Bud Curran

Bud Curran, age 85, of Miles City died on October 11, 2011 at Holy Rosary Hospital after a short illness.

Bud was born on 16 June 1926, near Rosebud Creek, in Rosebud County, MT. He spent many wonderful days playing with his siblings and cousins on his grandfather's, George Parkins place. He attended grade school in the Lee community of Rosebud County. When Bud was a senior in high school at Colstrip he joined the Army. He enlisted on 24 March 1945. He was sent to Japan and was stationed with the 934th Engineer Construction Group. He was discharged 28 Nov 1946 as a Technician 4th Grade. He returned to eastern Montana and worked at various jobs. He eventually settled in Miles City. One of his first employers was L. P. Anderson and they were lifelong friends. Then he started his own 'dirt moving' business in the 1950's. In 1966 he was in a joint venture with Bob Rask and did contracts for the Army Corps of Engineers at Ft Peck. Bud then started his own trucking business, as well as utilizing heavy equipment. During the 1970's he also worked for Ray Jerrel. He continued trucking hauling grain for local farmers and grain elevators. Bud was happiest trucking. He did not want to retire even though he was 85. He almost got his wish; he was hauling grain this August and shortly afterwards he got sick. He did not get to finish the harvest season and that bothered him even though he was not feeling good. Someone told Bud this year he was the oldest person in Montana to hold a CDL. This was never verified. Bud had a wonderful sense of humor; he gave a lot of people nicknames and had a variety of sayings. He always enjoyed little kids. He had a variety of friends. It bothered him when he saw some of them die, the likes of Tony Zinda and Ray Shoemaker. Tony and Bud used to enjoyed doing several things together but having breakfast at the VFW for steak and eggs was a big deal to both of them. There were other guys he knew and liked that preceded him in death and that was one of his fears for retiring. He felt if he quit trucking he would not live. He married Mildred (Mickey) Lancaster on Nov 11, 1951. They had one daughter Karen Leah. They were married for 40 years until Mildred passed away from cancer in November 1991. Some of his best times he spent was with his family, enjoying his grandchildren and later on great grandchildren. He married his second wife Bonnie Ashley on 22 October 1993. They enjoyed taking trips, especially to see his grandchildren. He was planning on taking a trip to see his grandson and family this month. Bud and Bonnie enjoyed watching old movies sometimes muting the show and making up their own dialogue. He always said he was not a 'cat man' but he grew to like several of their cats, Pumpkin and Kato.
Bud was a member of the Eagles Lodge; also life time member of the VFW and American Legion. At one time he did belong to the Moose Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Mildred (Mickey) Curran; his Mother Mary Hill, his grandfather George Parkins; his siblings, Jim Curran and Bill Hill; his brother and sister-in-law Irving and Belva Lancaster and their son (his nephew) Larry Lancaster; his Mother-in¬law Susie Dent.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie Curran; his daughter Karen (Bill) Dutton of Jordan, Mt. His brother Joe (Helen) Curran of Colstrip and Mary McCuistion of Missoula. His grandson B. J. Murnion and his wife Marsha of Lamoille, NV. Granddaughters Meghan Murphy of Vancouver, Washington and Cari Murnion of Billings, Montana. He has five great grandchildren: Baylee, Kelli and Heston Murnion; and Tristin and Sydney Murphy. He is also survived by his extended family: Barry (Jolene) Dutton, Mary (Wayland) Pluhar and Jennifer ( Darren) Pitcher; plus their children: Jentry and Javon Dutton, Maggie and Angus Pluhar, Khyrsten, Kamryon and Liv Pitcher. He has 6 nieces: Rachel Stester, Cindy Curran, Valerie Maher, Kathy Coate, Sandy Bradford, Marie Armstrong. His 3 nephews are; George Hill, Bill Hill and Jim Curran and a special nephew Moe Rademacher. Also survivors are his wife's family Darlene Ashley, Sandra(Ed) Helgeson, Joann (Kenny) Borrego, Judy (Vince) Bindner, Dean (Sue) Ashley and Mary Ashley. Their children(his nephew and nieces) Kevin, Dan and Nicole Helgeson and Carrie Roth. Chris and Kendra Borrego. Katie Olson, Paul and Nolan Bindner, Sara, Mary and Quinn Ashley.
Visitation will begin Wednesday, October 12, 2011 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Burial will be held in the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors provided by V.F.W. Post 1579. Should friends desire, memorial may be made to the charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.