Arthur Forrest “Bud” Petrich, also known by many as “Art”, was born Feb. 28, 1925 in Houston, Texas, the first son of Arthur Henry and Forrest Aline Cockburn Petrich.


He was cherished by proud grandparents, uncles and aunts. A sister, Charmaine, soon joined the family in 1928.


During the tough economy of those days the family moved north to Wyoming in 1933 to work in the oil fields. They lived in Byron for several years. Brother John was born in 1936 in Lovell. The Petrich family lived in Lamont for a time where Bud and Charmaine boarded in Rawlins to attend school. Bud graduated from High School in Rawlins, Wyoming in 1942 as there was no school to attend in Lamont.


Bud rough-necked in the summer from the age of 15, and after high school until he was drafted into the service in 1943. He began working as a young boy and stayed in for the long haul, showing leadership on the job and in the army. He served during WWII in the US Army Infantry 69th Division as Master Sergeant. Bud was involved in the heavy action in Europe and was discharged in 1945.


He attended college at UW for a year on the GI bill until he was recalled to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri to train troops going to Korea during the Korean War.


Bud was the big brother that Charmaine and John were so proud of as he served in the trenches and across a hostile German territory. He was truly a soldier of the great generation, never in the headlines, but forever in the hearts and memories of his family and friends, his fellow soldiers and those who worked with him as he built from scratch a thriving business.


He didn’t boast or even talk about his achievements, his experiences or even the medals he earned. He willingly accepted life’s responsibilities and always challenged himself to find new opportunities for his family, his friends and his business. He took his family to the oil fields of Kuwait and saved his earnings to start the business that continues to be a mainstay of the surrounding area, providing employment and security for many families and most of all, by his example, brought his sons and grandson into the real world of hard work. He asked a lot of himself and of others, but gave a lot of himself in exchange.


In 1952 he married Anne Lucille Alexander. Four sons were born into the family: Chad Martin in 1953, Allen Todd in 1954, Troy Michael in 1956 during the time they lived in Kuwait working in the oil fields, and Gary Eugene in 1960 after they returned home to Byron. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren.


Bud and Lucille owned and operated and leased out the Byron Bar for several years until it was sold to new owners in the 1970s.


In 1957 Bud and Ed NeVille started the NEPECO service company in Byron. Ed sold his share of the business to Bud some years later and the business is still operating today. Bud served on many school boards and various other councils throughout his life. He was part of the B.I.G. organization. He was a member of the Shriners of North America and a Mason.


His success in business helped him be able to contribute much to the community, encouraging and contributing to the local athletes, scouts, Lions and countless others. His company also gave much to the building of the church in Byron.


Bud liked to take his dog buddies on rides in his little red truck. JJ and, later, Angel would run along in the sand hills while Bud rode along side in the truck. They always wanted to be where he was. Bud’s health has been deteriorating for the last several years and it became necessary for him to move into the New Horizons Care Center in Lovell earlier this year. He passed away late Wednesday evening, Sept. 3, 2008, in Lovell.


Bud was preceded in death by his parents and wife Lucille. Survivors include: sister Charmaine P. Bailey; brother John D. Petrich (Christy); his four sons; three grandchildren, Jeanie Petrich, Andy Petrich and Victoria Vorce (Dustin); two great grandchildren, Zoie and Tucker; and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.


Services were held Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 in Byron, at the LDS church with burial in the Byron Cemetery. Haskel Funeral Home in Lovell was in charge of the services.