Preston A. "Bud" Gaylord Jr.

1927 - 2023

Preston Arms "Bud" Gaylord, Jr

1927 ~ 2023

Preston Arms ("Bud") Gaylord, Jr., age 95, danced and offered a classic toast at a granddaughter's wedding on December 31, but he died a month later, on February 1, 2023, of complications from pneumonia. He and his wife of 41 years, Claire Sullivan Gaylord, and their families are forever grateful for the extraordinary life he was able to lead, partly due to the attentive care of his doctors and modern medicine.

An avid outdoorsman, Bud was a hunter, trapper, fisherman, and lover of downhill skiing since the days when leather boots were held to wooden skis with a leather thong. He taught his children, grandchildren, and many friends the "ready pole" method of skiing up until his 80s. This retirement from skiing allowed him to focus on the next travel adventure and build and share his lifetime of legendary good character. Bud will be remembered for his fun-loving, optimistic attitude about life, being gentle with his words, and being slow to be judgmental. He was gregarious, filled with common sense, and had an excellent memory that he shared with charming and wise stories that helped shape the lives of family, friends, and neighbors; who were close to him.

Born December 17, 1927, in Sodus, New York, to Preston Arms Gaylord ("Tweet") and Marion Osborne. He had twin brothers who predeceased him, Willis T. Gaylord III ("Bill") and Edward Osborne Gaylord ("Ted").

In the first half of his life, he was a fruit grower who owned and managed hundreds of acres of trees at historical Preston Farms in Sodus. After he and his wife of 25 years, Mary Ellen Shumway, became original partners in Snowbird Resort, they moved their family to Salt Lake City to build and start the first full-service hotel at Snowbird, the Cliff Lodge. His roots in Western New York and the Adirondack Mountains remained deep; he and Claire clung to them even though they always considered their move to Utah the best thing for their families.

Bud was the father to 12 children, grandfather to 24, and great-grandfather to 8, all of whom survive him and cherish the time they had together.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building. Please visit www.Starksfuneral.com to view an extended version of the obituary and share memories and photos with Bud's family.