Ronald Ray “Bud” Nesbitt, 88, passed away Aug. 19, 2020 in his home. Bud was born in Ozawkie, April 5, 1932, the son of Walt and Myrtle (Metzger) Nesbitt. He married Shirley Jean Harden in 1951 in Ozawkie. They had both attended Ozawkie schools. Their only child, Rhonda, was born in 1953. The family moved to Valley Falls, due to Perry Lake development, in 1955, living on Oak Street until 1978, when they moved to Ferguson Road. Shirley passed away July 2019. Still living on the property is their daughter and her husband, Ed Lindsay.

After graduating from Ozawkie High School, Bud drove a truck for Meredith Trucking. He served as a medic and postal clerk in Japan during the Korean War. After 3 years of self-employed trucking he worked a year in the parts department for Anderson Motor Co. in Valley Falls, 8 years in the parts department at Noller Ford Motor Co., Topeka, 4 years as a truck driver at Baker Quarry, Valley Falls, a year at Valley Falls Water Department, before he retired from Jefferson County Maintenance. He was very proud of his exactness in spreading rock with his truck.

Bud loved animals and always owned cats and dogs. When he was in high school, he was a great pitcher and had an offering to go into professional baseball, but at that time it didn’t bring in much money and he had a family to support. In his younger years he was a great card player, and also enjoyed riding his motorcycle.

He was very accomplished at woodworking, especially the scroll saw. He loved to dance and never missed a Saturday night when his daughter played at the Boling Grange Hall near Leavenworth. Though he wouldn’t admit it, he was a good singer. He never missed any event in which his daughter was involved. He loved being around his family and was very proud of them.

 Bud and Shirley had been married 68 years. He leaves a daughter, Rhonda and son-in-law, Ed Lindsay of Oskaloosa, a granddaughter, Jennifer Dunham, and a great granddaughter Addison Dunham, of Lawrence.

 Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2020 at the Valley Falls Cemetery. Bud will lie in state at the Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Jefferson County Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088. To leave a special message for the family, please visit our website at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.