Buzard

George William Buzard, 72, of Sun City West, Ariz., passed away Oct. 1.

He was born in Mars, July 13, 1936, to George H. and Melzena (Thieleman) Buzard.

He entered the U.S. Navy at an early age, served as an admiral's writer and administrative officer, and retired as a senior chief in 1984.

After his long Navy career, he worked as an office manager for AIRFASC in Canton, Ohio, and at Equifax Services of San Diego, Calif. His final career was at the U.S. Post Office Remote Encoding Site in Glendale, Ariz.

His strong, fleeting fingers flew across the keyboard at a dizzying rate of speed, whether on a manual typewriter or computer. He had a fondness for computer programs and loved doing his Sodoku puzzles. Coffee always was his drink of choice and fishing his sport.

He maintained his strong faith in God throughout his life, and he was a longtime member of the Calvary Lutheran Church of San Diego, serving as everything from acolyte to usher. He was a lay minister on several of the ships on which he served.

He leaves behind his bride of 44 years, Alma (Plott) Buzard; daughter, Suzanne Larson (Craig) of Tuscon, Ariz.; daughter, Judy Black of San Diego; son, Russell E. Balmer (Marie) of Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Mary Esther (Walter) Sutter of Kileen, Texas, and Freda (Tom) Shaw of Mars.

His quiet strength, honesty, integrity and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

<B>BUZARD </B>— A memorial service for George William Buzard, who died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at <B>Camino del Sol Chapel</B>, Sun City West, Ariz.In lieu of flowers, please send donations in George's name to the American Cancer Society or to the animal charity of your choice.