James Edward “Buster” Hairston, 74, of Portsmouth, passed away Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born May 7, 1949, in Portsmouth, a son of the late Edward Harry “Bud” Hairston and June Scott Hairston Matthews.
Buster was retired from the Ohio prison system, and he had been a Driver’s Education instructor for AAA, as well as a cartographer for the State of Ohio. He enjoyed raising koi in his free time and he had attended Columbus State College, Rio Grande College, the Ohio State University, and was a 1967 Portsmouth High School graduate.
Buster is survived by his wife, Teresa McNeer Hairston, whom he married June 26, 1997, in Las Vegas, NV; four children, Rodney (Juanita) Hairston and Jarrod Hairston of Columbus, Tanya Terry of Flint, MI and Toyia (Raphael) Turner of Grand Blanc, MI; two stepchildren, Drew Applegate and Lauren Applegate (Sam) Riley, all of Portsmouth; a sister, Toye (Doug) Parks of Atlanta, GA; three half-brothers, Gary (Marilyn) Hairston of Portsmouth, Russell E. (Julia) Hairston of Cincinnati and Richard W. (Debbie) Hairston of Mason; four half-sisters, Jenny Lynne (Steven) Johnson of Westerville, Tracey A. Hairston of Wheelersburg, Kathey L. (Michael) Malone and Valerie M. Carson of Portsmouth; grandchildren, Cheyenne, Raini, Sydni and Shawnee Hairston; a great-granddaughter, Solana; grandchildren, Rocco and Rocsi Turner; grandchildren who lovingly called him “Star Wars”, Gavin and Terpsi Applegate, Whitney Thuma, Marlee Hannah and River Swearingen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Private services will be held by the family with burial in Greenlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.