Burrard Wayne Eddy
January 2, 1940 - March 4, 2016
Obituary
Burrard (Buz) Wayne Eddy was born on January 2, 1940 in Tacoma, WA to Robert & Frances Eddy. He and his sister, Kathryn, spent a number of years living on the family golf course, Foster Golf Links, in Tukwila. The course was built by Buz’s grandfather, George Eddy. In 1951, the golf course was sold and the family moved to West Seattle, where they lived until the early sixties, then moving to Kent’s East Hill.
Buz enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960. After basic training at Fort Ord, CA and specialist training in computers at Fort Monmouth, NJ, he spent his service years at Fort Huachuca, AZ. After getting out of the service, Buz worked for Boeing and Seattle First National Bank as a computer specialist. He went back to school and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1971. He became a CPA in 1974 and worked in that field as a non-profit specialist until his retirement in 2009. He shared his talents with students in the Edmonds School District, both being involved in Junior Achievement and in Evening Academy. He also tutored individual elementary school students.
Buz met his future wife, Sharon Owens, in 1972. They were married on June 22, 1973. A son, Douglas, was born to them in 1978 but did not survive. Stephen followed in 1979 and Laurel in 1981. Buz enjoyed his children and spent much time with them as they were growing up. Hiking, board games, golf and Seattle Mariner games were some of the activities he shared with them.
Buz was heavily involved in the NW chess scene from his time in high school until the seventies. He was a tournament director and editor of NW Chess Magazine during that time. He also became involved in the Diplomacy board game community, both locally and nationally. He joined both Rotary and Kiwanis, always wanting to give back. He was a member of Maplewood Presbyterian Church for 42 years, serving both on the Session and the Board of Deacons. He also was involved in a local community theatre group, King’sPlayers. He sang in the church choir, the Windjammers Barbershop chorus and in the Sno-King Community Chorale. He had a zany sense of humor and was very good with shooting off one-liners in almost all situations. He was an inveterate picture taker and had upwards of forty photo albums to show for it.
Buz received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2008 and walked that difficult pathway with a good deal of grace for the rest of his life. He was cared for at home until December of 2015. He then moved to Aegis Living of Lynnwood, where he died on March 4, 2016.
Buz is remembered for his deep and abiding love for his wife and his commitment to his family, his community and his faith. He will be greatly missed by his family and by many other people.
Buz is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon, his son, Stephen, and his daughter Laurel, also his sister Kathryn Miller (Russell), nieces Ielleen Miller and Kelli Peterson, nephews James Owens and Dominique Owens. He was predeceased by his son, Douglas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on March 26, 2016 at Maplewood Presbyterian Church in Edmonds. Call the church (425-778-5248) for details.
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. Jesus promises that we will be able to see our loved ones again at John 5:28,29 which talks about the resurrection hope. What a wonderful hope that will be! May this bible thought bring you comfort at this difficult time.
I knew Buz Eddy at Fort Huachuca in 1962-63. We served in the same company. As the company clerk I had to know all the personnel but he is one of the very few I can still recall, because he was interested in non-mainstream things. I was a fair chess player but I learned a lot about the game from him and moved up a few notches. He had his amateur radio equipment there and showed me how he could bounce a signal off the slightly inclined flat ground 10 miles away to increase the signal range and contact people across the country. I am sorry to learn of his passing and offer my condolences to the family.
To Sharon, Laurel and Stephen…
I am so sorry to read much belatedly the news of Buz’s passing! I knew him as a result of creating a website (16-17 yrs ago) for his Diplomacy records. He always spoke so adoringly of all of you and was SO proud of each of you. I know you must miss him so much, but hopefully find comfort that he is at peace and I am certain was greeted by Douglas and many others who went before him.
Through our work on the webpage he was always patient, kind as he tried to explain the system and the game! (I never did “get it”)
Please accept my heartfelt condolences, belated and weak as they are.