H. A. "Buddy" Hussey Jr.

H. A. “Buddy” Hussey was born in Nokomis, FL, on Aug. 11, 1927. He passed away on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. In his younger days, he loved to fish for flounder in the Gulf of Mexico and was a Florida State Yo-Yo Champion in the Junior Division. He followed in his father’s footsteps to work for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He married his high school sweetheart, Julia E. Clark, following their graduation. They were married for almost sixty-eight years and had six children; Julie McKim (Kenneth) of Highlands, NC, Dianne Boudreaux of Schaumberg, IL, Bert Hussey of Paris, David Hussey (Tena) of El Centro, CA, Susie Barnett (Tony) of Lewisville, and Sally Wright (Kem) of Paris. Buddy transferred his young family to Port Arthur, Texas in 1955, while working for Coca-Cola. In 1963, another transfer with Coca-Cola settled the family in Paris, TX. He enjoyed boating and camping and taught his children and many of their friends to water ski at Lake Crook and Pat Mayse. One of his greatest joys was pulling up to twelve skiers behind his boat and circling around Pat Mayes for other campers to see. He looked forward to his annual hunting trips to Utah with his friends. He loved Julia’s wonderful cooking and was proud to tell everyone that she often baked fifteen pies for holiday dinners. Buddy always knew Julia was the prettiest woman in the room. For many years, friends and neighbors received personally delivered cases of Coca-Cola at Christmas. He was known to be generous with his friends. Buddy enjoyed driving fast. He purchased an automotive business in 1972, which evolved into Hussey’s Brake & Wheel Service. His ability to repair any vehicle was known near and far. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge for fifty-one years, was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. His civic contributions included being President of the Paris Boat and Ski Club and President of the Evening Lions Club. He is survived by his wife and six children, three sisters, twenty-two grandchildren and thirty great grandchildren along with numerous extended family members and a plethora of friends. Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24th, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Fred Fangio officiating. Masonic Rites will follow in the chapel at the funeral home lead by David Rozell. Burial will be made in Hopewell Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org