Charles E. "Buster" Pluid, 75

Charles E. “Buster” Pluid, 75, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, of heart failure.

Buster was born May 28, 1933, the oldest of six children to Frances May Huffman and Charles Thomas Pluid in Eureka, Mont.

Being over 10 pounds at birth, his great-grandmother, Hannah Jane Thomas, nicknamed him “Buster,” which remained with him his entire life.

Buster’s family moved several times in his early years, living in Troy, Mont., and Deer Park and Elk, Wash.. They settled in Boundary County, where Buster attended school and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1951.

He and 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. Buster taught logging to his sons, three of which followed in his career choice.

Buster’s 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. Together, they raised eight 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 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 touched 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, day-trips 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; and his infant grandson, Andy Munns.

Buster is survived by his wife of 56 years; his children Ron and Becky Pluid, and Tom Pluid, all of Bonners Ferry; Debbie and Doug Munns of Rexburg; Larry Pluid of Rathdrum; Patti Florea of Longview, Wash.; Kim and Jim Callahan of Phoenix; Dan and Angie Pluid of Williston, N.D.; Edward and Stephanie Pluid of Big Piney, Wyo.; a wonderful posterity of 36 beloved grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; his dear brother and hunting companion Bob Pluid and his wife, Ina, of Moyie Springs; cherished sisters Esther Phoenix and her husband Jim of Laramie, Wyo., and Janetta Dudley of Colstrip, Mont.; half brother, Mike Pluid and his wife, Lisa, of Bonners Ferry; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 8, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Chuck Newhouse officiating. Interment will be in Porthill Cemetery.

Family and friends can sign Buster’s online guest book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.