Obituary: Clow, Buddy Wayne
Age 79
He grew up working local farms and hunting and fishing.
In 1952, he enlisted in the USAF.
He began his career as a gunner on B29’s in Denver.
He was soon transferred to the 55th Air Refueling Squadron in Kansas, where he became a Boom Operator, the position in which he spent the rest of his USAF career.
He retired 24 years later, having earned numerous awards, most notably the Distinguished Flying Cross and 13 Vietnam Campaign medals, flying 200+ combat missions.
Upon retirement, Bud went to Tehran, Iran, to work for the Logistic Support Corp, a subsidiary of Boeing, where he trained Boom Operators and Load Masters for the Imperial Iranian Air Force.
After leaving Iran, he moved to Spokane, WA, where he started a business as a Real Estate Broker.
He later moved to Newman Lake where he spent eleven years devoted to the District 13 Fire Station as Chief.
If Bud’s life was a coloring book, he used only the brightest colors and often colored “outside the lines”.
He went skydiving for his 70th birthday.
He visited 20+ countries around the world.
He was an avid square and round dancer.
Bud’s affinity for the outdoors - camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, boating, riding horses, raising cattle, birds, & horses, gardening and shooting - was limitless.
But above all else, Bud cherished time with his family.
In 1954, Bud married Jo Ann Parrott and had five children.
He later married Yolanda Zivic, who has three sons.
He is survived by his wife Yolanda of nearly 40 years, his eight children/step-children: Stephan Clow (Brenda), Michael Clow (Hillary), John Zivic, Patricia Buck (Ken), Christopher Zivic (Jodi), Kathryn Kissinger (Luke), Thomas Clow, Joel Zivic (Kathy).
He is survived by his 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
His home was always warm and inviting, and he was most generous of his time and advice.
He passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2013, in his home, in good spirits - just the way he wanted.
Please celebrate Bud’s life by joining us for a public memorial at Hennessey Funeral Home, 1315 N. Pines in Spokane Valley on Monday, May 13th from 11-12 pm, followed by a Fire District 13 escort to St. Joseph’s cemetery at 17825 E. Trent where the Honor Guard from Fairchild Air Force Base will present a rifle team and TAPS at 12:30 pm.
Finally, a Church service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley at 17909 E. Broadway from 2-3 pm followed by a celebration of life gathering with family and friends in the Fellowship Hall.