Former Arkansas Senator Bud Canada Passes Away

Former Senator Eugene "Bud" Canada died Monday, December 21, 2009 in a local Hot Springs, Arkansas hospital. He was 84 years old.

He had been suffering from various ailments over the past two years and his health had rapidly declined. He had been in the hospital for quite some time and his death was expected.

Canada had been a member of the House and later on the Senate for a long time. He started his career in 1959 and did not retire until 2000. He only retired then because of term limits. Even though retired, he was still an active force behind the scenes for issues close to his heart.

One issue he fought for a long time was getting the reduction on the grocery sales tax. He wanted it completely eliminated, but was happy in 2007, when Governor Mike Beebe signed a reduction in the tax. Canada felt that a grocery tax was just an extra burden on those poor and already struggling to make ends meet.

Canada was well known around Hot Springs by everyone. Those that knew him or just briefly met him were always put at ease with his relaxed disposition. He was well known for listening to what the common man said.

His funeral service will be 2:00, Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at Hot Springs Baptist Church at 144 Weston Road in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens on Highway 70 West. All arrangements have been handled by Gross Funeral Home. Tributes can be made on line at www.grossfuneralhome.com.

Sources:

Channel 7 News: http://www.katv.com/news/stories/1209/689442.html