The Life's Journey of Horace L. Bussey, Jr.

"But I will sing about your strength.  In the morning I will sing about your love.  You are my defender, my place of safety in times of trouble." –Psalm 59:16

Horace Lee Bussey, Jr. leaves a rich legacy of love for family, raising his daughters to be strong and brilliant, life-long learning, social and political consciousness, and high intelligence. His journey began December 16, 1971 in San Antonio, TX. He was born the eldest son of Horace Lee Bussey Sr. and Mary Ann Bussey. Horace was raised in Corpus Christi, TX where he attended St. John First Baptist Church.  It was there that his Christian foundation was laid.  He had a precocious mind and great passion for reading, science, and technology yet was sensitive to the Holy Spirit which compelled him to give his life to Christ and live a life that was pleasing to the Lord.

Horace attended Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi.  He was an offensive line guard for the Battling Buccaneers football team and threw discus in track and field.  His keen interest in science led to a passion and he participated in the Pre-freshman Engineering Program (PREP) at Del Mar College at the age of 15. He graduated from Miller H.S. in 1990 and ventured forth to Prairie View A&M University, where he majored in mechanical engineering and proudly assimilated with the high-minded men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.   With his academic pursuits in hand at "PV" Horace elected to honorably serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and served as a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 1 ^st Engineer Brigade in Gulfport, MS.  Upon completion of active duty, he returned to PV to complete his degree while fulfilling his reserve commitment.

Horace graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1999.  A man of high standards, he immediately put his passion to work at NASA, Johnson Space Center as a robotics system analyst and safety engineer to further man's travel and exploration into space. As a safety engineer he manned the console during robotic maneuvers for the International Space Station and as a robotics system analyst he analyzed how to best execute complex robotic space missions.  He was instrumental in designing the robotic arm used by astronauts to repair the space station.  During his tenure at NASA, Horace earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix and co-authored several published research articles including,

"Mobile Surface Systems in a Moonbase System of Systems," "Project Arusha: Pressurized Rover Systems," "Macho Mengi (M2) – Eyes of the Universe," and "An Overview of Space Robotic Operations Principles for Human Spaceflight and Exploration." The latter was presented at 1 ^st Space Exploration Conference: Continuing the Voyage of Discovery.

In addition to achieving his professional and academic accomplishments, Horace was affiliated with several civil organizations such as Prince Hall Masonry Highland Heights #220 and Epsilon Gamma Iota, Inc.

Horace, a proud soldier, answered the call to serve and protect his country during Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq.  As a pipeline construction engineer with the 808 ^th Army Reserve Engineering Company, he and his unit built pipelines that transported fuel to the front line for refueling military vehicles.  Horace was injured in action during his tour in Iraq.  With his desire to serve his country sated in a most meritorious fashion, he received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 2005 and later became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8905.  His commitment to excellence was exhibited even in wartime as he was awarded theMeritorious Unit Commendation, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar.

Yes, Horace was precocious.  He was high achieving.  He was also very loving.  Shortly before deployment to Iraq in 2003 he met the woman who took his breath away, Lesley Rose Earl.  It was the delivery of the daily mail with the loving letters from Lesley that sustained him throughout his military service and gave him the will and the determination to press forward in the direst of conditions.  Realizing that he could not live without the love of his life they married on September 10, 2005.

They were both members of The Church Without Walls under the leadership of Dr. Ralph Douglas West and their relationship developed and flourished as they served together in the missions and recreation ministries.  Together they traveled to Africa where they served the people and assisted in planting churches in the remote areas of Kenya.  He was the official spokesperson of the adult softball league and had no reservations about announcing your game-time highs and lows over the big bull horn he carried to every game.  The love of their union produced an even greater love, three beautiful daughters, Heather and twins Lauren and Leila, "Daddy's Girls."  Horace was a loving husband and father—he was deeply devoted to his family, their protector and provider.  As a family they joined the young and vibrant ministry of The Word of God Christian Fellowship under the leadership of Pastor Erick W. Hoskin.  Horace served on the Boys to Men ministry teaching gun safety and life skills to the youth and regularly presented STEM projects for the P150 youth Sunday school.

Horace was well-read, well-rounded and enjoyed engaging in intellectually stimulating conversations. His passion for knowledge would drive him to thoroughly research topics until his thirst for knowledge was satiated. Horace met no strangers and sought to make others comfortable around him with his quick wit and winsome personality. He was also a firearms enthusiast who believed in his First Amendment right to keep and bear arms.  As a licensed firearms instructor he was diligent about teaching others how to properly use firearms and how to protect themselves. Horace was also hunter and founded the African American Hunting Club, a nonprofit organization designed to teach life skills to young men.

Horace was loved by many because he was a man of good character. Although his journey here on earth ended September 16, 2019, he will remain in our hearts and memories. He was preceded in death by his father Horace Lee Bussey Sr.

Horace leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife Lesley Bussey, three daughters Heather, Lauren, and Leila, mother Mary Ann Bell, six sisters Estella Bussey of Corpus Christi, TX, Deborah Boyd (Eugene) of Merrillville, IN, Bernadine Moore (John) of Mesquite, TX, Jacqueline Bussey of Mesquite, TX, Ella Bates of San Antonio, TX, Pamela Bussey Griffin of Oakland, CA and three brothers Kevin Bussey (Miranda) of Cypress, TX, Anthony Bussey (Natasha) of San Antonio, TX, and Jeffery Bussey (Sabrina) of Corpus Christi, TX, one sister-in-law Alma Peterson of Chicago, IL, three brothers-in-law Lester Earl II and  Roderick Peterson both of  Chicago, IL, and Jimmie Peterson of Jackson, MS.  Horace also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Dave Funeral Home and Crematorium

2103 Cypress Landing Rd - Houston, Texas 77090 / (713)480-2966

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.AllenDave.com