Norris Wayne ‘Bud’ Alexander
Funeral services for Mr. Norris Wayne “Bud” Alexander, age 83, of Dubach, will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston.
Burial will follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Bud was born to J.C. and Doris Alexander in Hilly, Louisiana, in 1939 and was one of five children.
He attended Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University where he received his B.S. degree in 1962 with a triple major in Social Studies, English and Physical Education.
Bud received a Master’s degree in Science and Physical Education in 1964 and completed his Plus 30 in 1984.
At Louisiana Tech, he was a member of the football team as their kicker. Bud earned the name “Golden Toe” and held a Tech kicking record for many years.
He was interviewed by several pro teams at the end of his college career but decided to teach and raise a family in Ruston. Bud married his high school sweetheart Louise Youngblood in 1959, and they went on to have two children, Gregory Wayne and Jan Elizabeth.
He always loved serving in his church. Bud served as the music director at Emmanuel Baptist Church for almost 20 years until he was forced to retire for health reasons.
As an ordained deacon, he was currently a member of Temple Baptist Church where he taught an adult Sunday School class and, for a several years, was able to sing in the choir.
Bud had a beautiful singing voice and through the years had sung at numerous weddings and funerals as well as at special church presentations.
He worked at Ruston High School from 1962 to 1973 where he taught American History and Old Testament history and coached football and track. Bud was loved by students and faculty alike and was affectionately called “Coach Bud.”
Many former students can give testimonies of his ability to make both American and Bible history come alive, and he was known for his ability to motivate students that sometimes couldn’t be reached by other teachers.
Bud became Assistant Principal in 1973 and served in that capacity until 1978 when he became principal of Simsboro High School where he served until 1983.
From 1983 to 1987, he returned to Ruston High and to his first love which was teaching history.
Bud always had a big garden, and his joy was giving away vegetables and homemade jams to friends, medical staff, Sunday School members, church staff and anyone else who happened to cross his path at picking time.
The garden was his happy place, and he spent untold hours tilling and planting and weeding and picking.
Bud was also a talented carpenter, a skill he passed on to his son, and he and Greg spent many hours together building room additions, decks and furniture.
His greatest joy, however, was in his children, grandchildren and great- children. Nothing made Bud happier than to spend time with his family. He spent many hours with his boys hunting, fishing, building or just talking.
After the love of his life died in November of 2020, he spent his hours studying his Bible, drinking coffee on the front porch, visiting with friends and loving on his remaining family.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life Louise; son Gregory Wayne; and granddaughter Emmy Claire.
Bud is survived by his daughter Jan and husband Rowdy; daughter-in-law, Faith; brothers, Earl Alexander and wife Pam and Charlie Alexander and wife Margaret; sisters, Dianne Williams and Pam Carrico and husband Larry; grandchildren, Dustin Alexander, Daniel Alexander and wife Jenny, Landen Yates, Lawson Yates and Levi Yates; greatgrandchildren, Garner, Grayson and Ella; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dustin Alexander, Daniel Alexander, Landen Yates, Lawson Yates, Levi Yates, Jim Alexander, Cory Williams, Kyle Williams, Matt Alexander, Andy Griffin and Allen Carpenter. Honorary pallbearers are Billy Belding and the Adult 1 Sunday School class men.
Bud Alexander was a man who loved his Lord, who loved his family and who lived with integrity and conviction. “ Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Visitation was held from 12:30 until 2 p.m., Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the church. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www. owensmemorialfuneralhome. com.
