Arlo Floyd Buller

Arlo Floyd Buller went home to be with his loving Savior on September 8th, 2024 after a full 90 years of life. Son, Faithful Loving Husband (twice), Beloved Father, Grandfather (Poppi), Great-Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, and Friend who always had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes.

The second youngest of nine, Arlo was raised on a Mennonite farm outside of Peabody, Kansas. They raised cows, pigs, chickens, a huge garden, and Dick, the famous Welsh pony. Dick was Arlo’s favorite and would win races against thoroughbreds yet was gentle enough for three children to ride on his back. The excess “egg and cream money” was used to buy what they could not grow in the garden. Over his lifetime, he witnessed the arrival of indoor plumbing and electricity, the shift from farming with mules to farming with tractors and combines, the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and the transition from party telephone lines to cell phones. 

Arlo’s youth was not only marked by the advancements of the modern world but also by nine months spent in the hospital. As a young boy of 13, he sustained 3rd-degree burns while doing chores on the farm. God sustained him through the power of the prayers of his family and the tight-knit community. He told his mother he heard angels singing to him after one of the visits from his aunts and uncles as they prayed for him.

In high school, Arlo excelled at football and ran track. He attended Bethel College, where he met the love of his life, Carolyn Schmidt. They married in 1956. Arlo coached high school football and taught woodshop in Kansas until 1970 when the family of four relocated to Dallas to begin his career as a custom home builder. In Dallas, he became deeply involved in Northwest Bible Church, serving as a deacon, on the missions committee, and president of the Berean Sunday School class. He founded Shelter Corporation, where he built countless custom homes and developed subdivisions until he retired in 2005. After 39 years of marriage, Carolyn went to be with her Savior after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. He later married Ann Clark. Through their 19 years of marriage, the two enjoyed trips, digging water wells with Living Water Organization, and were involved at Park Cities Presbyterian Church before she too joined her heavenly Father after a battle with cancer. 

Secure in his faith in Jesus Christ, Arlo continually shared what was taught to him by his parents to his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends, and even strangers. He wanted the world to know his Savior, Jesus. Arlo loved scripture. He could recite his favorite verse, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” 

His memories will continue to live on through his talented woodworking skills. Arlo loved using his woodshop teacher skills to build furniture for his family and friends. Countless dining tables, bed frames, bookshelves, cabinets, and bedside tables were built with his favorite medium, reclaimed wood. A conservationist at heart, nothing was to be wasted or sent to a landfill. 

The house at Lake Texoma – aka Engedi or Sparkling House - held fond memories of water skiing (“Let it Happ’n Cap'n”), fishing, beekeeping, and the Fourth of July.

Arlo had a remarkable ability to tell stories and share the perfect words at the right moment. We will miss the “Poppi-isms” such as – “It will feel better when it quits hurting;” “Hugaritis;” his rendition of “On Peabody;” to name a few. His creative business ideas – jobsite porta-a-potties and a ligustrum tree farm are fondly remembered.

Arlo is predeceased by his parents, Lydia and David D. Buller, his wife Carolyn Schmidt Buller, his wife Ann Clark Buller, and seven of his siblings.

He is survived by his daughters Lori Michelle Prior and Danita Buller Fierce and her husband Doug, his granddaughters Katie Prior Green and her husband Todd, Ashley Elisabeth Prior, Nicole Fierce Beck and her husband Jacob, Hannah Elyse Fierce, and W Brody Fierce, his great-grandchildren Levi Buller Green, Caleb Ronald Green, Joshua Todd Beck and Elaine Nola Beck, and brother Clarence S. Buller, and many nieces and nephews.

A gathering will be held at Danita’s home in Beaumont, Texas on September 21st from 4:00 -6:00 to celebrate his life. He loved the farm he grew up on in Peabody, Kansas, and desired to go back regularly to where his life began. His ashes will be spread at his childhood farm, honoring his life well lived. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dallas Theological Seminary; 3909 Swiss Avenue; Dallas, TX 75204, or a charity of your choice.