Albert "Bud" William Sue, Jr. of Temecula died Nov. 30, 2008, in his home surrounded by his family. He was 93. Memorial services are private.

A native of Platteville, WI, Al was born on June 22, 1915, the only son of Albert and Clara Sue and the only surviving sibling in the family.

His wife, Mary Malavarsic Sue, preceded him in death by just nine years and one day, Nov. 29, 1999.

Al was captain of the Platteville High School football team. After graduation he enlisted in the National Guard on May 4, 1931, and in the United States Marine Corps on July 17, 1934.

He and his family lived on Marine bases in Hawaii; San Diego; Quantico, VA; and Camp LeJeune, NC. After a 24-year career in the Marines, he received an honorable discharge on July 31, 1958, as a CWO3.

The statement has been made that "there are no ex-Marines." Al Sue was living proof of that. While he rarely spoke of his service during World War II, he was in the First Marine Division stranded on Guadalcanal for six months with no connection to the outside world.

He received a number of commendations. One was for his ability to serve at least one hot meal each day to the troops under dire conditions at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, New Britain and Peleliu.

Another commendation referred to his organization of litter carriers to transport wounded Marines to safety on Peleliu.

Staunchly patriotic, Al raised Old Glory on his front yard flagpole every morning, continuing this ritual as recently as during the last month of his illness.

After leaving the Marines, the Sues moved to their home in Anaheim. There Bud launched a second 20-plus-year career with Anaheim Truck and Transfer. Upon his retirement, he and Mary moved to Temecula, where their home became a neighborhood gathering spot.

Bud continued actively working as handyman and lawnmower for neighbors until well into his 80th year.

Respected and beloved by the neighbors, they honored him by sponsoring a plaque for the Letters From Home Veterans’ Memorial at the Temecula Duck Pond.

Al and Mary Sue, who were married in Dubuque, IA, on Oct. 28, 1938, celebrated their golden anniversary with an all-family trip to a resort on Maui in 1988.

An oft-stated reason for his joining the military was to escape the farm work of his youth. Ironically, Bud was known for the productive gardens he grew at each of his homes, providing an abundance of tomatoes, apricots, lettuce, zucchini and more.

He is survived by son Albert W. Sue III (and wife Marsha) of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter Suzanne Sue Cooper of Rocky Point, NC; grandson Albert W. Sue IV of Nashville, TN; granddaughter Karen Kay Young (and husband Mark) of Clarksville, TN; grandson Kenneth Randall Cooper of Ft. Myers, FL; granddaughter Deborah Cooper Treto of Burgaw, NC; great-grandchildren Wesley Young, Gavin Cooper and Olivia Suzanne Treto; and nieces and nephews and their families.

The family requests that any memorials be donated to a favorite hospice.