Donald Budge

1953 - 2024

Donald Budge
06/15/1953 - 09/18/2024
It's with great sadness that the family of Donald Budge announces his passing on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Donald Bartlett Budge was born on June 15, 1953 in Milwaukee, Wis., to Lee Bartlett and Ruth Marie Budge. The second of four boys, he spent his childhood in Hinsdale, Ill., and Tarzana, Calif. He attended Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. He loved surfing at Cayucos Beach, one of his favorite pastimes. After college, Don traveled around the world to surf, stopping in tropical locations such as Honolulu, Guam, Australia and Bali.
In 1978, he met his future wife, Kathy Budge, in Lake Tahoe, Calif. They were married in 1980 in Portola Valley. They lived in Palo Alto before moving to Cupertino, where they lived for 12 years. After Cupertino, they moved to Alamo, where they lived for 20 years. It was Don's wish after his diagnosis to move to Hawaii for a few years before returning to the Bay Area and settling into Brentwood.
Don and Kathy raised three wonderful children, Rachel, Ryan and Jason. A beloved husband and father, Don enjoyed weekend trips to the beach with his family (Santa Cruz and Stinson Beach were among his favorites), attending SF Giants games at McCovey Cove, playing tennis and golf and ordering Round Table pizza on Friday nights. He also loved grilling burgers and roasting s'mores in the summertime at Lake Tahoe, watching the Warriors play at Chase Stadium, and walking his dog, Oliver, around Oak Hill Park near their house.
Don started working with his father in Mountain View in 1979, selling Semiconductors and computer components. Don was a hard-working business partner and sales manager, first with his father and brother, David, and eventually with other US and foreign companies. His work took him around Asia, and he was famous in the Budge household for bringing home unique and exciting souvenirs to his children. Don loved to travel and enjoyed many vacations with his family around the world.
In 2013, Don was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Despite his diagnosis, Don fought hard to live another 11 years. His strength and will to live was present until his final days.
Don's kindness, sense of humor and love of life will be remembered most. His joyful persona and laid-back demeanor are what first come to mind when thinking of him. He loved deeply, and was a calm, comforting presence in his family's life. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kathy; and his children, Rachel, Ryan and Jason; his son-in-law, Luis; his daughter-in-law, Kelsey; his three beloved grandchildren, Luna, Madison and Theodore; and his three brothers, David, Douglas and Phillip. He will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him.