Earl John “Bud” Gilmartin, Jr., president of Commercial Creamery Co., Spokane, Wash., passed away. Visitation will be held June 16 from noon to 5:30 p.m. with Vigil Rosary services beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Hennessey Funeral Homes & Crematories.




Earl John “Bud” Gilmartin, Jr., president of Commercial Creamery Co., Spokane, Wash., passed away.

In 1933, Gilmartin purchased Gold Medal Dairies from Kraft Foods, and in 1948, purchased Commercial Creamery Co., where he became president and added manufacturing plants in Afton, Wyo. (1973); Jerome, Idaho (1977); and Louisville (1986).

Gilmartin also started several other companies with partners, including an egg business headquartered in Hong Kong and a flavor business headquartered in New York. He served on Gonzaga University Board of Regents, his alma mater, as well as many boards having to do with the food industry.

Gilmartin was preceded in death by his parents and his three sisters, Bette, Dorothy and Jeanine. He is survived by his wife Judy, two stepchildren, Randy (Martha) and Laura Inman (Todd) and four grand stepchildren. He is also survived by his former wife Sue, six children, Grady, Michael (Lupe), Earl III (Barbara), Peter (Cindy), Marc, Megan Boell (Gary), 16 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Four of Gilmartin’s children and three of his grandchildren now work at Commercial Creamery.

Visitation will be June 16 from noon to 5:30 p.m. with Vigil Rosary services beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Hennessey Funeral Homes & Crematories. Following the Vigil Rosary, a wake will be held at a family members’ home. Mass of Christian Burial will be June 17 at 1 p.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church with committal to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bud Gilmartin Fund at Gonzaga University, Attn: University Relations, 502 E. Boone Ave. Spokane WA 99258.

To leave a condolence or for more information, go to www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.