Grant Jensen Budge

Grant Jensen Budge, a man of integrity, compassion, and love of life, finished his earthly work and passed away passed away May 10, 2015, at his home in Medford.
He was born March 30, 1925, in Pleasant View, Utah, to Lawrence and Blanche J. Budge, the oldest of nine children.
He grew up in Malad, Idaho, and attended schools there. He was student body president of the high school, president of seminary, and played football and basketball for teams that received several state championship awards during that time.
World War II changed the lives of many young men. Most felt it was a privilege to serve their country. Grant joined friends who shared that desire and enlisted in the Navy upon graduation from high school. He spent the majority of his service on the island of Guam as a radar technician. These young people became recognized as America’s Greatest Generation.
Soon after he returned from serving his country, Grant married JoAnn Smith, September 14, 1948, in the Salt Lake City, Utah, temple. To this union, three daughters were born, Toni, Barbara and Connie. They later divorced. On Nov. 9, 1968, he married Lorraine Fredrickson in Lincoln City, Oregon.
Grant graduated from Utah State University with a degree in education. He remained a dedicated fan. It was a joyous day recently when his daughter, who was in Logan, stopped by the Aggie Dairy and bought him his favorite lemon chiffon ice cream, packed it in ice, and took it to him in Oregon. One of the best days of his life, according to him.
He received his master’s degree from the University of Oregon. School administration became a life-long career. He possessed traits that endeared him to many people as he interacted in their lives. He became a teacher, a coach, and a principal, and superintendent in Eden, Idaho, Burns,Cascade Locks, Brookings, Drain, and Noclips, Wash. Grant moved to Grants Pass in 1976, and was the first principal at North Valley High School. He spent the majority of his life in Grants Pass where he continued his love of going to the gym every day to swim, run, and exercise.
He had a favorite cat that he babied beyond belief and became a rescuer of many animals that needed his help. He retired from the Josephine County School District in 1989.
He is survived by his daughters, Toni (Harry) Hurd of Redmond, Barbara (Wayne) Thompson of Medford, and Connie Sherbourne of Brookings; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grand-children; three brothers Lowell (Deanna) Budge, Wayne (Karen) Budge, Vern (Sherry) Budge, Ron (Rozie) Budge; and four sisters Iva Lou (Gale) Moon, Valoy (Reed) Smith, Barbara (Glade) Howell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorraine; and a brother Lawrence Budge, Jr.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whatever name he answered to, Father, Grandfather, or Big Brother, we will miss the kind moments we shared with him.
A memorial service will be held May 30, 2015, in Grants Pass, Oregon, to honor the service he has provided to family, students, friends, and the community.
(A military service with military honors was held on May 29 at the Eagle Point National Cemetery.)