Benjamin Charles Driver, known to everyone as “Buddy,” of Huntsville, AL, passed away on August 9, at the age of 83.
Buddy was born in Jasper, AL to Benjamin Columbus Driver and Mildred Driver Terry on August 29, 1942. He graduated from Walker County High School in 1959. He went on to attend Walker College, where he met his wife, Melvia Barnett Driver. They married on November 9, 1962, and moved to Huntsville the following year.
After five years in the financial industry, Buddy was offered a position at Universal Volkswagen and would spend the rest of his career in the automotive industry – from 1969 to 1981 at Volkswagen (as a salesperson, sales manager, and general manager) and then moving on to Jerry Damson Honda, where he worked from 1981 until 2021 as sales manager, general manager, and eventually President of Jerry Damson Automotive. He closed out his career as director of training – where he refocused on what he loved most about the car business and taught ongoing sales classes.
He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Continental Athletic Association and the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama. He also served on the committee for the Botanical Gardens of Huntsville and the Advisory Committee for Randolph School.
Buddy maintained a lifelong love of football – first, in high school as a member of the 1957 Walker County High School State Championship team, that went 10-0 and only allowed 20 points all season – then as a fan of the Auburn Tigers. He was also an avid golfer. During business trips, he never skipped the opportunity to play at some of the country’s most-famous courses – and he never stopped talking about his 1982 hole-in-one.
Buddy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Melvia; son, Benjamin Chadwick Driver and wife, Julie Ann Driver; grandchildren, Sarah Renée Driver and Lauren Dean Driver; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and the memorial service will be held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home on August 29 with Brother Bobby Burt officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Huntsville Memory Garden.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation to Randolph School (https://giving.veracross.com/randolph/give/buddydriver#gift-amount-step).
