Lavern Owen Fuller
Lavern Owen “Bud” Fuller, 90, of Medina, went to be with the Lord on Mon., Feb. 10, 2020 at United Memorial Medical Center, with his loving children by his side.
Born on Aug. 4, 1929 in Buffalo, N.Y., he was the son of the late E. Laverne and Dorothy (Puff) Fuller.
Bud graduated from Medina High School in 1947. He had a fascination with airplanes and took flying lessons at the Marshall Road airstrip as a young boy. He received a commercial private pilot’s license at age 16, and he was part owner of a Piper Cub plane. Bud was drafted into the United States Army in December of 1952. He was stationed at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas, where he served as an armored personnel vehicle operator. It was here he met the love of his life, Doris McMahan, at the Army post rollerskating rink. They were married on July 12, 1953 and returned to Medina, and Bud took a job as a welder at Harrison Radiator in Lockport. He retired in 1993 after 40 years. While raising six children, Bud also worked part time repairing radiators at Walt’s Garage, building pole barns for Agway, and harvesting cabbage with Smith Farms in West Shelby. In addition, he was a dedicated Boy Scout leader of Troop 33 in Shelby Center, and he enjoyed trips to Camp Dittmer each summer.
Bud was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Parish who attended Mass regularly each Sunday. He loved golfing, gardening, birdwatching, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his old-fashioned campfires with marshmallows roasted on homemade sticks. Bud loved spending time at his cottage on Lake Ontario, which he built with lumber from his father’s farm, and he and Doris also spent winters in Myrtle Beach for many years.
He is survived by his six children, Michael (Susan) Fuller, Gregory (Diane) Fuller, Steven (Linda) Fuller, Cheryl (Russell) Cree and Marguerite (Jonathan) Sherman, all of Medina, and Christopher (Melissa) Fuller of Columbus, Ohio; a brother, Paul Fuller; and sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Menz and Dorothy “Dottie” (Edward) Hellwig. He was blessed with 15 grandchildren, Amy Herman, Katie Crooks, Matthew Fuller, Timothy Fuller, Andrew Fuller, Mark Fuller, Meghan Fuller, Kayla Rosenbeck, Tyler Evans, Lucas Evans, Nathan Sherman, Nicole Guild, Tiffany Cree, Hailey Fuller and Brooke Fuller; and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly. Bud is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by his aides, Felicia, Stacey, Jackie and Steph.
He is predeceased by his loving wife, Doris; sister, E. Barbara Draper; brother, Robert Fuller; brothers-in-law, Merle T. Draper and William Menz; and sister-in-law, Patricia Fuller.
Relatives and friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 14 at Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St., Medina NY 14103. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 15 at Holy Trinity Parish/St. Mary’s Church, 211 Eagle St., Medina NY 14103, with the Rev. Daniel J. Fawls celebrating.
Military honors will be accorded at the end of Mass by members of Lincoln Post #1483 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Butts-Clark Post#204 American Legion.
Bud will be laid to eternal rest next to his wife, Doris, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Shelby.
Donations may be made in his memory to East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, 5021 East Shelby Road, Medina NY 14103; or to a charity of one’s choice.
Please light a candle or share a memory of Bud at www.bogantuttlefunerals.com.
