Leonard Marvin "Bud" Emmick Sr.

1933 - 2009

Leonard (Bud) Marvin Emmick Sr., 75, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully in his sleep May 7, 2009. He was born Nov. 1, 1933, in Jacksonville, Fla., the son of Harry Nolan Emmick Sr. and Audrey Woods Norton and brother to Harry Emmick Jr. and Charles Emmick.
As a lifelong servant of his country, community and church, he had enjoyed many wonderful years of retirement in Fort Walton Beach with his family and friends whom he cherished deeply. He was a man of great character and conviction who put all others before himself.
He devoted 23 years of his life to the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant and then another 23 years in the U.S. Civil Service. During that time, he attained a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Troy State University and went on to teach economics courses as a professor at his alma mater.
In his free time, he loved to paint and listen to his music. Over the years, he had completed many works of art, which he loved presenting as special gifts to his friends and family. Whether it was his pencil sketches, stone sculptures, memorial wall plaques or his vibrant oil paintings, he took great pride in seeing these on the walls of his family and friends.
His true love was his family, especially his soul mate Mary Jane. Brought together by fate at a USO dance in Mobile, Ala., they shared many great life adventures in the U.S. Air Force traveling throughout Europe and the United States. Their love endured the test of time and up to the very end, their demonstration of it was ever present. They were a match made in Heaven and had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September of 2008.
He made friends wherever he went, not the least of which were his lifelong friends Stan and Rose Ziemba and spent a lot of time with his extended family in Alabama, Texas, Georgia and Louisiana as he cherished those relationships dearly. He was also very connected to his group of friends in his community – in particular, his Church.
He always looked forward to his days of service at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, which afforded him several great hours of banter amongst his friends. Whenever they got together, they could always count on his quick wit and practical jokes to brighten their day.
He loved his children and had an amazing connection with all of his grandchildren who affectionately called him "Poppa." His specialty was giving them all his "big hugs" and he was passionate about anything they were doing. He was definitely their biggest fan.
We were blessed to share his life and wish him God's speed is his next great adventure. He will be greatly missed… We love you Poppa!
He is survived by his wife Mary Jane Emmick of Fort Walton Beach, his daughter Kathryn Anne McGuire and husband Tim McGuire of Dallas, Texas, his son Leonard Jr. and wife Patricia Ann Emmick of Atlanta, Ga., his brother Charles and wife Barbara of Austin, Texas, and his grandchildren Aja Marie Kash and her husband Justin, Timothy McGuire Jr. and his fiancée Andrea Johnson; Chandler Emmick and Avery Emmick. In addition, he is survived by his brother-in-law Herbert "Sonny" Callahan and wife Karen of Mobile, his brother-in-law George Callahan and wife Betty of Mobile, his brother-in-law Charlie Callahan of Mobile, his sister-in-law Madeline "Sissy" Martin of Ringgold, Ga., his sister-in-law Patsy Dempster and husband James of Mobile, his sister-in-law Margaret Ann Athey and husband Don of New Orleans, La., his sister-in-law Rosie Smitherman of Mobile, his cousin Bob Emmick and wife Connie of Dallas, and his friend Stan Ziemba, his son Steve and Steve's family in New York.
Previously deceased family members include his father Harry Nolan Emmick Sr. of Jacksonville, Fla., his mother Audrey Norton of Fort Walton Beach, his brother Harry Nolan Emmick Jr. of Titusville, Fla., his brother-in-law Terry Callahan of Mobile and his dear friend Rosie Ziemba of Fort Walton Beach.
A visitation will be held at the Emerald Coast Funeral home on Racetrack Road on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on Monday, May 11, at 1 p.m. with graveside services to follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Monsignor Michael Cherup, Pastor of Saint Mary Catholic Church, will be presiding over the services.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.