Gordon “Buddy” Thomas Barksdale died peacefully in the presence of his family October 10, 2018, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, and raised in Columbus, Georgia by Inez and William Barksdale.
As a mere teenager, he became a member of a renowned rock and roll singing group named the Teen Tones. After some schooling at Columbus College, Gordon started his 45-year career in banking at Columbus Bank & Trust in 1962. In 1971, he moved with his wife and three children to Alabama. Gordon received a business degree from Auburn University in 1976, and continued his success in banking in several Alabama cities. He retired as president of Regions Bank in 2005, in the Decatur/Morgan County, Alabama area. Gordon brought great integrity and leadership into his work in banking, and was respected as an authority in the field.
Gordon was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and was acknowledged as one of the State’s top 10 turkey hunters in 1990. He had a love for cultivating his hunting land, realizing over time that he preferred to tend and foster the land as a preserve for wildlife. He loved his “critters.” Gordon’s time outdoors often served as inspiration for his paintings, as he recently discovered an affinity for art.
There was no one more passionate for Auburn football, and most fall Saturdays, you could find him yelling at the television during a spirited football game. Gordon was revered for his sharp wit, and always enjoyed an audience, whether it was to belt out a song with his rich, bass voice, or to relay an irreverent joke or two. Gordon will be remembered as a warm, kind and generous soul, who never met a stranger. He worked hard for his family and was a vital member of his churches and communities.
He adored his sons, Jeff (J-Boy), Will (Willy Bob), his daughter, Elise (Sweet Pea), and especially his beloved “bride”, Joan. Together, Joan and Buddy traveled and adventured in many cities and countries. In this brief summary, it is difficult to fully paint a picture of this larger-than-life man.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, William Robert Barksdale.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Holland Barksdale; his son, Jeff Barksdale, and daughter, Elise Pardue (Taylor); grandchildren Cole Barksdale, Sammie Walimaki and Corey Olson; his four-legged children, Maggie and Barkley; his sister, Beth Wisdom Barker (Richard); niece, Claire Mokry (Chris) and great- niece, Olivia.
Memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Auburn United Methodist Church on 137 S Gay Street, in the Founder’s Chapel. The family will receive friends in the Founder’s Chapel at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Auburn United Methodist Church Food Pantry or East Alabama Medical Center Cancer Center.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is directing. www.FrederickDean.com
