Brandon Wade Buras​

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12: 1-2

During the 22 years and four days of his life, Brandon Wade Buras accomplished many things—the greatest of which was that he found God and preached the Bible before every rodeo he competed in. Two of his major goals were to become a family physician and ride in the Professional Bull Riders Tour. Brandon was set to graduate in 2002 and slated to attend medical school at Louisiana State University, but he was killed by a bull at a PCA Rodeo in Gonzales, Louisiana. He had been riding bulls since he was 
14 years old. He was laid to rest at the Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Pine Grove, Louisiana where he was an active member. Romans 12 was his last sermon and this scripture has brought great comfort his family and friends.
 

“Binky” as he was known in the rodeo arena, was from Montpelier Louisiana. He was Salutatorian of the 1997 graduating class of Oak Forest Academy High School. As a high school student, Brandon was active in the Beta Club, the 4-H Club showing livestock, and the track team where he earned a pair of bids to the State Meet. He was a member of the Mississippi High School Rodeo Team and attended the National High School Rodeo Finals in 1995 and 1997. He was awarded the Lane Frost Memorial Scholarship at the finals in 1997 and received many other academic awards in high school.

After high school, Brandon attended Southeastern Louisiana University and was a senior majoring in Biology and Pre-Medicine. He was President of SLU’s Rodeo Association, Vice President of Delta Omega Alpha, a member of Tri Beta Club, the 13 Club Honor Societies, Mid-South Bull Riders Association—competing in the 1999 finals—and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He also worked at Rehab Tech in addition to other jobs while in school.

Brandon taught all those he touched much about life. He would often say, “follow your dreams and never quit.” He was never afraid to speak up for what he believed in including his faith in God. Brandon truly lived his life to the fullest trusting in God.