Harold Thomas Shadix, lovingly known as “Bud,” passed away on May 31, 2026, at the age of 89. He was born on June 25, 1936, in LaGrange, Georgia, to to the late Royce William Shadix and to the late Grace Calhoun Shadix. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Shadix Hyde and her husband, L. L. (Junior) Hyde, Jr. of Newnan.

Although born in LaGrange, Bud grew up in East Newnan, Georgia, a tight-knit cotton mill village of hardworking folks. In his early teenage years, he earned money delivering groceries on his bicycle for McMichael’s Grocery Store throughout the village, a fitting start for a young man who would spend his life working hard, helping others, and finding practical ways to get things done. With the money he earned he bought his first car, a 1929 Model A, from Doc Hines for $75, which he proudly restored and got to running in top condition.

After school and before entering the military, Bud began working in construction, learning to drive heavy machinery and tractors. He later joined the United States Army, where he served honorably for three years. Because of his skill and reliability, he was once chosen to drive a secret weapon across the country on a semi-truck under military escort. Whether it was an atomic bomb or something else, Bud never really disclosed, but it was one of the many stories he liked to share often.

After his military service, Bud married a local girl from the village, Glenda Elouise Cheeves, and settled into the same small mill village they knew so well. Married for 64 years, they built a life centered around family, hard work, simple pleasures, and the kind of quiet loyalty that leaves a lasting mark on everyone who knew them.

Bud spent the majority of his career as a heavy equipment operator for Chatham Brothers Construction, helping build some of Atlanta’s most iconic developments, including Lenox Mall, Six Flags Over Georgia, and the IBM Tower in Midtown Atlanta. He was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 926 for over 60 years.

Bud was a self-taught jack of all trades. There was nothing he could not do, figure out, build, or repair. Folks came from all around to ask for his help fixing things that others had long since given up on. He had a gift for understanding how things worked and the patience to make them work again. He also had an incredible green thumb and was a lifetime lover of growing plants and vegetables. He was composting long before it became a trendy thing to do.

Bud was a quiet man who had little need for large public gatherings, but he had more friends than one could ever hope for. Many of them would come by and sit with him for hours in his barn, either to ask how to fix something or simply to hear one of his well-worn stories told again. He was welcoming and generous with his time.

After retiring early in his late 50s, Bud and Glenda bought land just across the county line in Heard County where they built their dream home and an even larger barn overlooking a picturesque pond. There, Bud lived out the remainder of his years, constantly tinkering with things in his well-stocked barn, working the land, and sharing stories with anyone willing to sit and listen.

In addition to his loving wife, Glenda, Bud is survived by his daughters, Denise Shadix Teel and her husband, Steven Darrell Teel, and Melinda Ellen Shadix Newton and her husband, Gordon Scot Newton; his grandchildren, Lauren Rachel Teel, Christopher Parks Teel, Andrew Jason Scot Newton, and Elizabeth Grace Newton Coker; his great-grandchildren, Haley Ann Coker and Jazmine Lee Coker; and brother Jimmy Shadix and his wife, Marzell Shadix of Newnan.

Bud’s life was one of service, skill, humility, and devotion to family. He will be deeply missed by those who loved him and by the many people whose lives he touched through his friendship, wisdom, and helping hands.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bud’s memory to a veterans’ organization or a charity of your choice.

Services will be private.