Walter L. Schroeder, Jr. known to all as “Papa Bud” or “Buddy Junior” went to be with Lord and Savior on October 29, 2021. Papa Bud passed peacefully at the age of 82 years young.
He was born September 3, 1939 to Walter L. Schroeder, Sr. and Ethel Mae (Boyd) on their Family farm in Minco. The family moved to Okarche when he was about 4 years old to continue farming west of Okarche.
He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche where he began his early education at St. John’s Lutheran School, later transferring to Okarche Public School. He was very active in sports, FFA and many of the activities that a small town offers.
After graduating from Okarche High School in 1957, he worked briefly on the railroad before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1958. After completing boot camp in San Diego, California he was sent to Norfolk, Virginia to attend Class A Radioman School at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia. He graduated at the top of his class. He received special assignment to the CINC South NATO Base, Naples, Italy. He was stationed on the USS Sarsfield DD 837 Destroyer. His service was extended in Italy because of the Berlin and Cuban Crises. Bud was honorably discharged after serving 4 years, 8 months, and 12 days in the United States Navy.
Bud married his high school sweetheart, Carol in 1971. Together they blended the yours, mine and ours children into “our” family. Bud was an electrician by trade and worked for Seagate retiring after 32 years.
He enjoyed fishing, living on the farm and following all the kids to livestock shows and sports activities. Bud and Carol moved to Kingfisher in 2003. Bud was an avid walker and enjoyed visiting with neighbors along the way.
Bud is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol; daughters, Jacki Castonguay and husband Darin of Kingfisher, Betsy Jones and husband Nick of Portland, Oregon Becky Spoutz and husband Ray of Canal Winchester, Ohio, Diane Duffy and husband Clinton of Dover and Debbie Fussell and husband Mike of Piedmont; son, Tim Schwarz and wife Rhonda of Okarche; nine grandchildren, Dusty Edsall and his family of Piedmont, Anthony Duffy and his family of Piedmont, Brandon Duffy and his family of Kingfisher, Garrett Schwarz of Houston, Texas, Dalton Schwarz of Okarche, Madison Castonguay of Kingfisher, Logan Castonguay of Kingfisher, and Brie Glenn of Canal Winchester, Ohio; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters, Loretta Brock of Wakomis, Carol Kolhen and husband Darrel of Okarche, Kathleen McGallen of Okarche, and many nieces and nephews.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ethel and one brother, Tom.
Funeral Services were Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche with burial following at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Okarche. Pastor Joel Heckman officiated the services and under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, the family request a remembrance be made to Center of Family Love, Okarche, Oklahoma or St. John’s Lutheran Church, Okarche.
