Buckner Today
Today, Buckner Retirement Services serves more than 2,000 senior adults each year and is the second largest nonprofit senior living provider in Texas1. While programs, communities, and care models have evolved, Buckner’s purpose has remained consistent: to provide dignified living, expert care, and thoughtful support—guided by faith-informed values.
1 Per LeadingAge Ziegler LZ 200 List, 2025.
Why Buckner Was Founded
Buckner’s story began in Dallas, Texas, as a family ministry rooted in service. Dr. Robert Cooke Buckner established what would become Buckner International with a Christ-centered vision to care for vulnerable children—and, soon after, for those who had spent their lives serving others.
Early retirement housing was created for retired pastors and missionaries, offering dignified living while fostering intergenerational connection with children from the Buckner Orphans Home. From the start, Buckner’s work centered on dignity, purpose, and community.
Growth with Intention
1879
Buckner began in Dallas, Texas, as a family ministry rooted in service. Founded by Dr. Robert Cooke Buckner, Buckner International started with a Christ-centered mission to care for vulnerable children and later expanded to include retirement housing for pastors and missionaries.
1954
Buckner opened its first official retirement community, the Mary E. Trew Home in Dallas—less than a mile from its original children’s home. This marked the formal beginning of Buckner Retirement Services.
1965
Expansion followed with Buckner Baptist Haven in Houston, extending Buckner’s senior living mission to serve more communities across Texas.
1966
The Mary E. Trew Home expanded to include skilled nursing services and became Buckner Retirement Village, serving Dallas-area seniors for more than 50 years.
1970
Buckner Villas opened in Austin, further establishing Buckner as a leading nonprofit senior living provider in Texas.
1996
Westminster Place opened in Longview, originally as an independent living community, reflecting Buckner’s thoughtful, incremental approach to growth.
1998
Parkway Place opened in Houston, replacing the original Buckner Haven and expanding care options with modern amenities and a full continuum of services.
2010
Buckner affiliated with Baptist Memorial Ministries, welcomed Baptist Retirement Community in San Angelo into the Buckner family.
2017-2019
Buckner returned to Dallas with Ventana by Buckner, its first Life Care senior living community. Located just ten miles from Buckner’s original roots, Ventana represents a modern expression of Buckner’s long-standing mission.
2024
Buckner expanded its Life Care portfolio with the acquisition of The Stayton at Museum Way by Buckner located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Serving seniors at The Stayton is a natural fit for Buckner, who already had well established children and family services in the Fort Worth market.
2026
Lightwell, a joint ministry by Buckner and Presbyterian Homes & Services out of Minnesota is an independent living-only community and marks the introduction of a new product line for Buckner with an increased focus on providing more affordable senior living options to the middle market.
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