Floyd “Bud” Johnson, Plymouth, passed away Friday, April 17.

Johnson made his dramatic entrance on Dec. 13, 1927, in the small town of Donaldson.

Born with fiery red thick hair to Luther and Lila (Larsen) Johnson, Bud would grow into that fabulous hair as a mischievous little boy who enjoyed pinching all the pretty girls in school. His knack for trouble eventually led a teacher at West High to assign him, as punishment, to memorize “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe. Bud would gladly tell this story and then proceed to recite that very poem with great ease and enthusiasm for years to come.

He would continue his boyhood shenanigans with the assistance of his siblings: Betty (Dusty) Rhodes; Russell William “Bill” (Carol) Johnson (deceased); Charles Duane (Ruthann) Johnson (deceased); and Betty Lee (Guy) Snell. No matter Bud’s hijinks, he remained the apple of his dear grandma Alma’s eyes.

Bud enjoyed adventure but he also had a sense of duty. He begged his father to let him enlist in the military at 17, but with the agreement that Bud would finish high school first. He did so and often bragged that he graduated 10th in his class at West High in 1945. He would wittingly add later that it was out of a class of 10 students.

Bud joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. He was later stationed at Ernest Harmon Air Field in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada from 1945 to 1947.

After returning from the service, he saw a young lady, a classmate of his two younger brothers. She instantly caught his fancy. Too shy to ask her out, he got a friend to do it for him. Shirley Mae (Gritten) declined his earlier offers but it wasn’t long before she fell for his boyish good looks and his Scandinavian charm. They were married a year later in a small ceremony on Nov. 4, 1948 and had a 66-year love affair. They remained doting partners and teammates until his death.

Soon after they were married, Bud and Shirley added players to their team, their children: Vicki (Larry) Miller; Susan (Michael) Guljas; Jeff (Kim) Johnson; and Terry Lyn (Kim) Johnson. Bud was proud of his brood, taking them all to different places and sharing with them his love of camping, fishing, but most importantly, his deep affection for the Chicago Cubs. It was rare he missed listening to a game on the radio or watching them on TV or at Wrigley Field. Bud was the forever Cubbie optimist and was sure that every year was the year his Cubs would win the World Series.

Soon his original players multiplied into a full team with the addition of grandchildren: Jennifer (Corey) Rusk; Frederick “Joe” (Allison) Guljas; Trisha Miller; Terina Miller; Scott (Cristina) Johnson; Stephanie Johnson; John Guljas; Amber Pittman; Starr McMahon; and Stacey Johnson and his great-grandchildren: Michael; Morgan; Bryce; Hannah; Blake; Haylee; Jerica; Chayla; Allyson; Lila; and Reece.

Bud was a dedicated worker at the Ford Motor Company and proudly drove his favorite brand. For thirty years Bud traveled to his job in Chicago Heights, Ill. and back to his home in Plymouth, but he always had time to go to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s ball games, soccer matches, swim meets, and musical and theatre performances. Bud was their biggest supporter.

He always had a hanky in his front pocket, a comb in the back, and his wallet buttoned in.

Bud’s famous prime rib and his prize elephant garlic made his family come running.

After his retirement, Bud and Shirley spent a lot of time traveling together, camping all over the United States and cruising the Caribbean.

To the jealousy of his Indiana relatives and friends, as they were buried up to their armpits in lake effect snow, Bud and Shirley would perfect their tan on the shores of Key Largo. Together they spent 19 winters where Bud would deep sea fish in the warm waters off the coast of Florida.

Bud adored many things and would often prefer the children’s table to sitting with the adults. He had a whimsical manner and would make each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren feel special, even up until the end.

We know that Bud is saving all of his Bud’s Cubs a seat at a future game in which we will all join him again and proudly sing a very enthusiastic Harry Carey rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch at the Big Baseball Game in the sky.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the Van Gilder Funeral Home, Plymouth. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Calvary Lutheran Church, Plymouth. A military burial will be held at New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.

Memories may be shared at www.vangilderfuneralhome.com.