David M. Bullington

In Memoriam of David M. Bullington

Born on May 25, 1955, in Union, South Carolina, David Michael Bullington's voyage through life began, allowing him to complete spectacular missions in the short amount of time he was given. On October 4, 2023, in Fort Collins, Colorado, this brilliant mind left behind a legacy that reached for the stars.

David was the beloved son of Betty Elizabeth Moore and William Hugh Bullington and an adored brother to Deborah Ann Marsh, Paul Hugh Bullington, and Teresa Gail Marchbanks. Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, David was not known for his athletic ability, but rather for his remarkable intellect that set him apart. The historic race to the moon in the 1960's captivated young David's imagination, igniting a lifelong passion for aerospace engineering.

Pursuing his dreams, he earned his associate degree from DeVry Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, a milestone that paved the way for his exciting career. After graduating in the top of his class, David was highly scouted by Sandia National Laboratories and embarked on a new chapter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There he met his love and co-pilot in life, Jayne Estes Hughes; their union on March 17, 1979, marked the beginning of a remarkable 44-year adventure together. In May 1994, his dearest daughter Tracy Nicole Bullington was born and completed their small, devoted flight crew. David raised Tracy to have his compassionate soul, inquisitiveness for knowledge, and unwavering ambition to chase her dreams, no matter the obstacles or fears. David's love always extended to the furriest and featheriest of family members; he may have been a reluctant Bird Dad to Parry the Parrot but was a proud GrandPAWrent to Admiral and General.

As an electronics engineer, David's contributions to Sandia and to the field of aerospace technology were vast and monumental. As described by colleagues and friends, David was a driving force behind numerous satellite and state-of-the-art projects, notably playing a pivotal role in the creation of the original Global Position System (GPS). His dedication and love for his work lead him to retire two separate times. In 2021, David moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to be closer to his daughter, and in May of 2023, he finally gained a son-in-law, Jared Kade Buniger.

To his colleagues, David was a kind and dependable presence, his expertise shining through in every project. His positivity was infectious, always accompanied with a quick smile or a quiet laugh. Within his family circle, he was the embodiment of love, thoughtfulness, and care. David's organizational prowess made him the rock upon which everyone leaned, the glue that bound them together.

David's departure from this Earth may have been unexpected and well before his time, but we know he was undoubtedly welcomed onto his heavenly journey by his mother, father, brother, and all those he loved whom proceeded him. All of David's beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends will cherish their memories of him forever and never let his impact on them be forgotten.

As we bid farewell to this extraordinary man, we find solace in the knowledge that he now rests among the stars he so dearly loved. David's memory will forever inspire us to reach for new heights and explore the boundless universe, just as he did throughout his remarkable life.

To embrace David's spirit and love for advancing technology, this obituary was generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and then perfected by the humans who loved him.

David's Celebration of Life Service

Please join us on October 21st at 11am at the Greenville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Piedmont, South Carolina, to gather in worship, love for David, and support for each other. We will then say our final goodbyes to David, and he will be laid to rest next to his parents. A reception will directly follow at the Victorian Hills Community Church in Greer, SC, where we will come together over a provided meal to share fond memories and stories of David.

David's Forever Time Capsule Project:

Since David has extended family and friends across the country who loved him and are grieving his sudden loss, we want to involve everyone, no matter your location, in his celebration of life.

David was surrounded by those who loved him during his life, and it is important to our family that he continues to be loved for eternity. Therefore, we have decided to transform his burial vault into his forever time capsule. Possible tributes for his project could be a handwritten note, letter, story, or card written to David, a photograph, and/or anything (very small) that you would like to be entombed with him forever.

If you would like to participate, please bring your contribution to his service on October 21st or mail it to "6 Cole Creek Court, Greer, SC 29651" with it addressed to the attention of Jayne or Tracy Bullington.

Thank you to all who have supported our family during this incredibly difficult time. Your kind words, cards, flowers, and sentiments regarding David have made more of an impact on us than you could ever imagine.

We Love You All,

The Bullingtons