THOMAS R. “BUDDY” MERCER RUSTON, LOUISIANA Funeral services for Buddy Mercer will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 11am, at First Baptist Church of Dubach with his nephew, Rev. Paul Watts and Rev. Todd Free officiating. Interment will follow at Hamilton Cemetery in Dubach under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2011, from 5pm – 8pm at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Buddy was born May 16, 1955 in Dayton, Texas and departed this world on December 5, 2011 at his home in Vienna, after a long struggle with cancer. Buddy enjoyed camping, four wheeling and spending time with his family. He was Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 45 in Ruston and loved every minute he spent with his boys. Buddy is preceded in death by his brother, Robert Sherrill Mercer. He is survived by his wife, Paula Woodall Mercer, of 19 years. His sons, Adam Michael Mercer and Thomas Luke Mercer, his parents, Floyd and Cecelia Mercer, of Dubach, Sisters Carla Watts and husband Henry, of Dubach, and Cheryl Martin and husband Ken, of Dubach. Buddy is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, Ann and Billy Woodall of Jamestown, LA. Sister-in-laws, Sherri Ballance and husband John, of Jamestown and Lisa Ashford and husband Jerry, also of Jamestown. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Stephen Norris, Keith Huffman, Tommy Doss, Bubba Hamilton, Paul Pepper, John Ballance, Ken Martin and Henry Watts. Honorary pallbearers will be the Boy Scouts from Troop 45. The family would like to thank Dr. David Osafo, Dr. Will Sanders, his chemotherapy nurses Linda and Kelly, and the nurses and staff at Professional Hospice Care for their excellent care and compassion. Memorial donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 45, c/o Janet Mayfield, 130 Yellow Pine Drive, Ruston, LA 71270. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes