John Budzak

John Budzak Sr joined his wife in heaven on March 23, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Lorraine, his parents Joseph and Mary Budzak, brother Joseph Budzak and Daughter Cathy Hill. John is survived by his sister Barbara Podnar, children John (Tracie) Budzak, Terri Soliz, Barbara Budzak and James Hill. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Melissa, Jessica, Matt, Salina, Breanna and Sarah and three great grandchildren Jake, Willow and Benjamin.
John was born in Florence Wisconsin on March 28, 1937. Once he graduated from Florence High School in 1955, he joined the US Air Force and was stationed at McChord AFB where he met his wife Lorraine on a blind date. John was discharged from the USAF in 1959 and was employed by the Federal Aviation Agency (later Administration) in Salt Lake City Utah. In 1964 he returned to Washington State where he worked in the Regional Enroute Center located in Auburn. In 1970 he transitioned from being an Air Traffic Controller to an Automation Specialist helping to automate the Air Traffic Control System. In 1975 he accepted a position in Honolulu where he developed further automation. After two years, John and his family returned to Washington State where he worked at Sea-Tac Airport. He retired from the FAA in 1984 and went to work as a contractor until he retired in 2004. He spent the rest of his years in Puyallup, WA.
John was extremely active is community. He was a member of the Puyallup Lions Club for just over 51 years. In that time, he helped a myriad of people in the community from feeding those in need, serving on the Sight Foundation, recycling eyeglasses and many other projects. He also assisted the local foodbank in picking up and delivering donations from vendors to be distributed to those in need. He also made monetary donations to dozens of charities. John was an active member of All Saints Parish. He made sure his children went to All Saints School for their education. He was a silent servant.
John had many friends in the community. He was a mentor to many people, a father to more than his own children. Many people were affected by John’s kindness and understanding.
Service to others was very important to John but so was taking care of his family. He was the primary care giver to his loving wife Lorraine, he worked in his garden and had several projects over the years like building toy boxes and cradles for his grandkids, or building a TV from scratch. He loved to cook and helped Cathy with her Christmas baking for years.
The family asks in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in his name either to St. Francis House in Puyallup or the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). Due to the current crisis services will occur on a date yet to be determined. We look forward to celebrating Johns Life with his family and friends soon.