Sheriff F.D. “Buddy” East, 76, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. The funeral service will be Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at 11 a.m. at North Oxford Baptist Church with Reverend Randy Bain and Reverend Fish Robinson officiating.  Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, from 2 until  8 p.m. at North Oxford Baptist Church and again prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.  Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A native of Lafayette County, Buddy faithfully served his community as the longest tenured sheriff in Mississippi.  Prior to his first term as Lafayette County Sheriff in 1972, Buddy served as the Assistant Chief of Police for the Oxford Police Department.  His community recognized his love and devotion by naming him the Oxford Citizen of the Year in 1991.  Throughout his long career, Sheriff East was recognized with countless awards, certificates, honorable titles and metals.  Among the many, he was most honored to be awarded the Silver Star for Bravery from the American Law Enforcement Association and, most recently in 2015, Sheriff East was honored by The Lafayette County Law Enforcement and Officers Association with the Medal of Valor and Unselfishness in the Face of Danger.  Buddy served two terms as President of the Mississippi Sheriff’s Association from 1989-1990 and 1999-2000, was a faithful member of New Prospect Baptist Church and was especially proud of his time as a former little league baseball coach. Known by his grandchildren as “Pap Paw” or “Granddaddy,” his love for his family was beyond measure.  Even during his busiest seasons of life, Buddy was ever present in the lives of his grandchildren, attending any and all of their school and sports activities.  An avid Ole Miss fan, he was excited to see what his Rebels would do this season.

Sheriff East’s humble heart touched the lives of all he encountered. Before his death, he expressed great gratitude to the community of Oxford and Lafayette County for allowing him to serve the people and the town he loved.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Hall East of Oxford; five children, Melissa Westbrook and her husband, Billy, Joey East and his wife, Kimberly, Shannon Lomax and her husband, Max, Steve Lewis and his wife, Melanie, all of Oxford and Scott Lewis and his wife, Brandi of Dallas, Texas; a sister, Nona Tutor of Oxford and 13 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in Sheriff East’s memory may be made to Lafayette School Building Fund, 100 Commodore Drive, Oxford, MS 38655.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please call 662-234-7971 or visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.