Bob Bustin

Bobby (Bob) Charles Bustin, Sr., a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on May 24, 2025, at the age of 90. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Kilgore officiated by Lion Pat McCrory. A private family burial will follow at Danville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore.

Bob was born on May 16, 1935, in Kilgore, Texas to James Edgar Bustin and Anna Emma Gatewood Bustin. Bob loved his hometown of Kilgore and made it his home for his entire life.

Bob graduated from Kilgore High School in 1954. He was captain of the football team that won the first district football championship in school history. He was named Outstanding Athlete in East Texas in 1954. He played football at Kilgore College where he helped lead the Rangers to win the Longhorn Conference Championship in 1954 and was named to both the All-Conference and All-American teams. Afterwards, he transferred to Baylor University on a football scholarship and was on the team that beat the Tennessee Volunteers in the 1957 Sugar Bowl. Bob received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor.

Upon returning to Kilgore, Bob met the love of his life, Sally Beth Durrett. He told her “If I tell you it’s going to rain, put your bucket out” and shortly thereafter they married in 1964.

Bob was a successful salesman and entrepreneur. He was a salesman for Weinberg’s, sold freight for Missouri Pacific Railroad, and sold insurance for various national insurance companies. He and Sally started their own businesses in 1973 including Kay Tank Cleaning, American Supply & Chemical, and Pioneer Fence & Insulation. They successfully retired at age 51.

To truly know Bob was to recognize the depth of his service and generosity. In his sixty plus years of involvement as a resident of Kilgore, he gave back tremendously to his community. Bob was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Kilgore, where he taught Sunday school. He was a volunteer Kilgore Fireman for several years. He served 28 years as Director of Kilgore Boys Baseball Association with 18 years as president. He was the Texas State Director of Dixie Boys Baseball Association. He served 12 years as Kilgore City Commissioner including Mayor Pro Tem. He was an active member of the Roy H. Laird Hospital Board of Directors. Bob was a proud member for 62 years of the Kilgore Lions Club where he ferociously sold chili tickets, raffle tickets and called bingo at the annual Halloween Carnival. He received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for his service and dedication as a Lion. Bob was an active supporter and fundraiser for Kilgore College Football & Basketball programs. Bob loved the Texas Rangers Law Enforcement Organization. He served as Director, Board Member, and Chairman of the Board of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation for many years. He was an active supporter of Baylor University where he endowed a football scholarship - he said many times he “could not afford to go to Baylor without a scholarship” and wanted to give back to Baylor. Bob served as president of the Baylor Letterman’s Association. He was a supporter of East Texas Baptist University and multiple other organizations. Bob was named to the Kilgore ISD Wall of Honor for his contributions as an athlete and supporter and was inducted into the Kilgore College Hall of Fame.

After retirement, you could find Bob immersed in some of his favorite pastimes including spending time with family, the Circle Café coffee club, politics, traveling, dominoes, and cheering on his KHS Bulldogs, his KC Rangers, and his Baylor Bears in all their sporting events.

Most of all, Bob was a proud supporter of his son Bobby & wife Sherry and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in everything they pursued. Whether it was a dance performance, ball game, or any special event, you could always count on Bob and Sally to be there, cheering them on with enthusiasm. Being a Dad and Papaw brought Bob tremendous joy, and he cherished every moment.

Left to carry on his legacy is his beloved wife Sally, of more than sixty-one years. His son, Bobby and wife Sherry of Kilgore. Bob’s cherished grandchildren – Bethany Wittenburg and husband Dave of Dallas; Ryan Bustin and wife Macy of Richardson; and his precious great grandchildren Owen, Aiden, Noah, Hailey, Walker and McKinley. He is survived by his sister Mary Ann Banker of Asheboro, NC. Also, left to treasure his memory are his many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other loving family members. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Bustin, and granddaughter Brianna Bustin.

The pallbearers are Bob’s son Bobby Charles Bustin, Jr., grandson Ryan Bustin, grandson-in-law Dave Wittenburg, and great-grandsons Owen, Aiden, and Noah. Serving as honorary pallbearers are the Kilgore Lions Club.

Sally, along with the family, would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Hawkins Creek Assisted Living and the amazing caregivers who loved and supported Bob the last 2 years; and Bob’s favorite Rummikub group where you could catch him most every day focused on winning!

Donations can be made in Bob’s memory to the Kilgore College Bob Bustin Scholarship, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore, TX 75662.