Thomas “Bud” Michel DeGrio passed away unexpectedly on the 21st of December 2024 surrounded by family in Sonora, CA.
Bud was born April 28th 1945 to “Mike” Roland and Margaret DeGrio in San Rafael, CA. In 1948, they moved to Alleghany, a small gold mining town in California, where his father was a mine owner/operator. Bud spent most of his childhood with the men and started working alongside them in the Mine at the age of 11.
Bud attended and graduated school in Alleghany @ a K-12. He attended Sierra College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy at 21. Bud was a US Navy Seal Special Op in the Republic of Vietnam from 1967-71. After Vietnam, he attended the University of San Francisco.
He spent the next 50 years participating in mining and heavy civil projects around the world. Working mining projects in the frozen North and the sweltering jungles of South America. His local mining experience included: Gardner’s Point open pit Placer gold mine (80’s), San Juan Ridge Underground Placer mine (90’s); Design/construction/management of The Bear River hard rock quarry (Hansen Bros.), and several other small underground mines. His last civil project was The San Vicente Dam Raise before retiring from Parsons Corp. in 2012.
After 2012, he continued providing engineering and consulting services and construction management services through his company DECONCO. From 2016 until his death, he was providing Construction management Services to Hetch Hetchy Water and Power. He held an active Contractors License, MSHA Contractors License, California Blaster's License, and several other Operational and Safety certificates.
Bud was a director of Underground Gold Miners of California Museum for over ten years.
Bud is survived by his wife Becky Higgs; Daughters: Melissa DeGrio, Melissa Santos (Syth), Sarah Gordon (DeGrio); Son Thomas Maritz-DeGrio; Sisters: Patricia Russell, Kathleen McGuire. As well as 8 Grandchildren (Brieana, Tanner, Tristen, Kaylee, Hailey, Trayton, Blake, and Alyssia) and 3 Great-grandchildren (Elliott, Emerson, and Everett).
He is preceded in death by his Father Roland (Mike), Mother Margaret, and sister Margaret (Micky).
Bud loved the Lord and his family, the MOST important joy’s in his life! He touched many people in his lifetime and has left a mark on this world. He will be deeply missed, Never forgotten!
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