Obituary

Dr. James Walter Buster Sirles, born February 21, 1924 in Petersburg, Virginia, departed this life for Heaven on Friday, February 23, 2018. He had just celebrated his 94th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Wesley Sirles and Annie Elizabeth Mallory; a brother, Robert Sirles; a sister, Elizabeth Wright; and his former wife, Elva Henshaw. He is survived by his brother, Melvin Sirles (Linda) of Richmond; a son, Jimi Sirles (Debi) of Utah; and three daughters, Edrice Kaye Sirles of Utah; Kelsie Strong (Dennis) of Utah; and Toni Sirles of Texas; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Buster was a loving father and a cherished friend to all who knew him. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Major, having served his country in WWII in the Asia Campaign and later as a Chaplain. Following his retirement, he was a professor of psychology at Tulane University, Louisiana, before returning to his beloved Virginia. He served an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Gulf States Mission and was an active member of the Church for all his life.

Buster was loved for his warm sense of humor and his generous heart. He was always willing to offer his time and resources to anyone, from supporting missionaries to opening his home for family and friends. During his last year and a half of life, he was a resident at Heritage Oaks in Richmond, where he quickly made friends and was cherished by his caretaker, Suzzette. We will miss him, but we know he is with his family and his Heavenly Father and we will see him again.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 26, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd., North Chesterfield, VA 23234. Buster’s life celebration will be Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3541 Cogbill Rd., N. Chesterfield, VA, 23234, following interment at