4/22/2008 12:51:00 PM Tuba City MCJROTC instructor Kenneth Bustamante passes 18 state wins, three national wins marks stellar career of MCJROTC instructor
First Sgt. Kenneth Bustamante (Courtesy photo).
First Sgt. Kennth Bustamante (Courtesy photo).
"Ken made the kids understand that they were capable, that they could win and they did. He had a very special way of nudging them, urging them, making them believe that anything was possible."
Tuba City MCJROTC instructor, Gunnery Sgt. Tim Shaner
Rosanda Suetopka Thayer The Observer
TUBA CITY - Teacher, mentor and coach 1st Sgt. Kenneth Bustamante (USMC retired) died Friday, April 4 leaving behind a legacy of state and national championship wins for Tuba City High School students.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Bustamante was 51 at the time of his death.
Bustamante is survived by his wife of 25 years, Felis, daughter Adelina, two brothers, two sisters and his mother. His father preceded him in death several years ago.
A funeral was held April 8 in his hometown of Avondale at St. Thomas Aquinas church and was attended by friends, staff members and military personnel.
In the five years that Bustamante was at Tuba City High School, he, along with fellow teacher, mentor and instructor, Gunny Sgt. Tim Shaner brought their drill team students to two national and three state titles.
Last April, the team earned first place in the West Coast National Drill Team Competition in Torrance, Calif. competing against 58 other high schools from both on and off reservation areas.
Bustamante instilled such local community pride in his student drill team accomplishments that several community organizations in the Tuba City and Moencopi-Hopi villages as well as the private sector contributed to the funding of travel expenses for the ROTC students.
His teaching career in the ROTC program began at Tolleson District in 2003 and ended in Tuba City-Moencopi. Gunny Sgt. Shaner said, "We didn't have a lot of competition experience when Bustamante first came to Tuba City, but he was so impressed with our students and how they presented themselves - with respect, with honor and a willingness to accept tough discipline to win, he was really inspiring. Ken made the kids understand that they were capable, that they could win and they did. He had a very special way of nudging them, urging them, making them believe that anything was possible."
Bustamante is credited by many Tuba City and Moencopi area parents with providing positive role-modeling, especially for students that were having difficulty in succeeding in academics and social areas. He was so popular that he was the guest speaker at last year's Tuba City High school graduation and was honored along with his drill team students by the Navajo Code Talkers with a special ceremony last spring in Tuba City.
Both the TC High drill team and its four-man marksmanship team have won a total of 184 trophies in the past three years.
As news of Bustamante's death was passed through the Hopi and Navajo communities of Tuba City and Moencopi last week, the sense of loss was felt the deepest by his students at TC High and their parents.
Even though Bustamante will not accompany his drill team to a state competition this week, his students told Sgt. Shaner that they want to continue on despite Bustamante's death. For the students, to not go would disappoint Bustamante, who always told them, "you can do it baby."
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Article comment by:
FordH
1stSgt Bustamante was my 1stSgt at the I-I Staff in Phoenix, AZ; just before he retired and started his MCJROTC career. I retire this year as a 1stSgt, same as my mentor. I have tons of life long memories. I am tremendously sadden...
Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008
Article comment by:
1stSgt Larry D. Hatfield USMC ret
Semper-Fi to the 1stSgt and his family.You know that you are noy alone in your grief!!R/S L.Hatfield
Posted: Friday, May 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Howard Cooper
I'm sorry to hear of the passing of 1StSgt Bustamante. He was an outstanding Marine. I was one of his radio operators when he was Comm Chief for 3d Bn 4th Marines. He always demanded the best a person could give. He will be missed. I will raise a glass to him at Cookies Tavern this November. Rest Marine. Semper Fidelis!
Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Article comment by:
William Sahno
You served Corps and Country honorably and well.
"Semper Fidelis!" Marine
W. Sahno
Colonel, U. S. Marine
Corps (Ret)
Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Article comment by:
Nicole Curley
1stSgt has been very special to me..we did everything together, there is not one memory i don't have that he's not in it. I watched his animals. Then i graduated and i moved into hi house and i've been the SON HE'S NEVER HAD!!! he always said that to me. I miss him alot and n empty hole will always be there. PINKY OUT 1STSGT!!! I LOVE YOU!!
