Dec. 3, 1944 – April 28, 2007
Melvin Raye “Bud” Toland, 62, of Sweet Home, died April 28, 2007 at Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville.
He died doing what he loved, driving his log truck. He suffered a major heart attack on April 28 while driving his truck near Sheridan. He made sure that he didn’t put anyone else in danger by pulling his big rig off to the side of the road.
Mr. Toland was born Dec. 3, 1944 in Salem, the son of Marvin and Phyllis (Westinghouse) Toland. He spent his younger years in Lyons and later moved to Junction City. He graduated from high school in Junction City in 1963, where he was a star catcher on the baseball team. He married Patricia Lytle in June of 1964. They later divorced. He moved to Lebanon in 1971 where he lived until moving to Sweet Home three years ago.
Truck driving was his passion. He also enjoyed the outdoors and loved all animals. He especially enjoyed watching the ducks in the pond on his property in Sweet Home.
He is survived by his daughter: Sandi Frame and her husband Jim of Brownsville; sons, Craig Toland and his wife Kirsten, and Ron Toland, all of Albany; six grandchildren; sister, Sherry Swan of Salem; his mother, Phyllis Simpson of Salem; his favorite uncle: Ward of Lyons; two nephews, and numerous cousins.
Mr. Toland was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Toland, on March 6, 1992.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Huston-Jost Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, at the funeral home.
Private burial will be at Rest Lawn Memorial Park in Junction City.