L. Budd Hargis

Lester "Budd" Hargis of Aurora, Colorado, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family, on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the age of 86, after a two-year courageous battle, with lung cancer. He was born June 14, 1936 (Flag Day), in Aurora, Illinois, to the late Lester Budd Hargis Sr. a Welder and the late Mabel Irene (Johnson) Hargis a School Teacher. Budd was the second of four children - the late John Oliver Hargis, Budd Hargis, Marcia (Hargis) Kountz and Brad Hargis.

Budd had a paper route, as a kid, and also helped his Dad raise honey bees.

He graduated from West Aurora High school, where he played baseball and won many awards. He attended college in Aurora, Illinois.

Budd proudly served his country, as an Army Specialist 3rd Class, stationed in Germany, for two years. After serving his country, Budd began working, in the Material Handling Industry, as a design engineer/draftsman, for Lyon Metal Products, in Aurora, Illinois. This began his 60+ year career in the Material Handling Industry.

Budd met his wife, Judy, February 1958, at The Carousel Club. They were married August 23,1958, in Aurora, Ill. and had 4 daughters between 1960-1965, Ginger, Dawn, Rhonda and Stacey.

Lyon Metal Products transferred Budd and his family to Littleton Colorado, in 1966, where he became the Regional Sales Manager. Later Budd was hired, at another company, to build up the shelving, rack and locker division. Then in 1989 Budd and Judy opened their own successful business, Shelving Rack & Lockers, Inc. He valued and treated every one of his customers, competitors, dealers, employees as friends for life. Budd loved all the relationships built and was so thankful they were still friends and kept in touch. A highlight for Budd was when the police department trained the drug sniffing dogs, in their warehouse. Budd and Judy sold their company, in 2019, to Conesco Storage Systems, where Budd continued to work to the age of 83. He finally had to retire due to his battle, with lung cancer; otherwise he might have kept working today.

Budd became a Freemason in 1966, at the Masonic Lodge #245 in Aurora, Illinois. He was a member of the Table Mountain Gun Club, where he competed in skeet and trap shooting; a member of the Rocky Mountain Knife Club, where he collected and traded different knives, as well as attended various trade shows; and he is a life time member, patron member and benefactor member of the NRA. Budd loved doing anything with friends; pheasant hunting, big game hunting (one time), golfing, fishing, sports and of course poker club, for over 50 years. He even played in The World Poker Tournament. Budd was a Golden Glove boxer; coached adult league basketball; played adult league baseball; and coached the same team, in little league baseball, from 8-14 years old.

Family was the most important thing to Budd. He and Judy together enjoyed estate sales, antiques, auctions, collectables and most of all, their friends and family. He supported all of his daughter's school and outside activities. Budd loved the family vacations, especially Iron River, Wisconsin where all the family and relatives would fish, water ski, swim in the lake, and gather round for the traditional end of vacation fish fry. He relaxed, at home, playing the guitar and piano, while singing. He had a fine tuned musical ear and could play just about anything.

Budd was a man of faith, a loving and caring Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend who will be dearly missed by his wife of 64 years, Judith Marie (Brown) Hargis; Daughters: Ginger Scheuermann (Chris Scheuermann) of Franktown, CO; Dawn Ord (Tim Ord) of Walton, NE; Rhonda Lange of Parker, CO; Stacey Kible (Robert L. Kible) of Littleton, CO. Grandchildren: Timothy Thomas( Mandy Thomas); Randi Lange; Melissa (Kible) Whitsell; Heather Ord; Robert A. Kible (Brittany Kible); Matthue Kible (Jordan Kible); Whitney Kible-Mecklem (Ryan Mecklem); and Kyle Kible (Whitney Lea Kible); Natalie (Lange) Hoose (Luke Hoose). Great Grandchildren: Tatum(Thomas) Drefke (Tyler Drefke); Brody Thomas; Makayla Whitsell; Evan Whitsell; Tustin Kible; Gage Kible-Caretto; Kyler Kible-Mecklem; Austin Kible; Kinslea Kible; Ryleigh Cosbey; Hayes Budd Kible. Brother: Bradley Hargis of Littleton, CO; Sister: Marcia (Hargis) Kountz of Hoffman Estates, IL.

He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.