Joseph 'Bud' Howard Paulson

Joseph 'Bud' Howard Paulson (84) was born on May 15, 1941 in Williston, ND to Joseph C and Evelyn A (Shipman) Paulson. He passed from this life on April 13, 2026 at his winter home in Cordes Lakes, AZ. His was an idyllic countryside upbringing, riding his bicycle and pony Nubbins, with his trusty Cocker Spaniel Inky, by his side. The family moved into town so he could attend school in Williston. He finished high school at Shattuck Military Academy in Fairbault, MN. He started college at NDSU, but transferred to University of Arizona to escape the harsh ND winters and graduated with a degree in Ag Chemistry & Soils. He started his family with Sara Ledahl in 1964, returned to NDSU for his masters degree in Ag Econ and moved to Cincinnati, OH, where he worked for Ralston Purina. On his own in 1972, he moved to AZ where his parents had retired and began a career working for various agencies within Arizona state government. He became the State Chemist in 1982 and finished his government career as the director of the Structural Pest Control Commission. In 1978 he married Kathy Neminich, adding a third daughter to his family. In 1995, his third marriage to Janet Bessey, resulted in adding a fourth daughter. Bud & Janet moved back to ND in 2004 and purchased a farmstead within ten miles of where he grew up. Family was extremely important to Bud. He kept up with his aunts & uncles and multible cousins via crosscountry visits, telephone calls and visits to the family compound in ND. He thoroughly enjoyed the country life, especially hunting upland birds, with pheasants being his favorite. In 2012, he & Janet decided to split their time between ND & AZ and became snowbirds in the Cordes Lakes, AZ area. Bud is preceeded in death by his parents, Joе & Evelyn Paulson, sister Teddy Jo Overley, and one granddaughter. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Janet Bessey-Paulson, daughters Sara (Gerald) Figal, Nashville, TN, Jennifer (Derek) Roudebush, Cincinnati, OH, Catherine (Reggie) White, Alexander, ND & Katherine (Brendan) O'Connell, Inver Grove Heights, MN. Two nephews, Kurt (Maria) Overley, Spain & Mark Overley, Puerto Rico. Ten grand children, two great granddaughters and five grand neices & nephews. There will be a celebration of life service on May 2 at 2pm in Tempe, AZ. The service will be held at Lakeshore Bible Church. There will also be a celebration of life gathering in Alexander, ND in July

Joseph 'Bud' Howard Paulson

May 15, 1941 - April 13, 2026