Joseph Edgar Putnam, 84, died March 16, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

Joseph, better known as Buddy, was born on December 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 18. He sailed aboard the USS Coral Sea and was later stationed at Navy Duck in the Outer Banks. 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. Buddy and Shirley resided with their daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Bill in Kitty Hawk.

Survivors include wife Shirley; daughters Cheryl Bunce and Robyn Olson; son-in-law Bill Bunce; grandchildren Matt Carper, Chelsie Gunn, Abby Olson Ludwig, Grant Olson and Emma Olson; four great-grandchildren and other family and friends.

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

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

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