Ervin Henry "Buddy" Caraway

Ervin “Buddy” Henry Caraway, passed away at age 75 on December 12, 2020. Buddy was born in Cuero, Texas, on June 15, 1945, only child of Ervin Buron Caraway and Elizabeth Ruth Pruitt Caraway. Buddy attended school in Cuero, Tx, graduating from Cuero High School before joining the Army in 1966. While in the army, he was introduced to Lila Birdwell as a pen pal and on March of 1967 they were married. Buddy continued his military service with a tour in Vietnam and was awarded Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Expert “Rifle” Designation before sustaining injury’s that led to an Honorable Discharge in June 1969. Buddy worked at the Textile Mill and was a Police Officer in Cuero and Bay City before accepting an Industrial Supervisor position at Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDC) where he retired after 20 years with the State. He was a member of Cook Spring Baptist Church, NRA, Songwriters Guild of America and American Legion Sam Houston Post 95. Buddy was a proud American who served his country with honor, loved his wife and family, country music, guns, a good joke and his dog London. Buddy is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Lila Caraway, his children, Elizabeth Caraway, Donald Caraway and wife Emily, Grandchildren Cory and wife Cassi, Rylie, Caitlin, Dale and great grandson Reign. He is also survived by his stepsister Joy Black, Uncle Bobby Pruitt and wife Phyllis, Cousins Nancy Chambliss and husband Randy, Roy Caraway and wife Karen, In Laws Vera and Burton McDaniel, Mary Bearden, David and Lynn Birdwell and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ervin “Buddy” Caraway is preceded in death by his parents, Ervin Buron Caraway and Elizabeth Ruth Caraway, step mother Hazel Black, step sister Deborah, Uncle Herman Caraway and wife Gracie, Aunt Opal Weisse and husband Frank, cousin Floyd Weisse. He is also preceded in death by In Laws A.L. Birdwell and wife Mildred, Frances Dickenson, Charles Birdwell, Marvin Birdwell, Troy Bearden. Buddy will Lie in State on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas from 10:00am – 7:00pm. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Cuero, Tx. Flowers received at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, you can donate in Buddy’s name to Cook Springs Baptist Church, 1936A Highway 75 N, Huntsville, TX 77320 or HEARTS Veterans Museum of Texas, 463 State Highway 75 N, Huntsville, TX 77320. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at MRC Creekside who loved and cared for Buddy. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com

Ervin Henry "Buddy" Caraway

June 15, 1945 - December 12, 2020