M. C. (Buster) Compton
M. C. (Buster) Compton passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2004, after a lengthy illness. He was born on April 19, 1924, at Hickory Creek, near Celeste, in Hunt County, Texas, to Samuel Monroe Compton and Jewel Comer Compton. His maternal grandparents were Willard M. Comer and Myra Bell Comer. His paternal grandparents were Martin C. Compton and Sarah Thompson Compton. He was the third of eight children and the oldest of four sons.
Buster was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, his sister, Helen Compton McGuffey; his brother, Michael W. Compton; and his brother-in-law, Carl Lacy. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Alleen Williams Compton; his daughters, Christine Rodriguez and her husband, Salvador Rodriguez; Cheri Stachowiak and her husband, Bill Stachowiak; and Carol Compton. Additional survivors include his five grandchildren, Cheryl Stachowiak; Sharon Idoux and her husband, Mark Idoux; Richard Stachowiak and his wife Rita Stachowiak; Michael C. Rodriguez and Alexander M. Rodriguez.
He also had four great-grandsons, Travis Stachowiak, Connor Idoux and Parker Idoux, and Bradley Stachowiak, and one step-great-grandson, Elijah Hunter.
His surviving siblings are Theda Lacy of Celeste; James Compton and his wife, Audrey Compton of Allen; Thelma Edwards and her husband, A. J. Edwards of Austin; Buddy Compton and his wife, Novella Compton of Greenville; Peggy McCarley and her husband, Howell Day McCarley of Blue Ridge; and his sister-in-law, Betty Compton of Plano. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Buster attended school in Celeste, Texas, and was graduated from Celeste High School in 1941. He worked at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi prior to entering the Army Air Corps in 1943. During World War II, he was a top turret gunner and engineer on B-17's. While stationed at Molesworth, England, he flew thirty-six missions over Germany, France and the Netherlands. He received the "European African Middle Eastern Service Medal" with three bronze battle stars, the "Good Conduct Medal" and the "Air Medal" with five bronze clusters. He flew in the 8th Air Force, 303rd Bomb Group, known as the "Hell's Angels." He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and returned to the US in 1944. Prior to his discharge, he was based in various locations around the US and, on occasion, guarded German POW's.
Buster attended North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas), majoring in business, from 1945 to 1948. While a student there, he met the love of his life, Alleen Williams. They
were married in 1948 and moved to Houston where he lived the rest of his life. He began working for Shell Chemical Company in June of 1948 and retired from there in 1985. He was a member of the Shell DPMC Retirees Club, the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, and the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association (Lifetime Member).
Buster was happiest when surrounded by his family and especially enjoyed traveling around the US and Canada with his children and grandchildren. He always encouraged each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to get a good education, to have a positive attitude and to do their best to succeed in life.
He passed away just one week shy of his youngest grandchild's graduation from college. He was also very devoted to his brothers and sisters. His love for and devotion to his family will always be
remembered. He loved children and their antics, wildlife and nature.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Nature Conservancy, Worldwide Office, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1606 or by credit card by calling 1-800-628-6860.
Please request that the donation be used in Texas and that they notify Alleen Compton of the donation. This organization purchased property near Buster's hometown and returned it to its original
black land prairie, tall grass condition.
Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, December 10, 2004, at Niday Funeral Home, 12440 Beamer Road, Houston, Texas 77089. The funeral will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 12, 2004, at the First Baptist Church in Celeste, Texas, where Buster attended church as a child. Burial will follow at the Celeste Cemetery. His nephews will serve as pallbearers. Taylor Funeral Home in Leonard, Texas, 903-587-3336, is handling funeral arrangements.
Godspeed, Daddy. We love you.
Christine Compton Rodriguez
(December 9, 2004)
Submitted by Sarah Swindell
