Charles Edward "Buster" Pluid

Charles E. “Buster” Pluid passed away Friday, January 2, 2009 of heart failure. He was born May 28, 1933, the eldest of six children to Frances May Huffman and Charles Thomas Pluid in Eureka, Montana. Being over 10 lbs. at birth, his great grandmother, Hannah Jane Thomas, nicknamed him “Buster” which continued his whole life. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00am on Thursday, January 8, 2009, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with Bishop Chuck Newhouse officiating. Interment will be in Port Hill Cemetery. Buster’s family moved several times in his early years living in Troy, Mt.; Deer Park and Elk, Wa., finally settling in Boundary County where he attended school and graduated from BFHS in 1951. He and a group of his buddies joined the Naval Reserves during their senior year in high school. When the boys shipped out, Buster had to stay behind due to his second bout with rheumatic fever. After several months of recuperation, he bought his first log truck and went to work. Buster learned to be a logger from his dad. His career in timber included years with his dad and brother in the industry, before he ventured out on his own as a logging contractor. He taught logging to his own sons, three of which followed in his career choice. His work in timber was primarily in northern Idaho and western Montana, but also included several years in southeast Alaska. Buster loved the freedom of working in the mountains and open air. His final years of work were spent behind the wheel of his logging truck and he continued to haul logs until he was 72. Buster made the best decision of his life when he married Carol Baker on Jan.11,1953 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Together, they raised their 8 children primarily on a west-side farm in Boundary County. The family treasures memories of their early adventures here. Buster worked as a logger by day and farmed in his spare time. The family memories included hiking the hills, pig pen rodeos, black bear invasions, swimming, skating, snow-mobiling and many other countless experiences. Buster was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in August of 1959. Through this association he spent the rest of his life serving others in many capacities. Some of his formal positions and responsibilities included: Bishop of the Bonners Ferry congregation; High Counselor in the Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint Idaho Stakes; Patriarch of the Sandpoint Idaho Stake, and Ketchikan and Juneau Alaska Districts. Dad and Mom were able to touch many lives through their service to the Lord and His Church, which gave them great joy and satisfaction. Dad’s greatest joy was being surrounded by his family. Holiday gatherings, Sunday afternoon family dinners, daytrips to the mountains for picnics and fishing were all regular memorable traditions. Buster had the ability to make every grandchild feel as though they were the most important person in the world. Of all the names or titles he was known by, grandpa was his favorite. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Sharon; his brother Raymond Charles; his parents, May and Charlie; and his infant grandson Andy Munns. He is survived by Carol, his wife of 56 years; his children Ron and Becky Pluid of Bonners Ferry; Debbie and Doug Munns of Rexburg, ID.; Larry Pluid of Rathdrum, ID.; Tom Pluid of Bonners Ferry; Patti Florea of Longview, WA.; Kim and Jim Callahan of Phoenix AZ.; Dan and Angie Pluid of Williston, ND; Edward and Stephanie Pluid of Big Piney, WY.; a wonderful posterity of 36 beloved grand-children and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear brother and hunting companion, Bob and wife Ina Pluid of Moyie Springs; and cherished sisters, Esther Phoenix and husband Jim of Laramie, WY; and, Janetta Dudley of Colstrip, MT., and half brother Mike and wife Lisa Pluid of Bonners Ferry, and many loving nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to sign Buster’s online guest book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.