Clarence “Bud” R. Lance, age 89, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, February 3, 2018, at Fairview Ridges Hospital, Burnsville, MN. Bud has been a resident of Prior Lake, MN, since 1976.
A private family interment honoring Bud’s life will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, with military honors.
Bud was born on September 23, 1928, in Birmingham, Missouri. He was the son of William C. Sr and Charlotte (Broomfield) Lance.
Graduating from Missouri High School in North Kansas City, Missouri, Bud immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served with Marine Aircraft Group 31 of the First Marine Airwing, until his discharged. Bud then became an employee of New York Life Insurance Company, where he retired in 1986 after 38 years with the company. Bud was called back by the Marine Corps, during the Korean War and served with the First Marine Division both in Korea and Japan. He was a life member of the Prior Lake V.F.W. Post 6208.
For about 20 years of Bud’s career with New York Life, he operated a part-time tax preparation service. After retiring for New York Life, Bud continued the tax service until 2001, at which he turned the business over to his youngest son, Alan and fully retired.
Bud loved music. He often said that when the movie industry quit making the big musicals, Bud quit going to movies. He enjoyed all music and if Bud did attend a movie, he would listen to the background music and more often than not, could not tell you anything about the movie itself.
On April 15, 1961, Bud married Lathelle Kennedy, and they have been married for 56 years.
Bud has a grandson, AJ, and a granddaughter, Samantha, for whom he loved dearly, and in his eyes they could do no wrong. Bud never missed a single event, be it birthdays, sports, or concerts, and he would always wear a special Baseball Cap with that grandchild’s picture on it for whatever the occasion. Bud would do anything for his grandkids; this fact was never more evident than in his final hours, when he fought off death for one extra day so that he would not pass away on Samantha’s birthday, February 2 nd .
Bud is survived by his wife, Lathelle; sons, William F. Lance and wife Dawn and Alan R. Lance and wife Lynette; grandson, Alan “A.J.” R. Lance Jr; granddaughter, Samantha J. Lance; six nephews; one niece and friends.
There to greet Bud home are his parents and brother, William C. Lance Jr.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Lance family.
www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
