James E.J. Brunsgaard of Natchitoches passed away Dec. 24, 2015 at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City, a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. A WWII Veteran, he joined the U.S. Navy immediately after high school in 1943. As a flight engineer and gunner on a PV2 anti-submarine aircraft, he served in the Pacific based at Tinian Island patrolling in support of the B-29s based there. After the war ended, his squadron was sent to Alaska along the Aleutian Islands to as he put it, “to keep an eye on the Russians.” “Bud” Brunsgaard was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. Dec. 2, 1926. Four years later his family moved to a dairy farm near Emlenton, Pa. where he worked the farm. He went to school in Emlenton and lettered in football and basketball. After his naval discharge, he attended University of Pittsburgh, then Penn State and graduated first in his class. His career included hotel and hospital administration in Miami, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, New York City, Birmingham, Rochester, Minn. and Hastings, Minn. Bud earned his MBA while working in Washington. He retired in Seminole, Fla., then moved to Natchitoches. Bud married Carol Foley in 1951 while working on his degree. Their children include Kathy Carter of Natchitoches, James Brunsgaard III of Rochester, Minn., John Brunsgaard of Rogers Ark., Mary Beth Brunsgaard of Red Wing, Minn., and Anne Brunsgaard of Nagaoka, Japan. Jim and Carol have nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Pat Smith and Eleanor Wells, both of Melbourne, Fla. An active Episcopalian, Bud was a member of Trinity Parish Church. He enjoyed pitching in to help his parish, his friends and his neighbors and he was never afraid of work. Alzheimer’s robbed us of several years of his companionship and good advice. He’s now at peace, and we don’t need to fret about him anymore. We know he died aware his family was around him. Among his last words were, “I love you.” Memorial Services are set for Jan. 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Parish Church, 533 Second Street in Natchitoches. In lieu of flowers, make donations in his memory to S.A.M.S. (Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders) P.O. Box 399 Ambridge, PA 15003 or online at samsusa.org/content/ give or make a scholarship gift to the Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony at Northwestern State University.