EUGENE THURSTON "TUG" JUDAY

1918 - 2013

RHINELANDER. Wis. – Eugene T. "Tug" Juday passed away on March 15, 2013. He spent the last two years in the good care of the people at Grace Lodge in Rhinelander.
Tug was born in 1918 in Rhinelander to Wes and Ida Thurston Juday, where he picked up the name Tug, although its origin is lost to history. His early years were spent between Rhinelander and Land O'Lakes, Wis., where he graduated from Eagle River High School. From there, he went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he graduated with a degree in business.
It was at UW that he met his future wife, Jean Becker, during her first week of classes. They went on to get married on her graduation day and spent the next 64 years together. After graduation, they moved to Rhinelander where he went to work for the Merchants State Bank. Their first daughter was born there, but as with most young families, World War II intervened in a most imposing way. Tug enlisted in the Marines in 1942. They stayed together until he shipped overseas to the South Pacific whereupon Jean moved back to stay with her parents in Sycamore.
After the war, Tug went to work at Jean's family business, Ideal Industries Inc., in Sycamore. He always said it was to be a two-year stint, but ultimately he retired 37 years later as its chairman of the board. He brought Ideal to a level of professionalism and stability that endures to this day.
Even though he lived in Illinois, his love of the north woods persisted and spilled over to the rest of his growing family. They acquired property in Vilas County in the early 50s, which he added to for the rest of his life. It has become a focal point for the larger family with several family members owning homes there. Jean and Tug retired to their beloved woods in 1984.
Throughout his life, Tug was known for his strong commitment to the principles embodied in the golden rule. It took the form of being involved in many civic and charity organizations ranging from local city council, to Scout leader, to church member, to participant in activities to promote and preserve good conservation. In his later years, those activities became a little more focused where he took an active role in the Limnology Center at Trout Lake, and he had a major impact on many students in Vilas and Oneida counties through his scholarship and student aid activities. Nothing pleased him more than helping others achieve their dreams.
He is survived by his son, David (Suzanne) of Sycamore; daughters, Nancy (John Popovich) of Denver, Colo., Sally of Fort Collins, Colo., Patricia of Rhinelander and Susan (Herbert) Golding of Lincolnshire; brother, Tim (Betty) in Milwaukee; and nieces and a nephew. His 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren will miss visiting with Grampa Tug at the Lake.
He was preceded in death by Jean in 2004; daughter, Virginia in 1992; parents; and sister, Elizabeth.
There will be a memorial service on Thursday, March 21, at First Congregational Church in Eagle River, Wis. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., memorial service at 11 a.m. and a luncheon following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made either to the Nicolet College Foundation, P.O. Box 518, Rhinelander, WI 54501, or to the University of Wisconsin Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox, P.O. Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278; please designate your donation to the Center for Limnology.
Condolences can be expressed at www.gaffney-busha.com.