Davis M. Bussey

1914 - 2021

Davis M. Bussey



Davis M. Bussey, age 106, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather, passed away on June 2, 2021. Davis/Dave, or as he was affectionately known as "Bear" by his family, was born on a cotton farm in Modoc, South Carolina in 1914. He had three brothers and two sisters and was thus known as "cotton picker number 3". Upon his 18th birthday he joined the Navy as a radio operator on the battleship New York when it lead a flotilla of 13 war ships into New York Harbor. It was in New York where he and two shipmates met three sisters, one of whom, Kay Schimmer, would later become his wife. His last assignment before he left the Navy in 1937 was aboard the USS Langley, the Navy's first aircraft carrier. Davis next took a job with the FAA where he enjoyed a long and successful career, culminating as the manager of the Albuquerque Flight Service Station until his retirement in 1972. Following his retirement, Dave and Kay traveled frequently and for the next twenty years included an annual month-long stay in Hawaii, as well as time at their family cabin in the Jemez mountains. As one would imagine, Dave/Bear was loved and adored by not only his family but everyone who came to know him. When asked what the key is to a long and happy life he would always come back with: maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, respect and serve others, follow your instincts, and be sure to enjoy a good margarita now and then.….

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Geha and husband, Richard Geha, and son-in-law Robert Des Jardin; his grandchildren Scott Wilson, Sue George, Lori Boucher, Tom Geha, Cathy Eckert, Jill Skelton, and Jim Geha; his great grandchildren, Megan Heaton, Richard Eckert, Rhone Geha, Paige Warren, Amy Eckert, Wes Warren, Juan Tashjian, Catalina Tashjian, and Ema Geha; and his great-great grandson, Connor Heaton. Also touching his life were his grandchildren's spouses Jackie Wilson, Paul Tashjian, Dave Boucher, Joe Eckert, Jeff Skelton, and Jason Heaton, many nieces and nephews, along with the many close friends whom he also called family at Paloma Landing. Davis was preceeded in death by his wife of 61 years, Kay Bussey, his daughter, Virginia Des Jardin, his son, Michael Bussey, and his great-granddaughter, Jennifer Boucher.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 8th from 3:00-5:00 pm at FRENCH-Wyoming. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 9th at 10:00 am at The Church of The Risen Savior, 7701 Wyoming Blvd NE. Burial to follow at Mt Calvary. Memorial contributions may be made to Joy Junction (www.joyjunction.org) or The Ronald McDonald House

(www.rmhc-nm.org).