James David Busby

James David Busby, M.D., age 77, of Alma, Arkansas, left this world on January 13, 2021. David, Dr. Busby, or Daddy, or Papa, was born August 11, 1943, to Oleta and James Busby in Brownwood, Texas. David graduated from high school in Berrien Springs, MI. In Michigan, he met his wife, Joan McCarthy Busby, and they married in 1963. Joan and David left Michigan so that David could attend college at Ouachita Baptist University while Joan worked at the school to support them. Upon graduation, they moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where David attended medical school at the University of Tennessee, and Joan worked at the University to support them. David began his medical career in Huntsville, Arkansas, before moving to Fort Smith to work as an assistant professor for the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. He practiced medicine in multiple capacities and places while he and his family lived in Alma, Arkansas. He worked in hospitals from Blytheville to Berryville and several places in between, always enjoying meeting new patients and working alongside other medical professionals. In 2020 David retired from Baptist Health in Fort Smith and Van Buren as a physician advisor. David’s interests included everything from photography, writing and publishing articles in numerous publications, to stock car racing. But the hobby from which he received the most pleasure was fishing. Never without a boat, he fished whenever he could and regretted it when he couldn’t. The son of a Baptist preacher, David enjoyed gospel music, particularly the Gaither Vocal Band. He and Joan attended numerous concerts; he even attempted to sing their music from time to time, much to his daughters’ chagrin. David attended First Baptist Church of Cedarville, Arkansas, and appreciated the prayers and support of the congregation who lovingly served God by visiting him at home or calling and texting him when his health no longer allowed him to attend services. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas was a cause near and dear to his heart beginning in 1979 when he first became a board member. He continued serving for the next four decades, most recently as Chairman of the Board up until the last day of his life. An advocate for the elderly long before he became elderly, David would want to continue to support the work of the Agency after his death. In lieu of flowers, David’s family requests you donate to the Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, 524 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901. David was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Deby Busby. David leaves behind his wife Joan of Alma who exemplified “in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer”, and three daughters: Debbie Alsip (Chris), Sara Herlevic (Matt), and Kathleen Shepard (Greg) all of northwest Arkansas; five grandchildren: Caroline Alsip, Nicholas and Zachary Herlevic, and Alex and Sullivan Shepard; siblings Janie Weatherwax (Phil) and Mark Busby (Karen), both of Memphis,TN; and several nieces and a nephew. Visitation and services are under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Alma, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Brandon Busby, Ron Smith, Bob Clapper, Dale Flannagan, Ruben Miller, Bruce Parker, Larry Busby, James Robert Flannagan, and Matt Robinson. Honorary Pallbearers are Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas Board Members: T. R. McNutt, Phillip H. Merry, Jr., Robert Herrera, Sharon Brooks, Mayor Doug Kinslow, Wingo Johnson, Pat Willems, Robert Morgan, Rick Green, Jarrard Copeland, Jake Sibley, and Jim Petty. Visitation will be held Friday, January 15th from 5-7pm, and the funeral will take place Saturday, January 16th at 1pm with a graveside service following at Alabam Cemetery in Huntsville, Arkansas. Ocker Funeral Home Alma will livestream the service via their Facebook page. Due to COVID restrictions, attendees are asked to wear a mask and social distance as much as possible.