James "Buddy" Tankersley

THOMSON, Ga. – James Reese "Buddy" Tankersley, 80, passed away, after a brief illness, on Saturday, December 16, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.H. and Effie Clara Tankersley, and his sister, Dot (Tankersley) Whitener.

Before his illness, he spent his final days at home with his beloved dog, Man. He is greatly missed by his sister, Mary Dunaway; brothers, Billy (Wanda) Tankersley and Frank Tankersley; nephews and nieces, Fred Dunaway, Lawson (Carol) Tankersley, Rhonda Byrd, Hank (Julie) Tankersley, J.T. (Dena) Tankersley, Wesley Whitener, Mary Ann (David) Land, Julie O'Rourke, and Daniel (Kelly) Whitener, and many great nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Buddy was an avid outdoorsman and loved bowhunting and fishing.  He has taken countless deer with his bow throughout his archery career and was just as good at catching crappies off the boat docks at the marina.  Back in the 90s, he held the GA State Record for the largest flathead catfish.

Buddy was an entrepreneur and owned and operated Buddy's Tree Service in Thomson, GA for over 20 years. Before that, he owned his own logging company, called B.T. Forest Products. He was extremely knowledgeable when it came to heavy machinery, how to build something, and especially how to "rig" something. He was well-known around Thomson, and no matter where he went, he never met a stranger and always had a joke or story to share.

He called those closest to him on a daily basis, sometimes several times a day. He'd asked you what you were up to, and when you gave him the answer, he didn't hesitate to give you his opinion or tell you how something should be done.

The family will receive friends at 12 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, at Beggs Funeral Home, 799 Cobbham Road, Thomson, Georgia followed by a graveside service at 1 p.m. at Westview Cemetery, Thomson, Georgia.

Please visit www.beggsfuneralhome.net to sign the family's personal guestbook.  Beggs Funeral Home, Thomson, Georgia is honored to serve the family of James Reese "Buddy" Tankersley.