Gerald Shurtleff Budge

Gerald Shurtleff Budge, 87, died on June 23, 2024, at his home in St. George, UT. Gerald was born on May 25, 1937, in Rexburg, ID to Helen Shurtleff Budge and Rulon Rushton Budge. On the day of his birth, his dad drove through town with the windows down, shouting, “I have a boy!” Gerald and Rulon’s close bond was a touchstone of Gerald’s life. Rulon, a much-loved teacher and coach, took Gerald along to his games and the two spent many hours playing sports, fishing, and exploring the wilds of Idaho. Gerald lived most of his life in Burley, ID, where he made lifelong friends and met his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Ruth McBride. In high school, Gerald was a diligent student and accomplished athlete, lettering in basketball, football, baseball, and golf. He then attended Brigham Young University, cementing his love of BYU sports. After marrying Ruth on March 15, 1956, in the Salt Lake City Temple, Gerald and Ruth moved to Chicago where Gerald attended Northwestern University Dental School, graduating with a D.D.S. degree in 1961. While in Chicago, they welcomed their first son, Scott, in 1956. In 1962, while serving two years at an Air Force dental clinic in Minot, ND, their daughter, Leslie, joined the family. Their third child, David, was born in Burley, ID in 1968. Gerald ran a thriving family dental practice in Burley from 1963-1994. During his career, he served in all offices of the Idaho Dental Association. He was also President of the Idaho Association of Dentistry for Children and a founding Board Member of Delta Dental Plan of Idaho. In 2008, Gerald used his dental skills to treat patients during a humanitarian mission trip to Peru with Leslie. Gerald had a special affinity for the outdoors and loved spending time fishing and exploring in the Tetons and Sun Valley. At the urging of then-thirteen-year-old Leslie, he picked up skiing in his forties and the two spent nearly every winter Saturday hitting the slopes together. He continued to ski well into his seventies. Gerald was a student of history and greatly enjoyed traveling to Europe in his later years. He was a meticulous trip planner and those who traveled with him enjoyed the way he made trips feel safe and effortless. In all things, Gerald always took diligent care of those he loved. After retiring to St. George in 1996, Gerald embraced his new home, golfing often, taking frequent hikes, and delighting his grandchildren with visits to hidden slot canyons. He and Ruth spent nine years serving as ordinance workers in the St. George Temple. Gerald then served an additional two years as Temple Recorder. Throughout his life, Gerald was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, fulfilling many callings with his characteristic integrity. Gerald is survived by his wife Ruth, daughter Leslie (Dave), son David (Nicole), ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his sister Marilyn and brother Steven. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joyce, his son Scott, and his granddaughter Zoe. Services will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel located at 1610 North Dixie Downs Road, St. George, Utah with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. He will be interred at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, Idaho on July 8, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Services are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah.

Gerald Shurtleff Budge

May 25, 1937 - June 23, 2024