Walter Lee “Buddy” Blount, Jr.

Walter Lee “Buddy” Blount, Jr., 82, died September 6, 2022, at his home in rural Cottonwood Falls. He was born June 2, 1940, in Emporia to Walter Sr. and Leona (Potter) Blount.

Buddy worked at Z-Bar Ranch and Evan Koger Ranch as a cowboy and then retired from KDOT after 23 years. In his younger years, he was on the Mercy Scuba Diving Team and helped with Boy Scouts. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, reading Western books, and spending time with his grandsons. Buddy proudly served in the United States Army.

On June 1, 1966, he married Mary Branch in Cottonwood Falls. They shared 56 years of marriage.

He is survived by: wife, Mary of the home; daughter, Tena Blount; son, Charlie Blount; grandsons, Dakota Blount and wife Kortney, Clay Blount, all of Cottonwood Falls; brother, Jim Blount of OK; and trusty dog companion, Badger.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Tommy, George, Bobby, Viola, Frankie, Jean, Virgilene, Shirley, Dorothy, Jake, Anna Lee, and infant sister, Marlene.

Cremation will take place. Celebration of life gathering will be from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, Cottonwood Falls. Military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard will begin at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Hand-in-Hand Hospice or Emporia Animal Shelter, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home PO Box 220 Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.