GARY FRANKLIN “BUDDY” ALLEN, age 83 of Alto, Georgia, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2017 following an extended illness. Born in Clarkesville, Georgia on October 05, 1934, he was a son of the late Eva Evelyn Fry King & the late Guy Allen. Buddy served his country proudly in the United States Air Force where he retired with 21 years of dedicated service. He also retired as an educator with the Georgia Department of Corrections with many years of service. Buddy was an avid genealogist, spending countless hours researching his family history. His desire to learn also prompted 4 different college degrees. He was a very intelligent man with a wealth of knowledge, who always had a smile on his face. Buddy enjoyed all types of music, was known for his joke telling, a passionate supporter of many charitable causes and a devoted Georgia Bulldogs fan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dennis Wayne King. Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Howard & Marie Allen of Demorest, GA; niece, Denise King of Lawrenceville, GA; niece and her husband, Terrie & Jack Willis of Marietta, GA; nephew and his wife, Randy & Frieda Allen of Clarkesville, GA; several other relatives & special friends. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2017 from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Burrell officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens with Rev. Dr. Proctor Chambless officiating at the graveside. Full military honors will be provided by the United States Air Force. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 until 8 p.m. on Sunday. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made in memory of “Buddy Allen” to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC. 28607 or to the Billy Graham Evangelic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC. 28201. An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com MCGAHEE-GRIFFIN & STEWART FUNERAL HOME OF CORNELIA, GEORGIA (706/778-8668) IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.