Donald Taylor (Bubba) Bullard

May 19, 1954 – May 30, 2022

People of wit, character and southern charm are not all that common and we recently lost a shining example.  Donald Taylor Bullard, affectionately known as Bubba since early childhood, left this world on May 30, 2022, after a sudden illness.

Bubba was born in Nashville, Tennessee on May 19, 1954 to parents Earl and Jean Bullard.  The family moved to Hampton shortly after he was born, and Bubba was a proud Hamptonian for the rest of his life.  In his youth he played on Little, Colt, and Pony League teams, and also played adult softball for various organizations including the United Virginia Bank team.  He was an active member on many bowling leagues and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and cooking.  He truly believed there "ain't nothin' like a home-grown tomato". As an adult he discovered golf, and playing and watching the Golf Channel on tv with his mother-in-law became some of his favorite past-times.  He graduated from Bethel High School in 1972 and subsequently received a degree in Workplace Safety from Thomas Nelson Community College.

Bubba had an interesting and fulfilling 31 year career at Jefferson Lab where he worked with various scientists and college students in helping to make their nuclear experiments go beyond just being theories.  He was not only instrumental in developing technologies solving highly complex technical challenges, his down-home Southern charm made him a delight to work with.  Walking with a hammer in hand, he would say "Don't worry, we have the technology".

He was predeceased by his parents, brother Dougie and niece Amy Bullard.  He is survived by Debbie, his wife of 39 years, daughter Christine Esthay (Marty) and grandson Mason.  He is also survived by sisters Deborah Morris and Carolyn Morrison and a brother Michael Bullard, as well as members of Debbie's family and their spouses and his many nieces and nephews.  Bubba was so beloved by his in-laws, Ruth and Jimmy Morris, that they referred to him as their fourth son.

Bubba had a wonderful sense of humor, was always telling jokes and spouting whimsical truths as well as Forrest Gump. An avid and skilled "Do It Yourselfer", he did many remodeling jobs on his own home and always was willing to help family and friends on anything and everything.  Above all, he was a good family man and doted on his daughter Christine and grandson Mason.  He was a member of the Saunders Road Church of the Nazarene.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home Chapel at 245 South Armistead Avenue in Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Saunders Road Church of the Nazarene.