L.A. "Buddy" Patrick

L.A. "Buddy" Patrick, 78, of Woodstock, Georgia, passed away on February 19, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, generosity, and unwavering dedication to family. Born in Adrian, GA, Buddy was the sixth of ten children in a family that knew the true meaning of hard work. His parents, Emmet and Grace Patrick, ran a bustling household in a tiny 1,000-square-foot home with no bathroom, no air conditioning, and no shortage of character-building experiences. If you wanted warm water, you boiled it. If you wanted space, well… you didn’t get any. From a young age, Buddy worked long days in the cotton and tobacco fields beneath the sweltering Georgia sun. Nights were spent crammed into a bed with more siblings than blankets. While he loved his family dearly, it didn’t take him long to decide that farm life wasn’t his calling. So at 18, with twenty dollars in his pocket, a sharp mind, and a firm resolve to never pick another row of cotton, Buddy set off for Atlanta to carve out a new future. And carve it out he did. In 1969, he became the youngest commercial real estate broker in Atlanta, founding Buddy Patrick Realtors, a firm that soon became a fixture of the metro area’s business world. His honesty, work ethic, and natural ability to connect with people set him apart. Despite his success, Buddy never forgot his roots. He remained devoted to his family and visited often. No matter how far he had come from the farm, he carried its lessons with him throughout his life. He was known for his warmth, humor, and love of simple pleasures—like the time he famously asked a limo driver to take him to a pond so he could go fishing. Buddy is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Rita; his son, Kilby; and his cherished granddaughter, Katherine Elizabeth (Kayleigh). He is also survived by his brother, Edwin Patrick, and his wife, Ingrid; his sisters, Sheri McFalls and her husband, Cecil, and Pam Patrick; along with a large extended family who will forever treasure his memory. Buddy’s journey—from the dusty fields of Swainsboro to the towering skyline of Atlanta—is a testament to perseverance, charm, and the power of chasing dreams. He will be dearly missed, yet never forgotten. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 12 PM at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 4096 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life working hard—and making sure others had food on their tables.

L.A. "Buddy" Patrick

November 22, 1946 - February 19, 2025