John R. Putnam, Jr.

John R. Putnam, Jr. Buffalo, SC Mr. John R. "J.R." "Putt" Putnam, Jr., age 79 of 246 Haywood St., Buffalo, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Mr. Putnam was born in Buffalo, August 2, 1935, a son of the late John R. Putnam, Sr. and Pearl Meadows Putnam. He worked with United Merchants, both Buffalo Mill and Union Mill and upon their closing, he returned to Union High School and graduated in 1995. Mr. Putnam had also worked with Greenleaf in Union. He was a member of Buffalo Baptist Church and had served as Captain of the Buffalo Fire Dept. and served with the Minute Men Rescue Team. Throughout his life, Mr. Putnam was active in local sports, especially softball. He played with the Buffalo Mill Team, West Springs and Asbury Textile Teams along with numerous other teams. He served as president of the Union County Umpire Association and he coached the Union County American Legion Team, Little League and Dixie Youth Teams. For many years, Mr. Putnam was an official with the Spartanburg ASA Umpire Association and the S.C. High School Association. He was also an avid Gamecock fan. Surviving are a daughter, Melissa Putnam Clark and special companion David Paige of Union; a son, John R. "Putt" Putnam, III of Myrtle Beach; a sister, Wanda P. Holcombe of Buffalo and his life companion of 37 years, Catherine Smith of Union. Mr. Putnam is also survived by two grandson, Christopher and Andrew Clark; and other children and grandchildren, Cathy and James Poole, Sammy and Rhonda Smith, Erica Haney, Matthew Haney, Katie Poole, Trey and Ivey Smith, Holly S. Walker, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Merle Price and two brothers, Richard Putnam and Raymond Putnam. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Buffalo Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Lynn Ford, Rev. Dr. Tim Driggers, and Rev. Jim Spencer. Burial will be at Union Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Mitchell Moss, Jonathan Moss, Shaun Moss, Mike Nance, Dale Robinson, and Kevin Addis. The following are asked to serve as the honorary escort; Ben Smith, Hugh Sanders, Phillip Arnold, Kent Harvey, Peggy Deaton, Deacons and former Deacons of Buffalo Baptist Church, members of the Union County Umpire Association, the S.C. High School Association, and the Spartanburg ASA Umpire Association. Visitation will be held from 7:00 until 9:00 PM Monday, January 26, 2015 at the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Buffalo Baptist Church, P.O. Box 462, Buffalo, SC 29321. The family will be at the home, 246 Haywood St., Buffalo.