Fremont Charlemagne Gault Jr.

April 30, 1932 – October 18, 2020

Fremont (Bud) Gault

Innately competitive, with a heart of gold, Fremont “Bud” C. Gault lived and loved his life to the fullest.  Bud passed away peacefully at home on October 18, 2020 with family by his side after battling Lymphoma for over a year.  He was born in Spokane, Washington on April 30,1932 to F.C. Gault Sr. and Rhue Allen.  Some of Bud’s fondest memories of his youth were of growing up on Vashon Island.  Bud studied at both Washington State and the University of Washington earning degrees in economics and mechanical engineering.  He worked as a logging choke setter for Weyerhaeuser while finishing his education.  Following graduation, Bud was employed as an executive at Boeing Airplane Company for over 30 years before he was promoted to grandpa, “Bapa”, in 1994.

Bud always said he was “born to run” and was an ardent runner most of his life.  He ran Track at both Lincoln H.S. in Tacoma, WA as well as at WSU.  Bud was very proud of his personal best mile time of 4 minutes 17 seconds. In Bud’s own words, “Could I have done better?  Probably, but as a result perhaps I wouldn’t have done something else in my life as well.  My love of sport and particularly running was very satisfying and such a joy.  Remember each moment in life defines who you are.  Track was one of mine.”  He fulfilled a personal running goal by completing the 1990 Goodwill Games full marathon at age 58.

Bud was never one to sit around much and if you were looking for him, the best place to find him was outside.  An avid and talented gardener and outdoorsman, Bud had a natural green thumb and a talent for creating natural beauty through flowers and landscape.  Hiking, golfing and tennis with his lifelong friends Lanny, Dave and Arne were among his favorite experiences.

When he wasn’t working in the yard, he could always be found on the sideline of a sporting event.  An accomplished youth soccer coach of his daughters’ teams later translated into passionate cheering of his six grandchildren at their sporting events.  Putting competitions with the grandkids vs. Bapa were a regular occurrence.  He passed his love of sports and outdoors on to his daughters and grandchildren! He led them on hikes and adventures over the years.  Whole family trips to Herron Island in the Puget Sound and Sunriver, Oregon provided invaluable and cherished memories.

On the rare occasion Bud was indoors, he enjoyed studying genealogy and was a history buff always reading books and watching documentaries.  He loved sharing his knowledge with his extended family instilling a constant inspiration to never stop learning.  His mentorship, strength and passion for living life were greatly admired by his entire family.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Virginia Calhoun-Gault, three siblings as well as his wife of over 48 years, Rosalee.  He is survived by his three girls and their families: Jeri, Clarke, Connor and Carson Olson of Clovis, California, Judi, Jackson and Madison Stumpf of Snohomish, Washington, Traci, Dave, Colton and Natalie Rose Carroll of Bothell, Washington, as well as his spouse Charlene Gramling-Gault of Kennewick, Washington.

Bud’s final resting place will be at the Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor, WA with Rosalee.  Donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or any Gardening Society to honor his memory.