Charles 'Bud' McClure, 93

Charles "Bud" McClure, 93, born in 1931 in Indiana and grew up in Northern Ohio. He is the middle child of Nellie and Herman McClure. As a teenager he was prone to traveling to Montana and extending his stay as long as possible so he could hunt and fish with his uncles in Lewistown. He only returned when his mother threatened to travel from Ohio to retrieve him.

Bud's love, until he met the love of his life, was flying. At an early age he built model airplanes and later worked out a way to obtain his private pilot’s license while his mother wasn’t looking. He joined the service after high school graduation and served in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years, achieving the rank of master chief before an honorable discharge. Early in his military career, he was sent to Kansas for training and there met Norma Tucker, and the two of them never looked back.

The marriage proposal involved Bud telling Norma that she would live with him in Montana. Bud and Norma were married and enjoyed an adventurous life; Norma moving and integrating the home and kids into new cultures and schools as Bud was stationed in California, Guam, Memphis, Traverse City, Houston, Washington D.C. and finally Detroit. 

Bud not only maintained Coast Guard fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, but he also flew on many rescue missions in the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes. After leaving the Coast Guard he joined Cessna as a tech rep focusing on the Citation business jet, helping customers set up their maintenance programs. The final chapter of his career was also an opportunity to permanently move to Montana. 

In the winter of 1976, Bud and Norma purchased the West Glacier KOA campground when it was under 10 feet of snow. They ran the destination resort for 20 years and formed many new long-lasting friendships while maintaining old friends from their military days; the pinochle card game was often involved.

Bud is survived by his younger sister Joyce Coleman and preceded in death by his older sister Nora Lee; he dearly loved his sisters. He is also survived by his loving wife Norma; they have been married for 72 years. Bud is also survived by his three ornery children Steve, Greg and Rose Marie, (okay, maybe only two are ornery). Bud and Norma have seven wonderful grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who are even more wonderful. The grandchildren and greats live in Michigan, Indiana, Idaho, and Montana.

The McClure family has made a memorial contribution to the United States Coast Guard Foundation. The foundation serves Coast Guard families. For anyone who would like to make their own contribution, the contact information can be found at coastguardfoundation.org.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family. To leave condolences visit columbiamortuary.com.