Boyd Edwin Budge

Boyd Edwin Budge, 95 years old, died at his home in Medford, Oregon, November 8, 2009, surrounded by family. He was born in Ogden, Utah on January 26, 1914 to Louis Edwin Budge and Hazel Ward Budge.
Boyd graduated from Ogden High School and Weber College with a degree in engineering. He participated in ROTC in both high school and college.
After graduation, he worked in Boise, Idaho where he met the love of his life, Jessie Smart, at a bowling alley where he often scored perfect games.
He began his active military duty in August 1941, as part of the 41st Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, Washington.
He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. His first combat was Huggins Perimeter, Sanananda, Killerton Point, Gona. The Second Phase included Aitape, Toem, Wakde, Biak. He participated in battles at Papua, Dutch New Guinea, and south Philippines. He attended the 22nd class of the Command and General Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Continuing in the Pacific Theater, he went to Zamboanga, Subic Bay (to plan the Olympic Operation for the invasion of Japan), Kure and Hiroshima.
He returned to the States in December 1945 as one of 143 officers remaining of the 1400 that left Fort Lewis in February 1942. He was discharged March 22, 1946 at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. He retired from the U. S. Army Reserve in 1974 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star, Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, one Bronze Arrowhead, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and seven Overseas Service Bars.
In 1945, after returning to the States, he was reemployed as a salesman at the Pendleton Branch of Crane Company. In 1947, he was promoted to manager and opened a branch in Medford.
In 1959, the Medford branch became Budge-McHugh Supply Company, an independently-owned Crane wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, valves and fittings. Boyd retired in 1982, passing the family-owned business to his son Louis Budge.
Boyd was involved in many Medford organizations. He was a member of Kiwanis International, a past president of Medford Kiwanis Club, a life member of the Elks Club, Boy Scouts of America Council Advisor, past director of Medford YMCA, past director of United Crusade, president of Rogue Valley Knife & Fork Club, past president of Southern Oregon Reserve Officers Association. He was also a past member of Medford Planning Commission and Medford Architectural Review Commission. He served as Bishop of Medford Second Ward, Medford Stake, LDS Church.
Boyd's interests were hunting, fishing and RV'ing around the West as a snowbird. He and his wife Jessie loved their summers at Howard Prairie.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jessie, to whom he was married for 63 years.
He is survived by his children: Barbara Budge Griffin (Scott McKay), Medford; Donna McLanahan (George), Honolulu; Louis Budge (Kathy), Eagle Point. From a previous marriage, Gerald Gillie, Provo, Utah.
Grandchildren: Michelle Griffin, Sebastopol, California; Michael Griffin, Medford; Wendy Griffin, Medford; John McLanahan, Honolulu; Carrie McLanahan, Honolulu; William Budge, Seattle; David Budge, Seattle. Trina Doyle, Oakdale, California.
Great Grandchildren: Casey Griffin, Seattle; Samantha Griffin, Medford; Kelly McLanahan and Haven McLanahan, Honolulu; Chloe Budge and Ethan Budge, Seattle. Justin Doyle, Oakdale.
The family wishes to thank granddaughter Wendy Griffin and caregiver Tammy Crance for helping Boyd in his last years.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Eastwood/IOOF Cemetery, 701 N. Columbus Ave., Medford, Oregon 97501.
A gravesite service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Eastwood/IOOF Cemetery, 1581 Siskiyou Blvd., Medford, Oregon. A celebration of his life will be held at his home, immediately following the graveside service.