Harold A. "Bud" Deater went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tue, Jan 25, 2011. He was surrounded by his wife of 63 years and many loved ones.
The youngest of 13 children, Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Deater and Iola (Hevel) Deater; his nine half brothers and sisters, and five full brothers and sisters.
Born in Grants Pass, OR on Sep 29, 1926, his family moved to Michigan when he was 4 years old. Bud entered the Navy in Jan 1945 and served his country until Jul 1946 as a Seaman 1c SV 6 USNR.
He served on the NTC Great Lakes, USS Renshaw (DD 499) Destroyer and the USS Towner (ARA77) Destroyer. He earned the American Area Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal.
Bud met his loving wife, Erma (Barber), when he was 15 years old and they were married Aug 20, 1948.
They had four loving children; JoAnne (Dennis) Childes, Harold Daniel (Julie) Deater, Dale (Michael) Gaylord, and Rocklin (Lorena) Deater. He has 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Bud was a very loving and caring father, grandpa and great grandpa.
Member of the Rapid City Church of Christ, where he served as Deacon and Board Chair, Bud helped people in many ways and served his community whenever he saw a need - fire department, county road commissioner, Boy Scout leader, Lions Club, "Town Constable", VFW life member and service officer, and he served as undersheriff for 10 years.
He placed flags on veterans graves since 1947. He was a stone mason, union carpenter, worked for the chamber of commerce, was a US postmaster, school board member, and township founder of Freedom Park.
He also owned and operated three businesses in Rapid City - Bud's Gas Station, Bud's Bottle Gas and Bud's Bait and Sport Shop. He also loved the outdoors, hunting, and fishing in Rapid River.
He will be remembered for his love of music and dancing (member of Kalkaska Lights Square Dancing) and for the deep love and devotion to his family.
Visitation for Bud was held on Sat, Jan 29 from 3 to 8 pm at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home in Kalkaska. A military burial will be held in the spring and a celebration of Bud's life will be held in Jun 2011.
It is the family's wish to have a memorial built in Bud's honor at Freedom Park. In lieu of flowers please make donations towards the memorial, care of DeeAnn Graczyk 134 Peach Tree Drive, Traverse City, MI.
