Francis “Bud” M. Budnick, age 79 of North Platte, passed away Friday November 7, 2014 at Centennial Park Retirement Village after a courageous battle with a cancerous brain tumor. His wife Carol was at his side.
Bud was the sixth child born to Henry E. and Mary (Frederick) Budnick on July 30, 1935 in Elmira, NY. He spent his childhood in the suburb of Southport and graduated from Southside High School. Shortly after graduation he joined the US Army and served in Korea. In 1956 he returned from Korea and met his wife Carol Thompson, a Nebraska native working at the Pentagon, whom happened to be dating his army buddy. Bud and Carol were married November 9, 1957 in Arlington, VA. While no children were born to Bud and Carol, Bud had a special way with animals. He loved his dogs, cats, birds and other animals very much and he enjoyed caring for them throughout his life.
Bud was very gifted and had many talents, never recognizing them as a special gift from God. Carol called him her “diamond in the rough”. Those talents led him through many occupations during his lifetime including fabricating sheet metal to build fire trucks, bartending in NY, various construction jobs, city park maintenance worker, and Public Safety Building maintenance. Bud built and posted the “We Make the Difference” signs outside the North Platte Public Safety Building. He retired as a building inspector for the City of North Platte. He so enjoyed his work with the Fire, Police and Inspection Departments personnel, as well as many personnel in Public Service Department and City Hall. It took some time, but after living in Nebraska for a while, Bud became an avid Husker fan and he and Carol enjoyed watching Husker games on television. Bud enjoyed a simple life and a humble home with a beautifully manicured yard and flowers, surrounded by wonderful neighbors. Bud will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him well.
Francis “Bud” is survived by his wife Carol; one sister, Mary Ellen Green; three brothers, William “Bill”, Richard “Slats” (Mary), and Roger “Butch” Budnick, all of NY; five brother-in-laws, Bob (Nadine), Dwight (Michal), Dr. G.V. (Julie), Frank (Sherry) and Dennis Thompson; three sister-in-laws, Rosalie Thurber, Donna Steward, and Madeline (Ron) Shewmaker; and many loving nieces and nephews throughout the United States; and special friends Fern Shively and Gary Rickett who helped him come into a closer relationship with God. Bud’s dog Rocky misses him so much already, as do Fern’s dogs Rosie and Kippie who dearly loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry E. and Mary (Frederick) Budnick; sisters Gladys, Jean and Helen; brother Robert “Bubbles” Budnick all of New York; and one brother-in-law William “Bill” Thompson, of Nebraska whom he loved very much.
Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Animal Shelter or another animal care organization in the North Platte area and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday November 12, 2014 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home Chapel. Inurnment will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.