Bud Carls' Funeralt

Trying to describe Bud this week to a young member of our Distant Thunder cast… “Oh yea…the guy who drives the truck.” And that’s how I will probably remember Bud the best….the support guy…the leading the applause for his family….the guy who would read my cast notes carefully for any mention of Parker…the guy who drove the truck. After each show, Bud would meet me behind the dressing rooms and say, “Went pretty well, Ken.” “Yea, it did, Bud. What was the best part?” He’d smile and nod to Parker…or Nathan … or Carrie or Sandra.

Got to know Bud during several hot summers at the New Salem theatre in the park.

Family has asked that this be a time of joy as we celebrate Bud’s life. That’s as it should be. Every time I’ve been here, he sat right there and smiled through the entire service. I think he enjoyed the music the most. The first time I spoke here, he said, “Sure enjoyed that, Ken.” “Thanks, Bud. I wasn’t sure what to say but I knew what to play.” “Oh that’s okay, I didn’t hear much of what you said.”

Mansion over the hilltop Amazing Grace

One of his friends told me Sunday, “Bud was the glue that held us together. He was just love. He knew how to love.”

FROM NATHAN: I believe I have more hope than the next guy. Well, except for maybe the woman who got a new liver and is doing famously! When Carrie and I got back from the Triopia game (bummer) yesterday, my mom had just hung up with the gal from Gift of Hope, who had just told her of the transplanted liver and that the recipient was doing very well. You think that didn't brighten things up immensely?! We're a strong, but still sad, group. That news was just so tremendous. Please share it with your congregation today. I know Arenzville has been in on this from the get go, and I want them to have this joy also. You can paraphrase or even just read this to them. But make it known, because it's wonderful.

He liked so much the Distant Thunder characters, and quoting lines from both Distant Thunder and Abraham, throwing them in, in everyday conversation and observations
Claimed he talked to Bradbury and that he was going to be the next Sam Hill when the previous actor was no longer available
Dug honky-tonk gospel music
Loved to farm
Liked to sleep and could do it about anywhere
Loved to sing, especially at Black Oak Church Singspirations, and just being silly singing anywhere with Heidi Brown
Loved karaoke and always threatened to get a machine of his own
Had a certain flair for telling jokes and would sometimes get too tickled to finish them
Really dug his .Billy Bob. teeth
Really enjoyed his crane time with A.C. and liked driving that roll-back truck
Really enjoyed being the church treasurer . took much pride in it
Liked to help with Exchange Club dinners at church, as well as wash dishes
Looked forward to going to the nursing home with Sandra and singing with her and the residents
Trips that last for hours and hours and hours to Chicago or the Missouri boot heel to pick up melons or other produce Song Selections Here is the list that we want you to play: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow I Saw the Light I.ll Fly Away A Little Talk with Jesus Because He Lives