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Thomas Burnette “Buddy” Fairey

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Thomas Burnette “Buddy” Fairey

Birth	:	3 Mar 1925 Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA
Death	:	25 Mar 2020
Burial	:	St. James' Churchyard, Kerikeri, Far North District, New Zealand
Inscription	:	US NAVY WWII
Description	:	Thomas Burnette "Buddy" Fairey, 95, a member of "The Greatest Generation", passed away on March 25, 2020. Buddy was born March 3, 1925, to Julius Burnette Fairey and Leila Smoak Fairey in Fayetteville, NC. His family returned to their hometown of Orangeburg when he was a young child. As a teenager, he helped his parents in their restaurant on Russell Street, "Burnette's Diner", and his uncles in their "Edisto Wagon Shop" that his grandfather, Thomas Smoak, began. Buddy was a member of Orangeburg High School's Class of 1943, and after Pearl Harbor he joined the Navy in March of '43... Read More	Thomas Burnette "Buddy" Fairey, 95, a member of "The Greatest Generation", passed away on March 25, 2020. Buddy was born March 3, 1925, to Julius Burnette Fairey and Leila Smoak Fairey in Fayetteville, NC. His family returned to their hometown of Orangeburg when he was a young child. As a teenager, he helped his parents in their restaurant on Russell Street, "Burnette's Diner", and his uncles in their "Edisto Wagon Shop" that his grandfather, Thomas Smoak, began. Buddy was a member of Orangeburg High School's Class of 1943, and after Pearl Harbor he joined the Navy in March of '43 to serve in WW II. He was especially proud of being a "plank owner" of the USS Elden DE-264, the destroyer escort ship, on which he served. After the war, he attended Clemson College on the GI Bill and earned his electrical engineering degree in 1949. In 1950, he married Joanna Wood Splawn of Pelzer, SC, with whom he shared 52 years of loving marriage until her passing in 2002. In 1955, Buddy and Jo moved from Greenville to Orangeburg when he began his career at the Dept. of Public Utilities where he made many life-long friends. After 29 years at the DPU, he retired in 1983 as the superintendent of the natural gas department. The following year he began his second career with McCall-Thomas Engineering where he enjoyed 22 years as an engineering and land surveying consultant. Buddy had an innate curiosity of mechanical and electrical workings and was eager to share his knowledge with others. He was able and glad to help his friends "fix anything". After developing an interest in automated music machines, he built his own from parts he collected or made in his workshop. He shared his enjoyment of his calliope by taking it to church socials, community events, and later to his living room in Clemson to entertain visitors. Buddy was a longtime member at St. Paul's United Methodist Church where he was an active servant of the church and his E.S. Jones Sunday School. For decades he organized reunions for the Fairey Family Association and for his USS Elden DE-264 shipmates. He had a smile for everyone, was known for his sense of humor, his concern for others, and was a joy to be around. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Emily (Winton) Hunter of Clemson and Jill Burnette Fairey of Hilton Head; grandchildren, Elizabeth H. (Jimmy) Felder of Clemson and Walker W. Hunter, III (Natalia Muska) of Winchester, UK; great-grandchildren, James C. Felder, IV, and Mary Walker Felder of Clemson, Gwyneth Josephine Hunter and Rowan Louise Hunter of Winchester, UK; a sister-in-law, Janet Owens Splawn of Deland, FL; and seven nieces. Buddy was predeceased by his sister, Margaret F. Smoak. The family would like to thank the Clemson Downs Health Care Center's staff and volunteers for their compassionate care these past 2 years, as well as Griswold Home Care sitters who provided care in his Riggs Drive home and at The Downs. A private family service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Orangeburg. Dukes-Harley Funeral Home and Crematory Contributor: Nancy Ziemba Gleaton

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Thomas Burnette “Buddy” Fairey's memorial?
Thomas Burnette “Buddy” Fairey's memorial is located at: St. James' Churchyard, Kerikeri, Far North District, New Zealand.
When did Thomas Burnette “Buddy” Fairey death?
Thomas Burnette “Buddy” Fairey death on 25 Mar 2020 in

Family Members:

Parent

Julius Burnette Fairey

(1901 - 1950)

Leila Smoak Fairey

(1903 - 1980)

Spouse

Joanna Wood Splawn Fairey

(1928 - 2002)

Flowers:

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