Walter Edward ‘Bud’ Huntington

1931-2018

Dad was born March 17, 1931, on a wheat farm in Morland, Kan., to Earl and Mattie Huntington (Pruiett). His older brother Kenneth had waited 10 years for a sibling and upon seeing dad exclaimed, “hello little buddy.” Dad was joined a few years later by little sister Jeanne.

Dad played football, basketball, baseball and graduated from Morland High School, class of 1949. In 1949 the family moved to California. Dad served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. In 1957 he married Joan Broadhead and had three girls, Tina, Julie and Kelly. Dad held many occupations over the years. Upon retiring, he was an engineer on the train at Silverwood Theme Park. He loved running that train!

Dad’s love of farming followed throughout his life. He helped to establish gardens when he was a resident at Life Care in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He loved to play cards, bingo, Yahtzee, and dominoes. He loved to go fishing and taught a few of us that the worst day fishing beats the best day at work.

Dad passed away on Jan. 5, 2018, in Hayden, Idaho. He is survived by wife, Joan of Hayden, Idaho; daughters, Tina Miller of Hayden, Julie (Bruce) Walker of Coeur d’Alene, Kelly (John) Tart of Rathdrum, Idaho; nine grandchildren, Russell, Emily, Katie, Timothy, Brenda, Rachael, Joanie, Jamie and David; and three great-grandchildren, Halie, Jakob and Jordan.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at Athol Baptist Church, 29145 N. Sylvan Road, Athol, Idaho.

“Gold was just a windy Kansas wheat field, blue was just a Kansas summer sky.”

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.