David Bustos, Sr.

David Bustos, Sr., longtime resident of Duke, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024, in Altus at the age of 71. Inurnment will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 22nd, at the Russell Cemetery west of Duke with military honors rendered by the United States Army. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home & Cremation Service. 

David was born in Converse, Texas on January 25, 1953, to Jose “Shorty” and Mariana (Bernal) Bustos. During his childhood he grew up on Sanders Street in San Antonio until he was 10 years old. In 1964, the Bustos family moved to Duke. David graduated from Duke High School and upon graduation he joined the United States Army. In his army career he received the National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Aircraft Crewman Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Rifle M-16 Badge. He was an Observation Scout/Helicopter repairmen for 14 years and Utility/ Helicopter repairman for 7 years. During his enlistment he was stationed at Fort Hood, TX, Fort Polk, LA, Honolulu, HI, and Fort Wainwright, AK. Upon his separation from the Army, he moved back to Duke and was a diesel mechanic at H&B for over 10 years. There were many sides to David; with age he seemed to fine tune some and put others to rest. He loved to crack jokes and make fine art out of quick-witted comebacks and first strikes. You never really knew if he was putting the ol’ “Bustos” spin on a story or not, dedicated to only reeling you in –hook, line, and sinker. He may have been born in Texas, but not in the traditional hospital like most. He came into this world right off the side of the highway, under a bridge where his mother and father had decided was a good enough place as any to build a house and start fresh. He was also more than capable of flying any aircraft. Little is known of the time he flew the very cargo plane that still sits in the City of Altus Park where he ran out of gas! His wild stories made life interesting, and there was never a dull moment. You could always find him at the tire shop or busy working. He could fix anything. He could breathe life back into a condemned item and resell it for a quick buck. He took pride in always making himself available to the community of Duke and was always ready to fill the need, whatever it may be. He scrapped metal and always found a way to make the most of whatever he had. Along with the absence of his presence, his mechanical genius will be just as great of a loss. He may have been missing at 71 what he had at 25, but he had a large presence about him and leaves behind an unfillable void in the lives of all of those who knew and loved him. He was truly a jack of all trades and a master of them all. There will never be another like him. He was quite the charmer, and David always had a flare for finessing the ladies. As he would say “18 to 80, blind, deaf, or bat crazy”. He was looking forward to an upcoming cruise in October that he would be taking with his brothers. The only problem he had with this wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience was the timing as your 70s are a little less likely to raise hell! His sly smile and heartfelt laughter are just a few things that will be missed by all. 

David was preceded in death by his parents, “Shorty” and Mariana; brother, Santiago Bustos; sister, Rachael Bustos; and sister-in-law, Shirley Bustos. He is survived by his sons, David Bustos, Jr. and wife, Frances (Mesquite, Texas), Juan Bustos and wife, Samantha (Frankfort, Illinois), Sky Bustos (Duke); daughters, Sonya Nunez and husband, Victor (Altus) and Maria Bustos; brothers, Daniel Bustos, Delio Bustos and wife, Janet, Abel Bustos and wife, Susie, and Richard Bustos and wife, Vicky; sisters, Lydia Garner, JoAnn Sharp and husband, Douglas, and Alice Bustos; grandchildren, Alexis, Jasmine, Kyle, Ivan, Liliana, Victoria, Kayla, Alexander, Camilla, Sophie, Damien, , J.D., Savana, Kealy, Ryker, Eviana, and Luna; great-granddaughters, Cristiana, Jaidah, Celeste, Carla, and Janessa; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. 

Online tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.