LaVern Buchanan Puddy
July 23, 1931 - December 24, 2024
A dynamic fighter to the end, LaVern Buchanan Puddy lived life on his terms—and everyone knew it. He was an architect, pilot, boxer, and hardworking entrepreneur who would just as quickly shrug and say, “But what do I know?”
Born in 1931 to Raymond Harold and Ada Mae Puddy, LaVern grew up on a farm in Twin Falls, Idaho with two brothers and propelled himself through college on a boxing scholarship. He graduated from WSU in 1954 with a BA in Architectural Engineering then married Frances Cresswell, the love of his life, the next day. He would say he knew as soon as they began talking that she was the one. He said, "she fit like a glove", perfectly. LaVern and Frances moved to Nebraska where LaVern served in the US Armed Forces. Ultimately, they settled in Seattle to build their life and family.
Over the next 50 years, LaVern and Frances would build and manage apartment buildings across Magnolia and Queen Anne. Their legacy and purpose in life was raising four quirky, smart and beautiful children: Lisa Michele, Raymond Scott, Linda Lucile and Paige Marie. Skiing, skydiving, competitive pinochle nights, tailgate parties in the front yard or the endless hours tinkering with tools as children played underfoot were a few of the hallmark stories that their walls might tell.
They proudly shared that they were the only Puddy listed in the Seattle phone book, and anyone was welcome to drop by. Those who did never forgot them.
LaVern took immense pride in caring for his family and lived by a steadfast belief in loyalty, ethics, and doing the right thing—often delivered with a mischievous smirk and a quippy one-liner. The outpouring of love and parade of visitors in his later years were a testament to his role as a mentor, father figure, and cherished friend to many.
At age 93, he passed away peacefully in his home, completing a life lived beyond measure. He was preceded in death by his wife Frances, and his four children, Lisa, Scott, Linda and Paige. He is survived by six grandchildren Sarra, Megan (Jordan), Stephanie (Bruce), Amanda (Sam), Joshua and Zachary, as well as five great grandchildren.
We will forever think of him high in the skies, waving from a Beechcraft Bonanza or twin-engine Beechcraft Baron.
A memorial is scheduled for 11 AM on February 23 at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery to be followed by a reception at noon in the Palisades Magnolia Room. All friends of the Puddy family are welcome.
Christina Hill
Director of Sales and Marketing
Pacific Publishing Company
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Queen Anne & Magnolia News
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