Sherrill Haden “Buddy” Esslinger, 83, a lifelong resident of Gurley, Alabama died peacefully surrounded by family on August 28, 2020 at 9:31 a.m. He was born on July 31, 1937 in Gurley, Alabama to parents Oliver Marvin Sr and Bessie Catherine Sherrill Esslinger. He attended Gurley High School to the 10th grade and then transferred to New Hope High School where he graduated in 1955.
Buddy grew up on the family farm helping his father. He eventually started working at ABMA then as a charter member of NASA/MSFC for 38 years where he received the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award. He retired in April 1994.
He married Sandra Lee Bradley of Birmingham, Alabama on March 5, 1960 and had three girls, Teresa Lee, Catherine Elizabeth, and Cheryl Ann. He was an active member of Chestnut Grove UMC where he held the position of Chairman of the Board, was a trustee member, sang in the choir, was a Sunday School teacher, and was a “Jack of all trades” for the church. He was also heavily involved in his children’s school – Madison County High School where he was a trustee of the school board for many years, a member of the band booster club, drove the band bus, and was the announcer for all home football and basketball games. He was lovingly called “the Howard Cosell of Gurley”. He was also a member of the Gurley Lion’s Club. Buddy lived a very full life doing everything with his wife and children, fishing with his best friends – Roy McGraw and Norman Blackwell, and traveling with his wife.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Ann Esslinger; his father, Oliver Marvin Esslinger Sr; his mother, Bessie Catherine Sherrill Esslinger; his stepmother, Alma Esslinger; and his brother, Ellis Neel Esslinger. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Lee Bradley Esslinger; his two daughters, Teresa Lee Esslinger Humphrey (Gary) and Catherine Elizabeth Esslinger Brockman (George); his six grandchildren, Leslie Ann Knight Pinson (Joseph), Elizabeth Victoria Brockman, Olivia Megan Brockman, Benjamen Haden McDowell (Savannah), Abigail Catherine Brockman, and George Frederic “Eric” Brockman VI; two great-grandchildren on their way; brother, Marvin Oliver “Bobby/Sam” Esslinger Jr. (Brenda); sister-in-law, Loyce Esslinger (Neel); many nieces and nephews and a great many cousins; a very close friend that was more like a sister, Connie Blackwell; and his beloved dog, Sir Bandit Romeo.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at Esslinger Cemetery off McMullen Road in Gurley, Alabama, with the Rev. Carol Goforth officiating. There will be no visitation due to the COVID19 pandemic.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church, 731 Cherry Tree Road, Gurley, Alabama 35748, or Compassus Hospice Care, 7262 Governors West, Huntsville, Alabama 35806.
