In the early 1990’s, Bullard’s Computer Solutions became the first Internet Service Provider in the region, at a time when few understood the significance of the Internet. In the following years he expanded this vital service to include high speed wireless access to businesses in the area. Other services included networking and custom desktop machines. He sold the business in 2014.

Drew sustained his strong interest in Scurry County and West Texas history over the years. Drew's grandfather, Hugh Taylor, was the first chairman of the Scurry County Historical Commission. Drew also served as the chairman of the Commission for many years, researching the material for numerous historical markers and submitting them to the State. As SCHC chair, he also facilitated a collaboration with Texas Tech’s Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library to digitize the complete collection of Snyder Daily News microfilm, making this valuable resource available to the public via a website with a searchable database.

Drew also presented papers at the West Texas Historical Association and West Texas Trails Association. His writings have been published in the West Texas Historical Review as well as The Cattleman magazine. He was in the process of completing a book about Scurry County  buffalo hunter J. Wright Mooar that incorporated the original transcripts of interviews with Mooar conducted by J. Evetts Haley, Sr.

Drew, along with his wife Carol, have been involved with the Scurry County Museum since its founding in 1971. He worked on the Museum Project from its inception, organizing research and artifacts in a temporary space at the Diamond M Museum, then helping to install the first exhibits in the Learning Resource Center at WTC, and assisting with the expansion into the current Museum building located on the WTC campus. He actively served on the Museum board since the 1990’s. It was once again his dedicated community service that was to leave a living legacy that is still a vibrant part of Scurry County today: the Scurry County Museum.

He also enjoyed serving as a Western Texas College trustee since 1996. He took pride in participating in the growth of the college and its vibrant campus, sports, and unique programs for our region.

Following his family’s tradition of dedicated community service, Drew was also involved on other boards, including the Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Association, with involvement in initiating and implementing the annual Bike Fest, the Hunter’s Appreciation dinners, the DCOS loan committee, the Coliseum advisory board, and the Council for Educational Excellence.

For many years, he served as the Chairman of the Scurry County Republican Party and was elected to the State Republican Executive Committee. He was selected as a delegate to multiple state conventions, as well as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Drew was a sports enthusiast, following his favorite Texas teams both college and professional. To relax, he enjoyed fishing at the stock tank or taking his boat out to Lake Alan Henry. He stayed in touch with lifelong friends and found great joy in his family. He was a kid at heart with a great sense of humor. Throughout his life, he would persevere in the face of adversity with a strong faith, dedication to family and friends, love of the land, and his home West Texas. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jeanne and Fred Bullard. Survivors include his wife, Carol, son Mark Bullard of Dallas, daughter Christina Bullard Daly and husband Chris of Killingworth, Connecticut, and two grandchildren Alora and William. He is also survived by his brother Tom Bullard and wife Elizabeth of Woodstock, New York, nephew Michael Bullard of Austin, Texas, sister-in-law Holly E. Cramer of Santa Barbara, California, and cousin Leddy Lewis of Snyder.

A private family service will be held with interment at the Snyder Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the Scurry County Museum, 6200 College Ave., Snyder, TX 79549.