Leonard "Bud" Smith (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Leonard Calvin "Bud" Smith went to be with his Lord and Savior at his home in Brighton, Missouri on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at the age of 83. Bud was born April 2, 1930 in Elk City Oklahoma, to Ida May Murdock Smith and Robert Dempsey Smith. Bud is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Carol, sisters Nita Bradley, Bessie Hale and Phyllis (Marvin) McClure, four children; Susan Rios of Brighton, Lauri Lippl of Vancouver, Washington, Steven (Jill) of Las Vegas, and David (Laurie) of Sacramento. Bud is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his four beloved pets, Sugar, Sam, Mandy and Bobbie.
Bud lived his early years in Oklahoma before moving with his family to California where he graduated from Salinas High in 1948. He spent a time working on a cattle ranch in Arizona before joining the Army in June of 1951. Bud proudly served his country for 21 years including tours in Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1971 and remained in the Monterey, California area until 1989 when he and Carol decided to become homeless - and traveled our country for 3 years before choosing to resettle in Missouri.
Bud loved to ride his motorcycles and was a Lieutenant with Monterey County Sheriff Motor Squad. Additional pleasures in life were playing the guitar with family and friends, singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday School, gardening, wood working and was always willing to lend a hand to anybody in need.
Bud was wheelchair bound from the early 90's, but continued to be an inspiration to his family and anyone who had the pleasure to know him through his lack of self-pity and a belief that he was capable of anything he put his mind to. He loved the Lord and served Him faithfully.
Please be comforted in knowing, as the family is, that there are no wheelchairs in Heaven!
We already miss you terribly but have comfort knowing you are with Jesus. We are more than proud to call you Honey, Dad and Poppy........
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