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Otis BUDD Obituary

BUDD, Otis Tom

Otis Tom Budd, 86, of Austin, TX died peacefully at home on December 31, 2013 surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born November 27, 1927 in Waelder, TX. His family later moved to San Antonio where he graduated from San Antonio Vocational and Technical High School as president of the senior class. He immediately entered the Navy where he served as a pilot toward the end of World War II. He then attended college under the GI Bill and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.

An avid lover of both Shakespeare and UT football, Otis served in a long career as a physical education teacher and coach of students of all age levels. For many years he taught and coached wrestling, track, and swimming at the Texas State School for the blind in Austin, during which time he completed his Master's Degree at UT, writing a thesis on teaching wrestling to blind students. Following that he taught and coached gymnastics at Pan American University in Edinburgh Texas and concluded his career back in Austin at Anderson High School.

The Olympic Games were a lifelong passion which began with his being in very close contention for a position on the track team for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. Those and the subsequent games he attended, and in which he often officiated, afforded the opportunity to travel the world and form many lasting friendships from Finland to Australia and Montreal to Korea.

In his last years he will be most remembered as a very good neighbor, active in neighborhood association affairs and as a library volunteer. He was recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his son, Andrew Raymond Budd, step-daughter Judith Lynn Collander (John)and step- grandchildren, Jonathan and Christopher Collander, and predeceased by his son, Tom Walton Budd, his parents, Bernell B. Budd and Glynn Alice Patton Budd, and his brother, Bernell Patton Budd.

The family is grateful for the services of the staff at Emeritus at Spicewood Springs and the assistance of the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice, especially the loving support of Jonea Raney. At his request there will be no memorial services.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from Jan. 3 to Jan. 4, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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February 2, 2014

I feel so privileged to have known Otis. He came to Seattle for the Goodwill Games, which is where our family met him. I always looked forward to his visits, his stories, his jokes and laughter. He was a kind and generous soul and will be missed.

Katie Haven

January 29, 2014

My condolences to Andrew Budd and to the rest of Otis Budd's family.
I became friends with Otis many years ago when we joined forces on behalf of neighborhood issues. Little did I realize at the time how fortunate I was to have known Otis. He was an incredible person who enhanced the life of everyone he met. Otis was someone who gave tirelessly of himself and worked hard in all his endeavors, whether it was his family, his school or his community. He will be sorely missed.

Chip Harris

January 8, 2014

Our deepest sympathy to the Budd family. We had the honor of a visit from Otis several years ago; we own the home that Otis' grandfather Budd built, and it was a delight to hear Otis tell stories of his time spent here as a child; the marvelous shows he and his siblings and cousins produced in the "fancy parlor" for the elders, gathered along the stairwell. Otis was indeed a treasure, and we're so very glad we got to know him.

Joe & Crystal Kindred

January 8, 2014

His request not yo have s memorial service is Coach Budd all the way. He did not care for all the sadness of his passing. He loved life and the people around him. To me he was like a father, scolding me when I had it coming and praising when warranted. I have so many fond memories of him in my years at TSB and at Pan Am and then later as we both got older. I will miss him but I also look forward to the day when we all meet again. Love you Coach and I'll see you later.

Homer Garza

January 7, 2014

Thinking of you and your family, Andrew! Your Dad was such a special character. I have loved knowing him over the last nine years that we have been neighbors. He was the best of the best!! We will miss him in his jumpsuit and fishing hat!!! RIP Otis Bud. You will be missed by your Gault Street family.

The Loranc Family

Robin Loranc

January 7, 2014

My love and condolences to you, Linda and Andrew. I am thankful to have seen him once more in October...he was, as always, kind, gentle, and smiling. That is how I will always remember him.

Dawn Davidson

January 7, 2014

Otis, you left before I was able to thank you for caring for my son like he was your own. You cared for my other children when they passed through your life when they needed you. You never turned your back on them when they were not your blood. For all your kindnesses, I hope you were rewarded. Thank you for your friendship!

Carmen Fritz

January 5, 2014

Otis will always have an enduring place in the hearts of so many. Among them the friends he made in Seattle where he visited frequently. As a genuine ambassador of his native Texas he made us want to come see the places he loved and knew so well: Big Bend National Park, Alpine, Marfa, Marathon, Davis Mountains and the McDonald Observatory, Guadalupe Peak, South Padre Island... It was nothing to him to go hundreds of miles to see the biggest specimen of a tree and he did so many times. It was like having a personal naturalist with you when traveling around the state with Otis. He also loved and shared the Texas lore of John Henry Faulk, Roy Bedicheck and others and had the knack of a great story teller himself; stories of growing up in a small Texas town during the depression. We are lucky that he shared so much with us - but oh how we miss him.

Sylvia Haven, family and friends from Seattle.

Sylvia Haven

January 5, 2014

J

January 4, 2014

Otis was truly the father in my heart. He loved and worried about me the same as any father. I was more a daughter than stepdaughter to him and that has always been special to me. He taught me many things, but most of all to stand up for what you believe in and that a life helping others is a life well-lived. "How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world." -Shakespeare
Love, Judy

Judy Collander

January 4, 2014

Otis Budd was a coach of mine in gymnastics at the Crenshaw Athletic Club in Austin, during his UT college years, in the late 50's, early 60's. He was an awesome role model and I am saddened to hear of his passing. He touched the lives of many athletes and had a true passion for teaching! May he rest in peace. God Bless Otis Budd!

Carol Mallow

January 4, 2014

Celebrating a life well lived. Thanks for all the mentoring and caring you provided to fellow coaches and their athletes. A very special person now in a special place as well as our hearts and thoughts. God Bless!

Craig Grace

January 3, 2014

Coach Budd was straightforward, strong..but humorous.Taught by example...road his bike to work, ran with us,drilled with us. I was lucky that he was my coach. Too many stories to mention. Glenn Newton, class of 79.

January 3, 2014

Our deepest sympathy to Andrew, Judy and Linda. Uncle Otis was always interesting and fun to be around. Love, Lauri (Budd) Kail and Marty Kail - Ventura, CA

January 3, 2014

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