Terry Lee Busby

Terry Lee Busby, retired Norfolk Police officer, loving father, grandfather and devoted husband, passed away peacefully in his home on April 4, 2022, at the age of 70 after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure and stage 3 renal disease.

Terry was predeceased by his parents Stanley and Ruby Busby; his Norfolk Police Partner and best friend James Gilbert; and his grandson Robert (“Peanut”) Davis.

Terry leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years, Helen, and their three children; his son Kris and wife Whitney; his son Richard (Scooter) and wife Christina; his daughter Rebecca (Becky) and husband Scott. He is best known as Pops to his 8 loving “grand-buddies” Ayden, Austin, Katelynn, Scottie, Sean, Daniel, Connor, and Lucas. He also leaves behind his brother Jeffrey Busby and girlfriend Peggy, many brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews, and countless friends and comrades of the Norfolk Police Department.

Terry was born in Bristol, Virginia on September 18, 1951, was active in his church youth groups as a young boy, and an active member of the Boy Scouts where he was promoted to an Explorer Scout as a teenager. In 1969, he graduated Maury High School in Norfolk VA where he was a member of the marching band, orchestra, pep band, and was all city 1st chair saxophone.

Buzz (as Terry was known) loved to shoot, hunt, and fish. Some of his favorite times were backpacking in the Shenandoah mountains and camping by the streams of Crabtree and Panther Falls. He had a passion for tropical fish and was a local businessman for 15 years, operating two aquarium manufacturing companies and The Tropics fish store. Early in the 1980’s, he opened “ Under Water World” where he was owner until he joined the Norfolk Police Department in 1984.

Before retiring in 2006 from his 22 years of service with the Norfolk Police Department, Terry received numerous awards and commendations; Police Field Training officer assignment (1986) where he trained approximately 30 new officers; Distinguished Service Award (1993); Top Cop Award (1994), Certificate of Appreciation – Veterans of Foreign Wars – US (1995); Certificate of Appreciation – 20 yrs. of Service (2004); 1st Quarter – Police Officer of the Quarter – Fraternal Order of Police Associates Commodore Lodge #3 Norfolk VA (2005); Police Officer of the Year – Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Norfolk Lodge #38 (2006); Certificate of Appreciation – Johnston Square Civic League Community Outreach Center (no date).

His children were his life – he loved to watch them play baseball, rollerblade, skateboard, surf at the beach, and became the best Cheer Dad for 6 years while his daughter traveled near and far for elite cheer competitions. Later in life, he fell in love with NHRA Top Fuel racing and traveled up and down the east coast with his sons, Kris, Scooter, and Scott to attend in person events. He loved spending time with his boys – working on cars, rebuilding motors, going to races, eating wings and drinking beer. Some of his favorite memories were of taking them to the Bahamas and teaching them how to snorkel.

In more recent years, he began to develop a funny passion for the most extreme Halloween decorations. Thanks to his sense of humor and creativity, we won 1st place four years in a row for best decorated campground. He was an avid reader, a Rottweiler enthusiast and had an ear for music (mostly classical, orchestra, oldies, rock, and bluegrass). He loved to watch his son-in-law Scott race his mud truck, was so proud of his daughter-in-law Whitney when she graduated nursing school and was head over heels for his bear hugs and infectious laughter with his daughter-in-law Christina.

As requested in his final days, in lieu of funeral services there will be a Celebration of Life party held at the Busby Residence on Saturday, April 30th at 5pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com for the Busby family.