Dorsey Ross “Buddy” Knowlton Jr., 63, of Blackshear, passed away Friday afternoon, July 3, 2026, at his residence.
Born in Blackshear June 4, 1963, he lived in Pierce County all his life. He was a 1981 graduate of Patterson High School where he played football and basketball for the Patterson Eagles. Following his graduation from high school, he worked with ACE Pole and Custom Hydraulics before working for GPC at Motion Industries. He worked for Hydraulic Supply prior to his decline in health. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved all kinds of hunting with turkey hunting being his favorite. He loved to fish, water ski, mow grass and be on his tractor. He was a huge Georgia Bulldog fan and would put hunting off when Georgia was playing. He dearly loved his grandchildren and never missed a chance to take them hunting and fishing. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Blackshear but attended Bristol Baptist Church in Bristol.
He was a son of the late Dorsey Ross and Betty Jean Strickland Knowlton. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, A.J. and Isabelle Dixon Strickland; his paternal grandparents, Hugh Dorsey and Vonice Thornton Knowlton; his father-in-law, Thomas Wright and a niece, Callie Dean.
Survivors include his wife, Amelia “Amy” Wright Knowlton, Blackshear; his daughter and son-in-law Mallory and Brandon Price, Blackshear; his son and daughter-in-law, Gunnar and MacKenzie Knowlton, Blackshear; three sisters, Millie (Bert) Walker, Blackshear and Jill (Brian) Dowling and Starr (Noel) Harris, all of Patterson; a brother, Len (Duce) Knowlton, Santa Rosa, FL; five grandchildren, Coleman Price, Ross Knowlton, Gentson Price, Cypress Knowlton and Emersyn Price; his mother-in-law, Barbara Wright, Blackshear; two sisters-in-law, Paula Wright Dean, Blackshear and Marilyn (Richard) Johnson, Screven; a brother-in-law, Chris (Jennifer) Wright, Blackshear; his very best friend, David (Jamie) Johnson, Alma and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Brett Howell, the Rev. R. C. James and the Rev. Daniel Harris officiating. Mallory Price and MacKenzie Knowlton will also give family tributes.
Interment will be in the Strickland Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Gunnar Knowlton, Brandon Price, Dan Strickland, David Johnson, Chris Wright, Len Knowlton, Troy Stewartand Richard Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Patterson High School Class of 1981 along with Buddy’s three grandsons, Coleman, Ross and Gentson.
Memorials may be made to the Southeast Cancer Unit, PO Box 667, Blackshear, GA 31516 or to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.
Suit and ties are not required and were certainly not Buddy’s style and nothing would make Buddy happier than for everyone to dress in their favorite Georgia Bulldog or camouflage attire.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is honored to serve the Knowlton family during this time.
