Marshall D. "Bud" Stockwell

Marshall D. "Bud" Stockwell The man, the myth, the legend - Marshall "Bud" Stockwell, a longtime Upper County resident, died November 2021 in a traffic accident in Loris, South Carolina. It is believed that a medical emergency caused the accident.

Born in Calcasieu Parish in Louisiana, Bud was always proud of his Cajun heritage. When he was eight, the family moved to Alaska where his father was a food concessionaire for the Alaskan Pipeline Project.

A fierce hockey player, Bud ran the stick throughout high school and college. He attended the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and majored in special education. He stepped away from the field when he discovered that while he loved the children, he couldn't deal with the parents.

With a good friend, he started a trucking company, delivering packages over the ice-pack. An original ice-road trucker, he set his sights south when he almost froze to death after his truck broke down.

After various stints in Hawaii and other warmer locales, Bud eventually settled in Arizona, as a representative for Copeland Lumber for many years. Later, he settled in the Northwest, where he worked for Western Materials, serving Upper Kittitas County. He was hired by Marson and Marson, as a general manager, to open their Cle Elum store. He sold many of the lumber packs that built Suncadia and other communities. In 2006, he married Valerie, his best friend and partner in crime, and they had their reception in a lumberyard.

Following his independent spirit, he decided to open his own business, American Hot Tub and Pool. In quick succession, he also opened American Air (duct cleaning), Swiftwater Produce, and Swiftwater Joes, a coffee stand.

He loved being involved in the Upper County community. At the Roslyn Sunday Market, Bud would hold vegetable grilling demonstrations, gleefully clacking his tongs and urging people to throw corn on the grill "hair, hide, and all." He was proud to pull Babe the Blue Ox, from Roslyn City Hall, in a Pioneer Days parade. And he was thrilled to be featured on the cover of the Mountain Echo snowmobile edition in January 2005.

He succumbed again to the lure of warmer weather and began building his business in the Myrtle Beach, SC area. Finally, his wife retired and they made the 3,000 mile move in November 2018, with themselves and three dogs in the cab of a U-Haul truck.

Until his death, he worked hard establishing American Hot Tub and Pool, LLC (SC) and built a solid list of clients, many of whom became his friends.

Bud is survived by his wife, Valerie; his beloved daughter, Ashley (Josh) Vondall and his three treasured grandchildren, Waylon, Bonnie, and Lincoln; siblings Nancy, Sharon, Janet, and Frank; and numerous dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and many cherished friends all over the United States. He also leaves behind four dogs, three ducks, two cats, and a guinea hen.

At his request, there will be no service. So, here's the deal: if you wish to honor Bud, hug your loved ones a little tighter and always say I love you when you say goodbye. Support your local animal welfare groups and food banks. Laugh a lot. Always give more than you take. Live large. Love life.