Adam Bussell

Adam John Bussell, 38, died on Friday, May 10, 2019.  Still nearly impossible for so many of us to comprehend.

He was born in Albuquerque on Sunday, June 29, 1980, the same month and day as his father, John Bussell.  He spent most of his life in Albuquerque, outside of brief stints in Texas and Arizona when he was a toddler.  From birth Adam was rambunctious, filled with unbridled energy, irrepressible.

He graduated high school from Temple Baptist Academy and continued on to UNM, then CNM.  He earned several associate degrees and nearly completed his BA.  He worked various part-time jobs while in school; bussing tables, pizza delivery, waiter, cook.

With his Radiologic Technology degree from CNM, earned in 2009, he plied his trade at a local hospital, then an urgent care center. He was an excellent x-ray tech with exceptional bedside manner.  Adam loved animals; leaving behind a ferret, a cat and three kittens, all subsequently adopted to family and friends.

One of his greatest joys in life was fly fishing.  He also enjoyed pro football, Fantasy Football, electronic gaming and Stephen King novels. He could easily assemble any electronic kit, including, recently, a 3D printer and a radio-controlled car.  He loved hard and fast, searching for and coming heartbreakingly close to having and holding his true love.

In his early teens he began experimenting with alcohol.  At first it seemed merely an exploration of adulthood, a phase he would outgrow, but the alcohol demon, which was perhaps in his DNA, had its ugly talons in him…and never let go.

With each terrible, alcohol-induced incident, it was easy to say it was so devastating/horrendous/grotesque, this would be the last time.  He was too intelligent/strong/loving, had too bright of a future to continue on this treacherous path.

Over the years he sought out and participated in addiction counseling and various programs to try and help himself.  The programs never took.  Adam fought his disease until the end, applying to participate in a UNM addiction study the day before he died.  He always presented a face of positivity and optimism to his family, that he was working things out, all would be well.

We would like to thank everyone who tried to help Adam on his painful journey, those who loved him, who cared about him, provided friendship and companionship.

Our hope now is that he is with his paternal and maternal grandmas, Dorothy Bussell and Elsie Day, who have met him up there, are showing him the ropes, and taking exquisite care of him until we can be with him again.

Adam is survived by us, his mother and father, Angie and John Bussell; his brother and brother’s wife, Thomas and Serin Bussell; his grandfather, Byron Day; aunt Ruth and uncle Sam Gutierrez; uncle Danny and aunt Yvonne Bussell; aunt Sharon and uncle Don Bremner; uncle Norman and aunt Diane Day; uncle Allen and aunt Arlene Day; his uncle Ronnie Day, plus all his fantastic cousins, Eddie, Sammy, Joanie, Chris and David, Daniel, Michelle and Jennipher, Sarah and Chelsea, and their spouses and children.

A Memorial Service will be held  Saturday, May 25, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.  A reception at the facility will follow.