KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Friends, family and members from Keesler Air Force Base gathered inside the Sablich Center Auditorium Oct. 31, for a room dedication ceremony in honor of George Budz.
Budz served as the director of business operations at the 81st Contracting Squadron when he passed away Aug. 3, 2018.
“I was here when he was our squadron commander, and then our director of business operations,” said Davina Davis, 81st CONS acquisitions flight chief. “When I became the flight chief, he became my direct supervisor and that’s when we got closer. He was a good guy and was always willing to help everybody.”
Budz had a long history with Keesler, where he served as the 81st CONS commander, the 81st Mission Support Group deputy commander and worked nine years in civil service after he retired as a lieutenant colonel.
“He had so much contracting and life knowledge, and he was always willing to share that with all of us,” said Davis.
There are many things his friends and family have missed since he passed away. Most of them have said the same thing: they miss being able to ask for good advice.
“It’s been hard since he passed,” said Paul Budz, George’s son. “He was such a big part of my support structure and for me it’s hard because I always went to him and asked for his experience in college and to get his perspective.”
During the ceremony, the room was filled with laughter as friends and family members told some of their best memories with Budz.
“I had to hold back tears during the ceremony,” said Paul. “It’s honestly crazy hearing people talk because all of the ways people described him really characterized my dad.”
While they never expected a room dedication for Budz, his friends, family and coworkers all felt honored and proud.
“I’m very proud of my dad,” said Paul. “It just shows that my dad was not only a really hard worker, but he was a good person. That’s what’s really special.”