Mr. Gene Buckner, 59, of Dalton, departed this life Thursday afternoon, January 14, 2010, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.

Gene was born Feb. 5, 1950, in Dalton, a son of the late Floyd Albert "Red" Buckner and Esther Elliott Brock.  He was also prededed in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lewis and Merle Blankenship and a brother-in-law, Don Blankenship.

Gene was employed at Shaw Industries at plant No 31 for more than 20 years.  Gene was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and loved the Georgia Bulldogs.  Gene loved life and always enjoyed having a good time, but most of all he loved his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Pat Blankenship Buckner of the residence; daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Michael Davis; granddaughter, Shana Haun, all of Dalton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Glenda and Doug Grant, Wanda Pendley, all of Chatsworth, Karen and Rick Nicholson of Dalton; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Sarah Blankenship of Clevelend, Tenn., Linda Blankenship of Dalton, very special friends Ronald and Violet Thornton of Dalton; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

At Gene's request there will be no formal services to mark his passing., although his family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday to commemorate his life.

Thoughts and memories may be shared with the Buckner family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com.

Courtesy of Legacy - January 14, 2010

The body was cremated.