The Legacy of John Buller: How One Man’s Journey with Cystic Fibrosis Is Propelling Students Forward 

When John Buller passed away in 1996, he left behind a legacy far greater than the illness he fought so quietly. His family was left grappling not only with his loss, but with the weight of a story they had held in private for decades. A story of resilience, determination, and unwavering faith.

Today, the John Buller Scholarship Fund, administered through Greater Houston Community Foundation since 1997, continues to honor his story. As the Community Foundation’s first and longest-standing scholarship program, it has awarded over $284,750 to more than 38 students with cystic fibrosis across Texas—students who, like John, face invisible hurdles as they pursue higher education.

This scholarship is more than financial support. It is a living tribute to a man who never wanted to be treated differently, never wanted recognition, and never stopped fighting for the normalcy that cystic fibrosis tried to take from him.

Who John Was: A Mischievous Spirit with a Strong Moral Compass 

To understand the heart of the scholarship, you must first understand John. When we asked his younger sister, Page Varner, to describe him, she shared, “He was a character and very mischievous. Always teasing, always pushing boundaries, and had the brains to be in the National Honor Society if he could have stayed out of trouble long enough! But it was his love of Jesus Christ that kept him solidly grounded and fighting for his life.”

Despite the joking and rule-bending, he was dedicated, loyal, and full of life. He loved being outdoors and working with his dad, Jim, on their family cattle ranch in Pattison, Texas. He had a soft spot for German Shepherds, a love for trucks, and a deep loyalty to the Dallas Cowboys—all things that reflect the rugged, wholehearted way he moved through life.

John’s Hidden Battle with Cystic Fibrosis 

John wasn’t diagnosed with cystic fibrosis until he was 13, a notably late diagnosis for a condition that is now routinely screened for at birth. When the diagnosis finally came in February 1975, the outlook was grim. At that time, the expected lifespan was 17 or 18. Thanks to advances in medical treatment and care, more than 50% of people with cystic fibrosis are predicted to live to age 65 or beyond. He vowed to his parents, Jim and Katie, that he would do whatever it took to take care of himself, but he made one request: he did not want anyone to know.

His parents reluctantly agreed, and the secret was kept tightly within the family for many years, with only a select few adult family members and very close friends knowing. None of John’s friends knew. This secrecy impacted the Buller household significantly—from the blankets thrown over breathing machines to the enzymes discreetly palmed and swallowed so no one would notice.

Page shared, “John’s social life was no different from anyone else’s, and nobody ever thought much of it. He did not want his disease to be the reason people treated him any differently. In fact, he hid it so well that no one ever had any idea there was anything wrong with him.”

It wasn’t until he fell in love in 1985 and considered marriage that John, himself, finally told someone outside of his close circle about his cystic fibrosis diagnosis. However, the strain of the illness became too much, and the marriage ended after a few years. After his divorce, John opened up to his Church family about his disease. Page shared, “From that point on, he never stopped testifying to what the Lord had done in his life because of cystic fibrosis.”

The Illness That Took Him, and the Faith That Carried Him 

“As we stood praying in John’s kitchen,” Page recalled. “He thanked the Lord for cystic fibrosis and said he knew his healing would come—either on earth with new lungs or in Heaven with Jesus.”

John went in for a routine “tune-up” at Texas Children’s Hospital, caught the flu, and declined rapidly. August 12, 1996, while still in the hospital, he got “the call.”  Right before he went into surgery, with about 11 of those closest to him gathered around him, he prayed and thanked God for his chance to have the transplant. “My brother used to say ‘No matter the results, God will be glorified—I’ll be the winner however things turn out,’ Page shared. “His unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ, courage, and quiet resilience are the heartbeat of the scholarship that bears his name.”

After five surgeries, sepsis finally overtook his body, and he died at age 34, 16 days after his double lung transplant at Methodist Hospital. He fought quietly, fiercely, and faithfully. Although he lost his battle here on earth, he would want everyone to know that in the end, he was truly the winner.

The Creation of the John Buller Scholarship Fund 

Education was a foundational value in the Buller household. John always wanted to attend college, but the demands of daily treatments, including the physical therapy “clapping” that once needed to be done by hand for sometimes hours at a time, made traditional college life unattainable. When John passed away, his parents chose to honor him by allowing others to pursue education without barriers.

The Buller family’s ties to Texas run deep, with generations born and raised in Texas. This rich Texas history is why the scholarship is offered exclusively to students with cystic fibrosis in Texas. After his dad, Jim, passed away in 2015, and his mother, Katie, in 2017, his sister, Page, became the legacy keeper, ensuring the scholarship continues to grow and evolve. “I am so thankful for this blessing of this scholarship and proud of my Mom and Dad’s efforts in starting the program, giving these kids opportunities that John never had. Continuing this scholarship is what Mom and Dad would want, and I know my daughter will do the same,” Page humbly stated. 

