Major Walter F. Hudiburg Jr.

Major Walter F. Hudiburg, Jr., US Marine Corps, Ret., passed peacefully August 5, 2023 at his home in Independence, KS at the age of 84. He was born April 4,1939, to Walter Frederick Hudiburg and Beulah Metz Hudiburg Summer in Independence, Kansas. He graduated from Independence High School in 1956, attended Independence Community College and earned a BA from the University of Utah.

Walter had a great sense of humor and a loud, deep laugh which could be heard across a large room. He loved to golf and participated in many tournaments in the SEK area. An avid creator, he had a passion for woodworking. He made beautiful golf clubs, crafted wooden brain teasers for the grandkids to puzzle through, and utilized his favorite tool, the scroll saw to create an entire Jurassic Park of dinosaurs, toys and amazing 3-D wall art.

Walter loved and excelled at all games, with his favorite being Sudoku. Not a day went by without printing out and solving Crazy Dad’s soduko puzzles. He completed all of the volumes of the series and then started over, saying this daily practice helped keep his mind sharp.

Walter served his country in the United States Marine Corps and retired after 20 years of service. While in the Marine Corps he served two tours in the Vietnam War. During his first tour Walter served as a Forward Observer and in his second he served as the Commander of Battery Guns. He loved his troops and the camaraderie the Marine Corps offered, and had many amusing non-war related stories to tell about his time with them. Walter was a recipient of a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

A member of the local VFW Post 1186 and the Marine Corps League 612, Walter sponsored a fishing derby on his farm pond for the Marine Corps League. It was quite an event and he loved doing it for many years.

He belonged to the sober club and earned his 35 year chip in June 2023, although he always said only the last 24 hours count.

Walter is survived by his wife Linda M. Lewis Hudiburg of Independence, KS, their three children, Dana Conley of Independence, KS, Joleen Medford of Dover, TN, and Walter Hudiburg and his wife Christi (Jones) of Chuluota, FL, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Patricia Hudiburg Wogan and her husband Kert of Shawnee, KS, and Rose Mary Sumner Ludeke and her husband Henry of Hot Springs Village, AR. Walter was preceded in death by his wife Diane Ellis Hudiburg.

Walter was a kind, mild mannered and generous man. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Cremation will take place under the direction of  Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.  Services to be announced at a later date.

The Marine Corps Toys for Tots program was close to his heart. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be sent to:

Marine Corps League 612

Toy Run 2023

PO Box 297

Independence, Kansas 67301

To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrick.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rorick Chapel and Crematory.