- April 26, 2024
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Ormond Beach resident and founding president of the Volusia Region Antique Automobile Club of America, Charles O. "Bud" Pike Jr., died on Monday, Sept. 10 at age 79.
Originally from the Boston area, Pike was a former professor at Daytona Beach Community College and a General Electric employee who made Ormond Beach his home with his wife, Andrea. They were married for over 54 years and raised three children: Kerry Pike-Hayes of Ormond Beach, Kellie Pike-DeLamerens of St. Augustine, and Kory Pike of Lake Mary. Pike will also be remembered by his six grandchildren, including Caley Hayes of Ormond Beach, who relayed her grandfather's life story to the Ormond Beach Observer.
What once was a personal hobby for Pike became a family-wide tradition, with over 30 cars in the family. Hayes said whether Bud was towing a car home to restore, build or start from scratch, he created a unique and lifelong tradition. He built a 1929 Model A Firetruck for Hayes when she was just four years old, nicknamed "Caleyville." She and Pike would enter it into the Gaslight Parade each year, which Pike helped kick start in the city thanks to his automobile club.
That would later lead to the antique car shows, which have been held for the past 50 years. He also took a major part in the Turkey Rod Run. Pike was also the founding president of the Crankin A's local chapter of Model A Restores Club International.
The Pike family have attended St. Brendan's Catholic Church for over 50 years, where Pike's wife Andrea was an avid volunteer.
"It’s no doubt Bud and Andrea were a hardworking, dedicated family to preserving not only the history of our world, our town, but to prove and give hope that true love and good people are still left in this world, especially during a time we all need a small reminder," Hayes said.
During his battle with stage four lung cancer, Pike had Hayes tape a note to his wall for him to read everyday. It read: "It’s not about the Destination, it’s about the Journey.” His wife Andrea died on Sept. 10, 2016, exactly two years before the day Pike died, "almost like they had a pact to go together," Hayes said.
"A true 'The Notebook' style romance," she said. "Andrea just giving Bud a couple more years with his cars, and especially his family that he loved so much, and this town."
