Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life

Posted 05/27/2015 |  Updated 09/07/2022

Introduction

The History Center staff was saddened by the death of our friend and supporter Buddy Temple on April 14, 2015. The photos in this exhibit show all of his sides - child, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, businessman, politician, conservationist, musician, and proud East Texan.

Arthur “Buddy” Temple III was born on February 26, 1942 in Texarkana, Arkansas, the son of Arthur Temple, Jr. and Mary Denman. A 1960 graduate of The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, he attended the University of Texas before serving two years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter crew chief and co-pilot in the First Cavalry Unit of the First Armored Division. Temple then joined the family business working for Temple Industries.

Buddy began his public service career in April 1966 with his election to the Diboll School Board, where he was involved in the racial integration of the schools. From 1973 to 1981 he represented District 6 in the Texas House of Representatives, where he served on many committees and was part of the 1974 Constitutional Convention. At this time District 6 consisted of Angelina, Newton, Shelby, and San Augustine counties. As a legislator, Temple was deeply involved as a co-sponsor of the 1973 State Code of Ethics and Financial Disclosure for Elected and Appointed Officials, a response to the Sharpstown banking scandal of 1971. From January 1981 to March 1986 Temple served on the Texas Railroad Commission, where he was also the chairman from 1985-1986. Temple ran for Governor of Texas in 1982, but conceded the Democratic nomination to opponent Mark White after the primary election.

Temple’s business interests were extensive. Some highlights include Member of the Board of Directors of Temple-Eastex and Temple-Inland; Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board of Exeter Investment Company; and Chairman of the Board of First Bank and Trust, East Texas. He also served on the boards of Memorial Health System, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Advisory Board, and as Chair of the T. L. L. Temple Foundation.

Temple has been honored for his philanthropy, conservation, and advocacy by several groups, including an Award for Outstanding Achievement for Neches River Bottomland Conservation by the Houston Audubon Society in 2009, the Texas Leopold Conservation Award for the Temple Ranch from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 2011, the Award for Lifetime Conservation Achievement from the Texas Conservation Alliance in September 2012, the R.E. Jackson Conservation Award from the Big Thicket Association in October 2014, and the Silver Bucket Award from the Texas Forest Country Partnership in November 2014.

Neches River bottomland conservation was important to Buddy, and in a landmark deal, he and the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, worked with The Conservation Fund and International Paper to purchase and protect the 19,000 acres of upland pine and hardwood forests known as Boggy Slough. These important wetlands and forests will be managed with conservation forestry practices and preserved for future generations of East Texans.

Buddy loved his family, including his sister Charlotte Temple and his mother Mary Denman. He was most proud of his role as husband to Ellen Temple, father to children Whitney Sage Temple, John Clark Hurst, Jr., Susan Helen Temple and husband Rob Feagin, Hannah Lea Temple and husband Chris Sanders, and grandfather to six grandchildren, Maggie Grace, Lilly Duquette, Walter Duquette, Helen Feagin, Mary Ellen Sanders, Robert Sanders.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Partners in family, politics, business, conservation, and life, Buddy and Ellen Temple enjoyed time with family and friends at Boggy Slough, in Trinity County. This photo was made in November 2014.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and his sister Charlotte "Chotsy" at their home in Lufkin, ca. 1950.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Arthur Temple, Jr. and a young Buddy Temple watch a rodeo at a July 4th Southern Pine Lumber Company Barbeque at Diboll, ca. 1950.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy holding an armadillo in front of the fire place at the old Boggy Slough clubhouse.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple rides his pony "Trigger" at Southern Pine Lumber Company's Boggy Slough Hunting Clubhouse, in Trinity County, ca. 1950.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple rides his pony in a Texas Forest Festival parade through downtown Lufkin, ca. 1950. Cousin Tommy Allen riges alongside.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Arthur and Buddy Temple at Boggy Slough with Buddy’s first high powered rifle, a Winchester Model 94, .30-30, ca. 1950.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Arthur Temple, Sr. with his grandchildren Charlotte and Buddy, ca. 1950.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Charlotte Temple with their mother Mary, ca. 1950.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Cub scouts Buddy Temple and Tommy Allen pose with Charlotte Temple.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and his mother Mary, ca. 1950.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy's 2nd grade report card from 1949-1950 shows he was an "A" student in Mrs. Dennie Culbertson's class at Kurth Elementary School in Lufkin and successfully promoted to the 3rd grade.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple shakes hands with Texas Governor Allan Shivers during a July 4th picnic at Diboll, 1948.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy received this custom-built car from his parents for Christmas in 1951. Employees of Southern Pine Lumber Company built the car. Note Buddy's name on the front bumper and the donkey hood ornament.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple (middle row, 2nd from left) and the Taylor Hardware Tigers baseball team in 1953.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy poses in front of the Southen Pine Lumber Company offices after a successful hunting trip on November 20, 1953.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple and former heavy-weight boxing champion Jack Dempsey spar in August 1956 in front of Bobby Manziel's airplane.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

14 year old Buddy Temple sits in front of a portrait of his grandfather, Arthur Temple, Sr. in 1956.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple and cousin Tommy Allen working at the Diboll sawmill, 1957.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple as a young man, about 1965.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple looks on as friend Don Wier competes in the Tug-O-War competition during the Diboll Day 1970 festivities.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

State representative Buddy Temple speaks at Charlie Wilson's Governor for a Day ceremony at the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation in Polk County, Texas on December 2, 1972.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple, Price Daniel, Jr., and John Hannah, ca. 1972.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Charlie Wilson and Buddy Temple stand with Mrs. Margie Shepherd of the Anthony Smith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution during Constitution Week festivities in September 1973.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple, family and friends pose with Governor Dolph Briscoe at Diboll Day 1974. Left to right: Arthur Temple, Jr, Katherine Sage Temple (Buddy's grandmother), Buddy Temple, First Lady Betty Jane "Janey" Briscoe, Governor Dolph Briscoe, Oscar Brookshire, and Janey Briscoe (the governor and first lady's daughter).

