Raymond Clough

Raymond "Bud" Clough passed away on the morning of January 21, 2022, at the age of 91, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He passed peacefully at home in Salinas, surrounded by his wife, daughter, and two of his granddaughters.

Bud was born on April 11, 1930, in Watsonville, California, to Orville Wyman and Viola Valentine (Wallace) Clough. He attended Watsonville High School and joined the United States Air Force at the age of 21 during the Korean War. Shortly before leaving for the Air Force, Bud married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Papac on January 6, 1951 at St. Patrick's Church in Watsonville.

Together they raised 2 children, Raylene and Michael, and quietly celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary earlier this month.

Bud attended basic training in Wichita Falls, Texas. After training he was stationed at Highland Falls, New York, at West Point Military Academy, where he and Mary Ann lived until 1953. During his time with the Air Force, Bud received the National Service Award. While most of us don't know what he did while in the service, we do know that it was a defining part of his life that he was incredibly proud of.

After honorably discharging from the Air Force, Bud came back to California and worked as a prison guard at Soledad Correctional Facility for 14 years. He then made a career change and became a truck driver, working for California Motor Express, ICX, and finally for Henningson's Trucking until his retirement in 1985. When retirement got too boring, he spent some time as a part time bank courier, giving him an entire route of people to talk to with every shift.

A man with many talents, Bud was well known as a master barbecuer, an ocean fisherman, a perpetual volunteer, and the undeniable king of garage sales. He was a member of the Salinas Elk Lodge, as well as Native Sons of the Golden West, and would barbecue by special request for groups and social events throughout the county. Over the years, Bud's barbecue talents were enjoyed at the Salinas Rodeo, multiple Girl Scout Camps, the Salinas Airshow, and most famously at the Elk's monthly "Rib Nite" that he chaired for many years.

He had an incredibly quick wit and could pull a sarcastic comment out of thin air when you least expected it, and he never met a stranger. People were naturally drawn to him, and he always had a story to tell anyone that would listen. His garage sales were legendary, drawing dozens of hobby fisherman who always wanted to see what great gear Bud was parting with. Over the years he raised cockatiels, lovebirds, finches, and even rescued a brain damaged pigeon that he affectionately called "Dingy."

Over his lifetime, Bud battled 3 different cancer diagnoses and outlived every prognosis that he was ever given. That shouldn't have surprised us though, as he was never one to let anyone (other than Mary Ann) tell him what to do.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Viola Clough, as well as by his brother, Jerry Clough. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Ann, as well as daughter Raylene Clough, son Mike (Phyllis) Clough, and granddaughters Melissa (Artie) Gross, Sara (Frank) Smythe, Ashley (James) Alexander, and Amber Haviland. Bud also leaves behind 8 great grandchildren, and countless other loved ones, too plentiful to name.

Graveside services will be held at Queen of Heaven Cemetery at 18200 Damian Way in Salinas on Thursday, January 27th at 2:00pm, with a reception ("Bud's BBQ") to follow at the Salinas Elks Lodge at 614 Airport Blvd. in Salinas. All who knew and loved Bud are welcome to join us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Salinas Elks Lodge #614 or to the Native Sons of the Golden West, Castroville Parlor, in Bud's memory.

Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.

Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com

Published in The Pajaronian · January 27, 2022