Joseph Edgar Putnam, 84, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 16, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

Joseph, better known as Buddy, was born on Dec. 28, 1934 in Bergholz, Ohio, to Edgar and Dorothy Putnam.  He was one of five children.  One brother, David, and his sister, Maryann, are deceased. He is survived by his younger brothers, Richard and Ronnie, who both live in Florida.

Buddy attended Herndon High School in Virginia, and enlisted in the Navy at the age of 18. He sailed aboard the USS Coral Sea and was later stationed at Navy Duck in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Buddy was very proud of his ship and of his service to his country. As a civilian he became a master plumber and owner of his own business in Northern Virginia. He later retired from Fairfax County.

Buddy married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Hayes, in 1955 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They enjoyed 63 happy years together. Buddy and Shirley resided with their daughter, Cheryl and son-in-law Bill in Kitty Hawk where he passed quietly.

Buddy leaves behind his wife Shirley; his daughters, Cheryl Bunce and Robyn Olson; his son-in-law, Bill Bunce; grandchildren, Matt Carper, Chelsie Gunn, Abby Olson Ludwig, Grant Olson and Emma Olson; great-grandchildren, Addison Dodd, Jaxson Dodd, Grayson Dodd and Emerson Dodd, along with many other family members and dear friends.

A memorial service in honor of Buddy will be held on April 27, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Spring Hill Baptist Church, 1676 Buckley Hall Road, Cobbs Creek, Virginia, 23035. 

The family wishes to thank the Dare County Hospice Team, Visiting Nurses and Visiting Angels for their care and support.

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the online register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc., was entrusted with arrangements.