Edward Lonnie Bud Belz

April 13, 1930 ~ October 26, 2021
Edward Lonnie “Bud” Belz, 91, of Prineville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. There will be a viewing held Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Whispering Pines Funeral Home (3168 NE 3rd Street-Prineville) from 3-7 p.m. There will be a graveside service held Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Camas Cemetery (630 NE Oak Street-Camas, WA) at 1 p.m. Chaplain Keith Belz will be officiating. To light a candle for Bud, or leave an on-line condolence for the family, please go to: www.whisperingpinesfuneralhome.com
Bud was born April 13, 1930, to Lonnie and Lovday Alice (Trotter) Belz in Camas, WA. He graduated from Camas High School in 1948 and went on to pursue a degree in the Arts in Education, at Clark College in Vancouver, WA, graduating in 1954 with an Associate Degree, Western Washington College, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor Degree and then finishing up at the University of Oregon with his Masters Degree in 1959.
During his working years he owned and operated a music store in Camas, WA, named Merry Melody. He was a school teacher for the 6th, 7th and 8th grades for 38 years in the Portland Public School System from 1957-1995. He was also a Park Ranger in the summer season at the National Park, Kalaloch Campground from 1960-1969. He served his country in the US Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War, receiving the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Prineville, Oregon. He was also a member of the Prineville Band of Brothers. As a young man he was an Eagle Scout.
His hobbies included playing and teaching the Accordion, also taught piano to children during the school years, carving trees, rock polishing, cooking all the time and he really loved his bread machine. Bud loved fixer upper houses and had many rentals. He would take his grandchildren on trips to the Coast, Disneyland and various other places. He spent time with Kraig scuba diving, with Keith water skiing, with Kevin motorcycling, with Kirk snow skiing.
Bud is survived by his sons, Kraig (Pat) Belz of Gladstone, OR, Keith (Nancy) Belz of Prineville, OR, Kevin (Penny) Belz in Lihue, HI and Kirk Belz from Enumclaw, WA; his brother, Lloyd (Fane) Belz of Prineville, OR; 11 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Irma Mae (Zettle) Belz; his parents and his sister, Genevieve (Don) Lindgren.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Bud’s name to the Calvary Baptist Church for Operation Christmas Child and the Shoe Box Out Reach through Whispering Pines Funeral Home – 3168 NE 3rd Street – Prineville, OR 97754 (541) 416-9733.