Gerald P. ‘Bud’ Spafford

Gerald P. “Bud” Spafford, 84, of Oak Harbor, died June 11, 2009, in Coupeville. He was born on August 23, 1924 in West Springfield, Mass., to Russell and Cora (Lake) Spafford. Before finishing high school, Bud enlisted in the Navy.

Bud arrived in Oak Harbor in 1954. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1956, he began his career with the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier. Bud retired from the Postal Service in 1976 after 20 years of service.

Bud enjoyed bowling. He worked at Bartleson Funeral Home and Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor for over 10 years. Bud was very active in the Christian Reformed Church, serving on the church council. About a year ago, he began a ministry at Regency Retirement Community, offering a service every Sunday.

Preceding Bud in death are his parents, his wife Anna (Balda) Spafford, brother Russell E. Spafford and sister Lillian Anderson.

Survivors include step-children Robbyne Tommasini and her husband George of Bedford, Texas and Kurt Schoessler and his wife Jackie of Seattle; step-grandchildren Jeff Larson, Kristen Larson, Michelle Ahn, Karl Schoessler, and Marlie Schoessler; three step-great-grandchildren; brother Edward Spafford; sisters Pauline Mickey, Jessie Lango, and Shirley Dexter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held for Bud at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at Christian Reformed Church in Oak Harbor. Burial will take place before the service at Fircrest Cemetery at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor on Tuesday, June 16. Memorials have been suggested to Oak Harbor Christian Schools. Condolences may be left for the family at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.