Samuel Bussey Jr.

Samuel Veich Bussey Jr. (Sam)

Samuel Veich Bussey Jr. (Sam), son of Samuel (Sr.) and Ruby, was born April 24, 1934 in a small farm house south of Ryan, Oklahoma.  He passed away in Kalispell, Montana in the early morning of December 1, 2020 from a heart related event.

Sam had a deep love for his parents and while growing up they moved to fourteen different locations so his dad could pursue a career in the United States Air Force.  He was fortunate to be able to live in California for many of those years where he was near his extended family.  He graduated from High School in San Antonio after attending that specific High School for only two months.  He always thought that was funny especially when he got reunion notifications.

In December 1956 he joined the Army and was honorably discharged in December of 1958 while stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He remained in the Army Reserves then transferred to the Air Force Reserves until December 1962.

He followed his parents to Great Falls, Montana, in 1958 where his dad was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base.  He attended college in Great Falls while working at Super Save Drug Store.  He was offered a manager position in Havre, Montana where he met and fell in love with Teri Bachini.

Sam and Teri were married in April 11,1964.  They lived in Helena, Montana, and had two children, Trina born April 1965 and Sam (3rd) in March 1966.

The family was transferred to Moscow, Idaho where he opened the pharmacy and variety store, Drug Fair, in 1969.  Their final move was to Kalispell, Montana in 1973, where he became a partner in the company, opened and managed Super Fair, later renamed Drug Fair in the Gateway West Mall.  He continued this career until the closing of the company in 1993.  He loved managing the stores and took much pride in the store’s success.  He was a great manager and had the respect of his employees that has lasted long after the company’s closure.  He met many wonderful people during his career and some of his employees remained as his friend to this day.

Sam loved to hunt but fishing was his passion.  He enjoyed telling stories of his fishing skills and laughed heartily about always out-fishing his father-in-law (Vasco) on lakes, rivers and creeks and how Vasco reacted to being out-fished.  In a note left for us to find in his papers, he said “My best times in life was going fishing with my wife, kids and grandkids.  We just did not do enough of this.  I love you all very much”.  The last few years his body didn’t allow him to fish but we are sure he is dropping a hook with his parents and father-in-law now.  Have fun fishing in Heaven Dad!

Sam was a family man and expressed his love often.  He always said he wished his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids lived in the same house so he could see them every day.  Knowing their happiness and successes in life always brought a smile to his face and made his heart content.  We get our work ethic from you Dad.  Thank you for that.

Sam joins his beloved son, Sam (3rd), in Heaven who passed away just five months prior.  He is also with his parents, a baby brother who died at birth, Anne Bachini (mother-in-law), Vasco Bachini (father-in-law), and many extended Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

He leaves behind and will be missed by his wife, Teri, daughter Trina and her husband Pat, grandchildren Logan and wife Anne, Marissa and husband Ryan, Cherise and husband Ryan, Mitchell and wife Alli, Anneliese, Ava, brother-in-law Dick, close cousin Quanah Morgan, and his great-children Parker and Layne.

Sam did not want a funeral so we are honoring that request. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.