John Ellis “Buddy” Broadnax Jr.

Buddy was born in Athens, Georgia to Mrs. Agnes King Broadnax and Mr. John Ellis Broadnax on October 23, 1938. He attended high school at Athens High and graduated in 1957. He went on to earn a degree in Business from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. While attending the University of Georgia, he served as the Vice President of the Gamma Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order, a record holder for the UGA Track and Field team, and an active member in the ROTC. It was at UGA where he met the love of his life and their future began.

After graduation, Buddy joined the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant in 1961. He spent one year in Greenville, South Carolina before being deployed to Goose Bay, Labrador. During this time, he married his sweetheart, Jenny, in June of 1962.

The newlyweds then returned to Athens, Georgia where Buddy worked in sales for Hannah Bat Company. Following this, he worked as the Vice President of Sales at Wilkins Industries before purchasing Davis Sign Company in 1988.

Upon retiring in 2008, he enjoyed building model airplanes, reading about Porsches, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Throughout his adulthood, he was actively involved in Gridiron, City Club, Georgia Letterman's Club, the Athens Country Club, Fresh Sign Hunt and Fish Club, and Crackers Running Group, as well as, a devout lifetime member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He also served as the Chairman of the Downtown Planning Commission for 10 years.

Buddy was an avid Bulldawg fan his entire life as a native Athenian. But above all else the greatest joys of his life were his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Even throughout nearly 19 years of unrelenting illness, Buddy “Boo-Boo,” never lost his mischievous grin, cheerful charisma, entertaining humor, and firm handshake.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jeanette Frakes “Jenny” Broadnax of Athens, Georgia; son, John Ellis Broadnax III (Amy) of Athens, Georgia; son, Christopher Moore “Critter” Broadnax (Nicole) of Athens, Georgia; son-in-law, James Charles “Pete” Brown Jr. (Elizabeth Anne) of Hartwell, Georgia; brother-in-law, Hugh Howard Stillman of Atlanta, Georgia; eight grandchildren: James Charles “Chase” Brown III (Maggie), Marymargaret McKay Brown, Jeanette Parker Brown, John Ellis Broadnax IV, Mae Denise Broadnax, Christopher Bourne Broadnax, John Griffin Broadnax, Talmadge Covell Broadnax; and one great-grandson, Finnan Michael Brown; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Agnes King Broadnax; father, John Ellis Broadnax; daughter, Elizabeth Anne Broadnax; and sister, Agnes Broadnax Parker.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 20, at 2:00 p.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Katie Bradshaw officiating, and a reception to follow. There will be a private family burial in Oconee Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Athens Y Camps, P.O. Box 8, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 498 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.