John Budd passed away peacefully on Wednesday Jan 20, 2016 in San Andreas at the age of 91. He will be remembered for his love and appreciation of his extended family, his keen intellect, and his strong moral values.
John is predeceased by his first wife Barbara (1987) whom he married in 1944 and by his second wife Geraldine (2015) whom he married in 1988. He is survived by his children, William Budd, Jill (Glen) Howard, David (Claudia) Tarpley, Charles Tarpley, Carol (Doyle) Daniel and Elaine (Marcos) Aquiar; ten grandchildren and nine great‐grandchildren.
John, the youngest of William and Lena Budd’s seven children, was born on Sept. 26, 1924 in Chamberlain, South Dakota. At 17, John joined the Navy and supported American WWII efforts by repairing both Naval aircraft and Clipper Flying Boats at Alameda Naval Station in conjunction with his employment with Pan Am. Following the war he continued his employment with Pan Am and studied at Hofstra University, eventually earning a seat in the cockpit as a Flight Engineer. After stints in New York, Seattle and Hong Kong, he eventually landed in Belmont, where he and Barbara raised their family.
Always involved, he was a Boy Scout troop leader and a moderator at the Congregational Church. In 1987, John retired after a distinguished 45‐year career in aviation, remaining on Pan Am’s board of directors until its dissolution in 1991.
John moved to Arnold in 1988, where he was quite active in the Blue Lake Springs Community. John could often be found volunteering on various local boards, jogging, playing tennis, playing bridge and traveling. Always an intellectual, John was an avid reader, crossword puzzle fan, sports enthusiast and Dixieland Jazz aficionado. Anyone who knew John knew that family was the cornerstone of his life; he will be deeply missed by those close to him, especially his children, grandchildren, and great‐grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at First Congregational Church, 509 Algiers St., Murphys. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Breast Cancer Action (bcaction.org).