Bud was born in Carbon County, Utah on March 1, 1945 to John and Sophia Critchlow. He was a lifelong resident of Price, one of the last of a dying breed of Utah cattlemen. Bud was raised, alongside his cousins, in the wide-open spaces of Utah riding horses, branding cattle, chasing dogie calves, and running the mountains. He will be long remembered amongst the best of men as a faithful husband, loving father, child-spoiling grandfather, uncle, son, cousin and best friend.  Those who knew him as a rancher, farmer, coal miner, horse breaker and soldier have legendary tales about who he was and how he lived – wildly, simply and with a sense of justice and humor unmatched by another human being.

In the late 1960s, Bud was found by a shy, industrious, and beautiful animal lover, Cherie Fiack. Cherie rescued Bud, as she would have any other stray, and took him in as her life-long friend and companion. They married in November 1967, and Cherie spent the next 56 years trying to tame her wild cowboy.

Before settling down with Cherie, Bud did a short stint in the Army when he was drafted during the Vietnam Conflict. Bud was a skilled hunter and marksman, so he was tucked safely behind a desk in Germany where he couldn’t hurt anyone for the duration of his service. Bud was discharged honorably, on a hardship discharge, when his father was injured and the family needed him to return home to run the ranches.

In December 1968, Bud and Cherie welcomed their first son, John David. Another son, James Brian, soon followed in September 1970. From the time they could walk, Bud took his sons to the farm where he and his brother-in-law, Dave Cave, raised a pack of feral boys into fine men, including his nephews Russell and Robert Cave.

Nine years later, Bud and Cherie were blessed with a daughter, Christy Lynn. Christy softened her dad in all the best ways.  Christy was always a source of pride for Bud. She inherited his work ethic, graduating from college, becoming a teacher, and working hard to help support her family during difficult times. Bud was an excellent provider for his family and he made sure his children obtained their college education.

In the mid-1980s, Bud and Dave sought to improve the family property and built two cabins.  These cabins remain a place of solace and family gatherings. Bud supported his family by working underground in the coal mines of Carbon County.  Over his life he went through many hobbies – camping, hunting, fishing, hot rods, photography, painting, leather working – to name a few.

Bud is survived by his wife and family, Cherie Critchlow, John and Monica Critchlow of Spanish Fork with their sons, James and Noah; Christy and Marc Malenfant of Colorado Springs and their sons, Ryan and Matthew. He is also survived by David and Mildred Cave of Price and their children, as well as his sister, Lynda Varner and her sons.

He was preceded in death by one son, James Brian, who died in 1990, and his parents John and Sophia.

A special thanks to Dr. Gagon, Parkdale Health and Rehab, Heirloom Inn and Symbii Home Health and Hospice for the compassionate and unwavering support.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home in Price where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service.  Burial will follow in the Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Bud online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net