Lawrence Edwin (Bud) Balser passed from this life on Friday, August 26, 2022 at the age of 92. Bud Balser was born March 1, 1930 Ripley, West Virginia to the late Rosa Lee Balser and John Henry Balser. He graduated from Ravenswood High School in 1948 and entered the Air Force in September of that year.

He trained in aircraft maintenance, and his subsequent assignments as a mechanic supervisor span the small single engine pilot trainees to the modern jet fighters, cargo, and bomber aircraft. His duties took him to Newfoundland, Portugal, the Azores, Korea, Japan, Okinawa, England and Spain.

Senior Master Sergeant Balser, received Korea's highest decoration awarded a foreign, living military man in 1958, while serving as crew chief flight engineer on an aircraft flying high officials attached to the United Nations in Korea.

He was awarded the Air Force commendation medal in 1965 for His outstanding performance as a flight chief assigned to an Aerial Refueling Squadron and upon retirement, was awarded a second commendation medal for his work as chief of Lockbourne's Quality Assurance Division. M/Sgt. Balser retired from the Air Force after 22 years Federal Military Active service.

Sgt. Balser married Patsy Joyce Hulen of Lubbock, Texas in Clovis, New Mexico in 1951. They had three children: Larry Balser and daughter- in-law Linda of Wichita Falls, Cecelia Grussendorf of Dallas, and the late Scott Balser of Pennsylvania. After retiring from the military, the family Moved to Vernon, Texas and purchased O'Neal's Jewelry Store. Sadly, Pat passed away in 1995, and Bud retired from Balser's Jewelry on June 8, 1996 after 27 years.

Once retired from Balser Jewelry, Bud found love with Gail Iman. In June of 1997, they were married, adding another chapter to his life. Gail brought with her, Audra Whitworth Burgess and Peyton Iman bringing his children to five. Bud and Gail have spent many years of love. They have taken trips and adventures to Ohio, Fort Worth, and Indiana. They together have been devoted to church projects and weekly meetings or dinners with friends. Bud and Gail loved to garden, and share their love for the Lord. But there is more! Bud's family at the Herring Coffee Shop. They have had too many laughs to count and told way too many stories, always being there for each other.

A few of Bud's Vernon accomplishments include: Charter Member of Vernon Crime Stoppers, President of Boys & Girls Club of Vernon, President of Vernon Lions Club, President of Crime Stoppers, Secretary of J. Carl Smith Sunday School Class at First Baptist.

He loved to fish, fish, and fish! Bud deeply loved his grandchildren: Lori Phillips, Lauren and Matt Grussendorf, Alek and Henry Whitworth, and Brooklyn and Addison Iman and great granddaughters Madeline and Savannah Phillips.

Services will be Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 10:00am at First Baptist Church with Mike Klappenbach officiating. Interment will be held at Wilbarger Memorial Park under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made to Texas Lions Club Crippled Children Camp at Kerrville, Texas.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.sullivanfuneralhomevernon.com