Rayo Budge

1933 - 2025

Rayo Beck Budge, age 91, of Sugar City, Idaho, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, in his home.

Born on October 7, 1933 in Logan, Utah, Rayo was the son of Newell and Vera Budge. His life was a reflection of faith, service, learning, and love. He grew up in Paris, Idaho, and Ogden and Roy, Utah. In 1952, he served a two-and-a-half-year mission to France and Belgium for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an experience that shaped his lifelong devotion to the gospel and sparked his deep love for the French language.

In 1957, Rayo married his French sweetheart, Gisele Maryse Julienne Clapier. Together, they raised seven children in Lemoore, California, in a home filled with music, faith, learning, and love.

Rayo proudly served in the U.S. Army as part of the post-war occupying forces in Germany and later continued his service in the Army Reserves. Professionally, he devoted his life to education. He taught Latin, French, and English at Lemoore High School and later served as a professor at both West Hills Community College and Ricks College. As a lifelong learner, students admired his creativity, knowledge, kindness, and sense of humor. You could always count on him for a good pun or dad joke.

Deeply committed to service, Rayo taught early morning seminary to teenagers for many years and served in the Scouting program as an Explorer leader, where he mentored young men with patience and purpose. He also served as bishop, counselor in the bishopric, and high counselor. One of his favorite places to be was in the church choir. Later in life, he and Gisele served two missions: Madagascar Antananarivo Mission, serving on three islands, and in the Canada Montreal Mission-experiences they treasured. Rayo also served faithfully for 23 years in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg Temples.

Rayo served in his local community for five years as Chairman of the Tree and Beautification Committee, helping preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the community's surroundings.

He loved being active. He was a successful pitcher in a men's softball league, rode his bike a mile each way to work, played tennis with his children and grandchildren, and walked five miles a day with Gisele for many years.

A gifted storyteller and devoted teacher, he touched countless lives and leaves behind a legacy of faith, humility, and love.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gisele; his seven children, Chantal, Tierry, Pascal, Lisette, Jocelyne, Janick; 46 grandchildren; 120 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Newell & Vera Budge, his brothers, Allen and Don Budge, and son, Alain Budge.

Funeral services will be held on June 14, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Gray church in Sugar City, Idaho, 6 N Teton Avenue, with a viewing on June 13 at Flamm Funeral Home from 5:30-7:30 pm.

He will be deeply missed-but forever remembered for the light he brought to others, the truth he lived, and the love he gave so freely.