Sherwood E. "Bud" Houser

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Merced High School

Sherwood Houser Obituary

SHERWOOD E. "BUD" HOUSER JUN 12, 1918 - NOV 25, 2010 Sherwood Bud'' Houser, a Modesto resident since 1947 went to his Heavenly Father on Thanksgiving Day. He was a man of strength and integrity. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Bud was born to Ralph and Osa Houser in Lodi, CA. He was raised in the Merced area, excelling in football and track at Merced High School. He was a WWII veteran serving aboard the Pringle. His life was spared by God when his ship was attacked and sunk. After his honorable Navy discharge, he worked for the De Laval Campany. Upon moving to Modesto, he owned and operated Modesto Dairy Suppy for 20 years. His next career was in the stock brokerage business as a financial advisor for the BrushSlocumb and Dean Witter companies. Bud was a life-long Christian. He met his wife of 62 years, Lucille Gresham at the Church of God in Atwater. They faithfully served the Lord at First Baptist and North Modesto Church of God. As a couple, they were also supportive of local community and school events. Bud met his second wife, Mary Pipes at a church game night, marrying her in 2001. They enjoyed 9 loving years together. Bud was a former and active member of the Exchange Club and a serious and avid golfer at Del Rio Country Club. He was a gentleman golfer who observed all the rules of the game. Bud is survived by his wife, Mary, children Gerald (Sue) Houser and Janna Wolfley of Modesto, Melinda (Rich) Youngs of Franklin, TN, step-son, Douglas Null, 7 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents, wife Lucille, and sisters Dorothy and Lois. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Sherwood Bud'' Houser will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 11 AM at the North Modesto Church of God, 1918 Sherwood Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the North Modesto Church of God or to a favorite charity. www.modbee.com/obituaries

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Published by Modesto Bee from Dec. 4 to Dec. 5, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Sherwood Houser

3 Entries

Douglas Null

December 7, 2010

I had the wonderful pleasure to spend the last year with Bud and my Mom. And got to know him like a father.

Bud was a extremely kind, generous man of God. He was a wonderful friend and partner for my Mom. There were many times I could hear the both of them, in the kitchen, laughing when Bud would tell his stories.

Bud treated me like one of his own children. There were many times he offered to help me out of difficult situations and was so accommodating that it was an absolute joy to be in his presence.

Even though his physical being is not here, his spirit will always live in my mind and in my heart.

Thank you Hud Bouser for being the perfect example of a human being and showing your kindness and love. And thank you Ralph and Osa Houser for bring into this world, a wonderful person. You will be greatly missed.

Douglas Null

December 7, 2010

I was blessed to spend the last year with my mom and Bud. Bud was a wonderful, kind, giving man of God. He was a blessing to my mom the last 9 years and I am truly grateful for how he was with her. There were times I could hear the both of them from the kitchen, laughing and sharing old stories with each other. It was a wonderful relationship they had together.

Bud treated my like a son. He was always offering to help me out of difficult situations. And I thank him for that.

He will be truly missed. Even though his physical being is no long with us, he will always live in our minds and in our hearts.

Thank you Hud Bouser, for the kindness you showed and the love that was felt. You will be truly missed.

Dinah Howard

December 6, 2010

"Bud" Houser was very much a second father to me during my elementary school years as I grew along with his daughter, Melinda, my best friend, through the North Modesto Church of God, where both our families attended and were deeply involved, singing in the choir together, conducted by my own father, accompanied by my mother, who were also dear and dedicated friends with Bud and Lucille. Bud's daughter Janna & son Gerald were close with my older brothers, Jeff and Steve, as well. We all worshiped together at the North Modesto Church of God, built by these two men along with several others. The interior design influenced by my mother, Polly and Lucille. Melinda and I were baptized together; one after the other....drying our wet hair.

Melinda and I had an idyllic childhood, which I'm forever grateful for, with such wonderful parents and their group of friends. We shared our mutual interest and ownership of horses at the young ages of 7 and 8/9, supported and made possible by Bud's willingness to keep them in his white stables on their ranchette out Scenic Drive, along Dry Creek. Bud's quiet patience and vigilante eye kept us safe while his genteel tutelage taught us the ways of our equine loves.

Bud built a fabulous white fenced arena complete with jumping rails, barrels and all manner of horse training and practice props. Our horses were both 5 gaited; born a year apart, just as we were. They were our live 'rocking horses'.

Under Bud's watchful eye we were allowed to ride days, cool down swimming in their large pool with the scent of Jasmin, citrus blossoms, gardenias, roses and freshly cut lawn grass... intoxicating our dreams, our reality; strutting peacocks wandering the grounds while white doves cooed.

Sleep overs in Melinda's white eyelet canopied bed cornered by roll out windows through which we could hear our horses in the paddock they played and slept in on summer nights, right up against the fence outside her windows. It was a heavenly Childhood. We were truly blessed, with Bud's quiet presence, spirit and gentle hand.

Prior to those days, when we were younger, before the days of the ranch and beloved horses; Melinda and I had "Beatle-mania", and dear Bud set up a bandstand for us in their living room so we could not only practice our music lessons and hymns, but pretend to be the 'Beatles'. If memory serves me right, we got the Beatles first 3 albums down pat, word for word, note for note! OR so we thought anyhow!!! Then came "Rubber Soul"!!! Harmony!

Bud built cat houses for our kitties, (Their team of Siamese, my black and whites) there was nothing his loving, patient hands would not do for us girls.

Bud's unique, thoughtful, sweet, loving generosity and patience, allowed for a stable sense of carefree safety, security, and enveloped us in the One hand of God.

Thank You Bud, for the best childhood memories and that place of stillness with-in: God, through your dinner prayers, scriptures and authenticity.

Now, this year, you left us on Thanksgiving Day; (apropos)just a few days after the 43 anniversary of my own fathers death in a plane accident, which was lost for 3.5 days. and during which time, you spent day and night out searching until the wreckage was discovered while your wife, Lucille sat at Mom's side, waiting.

I thank you for all the love you provided and wish the Greatest, Grandest Peace and Grace, to your remaining family, children and grandchildren... blessed eternally for having been yours.

Dinah J. Howard