Lewis Charles Bertrand

Lewis Charles "Bud" Bertrand

September 25, 1927 – February 3, 2021 Bud Bertrand was born on September 25, 1927 in Grants Pass, Oregon to Gilbert & Julia(Dungey) Bertrand.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sisters Maude Peterson, Barbara Humberd and Margaret Rose and his brothers Jack, Keith and Roger Bertrand, as well as his wife Priscilla, to whom he was married for 56 1/2 years. Priscilla and Bud's four children are Becky (Rob) Blakely, Jeff Bertrand, Neal (Georjean) Bertrand and Dawn (Adam) Bartholomew. They had 9 grandchildren (Scott, Lynette, Danelle, Chris, Marshall, Jenna, Alexis, Bryan and Jacob) and 7 great grandchildren (Jasmyne, Hunter, Sophia, Ichiro, Hana, Avery and Addison).

When Bud was a young man, he was always working a variety of part-time jobs to earn money as times were very tight during the Great Depression. Throughout his life, he was known for his hard work ethic and devotion to his family and friends.

Bud was a four-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, baseball and track and field at Grants Pass High School. He finished 7th in throwing the discus in the State Track Meet in 1946. He was also president of the “Varsity G” and participated in the senior class play.

Bud graduated from high school in the spring of 1946 and joined the Army with his friend on October 5th, 1946. He spent basic training at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and was then shipped overseas to Japan for occupation duties with the First Calvary. Bud was discharged from the Army on February 14th, 1948 in California, and then married Priscilla Jewel O'Neal on October 5th 1948 in Grants Pass.

Bud attended Southern Oregon College and graduated in June 1952 with a degree in Education. He worked for the Phoenix School District for 8 years teaching 7th grade students in self contained classrooms as well as coaching and serving as the Athletic Director. When the Talent and Phoenix School Districts consolidated, he helped start the 7th and 8th grade Junior High. Serving at the Talent Junior High School for 29 years, he taught Science and PE and also served as the Counselor, Football and Basketball Coach, Athletic Director and Vice Principal.

After serving 37 years in the Phoenix-Talent School District, Bud retired in June of 1989. In 2011, he was inducted into the Phoenix High School Athletic Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service to the school, coaches, athletes and parents.

Bud was a devoted father and grandfather, traveling to visit his children and grandchildren and cheering them on in their endeavors. He enjoyed playing pinochle and and grandkids. Bud often drove to Grants Pass to share a meal and good conversation with his remaining family members. He loved home cooked food—beef pudding, turkey stuffing and homemade desserts were just a few of his favorites. Bud was also an avid fisherman and loved going to the local Oregon lakes with his fishing buddies.

A memorial service for Bud will be held later this spring or early summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (262 Danny Thomas Place in Memphis, Tennessee 38105) or to the Phoenix Talent Raising Field (PHS, PO Box 697 in Phoenix, Oregon 97535).