Leon James “Buddy” Tuten Jr. of Blackshear, lost a short but courageous battle to cancer Friday, November 14, 2025, at the age of 77 (a young 77). He passed away peacefully at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, surrounded by his loving family, including his two devoted daughters who remained by his side every single day for six weeks.
He was born June 20, 1948, and was a native and lifelong resident of Blackshear, specifically “Tutenville” where his family has lived for generations. His parents were the late Leon James Tuten and Mary Kate Fulford Tuten. He was a member of the 1966 graduating class of Blackshear High School. Following high school, he attended ABAC in Tifton. He worked for his dad at Tuten Trim Shop during summers and holidays throughout his youth. He later became a partner at Tuten & Son Trim Shop, and the sole owner in 1982. His dad and brother often helped him on a part-time basis. Tuten & Son became a favorite “hangout spot” for his closest friends for many years to follow.
He was an avid deer and turkey hunter introduced to the sport in his early years by his dad and Dr. Bill Brown at Turkey Corner Hunting Club. He belonged to Turkey Corner Hunting Club, Briar Island Hunting Club and Half Moon Hunting Club. He later enjoyed many annual hunting trips to Illinois with his brother Terry and lifelong friends. Later in life, his greatest joy was hunting in Tutenville with his brother Terry, daughter Anna and grandson Blaine. He took great pride in guiding many hunters to their most successful turkey hunt.
Hunting had always been important to him, but nothing mattered more when he met and married the love of his life, Linda Pearson Tuten. Together they built a beautiful family and were blessed with two daughters Dena Tuten Paul and Anna Tuten.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Dena and Steven Paul and his daughter Anna Tuten, all of Blackshear; grandson, Blaine Paul and wife Carson and great-grandson, Baylor Paul, all of Statesboro; sister Linda Sloan and husband Wayne, Jacksonville, FL; brother Terry Tuten and wife Carla, Hahira; nieces, Kate Cline and husband Craig, Leigh Ann Tuten, Sheridan Tuten and great-nieces Addison Aycock and Maggie Cline, Jacksonville, FL and many extended family members who were always an important part of his life as well as a couple of close friends who became family: Tim Dixon, Blackshear and Robbie Metelits of Waycross.
A celebration of life with family and friends will be held at a later date.
Sympathy can be expressed by signing the online registry at www.pearsondial.com
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home, Inc. of Blackshear is in charge of the arrangements.
