Arthur M. “Buster” Bush

Year Inducted: 2019

Arthur M. “Buster” Bush was the fourth of eleven children born to David Taylor and Zada Bumgarner Bush. He attended school in Wilkes County, graduating from North Wilkesboro High School. During his youth, he was an active scout and athlete, playing semi-pro fast pitch softball.

Buster was very instrumental in the first recreation program in North Wilkesboro being started. He led a recreation program for youth with the help of local churches several years before the Town of North Wilkesboro began financing the program. He began his employment as the first Recreation Director of the Town of North Wilkesboro in January, 1957 and served until his retirement in June, 1987. During his 30 years of service to the town, he impacted the lives of thousands of young people by serving as a coach, mentor, friend, and father image to those who played and participated in recreation activities in Wilkes County. The many recreation programs available to young people in Wilkes County today are here because Buster cared yesterday.

In 1985, The Mayor and Town of North Wilkesboro surprised Buster by naming the Fieldhouse of the new Memorial Park in his honor.

During Buster’s lifetime he organized Little League baseball in Wilkes County for 35 years. He was the State Little Tar Heel Baseball League District Commissioner for 25 Years. He coached basketball for 10 years. He started tee ball league in Wilkes County, the midget football league and the first travel basketball squad for Black women.

Buster was a member of the North Wilkesboro Optimist Club for 29 years during which time he had perfect attendance, served as President, and was a member of the Board of Directors for 15 years. He worked with youth in the Junior Optimist Club and started a girls’ Junior Optimist Club. He also helped to start the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party.

He served as a volunteer fireman in North Wilkesboro for 25 years and was the first auxiliary policeman of North Wilkesboro.

Buster was an active Scout during his life serving as scoutmaster for Troop 334 from 1952 until 1985. During his tenure as scoutmaster, 49 boys received their Eagle Scout award. Buster received both the Scout Key and the Silver Beaver Award for his leadership in scouting.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Wilkes County Jaycees in 1959 and the Charles Ham Citizenship Award by the Wilkes Civitan Club in 1986.

A former teacher in Wilkes County has commented that any time she had a student who needed a coat or shoes, all she had to do was call Buster and he would see that the student had whatever they needed.

Buster truly had a heart of service and cared deeply for all the youth of Wilkes County.