Buddy Chaffin

Funeral services for Mr. Leland Edgar (Buddy) Chaffin Jr., 79 of Cookeville, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 13th at Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ with Bro. Buddy Johnson, John Mason, and Leighton Sissom officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Cookeville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again Wednesday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. Mr. Chaffin died Sunday morning, January 10, 2016 at his home. He was born October 5, 1936 in Carthage, TN to the late Leland Edgar Sr. and Grace Marie Borden Chaffin. For just short of sixty years, Buddy was happily married to the love of his life and high school sweetheart. He was blessed with two wonderful, Christian sons, who married loving and caring wives. His pride and joy were his three grandchildren, whom he adored. He was a loving husband, a kind and patient father, loved by his daughters-in-law and worshipped by his grandchildren. He was a true friend and a caring Christian man. Buddy worked for Borden Electric after high school and attended TTU. He later worked with the Cookeville Gas and Electric Departments before he began serving the community as a director of the Putnam County Ambulance Service. He and his son Lee, who was a paramedic, took over operations for the ambulance service with son, Randy who was a dispatcher. He and wife Sue, who was an EMT, worked with staff on emergency calls and instructing CPR classes for the community. Buddy received many awards for his community service during his time as ambulance director. When the county government acquired the ambulance service, Buddy continued to serve the community in several different capacities, including office manager for Cookeville Pathology, coordinator for the DUI program in the District Attorney's Office, and as a court security officer for the Justice Center with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. After retiring from the Sheriff's office, he worked with the Meth Task Force. A man with many interests, he wanted to use his time and talents making a difference in people's lives. Several men and women he mentored as youth still looked to him for advice and as another father figure. He always took time to listen and do what he could. Buddy enjoyed working with youth. He was a Scout Leader for many years, and took his troop on the Appalachian Trail adventure. He received numerous Scout awards including the honored Long Rifle Award, and Order of the Arrow Award. When his boys advanced out of scouting, he founded an Explorer Post of boys and girls, which he and Sue led for several years. He served as the Scout Commissioner in 1973, and in later years he received the scouting "Faithful Servant Award" through his church. Buddy was his sons' baseball coach. In addition to his coaching duties, he served as president of Little League, Babe Ruth, and Sr. Babe Ruth. He also served a term as the league's District Commissioner. Buddy served his community and country in a variety of volunteer positions. He served 11 years in the National Guard as Staff Sergeant from 1955-1966. He was the Assistant Director for Civil Defense (Putnam Co Rescue Squad) which included serving on the mountain rescue and water rescue teams. He was a volunteer fireman from 1954-1980 and served as the Assistant Chief of the Putnam Co. Fire Department. He was the Putnam County Coroner for several years. He served on numerous boards and associations including, President of the Upper Cumberland Emergency Medical Service Directors Assoc., President of the TN Pathology Medical Group Managers Assoc., President of the Upper Cumberland Medical Managers Assoc, three term President of the TTU Nursing School Board, Board of Directors for Happy Haven Children's Home, and was selected as an Honorary Captain for the TN Highway Patrol. Buddy loved to spend time with his family in various activities. He and his family enjoyed camping, boating, water skiing, hunting, fishing, golfing, hiking, caving, canoeing, scuba diving, and traveling. Buddy loved serving at Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ. He served as a Deacon and as Youth Director for 18 years. He took the lead in "the kitchen", and with a team of friends, cooked meals for the whole congregation. After years of kitchen duty, he became the Young at Heart Deacon, planning many trips, dinners, and excursions, including two cruises for the group. When asked to become an Elder, he served in that capacity with love and dignity throughout his eldership. Buddy was a man of integrity. His love for God and his fellow man was fervent. Because of his exemplary life, his devotion to God, and his trust in God's grace, our lives are richer through his example. He fought his battle with cancer with courage, strength, and an unwavering will to live. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him! He is survived by his wife, Sue Rodgers Chaffin, whom he married May 25, 1956; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lee and Susan Chaffin of Smyrna, TN, and Randy and Stephanie Chaffin of Cookeville; three grandchildren, Stacy Chaffin of Washington, D.C., and Scott and Molly Chaffin of Cookeville; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Connie Bush of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; two nephews, Len Bush and his wife Barbara, Jon Bush and his wife Cerina; one brother-in-law Lt. Gen. Don Rodgers and his wife June of Chattanooga; nephew Eric Rodgers and his wife Anne of Belle Mead, NJ; and four great nieces and nephews. The family sends their love and thanks to two special ladies with Gentiva Hospice. Michelle Hogg and Tausha Hamby were truly angels during these last months. Serving as Active Pallbearers will be Elders of Jefferson Church of Christ: Glen Binkley, Don Foy, John Rhodes, Bobby Lane, Doug Fowler, and Leighton Sissom. Honorary Pallbearers are David Andrews, Chuck Johnson, Steve Barrett, Boyd Kline, Jackie Borden, John Mason, Johnny Burch, B.J. Matheney, Luke Chaffin, Kenny Matheney, Joel Cowan, Robert Meeks, Greg Edel, Judge David Patterson, Ronnie Fitzpatrick, Randy Porter, David Fox, Ray Tallent, Mike Giaimo, Dewey Thrasher, Bill Gibson, Roy Tudor, Lisa Goolsby, Donnie Westbrooks, Dr. Glen Hall, Jerry White, Kathy Hanna, Charles Williamson, and William Jackson. Memorial contributions may be made to Happy Haven Children's Homes, 2311 Wakefield Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501