Persimmon Cemetery

Mutual, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Thank You For Your Service!

Rufus Franklin "Bud" Leach

December 7, 1933 - October 12, 200

Rufus "Bud" Leach, 74 year old Mutual resident, died Sunday, October 12, 2008 in the Seiling Nursing Home after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008 in the First United Methodist Church of Woodward with Melvin Rittenhouse and Reverend Jeff Ralston officiating. Interment will be in the Persimmon Cemetery, southwest of Mutual. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

Rufus Franklin "Bud" Leach Jr. was born December 7, 1933 in Woodward, Oklahoma to Frank and Besse Lou (Chamberlain) Leach. He was reared in the Mutual area and attended Mutual schools, graduating from Mutual High School in 1951. Bud enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to Mutual to continue farming and ranching. Bud was united in marriage to Ilene Sage and to this union Bart, Bret and Kelly were born. Bud was a bare back rider and rode bulls on the rodeo circuit full time for a number of years. Bud was united in marriage to Sheryl Gardner and the family was further blessed with Brett Wayne, Amber and Tim. They made their home on the farm outside of Mutual. Bud worked in the oilfield for over 50 years, working for Rine Drilling which later became Triad Drilling. He continued working in the oilfield as a Tool Pusher until he retired in 2001.

Bud raised paint horses and enjoyed hunting coyotes with his greyhounds. He was always proud of his garden. Bud loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Bart Leach and wife Jamie of Stroud; Bret Leach and wife Dana of Oklahoma City; Kelly Tucker and husband Kent of Midwest City; Brett Wayne Leach and wife Britt of Anchorage, Alaska; Amber Hunt and husband J.W. of Weatherford; Tim Leach and wife Margo of Sharon; 11 grandchildren Nate, Logan, and Austen Hunt; Brontson and Brinna Leach; Dawson and Kason Leach; Abigail Leach; Bryant Leach; Isaac and Mariah Tucker; two sisters, Jane Williams and husband Al of Woodward; Helen Sundstrom of Woodward; one brother Dick Leach and wife Bonnie of Mutual; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Louise Kenneaster and Dorothy Cosgrove and one grandson Isaiah Tucker.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation with the funeral home accepting the memorials.