Gary Isaacks

Gary Don “Buddy” Isaacks joined the Lord, on New Year’s Eve peacefully at home. Buddy was a Renaissance man, a man’s man, a marine, successful businessman, father, rancher, hunter, fisherman, and devoted husband.

 Buddy was born in Sinton, Texas to William Floys (Bill) and Mattie Marie Isaacks on October 19, 1943. The family moved to Ingleside five years later. Buddy grew up on the family farm and learned hard work, determination, and how to be the master of many trades at a young age. After graduating from Ingleside High School (1961), Buddy attended Del Mar College and excelled in draftsmen classes before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1965 (battalion leader Company Y). Buddy returned home and worked at CP&L and General Telephone Company in the 70’s and began Double G Cattle Company in 1975 (with his best friend Gordon Porter) to the present. 

He married his “Angel” Jo in 1978. Shortly after, they founded and started Isaacks Contracting Inc. The company grew over the span of 46 years to become Isaacks Directional Drilling. Buddy was well-known as an iconic figure in the directional drilling industry. 

Buddy was an avid outdoorsman and excelled in every sport from hunting, to tournament bass fishing, to fly fishing for tarpon in the Florida Keys. 

Many did not know that Buddy was also a pilot, calf roper, and master of all he set out to accomplish….but we knew him best as dad.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife Jo Isaacks, sister Sharon Wegner (Guil), and daughters Kim Bius (Ben), Carrie Scruggs (Dean), and Kristi McElroy (Danny). Grandchildren, Cole Stewart, Regann Lowell, Clayton Scruggs, Hunter McElroy, and Cody Scruggs. Buddy was blessed with 4 great-grandchildren and one on the way. 

Buddy was larger than life. May he rest in peace, free of illness, and in the beautiful hunting grounds in Heaven, waiting for his family to be together again. 

Family and friends whose lives Buddy touched are invited to Charlie Marshall Funeral Home for Visitation held on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 5 pm-8 pm at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas Pass. The Funeral Service will be on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:00 am. Graveside will follow at Prairie View Cemetery.