Stephen Puckett, R.I.P.

From Staff Reports

Stephen Puckett, treasurer of the Dallas Builder’s Association and a beloved, well-known leader in the North Texas building community, passed away unexpectedly in his Lake Highlands home on Dec. 20. 

Puckett was a mortgage loan officer with Prosperity Bank in the Park Cities. Raised in Dallas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Texas A&M University. He began his career as a production builder in the D-FW area in 1984, shortly before the energy collapse, which all but devastated real estate. Soon thereafter, Steve moved into construction banking, where he had worked for the past 35 years. 

Steve’s career included secondary marketing and REO management, with the past 25-plus years as a mortgage loan officer providing valuable lending services to builders and their clients for construction financing, including interims and one-time close options as well as take-outs, refinance, and standard purchase mortgage financing. His vast experience made him a go-to for many custom home builders.

He had been a member of the Dallas BA since 1994, having served on numerous committees including several Parade of Homes Committees, and, more recently as secretary/treasurer of the Dallas Division since 2009. In October, he was installed as treasurer of the Association, an office he held three times before, serving continuously from 2016 to 2021. Steve earned his Certified Graduate Associate designation earlier this year. 

In 2020 he was honored with the Dallas BA’s Clyde J. Anderson Associate of the Year Award. This award is bestowed annually to the associate member who provides exemplary service to the Association, its members, and to the industry as a whole.

His diligence as treasurer helped the Association through many challenges that year. When the COVID-19 crisis descended, many of the Association’s efforts were invested in lobbying to keep the industry open, essential, and informed. However, at the same time, it was important that the Dallas BA secure the necessary financial assistance to keep operations at full strength. Steve helped secured assistance for the Dallas BA through the government-prescribed Paycheck Protection Program, at a time when very few associations were able to do so.

Steve is survived by his wife Drue; daughter Amanda Cargill and her husband Kenneth; son Scott Puckett and his wife Daniella; and two grandchildren, Emily and George Cargill.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 25, at Redeemer Bible Church, 721 Easton Road in Dallas. A reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Steve’s beloved high school, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (click here to make a gift); or to Operation Finally Home (click here to donate in Steve’s name).