I always thought of Bud as so gallant. Maybe it was his height; maybe it was just the courtesy he always showed to Doloris. Sometimes he would place a telephone call to me when Doloris couldn't see to dial, but then he would hand the telephone right over so we could visit. He and Doloris used to joke with me about how he was a "younger" man and she was the "older" woman in their marriage. I think he got delight out of that for their nearly 70 years together. Bud and I enjoyed our nearby birthdays because they were only 4 days apart (I just turned 60 on Dec. 6), and he always thanked me for the little cards I would send. Bud was always the one to give me directions to their house when I wanted to come see my "old cousins." Unlike many male relations who seem to disappear when the women have a little tete a tete, Bud would be right there, telling family stories, correcting, nudging, laughing right along with us "hens." I couldn't tell you what Bud did for a living, but I know he lived well, a gracious life full of love and laughter. Can any of us ask for more? Together, they helped me mourn the loss of my grandparents by remembering both Bakers so well and by telling me stories and listening to mine without ever tiring or telling me to "get over it." They understood. There are vew people I know now who knew Grandmother and Granddaddy, and that loss of connection is very real to me now. I shall miss Bud and Doloris in very real ways. They blessed my life. Sincerely, Martha Kaye Baker

Uncle Bud was a gentle giant with a twinkle in his eye and a warm smile. As a small child, I remember him reaching down to shake my hand with a big booming hello. Me, looking up in amazement at this tall man, so much taller than my other uncles or my father. My clearest memories of Uncle Bud and Aunt Doloris were from after they had retired to their country house by the lake (well, at first it was just a basement by the lake). We'd pull up and park and Uncle Bud would be on his lawn tractor cutting grass around the lake. He see us and stop and a smile would flash across his face and he'd wave and then he'd come up to the house to properly greet us. Like his dear wife, he had a generous spirit and a kind soul. Very comfortable and very much at ease in his own skin, a man who loved life and loved all those around him.