L.J. 'Bud' McTavish, 97
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 8 months AGO
Born Oct. 11, 1913, to James and Ada (Neal) McTavish in Henrietta, Okla. After numerous travels with friends, Bud came back to Tulsa where he met Mary Jane Claycomb in 1941 and they married Feb. 7, 1942, in Tulsa, Okla.
Bud worked at Douglas Aircraft Company during the war as due to his eyesight he could not enter the service. In 1944, Bud and Mary came to this area to work at Farragut Naval Base. Among their many travels they also worked at the lodge in Yellowstone National Park.
Bud retired from Potlatch Forest Rutledge Unit in Coeur d'Alene where he worked for almost 20 years. He was a lumber grader and during the summers would lead tours for the many visitors who were interested in the mill.
In 1962 Bud took several Boy Scouts to the Seattle Worlds Fair to be Service Scouts. And in 1966 became head of the White Pine Council of the Camp Fire Girls. In 1986 won the coveted award of "Liar of the Month" for his numerous funny stories he always told. Bud had a love of photography and was a member of the Coeur d'Alene Camera Club. Bud and his friend Bill Thom made a slide show of their trip to Alaska and showed it in various places. Bud and Mary loved to go camping in their trailer. Bud retired in 1975 where he and Mary continued their travels going as far as Florida. They loved every mile of it.
Bud is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jimmy and Rolla and two sisters, Ida Mitchell and Irene Whitt.
Surviving are his son, Mike (Marie) McTavish of Ojai, Calif.; his daughter, Terri McTavish of Hayden where he lived; six grandchildren, Darlene (Stephen) Ousley of Spokane Valley, Wash., Tina (Jeremy) Moser of Coeur d'Alene and Jennifer Benton of Post Falls, Heather (Marcus) Helenius of Santa Cruz, Calif., Karen (Ryan) Beverage of Ojai and Matthew McTavish of Chico, Calif.; nine great-grandchildren; and his extended family of Art and Cynthia Schneider and their children.
Special mention of Tom Holman, a Hospice volunteer, who came to visit Bud every Wednesday, they became "good buddies." Tom was so great in his friendship, care and kidding Bud. Also Elizabeth who helped me three days a week for an hour which gave me a few minutes to get some chores done. Patty his nurse, with her compassion and wonderful care. Everyone at Hospice were so helpful and understanding to Bud's needs.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Bud's name to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.
Bud's service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. Following the service will be a "get together" at the home of his daughter, Terri, at 9086 N. Neufeld Road, Hayden. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Bud's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.