Ronald Baker “Bud” Forman, lovingly known as “Buddaddy,” age 86, of Aledo, passed away on October 9, 2026.
Bud was born on September 10, 1940, in Denison, Texas, to Walter Inskip “Skip” Forman and Etta Lavene Forman. Bud lived a life marked by determination, creativity, and love for his family.
Bud grew up alongside his brother, Gary, moving often throughout his childhood. He excelled in First Team all State basketball, baseball, and track, bringing the same drive to athletics that would later define his work as a coach, homebuilder, and land developer. He graduated from Birdville High School in 1958 and attended Tyler Junior College from 1958 to 1960 before continuing his education and basketball career at North Texas University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and enjoyed his friendships with the Geezle Athletic Fraternity. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Texas Christian University.
While attending North Texas State University, Bud met Mary Elizabeth Easley. They married on December 28, 1963, in Grand Prairie, beginning a partnership that would span more than 62 years. Together, they raised three children, Barbara Jean, Ronald Brett, and Jeffrey Dale, and watched their family grow to include eight grandchildren and two step grandchildren.
Bud began his career in education as a teacher and basketball coach. Bud coached at various schools in the Fort Worth area before serving as head basketball coach at O. D. Wyatt High School. His years in coaching reflected qualities that stayed with him throughout his life: a competitive spirit, a willingness to work hard, and a refusal to give up.
In 1976, Bud brought that same ambition to homebuilding, starting a business that built homes in Southwest Arlington neighborhoods. In 1997, he formed Arbors Development LLC, developing residential neighborhoods in Fort Worth, Aledo, Burleson, Midlothian, Ennis, Waxahachie, and Mansfield. Smart and creative, Bud believed he could accomplish whatever he set his mind to and worked hard to make it happen. He approached challenges with determination, stayed positive, and never gave up.
A storyteller who never met a stranger, Bud enjoyed connecting with people and sharing the experiences of his life. His stories, lucky buckeyes, and his legendary number 20 are among the details his family will always associate with him. Bud’s grandchildren have proudly carried on the number 20 jersey legacy throughout various sports. Bud’s personality was as memorable as his accomplishments, and the stories he told will remain part of the family’s memories forever.
Bud loved hunting in Missouri and Montana, along with fishing in Alaska. Bud was so passionate and proud to bring his family along on his adventures. He hunted just about every animal in North America along with many trophies in South Africa. Those experiences gave him plenty of stories to tell, and sharing the outdoors with family was an important part of his enjoyment.
Bud’s entrepreneurial spirit extended to places that became part of the family’s story: Pagosa Springs, Colorado; the Double Draw Farm in Gower, Missouri; Forman Mizpah Cattle Ranch in Miles City, Montana; Possum Kingdom Lake house; and ranches near Dalhart and Seminole, Texas. These places brought together his interest in land, his love of the outdoors, and time spent with family and friends.
Bud’s life included many accomplishments, but his family will remember him most personally as a husband, father, and Buddad. They will carry forward his stories, his determination, and his generous acts of giving, always with a buckeye in hand to give out to everyone he encountered. Bud adored his nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Inskip “Skip” Forman and Etta Lavene Forman, and his brother, Gary Forman, who passed away in 2011.
He is survived by his wife of more than 62 years, Mary Elizabeth; his daughter, Barbara King, and her husband, Ben King; his son, Brett Forman, and his wife, Reagan Forman; and his son, Jeffrey Forman, and his wife, Kelly Forman.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Samuel Brooks Forman, Jackson Alexander King, Ava Marie Forman, Jeffrey Talan Forman, Kate Elizabeth Forman, Mary Grace King, Grant Owen Forman, and Max Thomas Forman, and step grandchildren Natalie Ann Freeman and Grayson Freeman.
A visitation has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, October 19, at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5275 Colleyville Blvd. in Colleyville. A service will follow at 12 p.m. with a burial service thereafter.
In honor and remembrance of Bud’s life consider a donation to one of his favorite charities: Tunnels to Towers or St Jude Children’s hospital.
The Community News
October 16, 2026
