Dennis E. Buster

Dennis E. Buster, 81, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on October 10, 2023 at Hospice of Texarkana, Texarkana, TX. Dennis was born on January 30, 1942 to Evelyn Amanda Smith and Elonzo Gibson Buster in Red Bluff, Little River County, Arkansas. He was the baby of nine children. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Ashdown, AR who knew his Lord and Savior. He spent his mornings on the back porch reading his Bible and looking out across the field on God’s creations. Many people knew Dennis “Buster or Bus” from his trophy winning coon hunting days, his fishing days down at Millwood Lake Spillway and boxing, by many shipmates while in the Navy. A respectable man who never met a stranger no matter where he went. A fighter who never gave up. When Dennis graduated from Ashdown High School in 1960, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four valiant years on the currituck-class sea plane tender, USS Salisbury Sound AV-13 “Sally Sound” during the Vietnam War. During those four years, his tours ranged from Hawaii to Iwakuni, Japan. Known by his shipmates as a well-liked buff sailor and not one to mess with as he was well known for his boxing abilities in which they called “smokers”. While stationed in California, Dennis, a good ole’ county boy from Ashdown, AR, met the love of his life, Esther, a city girl from D.C. Now, depending on whose story you believe, his or hers, on how that first date went…we will just say they swept each other off their feet and never looked back. A love that inspires everyone that has spent time with them, listened to their story or just watched them interact with one another, you learned what true love really was. After retiring from Domtar Paper Mill in 1999, Dennis loved spending more time with his wife, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved family gatherings, spending time with friends, hunting, fishing and occasionally creating new inventions. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Elonzo Buster, his brothers, Elmer Buster, Eliga “Liege” Buster, Kenneth Buster and Elonzo “Sonny” Buster, his sisters, Grace Zechmann and Dorothy Anderson and a special Aunt, Nell Williams. Dennis leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years, Esther Buster of Ashdown, two sons, Ronald Buster (Angie) of Ashdown, AR and Donald Buster (Vanessa) of Texarkana, TX, one daughter, Teresa Hickey (Josh) of Texarkana, AR, two sisters, Helen Pierce of Texarkana, TX and Mollie Sue Cambra of San Antonio, TX, 11 grandchildren, Christa Fant, Ron Buster, Laykin LaCaze, Kaitlynn Neal, Leslie Binning, Ashley Binning, Bradley Morvant, Brent Davis, Nicole Brown, Lindsey Brown and Haley Allen. Also, a number of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins and special friends, Don Pope, Charles Earnest and Wayne Houck. The family would like to express thanks to Hospice of Texarkana, St. Michael Rehab and Little River Nursing and Rehab for their outstanding care and to all of his physical, occupational and speech therapist throughout the years who became family. Everyone held a special place in his heart. A memorial service will be Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 at Madden Funeral Home in Ashdown with Bro. Travis Arden officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations, in memory of Dennis, to Hospice of Texarkana 2407 Galleria Oaks Texarkana TX 75503 or The Parkinson’s Foundation 200 SE 1st St, Suite 800 Miami FL 33131.

Dennis E. Buster

January 30, 1942 - October 10, 2023