James E. (Buddy) Blakeley, 75, after having endured Alzheimer's disease for several years, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, with his family by his side.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elmeady Blakeley Pumphrey.
Buddy is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Carolyn Blakeley, two loving daughters, Angela Reese and her husband, Donald of Panama City and Carol Meeks and her husband Tony of Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL; three grandchildren that filled his life with joy, Tyler Reese, Tanner Reese, and Brittany Meeks; three sisters and their families, Pat Johnson (Ray), Linda Coram (Lloyd), all of Panama City and Dorothy Filippi (Pat) of Newark, IL, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Drs. Kenneth and Margaret Wiggins of Panama City, and many nieces and nephews.
Buddy will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, PopPop, friend, and helper to many. Born April 2, 1938, he spent his life in the St. Andrew area. He graduated from Bay High School in 1957, loved fishing, boating, teaching his grandchildren all about the boats and fishing, coaching little league baseball, and travelling. After high school, Buddy was employed at Arizona Chemical, where he retired after 40 years of service. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club. After his retirement, he began to work on small engines as a hobby. He served in the US Army and the Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Buddy was devoted to his faith, serving as an ordained deacon at St. Andrew Baptist Church and Emerald Coast Fellowship. He loved singing in the choir and being able to serve where needed at the church.
A Celebration of Life with be held 4:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Steve Taylor and Dr. Art Zediker officiating. Family visitation will be one hour prior to service time.
Thank you to the workers at Covenant Hospice Inpatient Care for the gentle and compassionate care of Buddy. You were angels, preparing him for his journey home; God Bless You. As a lasting memorial, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice, Bay County Council on Aging, Emerald Coast Fellowship Building Fund, Clifford C. Sims State Veterans Nursing Home, or the Bay County Animal Shelter. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed at www.kentforestlawn.com .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Wow, I cant believe its been six years already! He was such a sweet, funny man! I think of him every time I mow my yard, about when he came over and had to show me how to use a self-propelled lawn more. I was trying to push it without holding the handle down! Im sure it was one of his funnier blonde jokes..R.I.P, Mr Buddy!! Ill look you up when I get there!!!! Annie Rathje Bailey, ECF Church
Annie Rathje Bailey
Friend
October 2, 2019
Pop Pop I am blessed to have you as a grandad and as a best freind you taught me everything I know today day and we have great memories together I love you pop and I'll see you on Zion when I get there I love you Pop Pop
Tanner Blakeley Reese
May 21, 2014
Pop Pop I am blessed to have you as a grandad and as a best freind you taught me everything I know today day and we have great memories together I love you pop and I'll see you on Zion when I get there I love you Pop Pop
Tanner Reese
May 21, 2014
Mr. Buddy will always remain in our hearts. We will keep the family in our prayers.
Charlotte, Brittany and Dacon (previous neighbors at 1804 Clay)
Charlotte Philyaw
October 13, 2013
so sorry for your loss. Now he's in heaven with my daddy, Oscar Burlison. Teri Burlison Batsford and Lola Burlison
October 11, 2013
Angela, so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Again, please call on me if there is anything you and the family need.
Tom Brim
October 10, 2013
Our prayers are with you, He will be missed dearly. He was the lawn mower fixer, Heaven has received a wonderful ANGEL. Mr Buddy always had a smile.
Jimmy and Kim West
Kim and JIMMY WEST
October 10, 2013
Mr. Blakeley was such a great neighbor to all of us in the neighborhood. We miss him and so enjoyed knowing he was there. We were blessed all those years.......
Love To You And Your Family
Sandra and Jean
October 10, 2013
Ms Carolyn & Angela, I purchased one of those 'small engine' lawn mowers he worked on. he showed me how to use it and got great delight in some of the 'blonde' moments I had when it would not start!!! he was a 'hoot'. Heaven sure gained a good one!!! Prayers for your whole family!
Anne Rathje/Bailey
October 9, 2013
Sending our Love and Deepest Sympathy to a Precious part of our Family, We have so many Happy Memories to sustain us till we all meet again in Heaven. Jeannette, Jimmy, Rene and the Purvis Family.
October 9, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
October 9, 2013
To the family of Buddy - I am so sorry for your loss. Buddy was my supervisor at Arizona Chemical Company for years before his retirement. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely, Diane Batey Brundidge
October 9, 2013
OUR SYPANTHY IS WITH THE WHO;E FAMILY
GENE AND DORA LITTLE
October 8, 2013
Igrew up in a small town in New Hampshire where my family and I had many good and kind neighbors. We had a good and kind neighbor here in Panama City,too and his name was "Buddy" Blakeley!! Thank you and Carolyn for being here.God Bless you both.
Patti Allen
October 8, 2013
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