In Memory

Thom Budge

Thom Budge


 

   Thomas Manzel Budge

  April 16, 1944 ~ September 23, 2009


Pleasant View, Utah

Thomas Manzel Budge, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, coach - and the title he loved the most - Grandpa - passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack Wednesday Sept. 23rd at his home.

Thom was born April 16, 1944, and raised in Pleasant View, UT. The son of Wallace and Josephine Budge, he loved his life on the Budge farm.

He married the love of his life, Linda Hill, in the Salt Lake Temple on Feb. 16, 1968. Together they raised 5 beautiful children: Thomas Brad (Tammy) Budge, Ogden; Dr. Nathan (Katie) Budge, Queen Creek, AZ; Lori (Rob) Cunningham, Ogden; Jonathan Budge, St. George and Jason (Maggee) Budge, West Haven.

He attended Weber High School where he was an outstanding athlete, lettering in football, baseball and basketball, and was the recipient of the Gold Watch Award.

Thom served a mission to the North Carolina Raleigh Mission.

He received a Bachelors degree from Weber State University and a Masters from BYU. He taught and coached in the Weber School District for 37 years. He was at Roy Jr. High from 1969 to 1972. He spent the remainder of his career at Bonneville High School from 1972 to 2006. He coached the Bonneville Lakers football team to 4 State final runner ups and one State football championship in 1980. The Lakers also took 14 region football championships.

Coach Budge holds the record for the most wins at one school. He retired with a career record of 238 wins and 104 losses. He was honored with The Distinguished Coaches Award from the Utah High School Activities Association in 1999. He was also inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Lakers Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2008 he was inducted into the Utah High School Hall of Fame. More importantly he always credited his fine coaching staff for the teams’ success. He thought of all his players as his sons.

The highlight of his career was coaching his sons Nate, Jon and Jason. He could not have had so much success without his biggest fan, our Mom. The football stadium at Bonneville High is named the “Wallace and Thomas Budge Field” in honor of Thom’s distinguished coaching career.

He enjoyed watching games on TV, and tinkering on his camper, cars and in his yard. He enjoyed fishing with his kids and grandkids. He loved spending his summers cutting grain with his brothers, Don and Scott.

Thom held many church positions including home teacher, High Priest group leader, High Councilman, Bishop of the Pleasant View 7th ward, and the “Best calling in the church,” to him, Gospel Doctrine teacher. He had a strong testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and lived his life treating others with unconditional love.

He was a humble and simple man. He never sought after the riches of the world, but lived his life in the service of others and so many were influenced by him. He touched so many lives as an athlete, coach, Bishop and friend.

He is survived by his loving wife, 5 children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren and one brother and 4 sisters; Nanette (Dean) Stimpson, Zanesville, OH; Dr. W. Don (Kaye) Budge, Provo, UT; Laurene (John) Patterson, Grand Praire, TX; Jody Jackson, North Ogden, UT; Diane H. Budge, North Ogden, UT; and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Marlin Hill; a sister, Charlene (William) Soelberg; a brother, Scott Budge, a brother-in-law, Keith Jackson; a stillborn child and a stillborn grandchild.

Services were held Monday September 28, 2009, at 11 am at the Pleasant View Stake Center, 2975 N. 1000 W., Pleasant View, UT. Friends called at the Stake Center on Sunday the 27th from 5-8 pm and Monday from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment was held at the Ben Lomond Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Myers Mortuary of Ogden.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His grandchildren will always remember grandpa’s garden, his famous “Christmas Breakfast,” walks to the farm, riding in the combine cab with him, cook outs at North Fork, grandpa giving them “underdoggies” on the swing and pulling them in his big wagon.

We are so grateful we have the knowledge that he will be with us for eternity. We love you “dear,” “daddy,” and “Grandpa Thom.” You have “paid the price...” You are forever loved!

heart

From:  http://www.tributes.com/show/Thomas-Manzel-Budge-86813871 The Committee thanks Classmates Earl Henstra and James Keller for guiding us to and processing these materials.


 
From battling the Lakers to coaching them, a warrior all the way.....
 
 
 

                                                                        

 



 
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01/05/12 11:09 PM #1    

Warren Johns

Thom Budge. 

 

I’ve known Thom as long as I’ve known anyone.  We grew up in Pleasant View together and Thom, although he was a super athlete, treated everyone with respect. He was my close friend until we left Weber and went separate ways, but there was never a doubt where his life and passion would lead him.  I remember shooting hoops on the back of his barn and he never teased me that he could make 18 out of 20 and I could make 2 or 3, maybe.  He did take a little advantage of me in that he’d lead me behind the cows that were being milked and had great timing to take a shot at me.  He was always a natural born leader and coach and even organized basketball games between towns outside the North Ogden Elementary area when we were sixth graders. 

 

Thom and I would sit in church and although I’m sure he was listening to the sermon, he was also drawing football plays, many of which I’m sure he used later on in his career.  What a jock Thom was and what a subtle whit.  As I spent most of my time after finishing school out of the state, I missed the opportunity to look Thom up when I had the chance and I regret this.  When my son emailed me that Thom had passed, I felt emptiness as we all lost a great one far too soon.

 

Warren


04/20/12 10:26 AM #2    

Ileen Taylor (Robinette)

Thom was always friendly and kind to everyone even though he was very popular.  He always held to his standards.  I remember his father combining our wheat crop when I grew up on our farm in Farr West.  Thom's dad was always nice no matter how hot, dusty, and sweaty the work was.  Sorry that Thom's life was cut short because he was such a great person.  Ileen Taylor Robinette


07/30/12 02:33 PM #3    

Tamara Coletti (Dahlstrom)

Thom and I grew up in Pleasant View on dairy farms right next to each other.    He was one of my first friends and we shared the same bus stop.  He had to hike up a lane to get to the bus stop and sometimes he was late, but our bus driver would always wait for him.  Our bus driver was Earl Rheese, father of John Rheese, so we were like one big family.  Tom and I sat by each other on the bus and when we would get dropped off after school, we would part and he would say, “Bye Tam” and I would say, “Bye Tom.” When we were on the bus, he would always be printing.  He had the best penmanship I have ever seen.  Lots of times in class our desks would be right next to each other and he was so smart.  He was always so nice to help me with math and such. 

When we got to high school, we would ride the late activity bus home together, he being in sports and me a cheerleader.  We had great talks together.  I always thought of him as my protector!  Our families were great friends and our folks would visit back and forth and trade farming stories and such.   He built a house near to his family home on the same property and I would see him occasionally when I would return for a visit.  He was also a great Bishop and officiated at my father’s funeral. He also performed the marriage ceremony of my nephew Blair Himelright.

He was talented, friendly and just an all-around “good guy.”  We miss you Thom.


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