Sigifredo "Sisi" Bustos

SIGIFREDO Marquez Bustos (“Sisi”) passed away in Odessa, Texas on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at the age of 93.  He was born in Sanderson, Texas on May 30, 1926, to Luis and Isabel Gomez Marquez.  He was married to Selestina Luna Bustos.  He was also known by his initials S.M.

He was a WWII Navy veteran and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Area, American Area, Victory Medal World War II.   He was out at sea the entire time on the USS Ranger (CV-4).  After his Honorable Discharge, he served in the Reserves for several years.

All of his siblings are deceased.  He had two brothers, Manuel Marquez, Carlos Marquez and twin sisters, Maria Marquez (Gutierrez) and Ascension (Chona) Marquez.

After his mother passed away when he was a toddler, each child went to live with different family members.  Sigifredo went to live with his uncle and aunt, Andres Bustos  and Virginia Sotelo Bustos, who were also his  baptismal godparents.  They had no children of their own.  They adopted him so he became a Bustos.   Andres’ brother, Elijio (Lico) Bustos and his wife, Lupe, also helped in the upbringing of dad.     Lico and Lupe had five daughters, no sons - Elida (deceased), Augustina,  Lupita, Frances,  and Price (Prxdes).

He loved to talk about how he came to Odessa from Sanderson at age 22 with intent to get a job with the Jones Brothers, met Selestina in Ft Stockton on his way and they both came to Odessa.   He claimed SHE stole him!  He first worked with the City of Odessa as a Surveying Party Chief for 13 years before going to the Texas Highway Department where he supervised many highway and bridge projects in Odessa and throughout West Texas for 31 years until his retirement in 1989.

Sigifredo played semi-professional baseball with the Odessa All-Stars and then later coached a team that he organized, the Odessa Orioles.   The team members were comprised of his sons, nephews as well as several family members and friends.   He was instrumental in getting baseball fields constructed for the teams to play in Odessa.  Baseball was a big passion that he passed on to his sons, who have passed that love for the sport on to their sons and grandsons.

He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  He had been heavily involved in St Anthony’s  projects including fundraisers, church festivals and with the build of the new church and the hall.  For St. Joseph’s, he provided surveying services and assisted in various projects.

He loved music, long rides and dancing; although one of his favorite stories was when they were young and before marriage, Selestina would tell him to “sit her down because he didn’t dance well!”  He loved to throw his “gritos” when listening to musica ranchera.  One of his favorite sayings was “estoy triste, enamorado, y mal correspondido” (I am sad, in love, and nobody loves me!)

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Selestina  Bustos and his son, Andres Bustos, whose surviving widow is Norma Bustos of San Antonio, TX.

Sigifredo is survived by his children – Ramon Bustos and his wife, Mary, of Odessa TX; Sigifredo Bustos Jr.  and his wife, Eva, of Blanket, TX; Leonel Bustos and his wife, Diana of Odessa TX; Mary Virginia Tijerina and her husband, Luis, of Fort Worth, TX; Mercy Aguilar and her husband, Carlos, of Gardendale, TX;  Isabel Ruiz and her husband, Jessie, of Fort Worth, TX, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with a couple of great-great grandchildren.

Public viewing  will be Thursday, December 12, at Martinez Funeral Home from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.   Rosary will be Thursday, December 12, at Martinez Funeral Home at 7 p.m.   Funeral service will be performed by Father Frank Chavez at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday, December 13, at 2 p.m.  Burial will follow at Ector County Cemetary Rosehill Section.

Pallbearers will be Romeo Garza, Ramon Bustos, Jr., Saul Bustos, Richard Hinojos, Ruben Pineda Jr., Jessie Ruiz and Mark Trujillo.  Honorary pallbearers are:  Joe Garza, Bacilio Sanchez, Alberto Calderon, Felix Arredondo, Maddox Aguilar, Manuel “Tito” Aguilar, Samuel George Benavides.

The family expresses their appreciation and gratitude for the great care of our loved one.  Thank you to his caregivers, Maria Jimenez, Debbie George, and Ruben Pineda  Jr.  as well as to his doctors, Dr. Naidu, Dr. Kadir and to the Hospice of Odessa/Midland.