Dates
Jerry Busbee, of Seoul, South Korea passed away in San Angelo, TX at the age of 53 after a courageous, year-long battle with liver disease.
Jerry was born in New Braunfels, TX and pursued many passions, including the study of geography and international travel, mastering foreign languages, teaching children and the disabled and singing beautiful karaoke. After mastering Spanish in high school, Jerry served in the United States Air Force as a Russian Linguist before earning his Bachelor's of Science in Geographical Information Systems from Texas State University, San Marcos. Throughout his life, Jerry was filled with curiosity of foreign cultures and having an adventurous soul, he welcomed and embraced diversity. As soon as he was able, he became an explorer of exotic lands, living in Japan and later Korea and traveling to Italy, Thailand, Russia and Indonesia. But his family home was always Abilene, TX.
After graduating from Abilene Cooper High School, in 1987, Jerry began his Air Force career as a Russian Linguist during the Cold War. He became so fluent, he was later selected to join an elite group of interpreters assigned to a diplomatic corps, associated with the START II nuclear disarmament treaty. Jerry later used his Russian fluency to assist US travelers and businesses attain travel visas and work permits from the Russian embassy and consulates throughout the U.S.
In 2008, his globetrotting instincts took back over and led him to discover his dream job - teaching English to school children overseas. He was now “TEE-CHA” to classrooms of adorable and smart Korean children. Not long after arriving in Seoul for his first teaching assignment, he met the love of his life, Oh Sung Kweon, who he shared his life with for the last 13 years. Jerry shared many American traditions with Oh Sung and together they continued to travel the world.
Jerry’s life was short, but rich in love, family, adventure and friends. He made many long-lasting friendships all over the world; each one he cherished until his last moments.
Jerry is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Joy Owens, his father, Louis Waid Busbee and his life partner Oh-Sung. The youngest of his blended family, Jerry is preceded in death by his sister, Terry Calder and brother Ricky Gene Busbee. He leaves behind his sister, Sharon Eller, brothers Randy Cranfill, Ricky Scott Cranfill and Drew “Buz” Busbee.
Jerry will be laid to rest with his parents in a private graveside service.
If able, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Jerry’s name or to one of these charities that Jerry was fond of:
www.NOH8Campaign.com
www.MatthewShepard.org
www.TheTrevorProject.org