Buddy was born in Macon, Georgia. After high school, he began work for Western Electric Company, staying with the company through the “baby Bell” mergers, and ultimately retired from AT&T.
He then began a second career of what Buddy called “piddling jobs” that kept him busy over the next couple of decades, making pick-ups and deliveries around the metro Atlanta area for everyone from law firms to construction suppliers. Buddy loved a good project. He always had a project or two going around his home. Buddy never met a problem that he couldn’t solve.
Buddy and his wife Freeda traveled extensively during their 68 years of marriage. They enjoyed trips to Israel, Hawaii, Germany, Jamaica, and Italy, among many other destinations. No destination was more important to Buddy than Orlando where he quenched his thirst for all things Disney.
Buddy was married to his wife, Freeda Ryals for 68 years. He called Freeda “the best decision I ever made.” They were active members of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for decades.
Buddy was also a proud member of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, Free and Accepted Masons. He was an Emeritus member.
He is also survived by nephews Charles “Chuck” Crouse (Sally), Barry Gammons (Beth), Kenny Dalton (Debbie), and nieces Christi Fisher (Greg) and Cheryl Traylor (Alan) and Cindi Mitchell (Tom).
Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service, at H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel, Sandy Springs, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026 with the funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m., with Bryant Wright presiding. Burial will be at noon at Arlington Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Right from the Heart, Marietta, GA, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church or Shriner’s International, where Buddy served as a member for decades.
