James Philip Christensen, 90

James P. “Bud” Christensen, age 90 of Coeur d'Alene passed away Saturday morning July 3 in Post Falls. He was born and raised in Idaho Falls, the son of Albert James and Nellie (Muchall) Christensen. Following graduation from Idaho Falls High School in 1938, Bud attended the College of Idaho for one year before matriculating to the University of Idaho as an engineering student. While at U of I, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.

With the advent of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and received his pilot’s wings and commission in 1944. At this time his U of I sweetheart, Virginia “Ginny” Newton of Spokane, joined him and they were married in Stockton, Calif. Bud was assigned further training in multi-engine aircraft and was a pilot on B-17 and B-29 bombers. After his discharge from the Air Force, he and Ginny returned to the U of I and he received his bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering in the spring of 1947.

He was hired as an engineer by Interstate Telephone Company in Moscow and later in Spokane. That led to an outstanding career with General Telephone and Electronics (GTE) in Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, North Carolina and Texas. During his tenure with GTE, Bud served as president of the midwest and southeast regions; retiring as group vice president of GTE’s service corporation at Dallas where he was responsible for several GTE operating companies. Bud was elected to the University of Idaho Alumni Hall of Fame, was a member of Coeur d’Alene Rotary, First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d'Alene and was a registered Professional Engineer in several states.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ginny, son, David, and daughter, Janet. Bud is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John and Shirley Christensen of Dallas; two granddaughters, Karla (Christensen) and husband Brad Cook of Dallas, and Katy Christensen of New Orleans; two great grandchildren, Kaden and Brinly Cook of Dallas; a sister, Margery Christensen Wolf of Great Falls, Mont.; and a brother, Robert Christensen of Tempe, Ariz. He was a talented man of great faith and compassion who touched the lives of many people for good.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday July 6, 2010, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel. Please visit Bud's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.