Charles A. "Buddy" Catlett

Charles A. “Buddy” Catlett passed away on December 11, 2017 after acourageous battle with Parkinson’s. He was born on September 4, 1942 in Jefferson City, TN. Buddy was the son of the late Charles A. Catlett, Sr. and Robbie Ballard Catlett, and father of the late Jennifer Leigh Catlett and brother of the late Bobbie Jean Peck. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City where he served as a deacon. Surviving family members include his loving wife of 57 years, Betty Rugel Catlett;sons, Chuck Catlett (Sandy) and Ben Catlett (Jennifer); grandchildren, Tyler Catlett, Lauren Catlett, Parker Catlett and Katherine Catlett all of Jefferson City; nieces and nephews Hank Peck, Julie Mooney, Caroline Peck Hill, John Peck and Paula Rugel Gibson; sister-in-law Patricia Rugel and brother-in-law the late Keith Rugel. Buddy graduated from Carson-Newman University on a tennis scholarship in 1954. He served his countryin the U.S. Army in the 93rd Signal Battalion. Starting in the mid 1950’s Buddy was instrumental in organizing youth tennis programs in Jefferson City. He became a mentor to dozens of young tennis players and some who made tennis their life’s work. In 2015 Carson-Newman University honored Buddy with the naming of the Charles A. “Buddy” Catlett Tennis Complex. Buddy was owner of Shipe and Catlett Hardware in Jefferson City where he retired in the year 2002. Among his many civic activities and awards include Jefferson County School Board Member, First National Bank Director, Appalachian Electric Coop Board Member, Carson-Newman Board of Trustees and Carson Newman Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee. Buddy was a devoted family man, a trusted advisor to many butmost of all a consummate encourager to all he met. Many have remarked about his kind and supportive demeanor on the tennis court and at thehardware store. He will be truly missed by all family and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday December 14, 2017 at First BaptistChurch, 1610 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN. Receiving of friends willbe from 10 am until 1 pm. The Funeral Service will start at 1 pm with Burial Service immediately following at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Jefferson City. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial gifts be made to the Charles A. “Buddy” Catlett Tennis Scholarship Fund, Carson-Newman University, Office of Advancement, PO Box 557, Jefferson City, TN 37760 or the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City general fund (see above for address).