Sunday July 19, 2015

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 20, 2015.

L. R. “Bud” Dowdle
Our Hero, Our Father
The world has one less of the Greatest Generation. Lloyd Rulon, “Bud” Dowdle, son of Merriet Dewey “Duke” and Alice Dowdle, was born in Cardston, Alberta, Canada on November 28th, 1922. Dad met his sweetheart, his “Sparrow”, Zoe Jeanette Spencer, 78 years ago while growing up in Cardston. He asked her to the scout dance when she was 13 years old and they’ve been sweethearts ever since.
He was allowed to finish high school early in order to join the Royal Canadian Air Force earning the rank of flying officer. He flew Spitfires during WWII in Europe and North Africa where he safely returned from 60 combat missions.
Upon his return, Dad married Zoe in the Cardston temple. He graduated from photography school in Vancouver, BC and opened his studio in Cardston. His first two girls were born in Canada before moving to Salt Lake City in 1950 where he made his home our castle and had two more girls and finally a son. The five of us are; Vickie (Brent Parrish), Leslie (Lee Teerlink), Jackie (Lynn Marsing), Gerrie (Dave Martin), and Spencer (Sheli). Dad dedicated his life to ensure our existence was the best it could be. There was nothing he couldn’t fix and no end to his abilities. He could box, (So. Alberta Champion), play hockey, sky dive, scuba dive, ski, hunt, and out-fish everyone using his signature ‘Rocky Mtn Red Coat’ lure. He took great pride in coaching Spencer’s hockey teams, including the Highland High School hockey team where they were State Champions. Dad quietly helped anyone in need and changed many lives, but never made a fuss or sought recognition for his actions.
Bud left us on July 8, 2015 and is survived by his sweetheart, children, eleven grandchildren, twenty-five great grands, and his sisters LaRue Neilson and Enid Pepper.
Out of our deep respect for this man, our dad, our hero, a man who always did things his own way, we have done what he requested and honored him privately, surrounded by his immediate family.
Thanks Dad, for everything, with all our love and respect.

Comments are closed.