Arthur LeRoy "Bud" Tonkyn, 88, Nemo, died Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the VA Black Hills Health Care, Fort Meade.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2012, at the Community Church in Nemo with Pastor Nick Rombaugh officiating. Military honors will be provided by VFW Post 1273. Private family inurnment services will be at a later date.

Bud was born June 2, 1923, at Hanna, SD, to Arthur and Lily (Hodge) Tonkyn. He attended grade school in Hanna and high school in Lead.

Following his education, he served with the 969th Engineers and landed on Omaha Beach. He served January of 1946 and was awarded a five star battle ribbon.

Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the Black Hills. On May 25, 1947, he married Virginia Agnes Kraemer at Rapid City. They lived in Lead and Bud worked for Homestake.

In 1953, the family moved to Diablo, WA, where Bud worked for Seattle City Light Company for the next 27 years as a Hydro Machinist. Following retirement in 1980, the family returned to Nemo, SD.

Bud enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the Diablo community children for 27 years. He also served the Diablo Volunteer Fire Department and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and photography.

Bud was a lifetime member of the Naja Shriners, the VFW, and American Legion.

Survivors include his children, Casey (Chris) Tonkyn, Sedro Woolley, WA, and Cindy Solaas, Nemo; 4 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, two sisters and one son in law.

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