Richard A (Bud) Girard, Sr, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2016 in the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls SD.  He was 90 years old.

Bud was born on July 19, 1926 in rural Spink, SD to Peter and Bernadette (Hubert) Girard.  They lived on farms in the SE part of South Dakota where he attended rural Union County schools.  It was after his sophomore year of high school in Jefferson, SD that his family moved to the Seattle WA area to work in the shipyards building seaplane tenders during WWII.  A young Bud started his wartime service in those shipyards as a driller.  Bud was called to the service of his country in December of 1945, was inducted into the United States Army at Fort Snelling Minnesota and was then shipped right back to the Seattle area where he served his country as a cook in the United States Army at Fort Lewis WA.  After completing cooking school, he finished his service as an instructor there teaching other Army cooks.  He was discharged in December of 1946.  Moving back to the southeastern South Dakota area he eventually met and fell in love with the love of his life Anita Scheuring.  They were united in marriage on February 7, 1948 in Beresford South Dakota.

Bud attended Boyles Business College in Omaha, NE before and after his marriage.  While there he took business and telegraphy classes.  Upon completion of his studies, he and his new bride moved to Clark, SD to work for the railroad as a station manager.  After a short time there, he moved back to the Beresford area and started working in the gasoline business.  He worked at Cotton Motor Co. before buying the Texaco station in 1955.  He owned and operated Bud's Texaco (building a new station at 3rd & Cedar) for 13 years, then buying the Champlin station and running that for 4 years before selling it and working as the station manager at Truck Towne.  Bud ended his working career with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, retiring in 1986.  Bud also was part owner of the Laundromat for a time and also ran Bud's Sanitary Service for a number of years.

Bud was very civic minded.  He loved to serve.  He was a member of the Beresford Fire Department for 25 years serving in many roles including assistant chief.  He was a member of the Beresford Ambulance Service for 17 years and also was on the Ambulance Board of Directors for 25 years.    He was a member of St Teresa of Avila Church, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, where he served a term as president, and a member of the Beresford City Council.  One of the things Bud loved best was his country.  He was a member of the Beresford American Legion Post 72 for 70 years, a lifetime member, serving as Commander, Chaplain, and Sgt. of Arms.  He was also in charge of membership.  His proudest moments with the legion was serving in the color guard.  He presented the colors at numerous Football, and Basketball games, parades, and presented the colors at 99 military funerals.

Over the years Bud enjoyed camping, playing cards, and bowling among other things.  During his retirement years he took on the challenge of restoring military vehicles restoring a 1942 Ford Army Jeep, a 1951 Willys Army Jeep, and a 1952 Air Force Ambulance.  He could be seen driving them to coffee many days. Bud enjoyed life.  He loved people and especially his family.

Bud is survived by his wife of 68 years Anita; daughter Linda (Gene) White of Littleton CO; Skip (Shelli) Girard of Sioux Falls, SD; and son-in-law Gary Furniss of Burnsville MN; 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in  death by his parents;  brother Hubert; sisters Phyllis Kjose and Elaine Andrews; daughters Laura Girard and Kathy Furniss.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 am on Thursday October 6th at St Teresa of Avila Catholic Church Beresford SD with internment following the service.  Visitation will be at the church Wednesday October 5th from 4 to 7pm with the family present from 5 to 7pm.  A rosary will be said in the sanctuary at 6:45pm followed at 7pm by a memorial service.  You are encouraged to come and share your stories of Bud during this service.  Instead of sending flowers, the family wishes that you make a donation to the South Dakota/North Dakota/Minnesota chapter of the ALS Association at www.alsmn.org.