Maxie "Maximilliano" R. Bustamante

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Wanda Bustamante, a son Johnny Bustamante of Lorena, TX, a daughter Della Jasso of Bruceville, TX, a daughter Glenda Schooler of Arlington, TX and his furry companion Kitty Boy. He is also survived by two sisters, Alifonsa “Ollie” Gutierrez of Waco and Lupita Alexander of Temple, TX and he was blessed with six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Maxie was born on January 7,1935 in Taft, TX to Pablo and Natividad Bustamante. His parents were migrant farmers and the family worked between Groesbeck and Mexia, TX. They settled in Waco in 1943.

Maxie developed a love for music at an early age and picked up his first accordion when he was 8 years old. He practiced every day and is a self-taught musician. Along with his younger cousin who picked up a guitar, he began playing at family functions. In his late teens, he formed his first conjunto, Los Cardenales, and began playing professionally. In 1959, Maxie changed the name of the group to Los Alegres. In later years, his son Johnny Bustamante joined the group. Maxie played for many political functions during his musical career including events for President Bill Clinton, Congressman Chet Edwards and former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros.

In addition to his music, Maxie was also a tile contractor by trade. He learned his trade and formed his own company, Bustamante Tile Company, in 1970. Maxie was an exceptional and skilled tile setter and contracted work with several of the major builders in Waco and surrounding areas. Maxie’s work can be found in several landmarks around Waco including the Waco Hilton and the Crawford home of President George W. Bush. Maxie retired from music and his tile company in 2007.

In addition to being a loving husband, father and grandfather, Maxie was a respected businessman and a man of faith. He loved our Lord and was a life-long member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He shared both of his passions with the church – his music and his tile work. Through the years Maxie and his band performed at numerous Jamaicas and several times Maxie and his son Johnny sang Las Mananitas to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. Maxie also shared his tile skills with the church and his work can be seen throughout Sacred Heart.

Maxie is a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. Nothing was more important to him than his family and he loved them tremendously. He was a kind and quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor and a heart as big as Texas. He will be greatly missed and will always be in our hearts.

We love you, Daddy!