Charles "Bud" Withrow, Jr.60, formerly of Dunbar, and currently from St. Albans, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

As everyone who knew him would say, Bud always lived his life his way and made no compromises when it came to what he thought was right. In his own words, he lived a "charmed" life having had the best parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends a man could ever ask for. He had been with his longtime girlfriend and later wife, Kim, for over 30 years and they loved each other dearly until the end and now beyond. Their love went beyond themselves, having rescued over 30 strays animals, including their current brood, cats, Cosmo, Blue and Daisy and their "baby", dog Toy.

He was a 1973 graduate of Dunbar High School and had remained friends with everyone he knew throughout the years. Bud was always the one you could count on for anything whether it was moving, a household repair, a death, a birth, an illness or any sign of trouble. You could depend on Bud. If you asked Bud who was his best friend, he would say it was his dad, Charles "Buddy" Withrow, Sr. who predeceased him along with his mother, Barbara Withrow, both lifelong and beloved residents of Dunbar.

He is survived by his wife Kim, cousins Brenda Marshall, Barbie Marshall, Tammy and Danny Anderson and their kids and grandkids, Todd and Melissa Whittington and their son Jacob, Cathy and Mike McCarty and their kids and grandkids, H.R. Whittington, Dee Osborne, all still living in the area, Aunt and Uncle Judy and Damon Bird of Indianapolis, Indiana, and cousins in Ohio and Kentucky.

Bud had many many friends which included a group of guys that he had known all his life who were still as close as ever including Ray Corder, Ralph Jones, Ron King, Steve Pitman, Stanley Clark and Mike Combs of Cape May, New Jersey and their wives, kids and grandkids.

Bud was employed by the law firm of Spilman, Thomas and Battle in Charleston for over 28 years. He was most proud of the "best legal supply room" in Charleston and the firm has plans to put up a plaque in his honor in the near future. He thought of everyone at the firm as family and was loved by all.

Always the dare devil with an infectious laugh, his friends will remember that on a bet, he bungee jumped from a crane in the Hooters Parking Lot and he loved everything high adrenalin including wild rides, lightning storms, driving fast and just generally anything most people would consider scary. Bud was an avid sports fan and a natural athlete. The first time he put on snow skis, he just took off, like a pro. In school he was on the wrestling, baseball and football teams and loved to play golf, tennis and was on a bowling team with his buddies for many many years. If you wanted to have a fun party, you invited Bud!! He always laughed that he was picked as best dancer in Junior High School!!

Recently, Bud who always loved music and was a lifetime rock and roller, had begun to have interests in other types of music which as of late included Frank Sinatra. He particularly loved the song "When I was 17" and played it the last day on this earth, His favorite lyrics of that song are fitting to end this tribute to this very special man: "And now the days are short....I am in the autumn of the year....and I think of my life as vintage wine in fine old kegs.....from the brim to the dregs.......it poured sweet and clear.........It was a very good year.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 1 at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. Joel Harpold officiating.

Friends may call 2 hours prior to the service at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bud's memory to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier St.  Charleston, WV 25311.