Collin "Bud" Gerrells

Collin "Bud" Gerrells, 89, of Eddy Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away August 7, 2011 at Carlsbad Medical Center. Memorial services are scheduled for Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 10:00 AM, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Boyd officiating. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Collin "Bud" Gerrells was born February 14, 1922 at the X-Bar D family ranch near Queen, NM to pioneer family Collin G. and Eula (Thayer) Gerrells. They moved to Carlsbad shortly after his birth. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1939. Bud went to Texas Tech until joining the US Army Air Corp. during WWII. He was a navigator in a B-17 in the 708th Bomb Squadron. Bud's plane was shot down over Germany in May 1944 and he became a POW for eleven months. After returning from the war, he worked for PCA. Bud married LaVerne Goad November 15, 1947 here in Carlsbad. He joined his father in the family business in 1950. Bud operated Collin Gerrell's Men's Store until retiring in 2000. He cherished the many friendships he developed with both employees and customers. Bud spent his leisure time playing golf and reading civil war history. He was an avid baseball fan, and a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and of B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #1558. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Helen Brunt and brother Walter Gerrells. Survivors include his wife, LaVerne Gerrells; daughter: Marsha Doss and husband, Dick of Carlsbad, NM; son: Richard Collin Gerrells and wife, Carol Cole of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren: Christopher Drapala, Danielle Mathis and husband, Matt, David Gerrells and wife, Erin, Amanda Gerrells, Kelley Cartwright and husband, Brody; great grandchildren: Jeffrey and Collin Mathis, Reagan and Avery Cartwright; sister: Mildred Pregenzer of Albuquerque, NM. Memorial contributions may be made to Landsun Homes Caring Hands Fund, 2002 Westridge Road, or charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.