Thomas Patrick Bussey was born on May 7, 1905 at Parksville, South Carolina. He matured into an outdoorsman and naturalist.
He studied at The Citadel and the University of South Carolina Law School, where, in 1927, he received his degree and began his practice in Charleston.
He was an active Mason, serving as Master, Secretary and Marshall. He was honored in 1970 with the Albert Gallation Mackey Medal, the highest Masonic honor. He was also a faithful member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, serving on its Vestry and as Chairman of the Trust Committee.
Judge Bussey was a loving father and husband. He was married for forty-seven years to Louise McLevey Florence.
He served terms in the South Carolina House of Representatives and as Chairman of the Charleston Democratic Executive Committee. In 1958, he became Circuit Judge and, in 1961, was named an Associate Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. He served brilliantly in this capacity for fourteen years.
Throughout his life, he remained strong of character, loving nature, his homeland and the law.