Lyle Bruce Fussell

November 6, 1954 - August 23, 2026

Lyle Bruce Fussell peacefully entered his eternal heavenly home on Sunday, August 23, 2026. He carried with him the tremendous outpouring of love and support his friends and family offered these last months. Lyle lived with unshakable faith. Some people walk with God and God walks with some people. His life proved evident that God walked with him on earth.

Born in Borger, TX to Fred and Lalage (Prewett) Fussell on November 6, 1954, Lyle was better known as “Bud” Fussell as he grew up in Pampa, TX. Bud was blessed with three older sisters, who treated him as their own living doll, as well as one younger brother, who admired him. Bud spent his formative years with an adventurous spirit as vast as the West Texas plains that he dreamt of conquering as a cowboy on his horse Big Shorty, who he trained to rear up like the movie cowboys. Ultimately, that adventurous spirit grew beyond the dusty Texas prairie. Lyle and his brother rode their Harleys from the Pacific Northwest to the Texas Gulf Coast, seeing many wonderful sites and making many amazing memories along the way.

Lyle met and fell in love with his soulmate Tina Parker. They married on November 1, 1985, in Waco, TX. This would prove to be Lyle’s favorite and greatest adventure. He and Tina raised four wonderful children together and instilled in them an unwavering faith, leading worship teams and children’s church throughout the years.

Lyle spent his career in the nuclear security enterprise, working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, and spent the last 32 years at Pantex in Amarillo. However, his true passion, outside of his family, was when he traded his leather biker jacket for painter’s pants. He loved to work with his hands and was known in Panhandle and beyond as a reliable expert. Over the years he didn’t just become the “Jack of all trades,” he mastered them!

Lyle made time to teach the ways of an artisan, as well as the ways of a Christian leader. His most treasured students were his grandchildren, who were spellbound alongside him as they built guitars, restored vintage fans, and learned to perform all kinds of tasks, always delivered with his reserved stoicism and the occasional dad-joke. Lyle had a superb sense of humor and was in fact KING of the dad-jokes.

His keen intelligence was balanced with his gentile unassuming nature. He felt sleep was a waste of time - there was always someone who needed help or a job waiting to be done. He never met a stranger. In fact, he was known to say, “the stranger the better!” He was generous with his time and was always willing to help anyone in need; he was just a good human being.

When at home, Lyle’s beloved dogs, Bailey and Carlee were sure to not be far away. He doted on them and they adored him right back. The three of them could be found enjoying the rodeo most nights from the comfort of the recliner, which Lyle referred to as “the best seat for the action”.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Fred D. and Lalage (Prewett) Fussell and an infant brother, Dee Allen Fussell.

He is survived by his wife Tina of Panhandle, TX; his children and grandchildren, daughter Traci Wood and husband William of Minot, ND and their children Ashley and Gracie Wood, daughter Tara Terry and husband Seth of Modesto, CA and their children Hayes, Dane, and Nash Terry, son Tyson Fussell and wife Shannon of La Grange, MO and their child Trevor Finton, and daughter Kyla Fussell of Amarillo, TX; his siblings, Veletta Butcher, Cathy Driess, Fredda Tabor, and Jeff Fussell and wife Lynn; his parents-in-law, Dean and Alice Parker, and his brother-in-law, Wes Parker.

We already miss you immensely, Lyle/Dad/Bumpy. We miss your wisdom, advice, and encouragement. We have always thought the world of you!

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at The River. Private graveside services will be held in Panhandle Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. In lieu of flowers his memory may be honored with a gift to Faith City Mission, PO Box 870, Amarillo, Texas, 79105.

https://www.mintonchatwell.com/obituaries/lyle-fussell