Samuel Joseph Bustabad

It was Christmas Eve 1945 when Samuel Joseph Bustabad of Rocky Face, Georgia, was born in a family with five loving sisters in the city of Bluefields, Nicaragua. It was another December day, December 11, 2025, 79 years later when Sam left this life for the one promised to him as a Christian. Sam is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jane Callaway Bustabad, two sons, Kevin Joseph Bustabad and Scott Edward Bustabad, a sister, Lois Bustabad, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. His parents, Indalecio Joseph Bustabad and Eulogia Ugalde Rodriguez Bustabad predeceased him along with four sisters, Martha Maggard, Sara Olmos, Lidia Montero, and Ana Alvarado.

Sam moved to the United States when he was 15 years old to live with his sister Martha. He took on the challenge of learning English and never relinquished the desire to learn more English. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, with a double major in math and chemical engineering. Sam worked as a chemical engineer at Union Carbide, Air Products and Chemicals, and Celanese. He loved his work but even more so his family. He was a provider financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Sam was a member of Ringgold First Baptist Church where he was a deacon and active in choir until his health prevented participation.

Funeral arrangements for Sam are being handled by Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Monday, December 15th, from 3:00-5:00 pm. The funeral will be at Ringgold First Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 16th at 2:00 pm with Rev. Eric Kennedy officiating. There will be no service at the Dunagan Cemetery burial in Rocky Face, Georgia. Active and honorary pall bearers will be the Ringgold First Baptist Church deacons. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Ringgold First Baptist Church.