Mr. James \"Buddy\" Autry, age 62 of Penderlea, died February 1, 2013 at Durham Regional Hospital, Durham, NC. Born in Willard, NC, January the 8th, 1951, Buddy always had a love for basketball, which he later played in high school, for the Penderlea Hornets. That love for sports burned even brighter when he discovered the Duke Blue Devils in NCAA basketball, and Major league Baseball, whom he cheered on the New York Yankees. In 1970, Buddy joined The United States Air Force, and married the love of his life, Sandra Jeanne. They had two children, Alice and Doyle. He retired from the Air Force in 1990, though his compassion for people and animals never left. He gave his love and himself just as freely until the end. His family always came first. He is survived by one daughter, Alice Ferderber and her husband Ken of Blaine, MN, and one son, Doyle Autry of Seagrove Beach, FL, three sisters, Shirley Hollingsworth and her husband Jim of Willard, NC, Glenda Taylor of Jonesboro, GA and Gail Stone and her husband Rodger of Willard, NC, three brothers, Henry Autry and his wife Ann of Penderlea, NC, Alvin \"Skeeter\" Autry of Willard, NC and Dean Autry of Willard, NC, three granddaughters, Callie, Breighann, and Makenna Ferderber and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his mother and father, Callie and Alvin Autry, his wife, Sandra Jeanne Williams and his sister-in-law, Rita Kelly Autry who all welcome him to heaven. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 4, 2013 at Padgett Funeral Chapel and full military honors will be observed. Services will be conducted by Pastor Gary Manning of the Penderlea Assembly of God Church. No graveside services will be held. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at Padgett Funeral Home and at the residence of Jim and Shirley Hollingsworth at 142 Heather's Folly Road in Willard, NC at other times. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the St. Jude's Children Hospital, or the ASPCA in his name. A service of Padgett Funeral and Cremation Service.