Curtis "Buster" Maloney

Curtis Elvin “Buster” Maloney peacefully departed this world to take his well-earned rest on the afternoon of Sunday, May 3, at his home in Linden, Texas. He was 90 years old and eager to rejoin his wife of 65 years, Judy, who passed away last June.

Buster was born Dec. 10, 1935 in Peavy Switch, Texas, to parents Willie Burl and Gladys Cooley Maloney, both of whom preceded him in death, as did siblings, Billy Van, Betty Murski, Mickey and Charles.

Buster is survived by his sisters, Sherry Stofer and Kandy Lowe, children Rhonda Allums (wife of Will), Lee Ann Fant (wife of John) and Curtis Maloney (husband of Jennifer), as well as sister-in-law, Jill Wendling. Additional surviving family include grandchildren Chrissy Berry, Randi Peterson, Brian Ross, Daniel Ross, Whitney Skinner and Kathryn Burkhalter, along with their spouses and great-grandchildren Alex, Cooper, Conner, Journey, Cadence, Kynlee, Stellar, Anslee, Brett, Rev, Caroline, Brody, Asher, Camden, Clara, Brooks and Daniel Brian, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Buster’s children would like to recognize the caregivers who helped make his final years more comfortable and pleasant by allowing him to continue living on the land he loved with as much independence as was possible: Ina Segura, Charlotte Martin, Katelyn Mosley, Pricilla Sullivan, Chryn Abraham and Winnie Green.

A graduate of Spring High School in Spring, Texas, Buster was a standout athlete in multiple sports, including baseball, basketball, football, boxing and rodeo. He set multiple school batting records on the diamond that stood into the 1980s and was a Golden Gloves champion in Houston. After serving a stint in the US Army, Buster joined the National Guard. He married Judy in 1959 and started a family. Following a period as manager of one of the most profitable service stations in the greater Houston area, Buster moved with Judy and his young family to Linden in the late 1960s, where they managed a motel and cafe and ran a rodeo that provided entertainment for the community for years.

A fiercely independent and self-sufficient man, Buster made his living over the years in a variety of ways from hauling timber to training thoroughbred horses. He was always his own boss and always provided for his family, in addition to frequently helping the less fortunate in his community. Buster was known to his loved ones as a hard-working but fun-loving father, grandfather, friend and colleague, who could always be counted on to lend a hand and never passed up an opportunity for a good prank. He leaves behind a legacy of commitment to doing things the right way, treating people fairly, and working hard to achieve your goals.

A memorial service is planned for 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026 in the chapel of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.  There will be a time of visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday and lasting until the service begins.