Elroy "Bud" Eugene Burr Jr., 91, formally of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on May 26, 2024, at his daughter’s home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born on August 24, 1932, in Portola, California, to Emily Elizabeth Woodward and Elroy Eugene Burr, Bud grew up in various towns in California, eventually settling in Sacramento during his teenage years.
Bud served his country in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War, stationed at Tiburon Net Depot in the San Francisco Bay and served on transport ships throughout Asia. After graduating from San Jose State College in 1961, he embarked on a career with the Department of Defense that spanned 27 years, moving him to California, France, Washington D.C., and finally Anchorage, Alaska, where he lived for over 53 years. He retired as the Civilian Personnel Director for the Department of Defense for the state of Alaska in 1988.
In 1957, Bud married Edith Ann Hutchinson of Sacramento, CA. They had two daughters, Dorinda Lee Burr and Carrie Elizabeth Burr, before divorcing in 1980. Bud later married Margaret Whaley of Anchorage, Alaska, in 1989, and they were married for 35 years until her recent passing in March 2024.
Bud had a passion for working with his hands and was known for his ability to fix anything. He enjoyed building projects, repairing things, and working on cars. He took great pride in maintaining a meticulous yard and loved Alaska, traveling the world, watching westerns and his love of ice cream. Bud always maintained his great sense of humor.
Bud was predeceased by his parents, his sister Loretta Burr, his wives Edith (Ann) and Margaret, and his daughter Dorinda Burr (VanderMartin). He is survived by his daughter Carrie (Steve) Turner of Las Vegas, NV and son-in-law Wesley VanderMartin of Ottumwa, Iowa.; his six grandchildren, Brian (Cami) Turner, Nathan VanderMartin, Destiny (Mark) Schroeter, Melissa VanderMartin, Kevin (Gabby) Turner, and Paul (Victoria) Turner; his fifteen great-grandchildren, Leah, Jayden, Lucy, Lincoln, Treyson, London, Emily, Rylee, Penelope, Kyle, Clementine, Brooklyn, Poppy, Dorothy, and George; his sister, Barbara (Donald) Welge of Sacramento, California; and various nieces and nephews. Additionally, he is survived by his wife Margaret’s family, including her three children, Greg (Bonnie) Whaley, Debbie (Craig) Ahern, and Gary (Paula) Whaley, along with her grandchildren, Amanda, Steven, Jamie, Alexandria, and Sydney, and her two great-grandsons, Greyson and Preston Graff.
Bud will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A family graveside service will be held on June 17, 2024, at the Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah, where he will be laid to rest with military honors.
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