James 'Buddy' Lee Pendley, Sr.

James “Buddy” Lee Pendley Sr. was born on November 4th, 1950, in Greenville, KY. He passed away on Thursday, December 11th, 2025, in Cape Coral, FL. Buddy was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Buddy was of Christian faith who spread compassion, hope, guidance, and joy to all who were fortunate enough to cross his path. His family was at the forefront of his life; every decision was made out of love with their best interests in mind. Buddy’s presence was so bright that he could fill the darkest room with light. You could say he was contagious in the sense that he spread his blissful energy to anyone near. There was no such thing as a stranger to Buddy, he simply would gain a new friend. Words can’t express all that he was; the best way to describe him would be to say that he was the human form of sunshine, radiating warmth that extended for miles.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Kay Pendley; children, Sherry Baum (Steve) of Cape Coral, FL, James ‘Jamie’ Pendley (Kimberly) of Spring Grove, IL, Schelle Kramer (Tom) of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren, Lindsay K. Pendley, D.J. Mentone, Autumn P. Kramer, Nicholas J. Mentone, James L. Pendley III, Michael S. Mentone, Tristan T. Kramer, Joseph J. Mentone; great-grandchildren, Michael (MJ), Sutton, Savanna, Oakli, Willow, Ethan; siblings, Louis Pendley, Jacqueline Bakondy, Betty June Kelly, April Shetsky, Sunday Pendley, Robin Potter; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Rice Chester Louis and Betty Elizabeth Wilson; stepfather, Monroe Wilson; and brothers, Teddy Lynn Pendley and Vernon Ray Pendley.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 23, 2026 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Rivalry Alehouse Upstairs Banquet Room, 945 Main Street, Antioch, IL 60002. 

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.