Ernest Lee Rister III

Ernest Lee Rister III “Bucky,” 54 of Round Rock, Texas went to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Bucky was born on July 29, 1970, in Taylor, Texas to Ernest Lee Rister Jr. and Joan (Dykowski) Rister.

As a young boy he loved the outdoors, fishing at the Rister family farm, hanging out at the family lake house on Lake Buchannan, building forts with childhood friends, riding bikes, playing soccer, watching football, and having many artistic talents. He especially loved to read and at a very young age he could do just that. He had a special knack for playing music by ear. Education and retaining knowledge came very easy for him. Bucky was intrigued by history, politics, literature, writing, all music genres, and film making, and he could talk for hours about all subject matters, especially when it came to music and film making.

His love for theater started early then grew in high school and all throughout his adulthood. Bucky was born to be on stage, and at the age of three (3) he won Williamson County Tiny Tot Master. He was just a natural on stage, and that is where he seemed to shine most.

Bucky graduated from Round Rock High School in 1988, where upon graduation he attended the University of Texas at Austin (UT), graduating with a degree in Radio, Television and Film. While at UT he worked at the Daily Texan writing articles and comic strips for the University paper.

After graduation from UT Bucky moved to California with college friends to live and chase his Hollywood dream. During his years in California, he worked for Disney in the video animation area, for other studios and on small films where he is mentioned in a few movie credits.

Bucky returned to Texas around 2000 and went to work for Dell computers briefly before moving to San Antionio, Texas to attend St. Mary’s School of Law. During his time in San Antonio, he met the love of his life Ann Dunne, who he fondly called Annie. They married on June 14, 2008.

Bucky was a fabulous uncle and loved his niece Camryn and nephew Zachary. He was instrumental in their love of old Disney classics and musicals.

Since writing came easy for him, he would often tutor those needing a helping hand. He would explain that writing is just having a conversation on paper. He was a brilliant writer and at the time of his death was in the process of finishing his novel entitled “Abilene.”

Bucky was a kind and humble man who always saw the good in everyone. He would drop everything to help a friend or family member in need. He was quick-witted and often would entertain his little cousins, niece, and nephew with drawings of characters, comic strings or making short films with them. He was known as our family entertainer.

During these last few years, Bucky, even with his own health issues, he selflessly dedicated his time to assisting his family with caring for his mother and being with his father. Bucky was the kind of man who was a giver and never asked anything in return.

Bucky is survived by his parents, Ernest Lee and Joan Rister, sister Shelley (Rister) Middlebrook, brother-in-law Malcolm Middlebrook, niece Camryn Middlebrook, nephew Zachary Middlebrook all from Round Rock, Texas, his love of his life Ann Dunne from Fort Collins, Colorado and many cousins, aunts, and close friends.

Pallbearers are Malcolm Middlebrook, Zachary Middlebrook, Bubba Cepak, Gary Don Lane, Michael Dykowski, Stephen Dykowski, and Drew Fulton.

Honorary Pallbearers are John Alan Dykowski, Troy Whitlock, and Stephen Sadler.

Thursday, March 20, 2025
Visitation at 5:00 p.m. / Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Providence Funeral Home
807 Carols G Parker Blvd. NW
Taylor, Texas

Friday, March 21, 2025
Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
100 N. Brazos
Granger, Texas

Burial following Funeral Mass at:
City of Granger Cemetery
18650 FM971
Granger, TX

Reception to follow burial at:
Knights of Columbus Hall
2201 E. 4th Street
Taylor, Texas