HORACE (BUBBA) R. AVERETTE JR.

Key West - With heavy hearts and a touch of Key West sunshine, we bid farewell to our beloved Bubba who left this world on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the age of 90. Born in August,1933, Bubba was a true-blue, fifth-generation Conch of Key West, with a zest for life as big as the ocean.

After completing high school, he enlisted in the Air Force, serving his country with honor before landing at the Key West Post Office, where he became a fixture for over 40 years. From delivering mail to postal clerk to collecting stamps, Bubba made his mark with dedication and passion for the philately that continued for 45 years.

In the early '60s, Bubba found his co-captain in life's adventures, Carol, and together they welcomed their son, Marc, into the world. Though Carol left us in the early '90s, her spirit lived on in Bubba's heart.

In 2001, fate donned its cowboy hat when Bubba met his partner-in-crime, Alexandria Haselman, at a family wedding. Together, they rode into the sunset, trading Key West sand for Virginia grasslands, where they built a ranch adapted to fit his Conch Cowboy persona. Whether wrangling cattle or cruising on his Harley 1100 Sportster, Bubba was the epitome of living life to the fullest.

A proud member of the American Legion of Key West Post 28, Bubba wore his patriotism like a badge of honor.  But beneath the bravado lay a heart of gold, always ready to offer sage advice and a listening ear to his adoring grandchildren.

When he wasn't busy making waves on his boat, Bubba could be found diving into the depths of history, his passion for the past as boundless as the ocean itself.

Though he's set sail for calmer shores, Bubba leaves behind a sea of memories and a city full of relatives, including brothers, sisters, and countless others whose lives were touched by his laughter and love.

So, here's to you, Bubba, the Conch Cowboy who rode into our lives with a stamp of humor and a heart of gold May your spirit continue to ride the winds of Key West, forever in our hearts and memories. Rest easy, old friend, brother, father, grandfather, and lover and keep those Harley engines roaring in the great beyond.