Cover photo for Herbert Claxton Ladd's Obituary
1934 Herbert 2020

Herbert Claxton Ladd

May 7, 1934 — November 23, 2020

Portage

Herbert "Bud" Claxton Ladd passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2020 at the age of 86 years old. He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to the late Marlow and Phyllis (Ryan) Ladd. Bud grew up in the Upper Peninsula in the Sault Ste. Marie area being raised by a strong Irish mother alongside his two brothers. Bud graduated from Sault High School and started his post-secondary education at Sault Tech. He spent his summers working on the ore carriers that traveled The Great Lakes. Bud joined the Army during the Korean War and after his honorable discharge returned to college at Eastern Michigan University to earn his teaching degree secondary education in mathematics. He later pursued his masters degree in mathematics at the University of Michigan, becoming a life-long Michigan Wolverine fan. Bud taught at Pierce Middle School then at Grosse Point North High School for a total of 33 years. He was "that" math teacher with the corny jokes and the same bulletin board for all his career. Before starting a family, Bud spent his teaching summers enjoying auto racing and creating many fond memories and mischief with his racing friends at places like Elkhart Lake, WS. He also spent much of his time back up in the U.P. with the Ladd family.

Bud raised his children, Kevin and Michelle, in St. Clair, Michigan where he was a special part of the community. Bud attended all his children's sporting events and was a member of the St. Clair Rotary Club. He was known for his skilled and fast driving, being a simple man and always content with what he had, and attending every high school basketball game. Bud's kids were the light of his life and it was evident how proud he was of them and how much they meant to him. He prided on Kevin going to U of M and Michelle going to MSU and being divided by the two, he would say "I loved U of M but had more fun at MSU".

Bud retired and moved to "God's Country", back up in Bay Mills, in 1995. He enjoyed every minute sitting on his deck with his coffee or his pistachios and a cold beer, welcoming any visitor that came by. In retirement, Bud enjoyed his days at the casino and his loving group of friends, the "Bay Mills Babes". The BMBs routinely had dinner at The Cozy on Sundays, breakfast at the Casino on Wednesdays, and many social events in between. He loved boating and pioneered the "two beer float". Bud's favorite pastimes were watching Big10 Sports, especially University of Michigan basketball, and enjoyed watching Formula 1 on T.V. Bud was known for his perfect grilling of a steak and will be remembered for his particularities, habits and routines. For the last several years Bud was able to live with his daughter Michelle and her family in Portage and enjoyed being able to create many lasting memories with his grandchildren. He became a regular "date" to Michelle and made a lasting impression to people he met. Throughout his life, Bud had a way of making all feel at ease sharing his innate kindness and love for small talk.

Bud was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Ladd, his parents, and brothers Marlow Ladd and Ron Ladd. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle (Robert) Jaros; daughter-in-law, Kelly (Ladd) Hearn; grandchildren: Nolan, Ryan, and Lauren Jaros and Kori Ladd; and several special cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in honor of Bud to Heritage Community of Kalamazoo or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

Personal cards or condolences can be mailed to Michelle Jaros at 8921 Austin Ct, Portage, MI 49002.

Please visit Bud's tribute wall to leave a condolence, personal message or memory of him at https://www.langelands.com

To order memorial trees in memory of Herbert Claxton Ladd, please visit our tree store.

Guestbook

Photo Gallery

Visits: 81

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree

Send a Card

Send a Card