John Whitehead

Johnathon Lee "Buddy" Whitehead of Sparta, Tennessee, 68, died June 16, 2015, at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. John was born in Cookeville, Tennessee, to Mary Elizabeth and Haywood Whitehead. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Bussell Whitehead and son, Troy Lee Whitehead (wife Gina), two sisters, Bettye Bussell and Charlene Whitehead, nieces Tracy Bussell and Linda Lee Welch (husband Shane) and nephew Spencer. He had three wonderful rescue dogs (kids) -- Wendy, Sissy and toothless Pop and was very proud of their visits to the local nursing home. John graduated from Cookeville Central High and received his degree from Tennessee Tech in Agricultural Natural Resources Management. He served in the Air Force as a missile mechanic and later worked at the Tennessee State Planning Office. John and Suzanne worked on their farm together where they had horses, honey bees and chickens to tend to and loved every minute doing so. They recently built a woodworking shop where John enjoyed spending much time. He particularly enjoyed sharing this hobby with his dear friend, Charles Warren. John was a man's man and the best partner a spouse could ever want. He was well known for mentoring young men in many day-to-day activities whether it be building barns or a chicken coop, cutting hay, driving tractors or working on equipment. He also loved working and "piddling" with his son Troy on their cattle farm. John's love and appreciation of early tractors, trucks and cars could easily be seen in the care and near perfect restoration work for which he was well known. When you would watch him sand on a fender to a finish that would be good enough for anyone else, he would sand some more. He enjoyed going to the local tractor shows and car cruise-ins, not to show off his work, but to appreciate what others had done, talk about the merits of each vehicle and just to visit with everyone there. As in life, John chose to help people in his passing by becoming an organ donor. Just by checking the box on his driver's license he is helping the lives of over 50 people. He will be sorely missed in this life by so many that were privileged to call him their friend. But most of all, he will be missed by his family and spouse who has lost her best friend and the love of her life. Friends are invited to come and share memories with family from 4:00 to 7:00 Friday, June 19, at Hooper, Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home in Cookeville. A memorial service will be the following day, Saturday, June 20, at 11:00 at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 5865 Hickory Valley Road in Sparta with Pastor Doug Benningfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Hickory Valley Baptist Church, P. O. Box 306, Sparta, TN 38583.