Lloyd G. "Bud" Shuman

Lloyd G. "Bud" Shuman, 79, passed away, surrounded by loved ones, at his home late on Monday, April 18, 2016.

He was born on Sept. 25, 1936, to Evron and Maxine Shuman in Poplar, Mont. He was raised in Wolf Point, where he grew up as the son of the sheriff of Roosevelt County. From high school he enrolled in the Navy, where he played football for the Navy unit and fought in the Korean War. From there, he continued his education at Western Montana College in Dillon. There he became a four-year starter and Hall of Fame football player, which earned him an invite to try out for the Chicago Bears under legendary coach George Halas.

His true passions in life were family, friends and football (in no particular order). When it came to family, he was a true hero in the sense of living life to the fullest. There was no shortage of impact felt in the day-to-day shenanigans in the Shuman household. Whether it be from tormenting his children for a day of education, or letting the family bird loose on his wife.

Brotherly love requires many talents. According to Edna, the eldest sister, he was marvelous in this field. Upon orders from mom (Maxine), he reluctantly took the girls to the movies, where he proceeded to make them walk and sit in the front row. "Mom, he needs a spanking," Edna would suggest.

"I loved him," said JoAnn. "I remember having a deal with him in college, he would get me a date if I did his homework," joked JoAnn. "Needless to say, the homework was for nothing. I met the love of my life on Christmas break, away from college."

The youngest sister, Margaret, spoke of his loving side with tears of joy. Margaret's daughter, Margo, who was born with a disability, was something everyone was unsure about. With a fear of difference, Margo confronted Lloyd with a gentle tap on his knee, and it was game over. "He has never put her down since," recalled Margaret.

Kaden, Bud's first-born grandson, was lucky enough to spend time with his papa before he had his stroke. Bud and Kaden would venture off at 9 in the morning only to return with a fresh haircut, a container of Pringles and a Gatorade.

He was and will always be a huge supporter of the local football teams. For over 15 years he served as a board member and president of Helena Small Fry Football, where he was a major contributor of the mass talent to come out of our Capital City. Boe and Jason, Bud's two sons, want to remind all the youth football players that while they are getting all their equipment in those sheds, to remember Bud Shuman, the reason they get to play the great sport of football in the town of Helena.

He was a member of many organizations through his years. Shriners and Elks Club were just some of the many, but his favorite was the BS Club.

He was preceded in death by his father, Evron; his mother, Maxine; and one son, Rusty Shuman.

He will forever live on through his two sons, Boe and his wife, Kami, and Jason and his wife, Kris; his wife, Judy; three sisters, Edna Songer and her husband, Gene, of Spokane, Wash., JoAnn Miller and her husband, Dick, of Glasgow, and Margaret Thomas and her husband, Jim, of Helena; one daughter, Laurie Davis; five grandchildren, Kaden, Carson, Mackenzie, Lantz and Bearek; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and too many friends to list.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena, followed by a reception.

Please visit http://www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Bud.