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple and Governor Dolph Briscoe at Diboll Day 1974.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives while Buddy is being sworn in as the Representative of Texas House District 6.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and his daughter Susan, ca. 1975.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Ellen, Buddy, and Lottie Temple, ca. 1975.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

United States Senator from Texas Lloyd Bentsen and Buddy Temple, ca. 1975.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple plays the guitar at a family gathering, ca. 1976.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Always an enthusiastic supporter of Diboll Day, here Buddy waits to be dunked in the dunking booth at Diboll Day 1976. He served as Diboll Booster Club President in 1968.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple post-dunking at Diboll Day 1976.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple and his uncle Latané Temple in 1977.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

John Hannah, Claude Welch, and Buddy Temple at Diboll Day 1978.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and his daughters Whitney and Susan on the floor of the Texas House in 1979.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Whitney Temple in the Texas House Chamber, 1979.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple is sworn in during a ceremony on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives, ca. 1979.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Texas State Representatives Mickey Leland and Buddy Temple.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

State Representative Buddy Temple.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

The Thursday, February 4, 1982 issue of Diboll's Free Press announces Buddy Temple's entrance into the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Texas.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple in front of the Texas Capitol Building during his campaign for governor.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image
Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image
Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

The Temple family, ca. 1982. Clockwise from top: Buddy, John, Whitney, Susan, Hannah, and Ellen.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple speaks to the media at a campaign event during the governor’s race, 1982.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

In one of the newspaper advertisements that ran in his district during one of his campaigns for reelection to the Texas House, Buddy teaches son John to safely use a firearm.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Candidate Buddy Temple gives a speech in front of a large Texas flag.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Ellen and Buddy at the Temple Ranch in 1992.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple stands on his tractor, the “Green Monster” in 1993.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy plays the guitar for family and friends on a hay ride in 1996.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple at the Temple Ranch with Charlie and Barbara Wilson.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

A Temple family gathering: John (standing at back), Chris, Hannah, Whitney, Susan, Lilly, Mary, Ellen, Buddy (sitting on rail), Mary Ellen, Maggie, and Walter (in front).

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple and Phillip Friesen at the Temple Ranch.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Arthur Temple, Jr. ca. 2005.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and his mother Mary Denman.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Temple Ranch manager Robert Sanders.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple and his daughter Hannah in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy with newborn granddaughter Lilly.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple at the Roaring Fork Club in Colorado.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and granddaughter Maggie on her third birthday.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy with newborn grandson Walter.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple at the Temple Ranch.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and grandson Walter.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy with granddaughters Maggie and Mary Ellen and Maggie’s lizard.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple holds grandson Robert for the first time.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy with grandchildren Walter and Lilly.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Ellen and Buddy Temple meet their granddaughter Mary Ellen for the first time.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple with his mother Mary Denman, daughter Susan, and grandchildren Walter and Lilly in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy, Ellen, and granddaughter Mary Ellen Sanders.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple with 5 of their grandchildren. From left: Helen Feagin, Walter Duquette, Mary Ellen Sanders, Robert Sanders, and Lilly Duquette.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy holds granddaughter Helen for the first time.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Ellen and Buddy Temple in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with grandchildren Lilly, Helen, and Walter.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and granddaughter Maggie.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Ellen and Buddy Temple with their grandchildren Walter and Lilly at their clubhouse at Boggy Slough.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple with their granddaughter Mary Ellen at the Temple Ranch.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen Temple with grandchildren Mary Ellen and Robert.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

The Temple Family in Wyoming. Back row, from left: Rob and Susan Temple Feagin, Ellen and Buddy Temple, Hannah Temple and Chris Sanders. Front row, from left: Lilly Duquette, Helen Feagin, Robert Sanders, Walter Duquette, and Mary Ellen Sanders.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Ellen and Buddy Temple were honored by the Texas Conservation Alliance with a Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award in September 2012, hosted by the Museum of East Texas.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

The Temple family at Boggy Slough. Front row, from left: Susan Temple and Helen Feagin, Buddy and Ellen Temple, Mary Ellen and Robert Sanders, and Hannah Temple. Back row, from left: Walter and Lilly Duquette, Rob Feagin, John Hurst, Whitney Temple, Maggie Grace, and Chris Sanders.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy Temple and grandson Walter after a successful hunting trip in 2014.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Back row, from left: Walter, Buddy, Ellen, Lilly
Front Row, from left: Helen, Mary Ellen, Robert

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Ellen and Buddy Temple with 5 of their grandchildren. From left: Mary Ellen, Ellen, Lilly, Robert, Walter, Buddy, and Helen (sitting on the floor).

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

The Temple Family gathered at the Temple Ranch. Standing in back, from left: Rob Feagin and Christopher Sanders. Seated, from left: Walter Duquette, Maggie Grace, Buddy Temple, Robert Sanders, Ellen Temple, Susan Temple, Helen Feagin, Hannah Temple, Lilly Duquette, and John Hurst. Seated on the floor, from left: Whitney Temple and Mary Ellen Sanders.

Buddy Temple: An East Texas Life
download image

Buddy and Ellen enjoying the sunset at the Temple Ranch.

Search across all content on our site including Oral History, Exhibits, Finding Guides, Online Collections and news. Search looks inside PDF documents linked in our archives.

X