George Arthur "Budd" Primrose

George Primrose Obituary

George "Budd" Arthur Primrose Dec. 31, 1922 - July 13, 2011 Resident of Pleasant Hill George was born in Oakland California. He also attended elementary, middle, and high school in Oakland. He proudly served in the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division in the Second World War where he jumped into Holland, fought through the Battle of The Bulge, and finished out the war at Hitler's mountain retreats in Austria. He met and married a young British girl, Mary, the love of his life. After the war they returned to California where Budd attained the rank of Captain in the Army Reserves. Budd joined the Oakland Police Department in 1947 and retired from the department in 1967. He worked for the City of Pleasant Hill for the next 15 years. Budd & Mary moved from Oakland to Pleasant Hill in 1963. Budd enjoyed genealogy, fishing, hunting, and boating. He was a member of the San Joaquin Yacht Club where he won many boating awards. He was an artist who enjoyed painting landscapes and carving wood. Budd was a published author and a world traveler with his wife Mary. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Orinda and a member of the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley. Budd suffered a stroke while fishing with his family at Cherry Lake, Toulumne County. Budd was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mary, and his oldest son, Martin, who died in 1989. Budd is survived by his son Joel Primrose, daughter-in-law, Michele Primrose, his two grandchildren, Eric and Mia Primrose, his brother in law and sister in law, Brian and Marina Davis of Concord, his close companion Bernice Ball of Pleasant Hill, and his many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. A memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Connolly & Taylor Chapel, Alhambra Road, Martinez, CA. Refreshments to follow at their home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to : Diablo Valley Veterans Foundation Po. Box 2133 Danville, Ca. 94526.

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Published by Contra Costa Times on Aug. 6, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for George Primrose

13 Entries

Lowell O Dixon

December 13, 2020

George was my fathers dearest Friend. I. 1948 he and Mary were neighbors in Oakland. Martin was born there and became friends withmy Older sister and Brother, Joann and Dave. I Loved George and his magic card tricks. He cae and visited my famiy and showed my kids his card tricks...My father took my famiy to the Oakland Coliseum to see the Black watch..from across the Coliseum my father spotted George and we all were so surprised because the coliseum was sold out...We Loved George and Mary..

Don Rosen

December 7, 2011

I am so sorry to be so late including my contribution to Budd's obituary notice. I met him and Mary in Europe at the 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion commemoration. Quite simply, Budd was an extraordinary man, a genuine renaissance man. His candor and warmth made an extraordinary experience an unforgettable one. He was always accommodating to a younger generation hungering to hear what happened there from the men who served with such singular devotion. In a gathering of heroes, Budd was a standout.

It was my privilege to spend our last night on tour celebrating Budd and Mary's 59th (and final) wedding anniversary. He was an unforgettable man, and I mourn his passing just like I did my own father's.

Matthew 25:21.

Heidi O

November 16, 2011

Im sorry I never got to meet you. I believe you would have been related to me. My Moms father was George A. Primrose also.
Rest In Peace.

Marty De Venuta

August 20, 2011

It was a true honor for me to have known Budd for only the last 3 years through the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley. My deepest sympathy goes to Budd's family and to his recent companion, Bea, for their loss. Budd will be remembered by many of us Vets who got to know and understand him as a great speaker and through his book "Lest We Forget". Thank you to Budd's family for allowing the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley to provide the Honor Guard at Budd's memorial service today.

JULY 4TH - 2011 - AFTER THE PARADE

JOHN REESE

August 19, 2011

VETERAN OF THE YEAR - 2010

JOHN REESE

August 19, 2011

WALK OF HONOR VIP GUEST SPEAKER

JOHN REESE

August 19, 2011

John Reese Director PR

August 17, 2011

Budd Primrose and Bea were a treasured addition to the VietNam Veterans of Diablo Valley dinner meeting each month as well as active psrticipants in the organizations programs & activities... especially parades! Budd loved parades and did not miss one while "Continuing to Serve" the Community in the past two 4th of July Parades in Danville. My favorite parade memory was when he stood-up in the truck-bed of our 1949 International Harvester Parade Truck... holding on to the pick-up truck cab and continuing to wave non-stop to the huge crowd all the way through Sonora in the first VietNam Veterans Parade in CA. Of course he was always proudly wearing his "Airborne" cap!

With Bea by his side... Budd was a popular guest speaker at our meeting and with others - but a true crowd pleaser and highlight at the "Walk of Honor" for our Veterans held in Crockett by ConocoPhillips. The VNVDV could go on and on about Budd - helping with the new Veterans Memorial Building Fund - the Wheelchair Foundation - toys for Operation Santa and more. All this considering he was only with us as a member for about three years... that says something about his life! Our thoughts are with his family and Bea during these difficult times.

Budd was a true soldier - and he will be missed... but never forgotten! Budd - you left a place in our hearts and minds with your kindness and friendship that will last forever. You are a true American Hero.

for the Board of Directors -
VietNam Veterans of Diablo Valley

Ken & Bev May

August 14, 2011

May God be with the Primrose family and George's many, many friends and also to dear, sweet Bea. It was an honor to meet you both on the Band of Brothers tour in May '11. George's many war stories simply illuminated the trip! We are forever grateful for the service and sacrifice of this American hero!

Ken Gutierrez

August 13, 2011

Budd, we will miss you, your sense of humor, and incredible stories. This country owes you and all WWII vets a huge debt of thanks. "Lest We Forget."

Our deepest condolences to the Primrose family. It was an honor to have known him as a friend.

August 12, 2011

Budd will be truly missed. Although I only had the honor to know him for a year I will cherish our time and conversations from when he would come in to my restaurant to eat. To hear his stories of his time in Service and his D-Day Anniversary trips was just gripping, and our bond as fellow CIB awardees was immediate- To the point that upon his return from Europe this summer he brought in a CIB for me that he got while on his latest trip. Thank you for your Service and friendship Budd! Jim Shupe, Sgt/E-5 US Army

Fred Granados

August 7, 2011

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Primrose family and friends. Bud, in my eyes was the epitome of a true American citizen, he served his community and his country with distinction. Although, Bud came into my life within the last two years he was one of many that I can say, I could call "FRIEND." I will remember his dignified manner, wit and sense of humor.
He was a true "American Hero" who one month ago I would have the privilege to shake hands with for one last time. That hand shake was a symbolic gesture with a firm grip to give him a "hand-up" while he was getting out of his car. I know Bud was there for many of his comrades while he was in combat and would do the same when the going got tough.
I would like to say, "it was a pleasure knowing such a fine gentleman." I will remember his unwavering patriotism from conversations with him that was key to his character. It would have been a privilege to have served under Bud's command.

One combatant to another, "Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away."

David Lagomarcino

August 7, 2011

Thanks for your service Budd!

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