In Memory of Bud Jones

It is with a heavy heart that we report to the community one of our pioneering Shore Club leaders and beloved neighbor, Charles Arthur Jones, or better known to most simply as Bud, had passed away on March 7th at home in the presence of his large and loving family.

Bud, a native of the Northwest, raised in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle and a graduate of Cleveland High School. After the attack on Pearl Harbor Bud enlisted in the U.S Marine Corp and shortly after transitioned to the Marine Infantry. Serving as scout sergeant and forward observer, he and his comrades of the 4th Marine Division fought through the South Pacific, participating in the bitter fighting on the islands of Roi-Numur, Saipan and Tinian, where the Division earned a Presidential Unit Citation “for outstanding performance in combat.” It was also on Saipan that Bud earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor, where, “…in the face of heavy enemy small arms and mortar fire, he, in company of another Marine, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, went to the aid of a wounded marine…and carried him to a place of safety.” Finally, Bud’s luck and courage carried him through the historic battle for Iwo Jima.   

Upon his return home, Bud met Billie Day, a beautiful Okanogan County girl just back from serving our country as a secretary in Washington D.C. Courtship followed, and on April 13th, 1947 they were married.  They bought a small house on Angle Lake and together they started their family. A settled life was not yet to be had however. For an extra thirty-five dollars a month, Bud re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. In 1951 he was called back to active service and sent this time to Korea.  There he fought with the 1st Marine Division, making the landing at Inchon, was wounded in action at Sudong, Korea, on the way to the Chosin Reservoir. Bud was awarded another Purple Heart and subsequently recovered from his wounds in Yakasuka, Japan, and finally return home again to family and civilian life.  

Bud enjoyed a long and successful career in the meat business and earned the respect of small meat market owners, restaurateurs, and large grocery operators alike. Bud’s home and community life were remarkable too, where he and Billie raised their three children, Nancy, Andy and Kacey. His generous spirit was legendary, and he is fondly remembered by literally decades of kids and neighbors around Angle Lake. We can thank Bud for his time as the unofficial boating safety “sheriff” on the lake, and so many of his generation for the memorable traditions of the Angle Lake Shore Club, including the evening  fireworks, floating flares, and races on the 4th of July. Bud played Santa Claus at the Angle Lake fire station for many years, was instrumental in initiating and supporting the annual fishing derby, mentored young men in prison, and served on countless committees. Bud and Billie loved to sail, swim and play among family and friends in the waters of Angle Lake.  

The Jones children invite friends and neighbors to join with family at any of the three special memorial events on Friday, March 22nd. Memorial Service and reception will be held at St. Philomena’s Church, Des Moines, 9:00 a.m followed by Military Honors at Tahoma National Cemetery, 1:30 p.m.. Later that day you’re welcome to join the family at their home on Angle Lake for an afternoon Celebration of Life, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

”Good night Sarge…have a great trip”