Bud Larson, 92, passed away Nov. 20 at his home in Auburn. Bud was born April 26, 1926, in Westhope, North Dakota, to Clarence A. and Thora Larson.
He grew up on the family farm, and following his graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army. The world was at war and Bud, assigned to the 378th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company, was deployed to the European theatre.
After his return to the States and his separation from Army, Bud met and married Maxine Moore in Langdon, North Dakota. They wed on June 17, 1949, and in 1952 they welcomed son Ric. Bud and “Mac” left the Midwest in 1953 and settled in Vernonia, Oregon, where Bud worked in a sawmill. In 1954, daughter Mary was born. The family moved to Auburn in 1957 and son David was born there in 1960.
Along with partner Jerry Bunker, Bud operated B&J Arco service stations in Auburn for 25 years. Until factory-installed auto air conditioning became commonplace, Bud was probably Auburn’s primary A/C installer. After selling the last station, he went to work for the Auburn Schools Transportation Department and stayed there until retiring after 8 years.
Bud was always active in his community, and in 1975 was appointed to the Auburn City Council when a seat was vacated. City voters re-elected him for a then-record 16 more years. While serving on the council, he was credited with leading the effort to make the Auburn Airport self-supporting. He also helped transform the city from one the worst record-keeping local municipalities into one of the best. During Bud’s 16 years on the city council, he always said he wanted to be remembered as someone who “tried to treat everyone fairly.”
He was a long-time member of Messiah Lutheran Church, the Auburn Eagles and the Auburn Noon Lions Club.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife Maxine and by his brother Orlyn. He leaves his sons Ric Larson of Kent and David Larson of Renton, his daughter Mary Berglund and her husband Dan of Auburn, granddaughter Lindsay Chapman and her husband Graeme of Maple Valley and granddaughter Alix Berglund of Raleigh, N.C.
A memorial service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn at 2 p.m. Friday, November 30. Those wishing to honor Bud’s life can make a donation in his name to the Messiah Memorial Fund or to the charity of their choice.
