Dusty was born in Bethesda, Maryland to Elmer L. and Doris C. Jennings on February 5th, 1953. The family, including Dusty’s two sisters, Arloa Pacheco and Joyce A. Hunter, moved to Pueblo, Colorado.
Doris later got remarried to George W. Boley in 1961. George adopted Dusty and took on the full responsibility of fatherhood; George is who Dusty called “Dad”.
In this transition Dusty was united with his sisters Ella Barlish, Tressa Mendoza, Catherine Miller, and Brenda Barber.
Dusty graduated from Pueblo County High School and married his lifelong soulmate, Bettye Louise Welsh, on June 19th, 1971. They spent over 50 amazing years together in a loving marriage.
In July of 1971, Dusty joined the US Army where he went to boot camp in Ft. Lewis, Washington and took his specialty training at Ft. Ord, California. He served 2 years at USAG Heidelberg, Germany and then received an honorable discharge from Ft. Carson, Colorado. Dusty earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Marksmanship Badge w/ M-16 Rifle Bar.
Dusty worked for the United Parcel Service as a driver and the Burlington Northern Railroad as a conductor and then promoted to engineer. In 1982, Dusty and Bettye moved from Pueblo, Colorado to San Diego, California where he became a DOD Civilian and worked for the Navy Communication Station as a carpenter and Safety Manager. He later transferred to NRAD/SSC-PAC in the ISR department where he served as a Lab Manager. He retired in 2013.
Dusty loved God, family, and his Country. Dusty grew up in church where he learned his love for music, he was a member of a Christian singing group. He formed a band called Dusty and the Outriders, and later he became the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of a band called Wood “N” Nickle. Both bands covered country music and 50’s & 60’s hits.
Dusty grew up camping in the Rocky Mountains with his parents and siblings. He loved to camp and travel, he and Bettye spent two years traveling Europe (when Dusty was not on duty), and it stayed in their blood.
Later, after they had their beautiful children, they spent several years camping on the beach together in a tent. Dusty loved playing and swimming in the ocean with his kids. One day, Dusty and Bettye decided they had eaten their last sand-sandwich and bought their first pick-up and camper: Oh, what a happy day! They then grew into their first 5th wheel, then a bigger 5th wheel that had beds for all of the grandkids. At their retirement they sold their home in Lakeside, CA and purchased their home away from home a Class A motorhome. Dusty and Bettye were able to travel the USA and made their last trip together in 2017; what a wonderful time they were able to cherish together!
Dusty also enjoyed riding his motorcycles, he was so excited when he bought his “Dream” Honda Goldwing. He also had a talent for woodworking.
He loved his family to the moon & back, he was so proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. The grandchildren all spent many hours with “Papa” laughing and playing, memories that the family will cherish.
Dusty is survived by his wife Bettye; children, Dusty Troy (Lindsey) and Tonya (Anthony); six grandchildren, Dayne Geiger, Alyxis Navarro (John), Patrick Trampus, Meadow Boley, Logan Boley, and Madison Hafer; sisters, Ella Baelish (Victor), Tressa Mendoza (Wayne), Catherine Miller (Ronnie), Brenda Barber (Casey) and much more extended family.
Dusty is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Arloas Pacheco (Joseph) and Joyce A. Hunter (Clayton).
Dusty was a giant of a man, and everyone who knew him, loved him. He was a wonderful husband, father, and papa. He will be forever missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family graciously requests donations be sent to Cure PSP (https://www.psp.org/iwanttohelp/).
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5