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In memory of

Joseph Robert Budai

McMinnville, OR, USA

September 1, 1943 - December 27, 2018

Sep 1, 1943 - Dec 27, 2018

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Joseph Robert Budai was born September 1, 1943, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to Stephen and Anna Budai. His only brother, Billy, passed away as a child. Joseph was a man of
impeccable integrity, and lived his life to the highest standards. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961, and was honored to be assigned to the U.S. President’s service in 1963. He remained there until completing his tour of duty in 1966.
He and his wife, Patricia, moved to her hometown of McMinnville, Oregon, where they had two sons, Christopher and Jeffrey. Joseph began as a police
officer with the City of McMinnville in 1967, and then changed to Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office in 1971, where he stayed two years. He also continued his education, achieving a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Portland.
In 1973 he moved his family to Forest Grove, Oregon, where he became a mainstay of the Forest Grove Police Department for 27 years. He worked
his way through the ranks, completing his tenure as Assistant Chief. During that time changes occurred in his family life, and he later married again in 1992.
True to his Hungarian ancestry, Joseph had a lifelong desire to travel the country. He and his wife, Gail, chose to retire in 2000 and take to the open road. They traveled full-time in their motorhome for thirteen years, crossing the country several times,
and spending winters “park hosting” in Oregon State parks. They settled in McMinnville in 2013, where they lived until his passing on December 27, 2018.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Gail; son Christopher, of Albany, Oregon; son Jeffrey and wife Jennifer, of Columbus, North Carolina; stepdaughter Kelly McCraw, of Banks, Oregon; and step-son Corey McCraw and wife Valerie, also of Banks. He was also very proud of his five grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 1 at St. Francis Church in Roy, lunch to follow.

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