09/22/2026
When Colin “Kelly” Buell and Kerry Buell arrived in Midland 34 years ago, they had already grown accustomed to moving.
Kelly’s career with Dow had taken the couple through five moves and six locations in 12 years. Before Midland, the longest they had stayed anywhere was about three years. Both were raised in the Freeport, Texas, area, where their fathers worked for Dow’s Texas operations.
Midland, however, became home.
Over more than three decades, the Buells have developed a deep connection to the community, supporting organizations, serving in leadership roles, and partnering with the Midland Area Community Foundation to invest in causes they believe can make a lasting difference.
Their relationship with the Foundation developed gradually. Kelly recalled becoming more familiar with the organization through connections he made while serving on the school board. For Kerry, their involvement became more tangible when the couple began exploring how to establish a scholarship for students who had experienced foster care.
The inspiration came after the Buells read about what happened to young people aging out of the foster care system at the time. At 18, many suddenly faced adulthood without the financial and family support that other young people could rely upon.
The story struck them.
“We’ve been blessed,” Kelly said, reflecting on the opportunities their own family had received. The couple wanted foster students to have the opportunity to continue their education without having to choose between supporting themselves and pursuing a degree.
“We wanted to give foster students a chance to go to college, if they so chose, get a college degree, and not have to worry about working and going to school at the same time,” Kelly said.
That scholarship helped build a relationship with the Foundation that has continued for years.
Today, the Buells’ philanthropy extends throughout Midland. Kelly has served with The ROCK Center for Youth Development and the Salvation Army, while the couple supports several other local organizations and causes. They have also seen firsthand the Foundation’s ability to strengthen organizations they care about, including grantmaking supporting The ROCK.
Their latest partnership with the Foundation came through the Wave Maker initiative and a gift to the Community Investment Fund. The unrestricted nature of the fund gives the Foundation flexibility to respond to opportunities and needs as they emerge across Midland County.
For the Buells, that flexibility comes with something equally important: trust.
“We can support a lot of the stuff that the Foundation does in the community,” Kelly said. Their support is especially meaningful when resources help local people, organizations, and businesses strengthen Midland.
That commitment is rooted in a philosophy Kelly learned from his father.
“It’s not enough to live in a community. You’ve got to give back to the community if you have that capability,” Kelly said. “If I can make a difference, we like to do it.”
For Kerry, the Foundation has also provided a way to turn an idea into something tangible. Looking back on their relationship with the organization, she traced their deeper involvement to the creation of their scholarship.
“I think it was when we were researching what we wanted to do about our foster care scholarship that we first got involved with the Foundation to any great extent,” Kerry said.
Recognition, however, has never been the goal.
Kelly said their family philosophy roughly translates to “accomplish without recognition.” The Buells are far more comfortable supporting causes quietly in the background than talking publicly about their generosity.
But their willingness to share their story reflects the same idea behind becoming Wave Makers: one act of generosity can encourage another.
After 34 years, Midland is no longer simply the place Kelly’s career brought them. It is their community.
“We have enjoyed our 34 years here,” Kelly said. “We both believe Midland has a lot to offer families.”
And through their continued partnership with the Midland Area Community Foundation, Kelly and Kerry are helping ensure it remains a community where future generations can find opportunity, connection, and a place to call home.
