Maurice Kent Holman

After a short but painful battle with esophageal cancer, Bud died while in hospice on April 11, 2016, a few days short of his 96th birthday. Bud's daughters, Carol, Elaine and Christine were at his bedside hours before he passed. Bud Holman was born at home on the family ranch under his grandmother/midwife's care on April 26, 1920. He was the second child of five children and the second son, of Vivian and Wallace Holman residing in Woodruff, Utah. Bud was christened Maurice Kent Holman by his mother, but his father thought he had been named Wallace. His dad only called him Bud once he learned of his christened name; for the remainder of his life, Maurice was known as Bud. Bud grew up on the ranch in Delta. He attended Delta High School and after graduation moved to California to work for Northrup King Seed Co. Bud married his high school sweetheart, Beth Roberts, in Phoenix, Arizona in 1942. They resided in California before he was inducted into the U.S. Navy at the age of 24 years. After W.W.II ended and he was discharged from the Navy, Bud returned to work at Northrup King moving to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1946 and to Billings, Montana in 1950. He retired there in 1985. Bud enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and kayaking during his early years in Montana. In his later years he pursued his passion for golf. During his retirement Bud was well known at all the Sun City West golf courses where he could be found at least six days per week. His love of golf kept him fit up to a mild stroke in 2003. He is reported to have hit six holes in one. Bud was tasked with establishing the seed business for Northrup King in Montana. He traveled the state, northern Wyoming, North Dakota, Alberta, and Saskatchewan meeting farmers and ranchers and purchasing seed crops. He also helped established an experiment station for the development of hybrid crops in Huntley, Montana. Eventually, he managed a large seed cleaning and bagging operation with additional buyers on staff. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Dona Beth Roberts (2002); his son, Michael Brent Holman (2014); and grandson, David William Trippett (2012). Bud is survived by his sister, Wally Beth Bishop (Jerold); daughters, Carol Lynn Slade (John), Elaine Meaker, and Christine Shirley; his grandchildren, Laura Mastro (Mike), Randy Kent Howard (Kim), Scott Richard Howard (Mary Beth), Eric Bjorn Meaker, Michele Meaker Pin, Brooke Elaine Shirley, Christian Michael Holman, and Savannah Marie Heck; and three step-children, Geoffrey Bolinger, Forrest Shirley, and Rose Shirley. Bud had 15 great-grandchildren and ten step-great-grandchildren. He was a father/grandfather figure to many over his long life. Donations may be sent to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (1732 72nd St W, Billings, MT 59106) or the Hospice of the Valley (Surprise Palliative Care Unit, 14066 W. Waddell Road, Surprise, AZ 85379).