Shelby K. Bulla

SHELBY K. BULLA 1926 - 2018   Rev. Shelby Kermit Bulla passed away at his home at Camp Creek Lake in Franklin, Texas on March 7, 2018, at the age of 91, surrounded by his loving daughters. Shelby is predeceased by wife, Betty and son, David. Shelby is survived by his wife, Edith; daughters: Lisa Lobb (Chuck), Becky, and Debbie Folger; grandchildren: Ruthie Davis (Shane), Jenny Morgan (Matt), Ryan Lobb, Chapel Folger and Frank Folger; and great-grandchildren, Jack and Liv Davis. Reverend Bulla was born in Bray, Oklahoma on August 16, 1926 to Gladys and Shelby Bulla. He graduated from Putnam City High School in 1945, receiving his diploma after joining the U.S. Army. He entered the Air Corps pilot training program right before the end of World War II, and when the war ended was sent back to boot camp because, as he used to say, “the Army didn’t need any more pilots, and they didn’t know what to do with us.” He attended Oklahoma A & M University (Oklahoma State), where he met the love of his life, Betty. They were married in 1947. He also attended Oklahoma City University and Southwestern Theological Seminary, completing his Divinity degree in 1969. He was a Gideon and lay preacher before entering full-time ministry. He pastored in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. “Brother Bulla” was much-loved by the people in each church he pastored. They enjoyed hearing his personal stories that he always included in his sermons. He retired in 1994 and he and Betty moved to Weatherford, Texas. While there, he decided the Lord wasn’t finished with his ministry because he was called to pastor Horseshoe Bend Baptist Church. Besides being a gifted and called pastor and preacher for 35+ years, Rev. Bulla was an accomplished artist, builder, writer, pilot, wood working artisan, and Bible scholar. From a young age, he loved flying and learning about airplanes. He obtained his private pilot’s license and enjoyed his lifelong dream of flying privately. In his retirement years, he attended Central Baptist Church in Bryan, and especially enjoyed his men’s Sunday school class. He had many friends in that class who will miss him. Shelby Bulla leaves a family legacy of faith. His desire was always that every member of his family would know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and that they would all meet again in heaven. Rev. Bulla was remembered in a private graveside service at Memorial Gardens cemetery on March 10. Memorial donations may be sent to Pathways-Hospice, 1121 Briarcrest, Suite 302, Bryan, TX 77802.