Franklin "Buddy" Ezzell

Franklin Clyde Ezzell, III…lovingly known as “Buddy” died peacefully on Friday, July 27, 2018. Buddy was the son of the late Vaughn Talley and Franklin Clyde Ezzell, Jr. Buddy is survived by his devoted family…wife, Margaret Howie Ezzell, of 56 years, and two sons; Benjamin Clyde Ezzell (Paula) and Franklin Allen Ezzell (Shari). Other survivors include 9 grand-children: Madison Ezzell, Mikayla Ezzell, Madalyn Ezzell, Rachel Ezzell, Zack Rogers (Natalee), Natalie Ezzell, Lyndsey Carter (Jonathan), Jake Krauss, Libby Kraus; 3 great-grandchildren: Reagan Ezzell, Braxton McClain, Ava Carter; a brother: Jimmy Ezzell (Dianne); a sister: Ann Alexander (Billy Ray) and numerous nieces and nephews. One great thing about Buddy: His family was his world…he loved them all dearly! Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, July 30, 2018 in Waxhaw United Methodist Church, 200 McDonald St., Waxhaw NC, 28173. Burial will follow in the Waxhaw City Cemetery with Military Honors. Buddy grew up in the small village of Marvin on his family’s land that was granted from the King of England in the 1700’s. Upon selling a piece of the land a few years ago, it was discovered that there was no deed…only a “Land Grant from the King”. He learned farming and ‘how to fix most everything’ from an early age. Buddy graduated from Waxhaw High School in 1959. Afterwards, he married his sweetheart, Margaret, on November 28, 1961. That same year, they moved to Millington, TN where he was stationed in the United States Navy as a Second Class Aviation Machinist’s Mate. They had many good and fun times while in the Navy. Upon discharge from service, they returned to Waxhaw to settle into married life, working and raising a family. He attended CPCC and took various classes to learn skills that he needed for building a better life for his family…such as how to build his own house. During his life he served the Waxhaw community in a variety of ways including being on the Waxhaw Town Board, the Waxhaw VFD and the Waxhaw PTA. Waxhaw United Methodist Church became Buddy and Margaret’s spiritual home and ‘family’. He served the church in a variety of capacities including Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 53, ‘Fixing It For Christ’ home repair outreach ministry…but his favorite seemed to be the Waxhaw UMC’s Men’s Group. Buddy was a very active member of that group right up through June of this year where he was present for every breakfast that was served for Fixing It For Christ…he needed to make sure that all was done correctly! There were many good and fun times at church with his church family especially at the monthly Men’s Group breakfasts. Buddy also was regular at the yearly gathering of the Pleasant Grove Campmeeting where he and Margaret have a ‘tent’. They raised their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have a special love for Campmeeting and Jesus. There were many good and fun times while at sleeping, eating, visiting and worshipping at Campmeeting. There are quite a few things Buddy loved in this life…listening to good country music, tending cows, farming the land, growing tomatoes and giving them away, having friends and checking on them, eating breakfast at Stacks, telling jokes and pulling jokes, laughing and then laughing some more…and his family…they were his world. There were many good and fun times for 77 years while Buddy walked with us…he was known for his love, laughter, Amish beard, and sense of humor. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 29, 2018 from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe NC, 28112. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Waxhaw United Methodist Men’s Club, 2510 White Thorne Lane, Waxhaw NC, 28173 or to the Waxhaw United Methodist Church, PO Box 9, Waxhaw NC, 28173. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service Crematory is caring for the Ezzell family.