Unique Barriers Facing Students with Cystic Fibrosis 

Students with cystic fibrosis often navigate challenges their peers never face: 

• Frequent hospitalizations 
• Heavy treatment schedules 
• Harsh medication side effects 
• Financial strain from lifelong medical expenses 
• Social limitations and emotional fatigue 

John experienced these firsthand, though he hid most of it from the world. John’s scholarship intentionally funds students with a cystic fibrosis diagnosis pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. The scholarship is renewable, meaning students are eligible for up to four years of funding. Additionally, there are no age or time limits and no requirement to use the funds consecutively. Students can take breaks for hospitalization or health setbacks without losing their support. As Page puts it, “It’s no fault of their own when they get sick. Whatever it takes to help them stay in school—I’m all for it, and so were my parents.”

Why the Buller Family Partnered with the Community Foundation 

Page encourages everyone with the means to consider establishing a scholarship fund. “If someone has the opportunity to make someone else’s life a little easier, especially a kid coming from a home that is struggling financially, do it. If you have been blessed, bless someone else,” Page reinforced. The family’s philanthropy in John’s honor also funds a fellowship in the Pulmonary Department at Texas Children’s, acknowledging the education John wished for and the medical world he relied on.

Partnering with the Community Foundation ensures: 

• Expert management 
• Long‑term sustainability 
• Community connection 
• Transparent administration 
• The ability to reach more students statewide 

Page says, “The scholarship wouldn’t be possible without Greater Houston Community Foundation. Y’all managing it is what keeps it going.” 

Quiet and Profound 

The Buller family has never sought recognition. They’ve never posted about the scholarship on social media. John would have “been mortified,” Page laughs. For the Bullers, money is private; acts of generosity are private. Rooted in her family’s values of quiet generosity, Page shared Matthew 6:3: ‘But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.’

But their impact? The Buller Family’s impact is enormous. One recent recipient, Banner Scarborough, who received funding for four years, wrote a thank-you letter to the Buller family. Banner’s note deeply moved Page and affirmed the family’s commitment to continuing this work.

“Thank you for so much support over the last few years of my pursuit of higher education. This chapter of my life has not only been a season of sharpening and adding valuable tools that will set me up for success in the professional world, but it has also utterly changed my life in the most positive way possible. I have learned the value of life-giving friendships, the power of having purpose in my life, and, ultimately, who I am within the framework of who Jesus says I am. This has brought transformation like I never would have known or expected.”  — Banner Scarborough, Scholarship Recipient

Stories like Banner’s show why the scholarship matters, as it lightens the load for students who are already battling so much.

The Legacy John Leaves for Students Today 

When asked what she hopes recipients will carry with them, Page says, “The kindness of another human being who cared enough to help. Don’t take it for granted, but pay it forward. Share your success. Help the next kid. Tell them about the scholarship. Keep the circle going.”

John’s story is one of strength, secrecy, determination, and extreme faith. The scholarship ensures that the opportunities John never had are available to students with cystic fibrosis across Texas. Through his family’s generosity, John’s legacy will continue to transform futures for generations to come.

Open Doors with Us 

Scholarships have the power to open doors that might otherwise remain closed, unlocking opportunity for students who simply need access to education to pursue their full potential. They reduce financial barriers while affirming a student’s talent, ambition, and ability to contribute meaningfully to their communities. And, a partnership with Greater Houston Community Foundation to set up and administer your scholarship fund can offer several benefits, including simplifying administration, unlocking potential tax benefits, access to best practices, and guidance around complex compliance and regulations.

Additionally, the Community Foundation invites all donors to consider joining our collaborative scholarship program, the Houston Opportunity Scholarship. The Houston Opportunity Scholarship is for Houstonians, funded by Houstonians. By pooling resources through the Houston Opportunity Scholarship, we provide broad-based scholarship support that opens doors for high-potential students ready to succeed in higher education and build meaningful careers in Houston.

While scholarships can transform individual lives, they represent just one of the many meaningful ways to create enduring impact. For families looking to honor the memory of a loved one, support future generations, or incorporate charitable giving into long‑term financial planning, the Community Foundation is here to walk beside you. To explore how you can build a legacy that continues to uplift others for years to come, contact one of our philanthropic advisors at 713‑333‑2210 or reach out directly to begin the conversation.

More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation 

• Investing in Futures: Launch of the Houston Opportunity Scholarship
• Supporting Education: A Guide to Scholarships for Donors
• Aunt E’s Radical Generosity

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