John Thomas "Buddy" Lavelle Jr, 71, of Bartlett, TN passed away peacefully at his home on November19, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 11,1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to John Thomas (Jack) Lavelle, Sr and Mary Virginia Cleveland Lavelle who both proceeded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Anne Lavelle Crawford and his sister, Paula Lavelle. He leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Wanda Cupp Lavelle, two sons, Lee Lavelle (Amanda) and Michael Lavelle, a sister, Debbie Lavelle, and a brother, Steve Lavelle. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Hayley Lavelle, Tyler Lavelle,Taylor Lavelle, and Dawson Crawford, three great grandchildren, Huntley Raley and Kason Raley, and Zoe Harris as well as two nephews, Brian Lavelle and Steven Lavelle. Buddy was an avid fan of Memphis wrestling and dirt track racing. He had a passion for old hotrod which he enjoyed restoring with his son Lee. Most nights you could find them in the garage working or on Saturday nights at Riverside Speedway. Buddy was a professional truck driver. He loved his family and spent his spare time with them when he wasn't on the road trucking, His children were his number one priority. He went on field trips with them and was so involved in their activities, one teacher commented that she had never had a "room daddy" before Buddy. He was employed by Schering Plough and also Wonder Bread Company. He was not only involved in his own children's lives, but most of the neighborhood children as well. They would come to him whether it was for something as simple as airing up a bicycle tire or even to help them with painting their vehicles. His nephew Brian affectionately said, "a lot of people lost a daddy today". He truly was a "Gentile Giant" and will be greatly missed.

Friends are welcome to join Buddy's family on 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 25, 2024 for visitation and funeral service at 1:00 p.m. with a luncheon following the funeral service at Harmony Church of Bartlett, 6740 St. Elmo Road, Bartlett, Tennessee 38135. Bartlett-Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Center is honored to serve the family of John Thomas "Buddy" Lavelle, Jr; bartlettheritage.com; (901) 372-5555.