Adolfo W. "Bud" Fouga, 90, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 20, 2011 at Vitas Hospice in Memorial Hermann Hospital, finally succumbing to complications from Parkinson's.
Bud was a beloved husband, an honored father, a decorated soldier, a stalwart employee, a cherished grandfather, and a kind, generous soul. He was the level-headed individual in almost any gathering – a guy who could be counted on.
Bud was born June 4, 1921 to Cecilia and Robert Fouga in San Antonio, Texas. As a child and young man, he enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brother Bob, and flying in his best friend's Piper Cub. Like many other young patriots he heeded the call of duty, enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He flew with the 490th Bombardment Group, stationed in Eye, England. In 1944 he saw action in the skies over Europe, twice saving the lives of fellow crewmen when their B-17 was damaged in combat. He finished the war in a POW camp on Germany's Baltic coast, surviving appalling conditions and enduring the pain of a leg broken when parachuting from his crippled bomber.
In 1947, Bud married the love of his life, the former Grace Klein, also of San Antonio. They moved to Austin in 1950 for Bud to pursue a business degree at the University of Texas. Their first child, Steve, was born in 1952, and Bud graduated in 1954. Besides gaining an education that would shape his career, he became a lifelong UT football fan.
Bud, Grace, and Steve next left for Houston, where Bud went to work as an accountant with Fish Engineering. When the opportunity came to join Transwestern Pipeline in 1956, the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. A little more than a year later their second child, Sue, was born. By 1960 Bud was back in Houston with Texas Eastern Transmission Company where he worked the rest of his career. He retired in 1985.
Bud was blessed with three grandchildren -- Maddy, Zach, and Ryan -- who enriched his life beyond measure. He taught them all to fish, as he had Steve and Sue, and enjoyed taking them to their favorite places -- the Kemah Boardwalk, the Butterfly Museum, and Dickens on the Strand. In 1999, he and Grace moved to Katy.
In Katy, Bud formed new friendships with fellow ex-servicemen at VFW Post 9182 and American Legion Post 164. He was also a member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War and the Purple Heart Association. Being able to share experiences with like-minded individuals who had also fought for our freedoms became an important part of his life and gave him great comfort in his later years.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Grace, of Katy; sister Cecilia Miller and brother-in-law Gilbert, of Appleton, WI; son Steven and his wife Suzanne, of Fort Worth; daughter Susan Marnitz and her husband Brad, of Houston; granddaughter Madison Fouga, of Fort Worth; grandsons Zachary and Ryan Marnitz, of Houston; sister-in-law Ruth Nelson of San Antonio; brother-in-law Glenn Klein and his wife DeDe, of Anaheim, CA; brother-in-law Byron Klein and his wife Barbara, of Amarillo; brother-in-law William Klein and his wife Peggy Sue of San Antonio, sister-in-law Carol Klein of Tustin, CA, and a wonderful extended family of nieces, nephews, and their children.
The family would like to thank Charlene Bennett and Nelli Nadjressem for the expert care they provided when Bud was unable to care for himself.
A visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, December 27, at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston. The funeral will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 28, in the chapel at Memorial Oaks. A graveside service with military honors will follow. Guests are invited to a reception at the funeral home afterward.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to VFW Post 9182, 6206 George Bush Drive, Katy, TX 77493.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
December 26, 2011
My condolences to the family of Mr. Fouga. May the God of all comfort provide you with whatever is needed so you can cope with your great loss.
December 26, 2011
heidi vanryzin
Dear Aunt Grace and family, We are so sorry that your much loved husband, father, grandfather has departed. His love and devotion to you all will remain in your hearts and help carry you through this tough time. Our prayers will continue for Uncle Buddy and all that he held dear. Love, Don and Heidi, Ed, Sam, Calvin, and Lily
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