Buddy Leger, national watermelon leader, dies

Charles M. “Buddy” Leger, a major U.S. watermelon and pecan grower, has died. He was 92.

Leger co-founded Leger & Son, based in Cordele, Georgia.

Leger, who was also a leading figure in national pecan and watermelon associations and promotion organizations, passed away on Feb. 28.

After leaving the Navy, Leger worked for years as a USDA inspector in south Georgia, grading peanuts and other commodities before managing the Cordele state farmers market. In 1965, he started growing and shipping watermelons and also planted pecan trees on his father’s farm. He established a buying point for watermelons and pecans.

Born in Knox County, Kentucky, Buddy is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marjorie; three daughters, one son, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two stepsons, two sisters and a brother.

Son Greg Leger is Leger & Son’s president and owner, while Greg’s daughter Bailey works in marketing and son Cole is in field operations.

In the early 1980s, Buddy joined other industry leaders to establish the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) for watermelon research and promotion and was its first president. Buddy was on the National Watermelon Association’s (NWA) executive council and was president and board chairman of the Georgia Watermelon Association.

Buddy was president of the National Pecan Marketing Council, a member of the Federated Pecan Association’s board of directors, president of the Georgia Pecan Distributors Association and a member of the Georgia Pecan Grower’s Association. Buddy was also chairman of the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Pecans.

Buddy formed the pecan partnership L & M Enterprises, as well as the watermelon partnership L & M Melon Sales. In 1999, he dissolved the partnerships and formed the current business with Greg.

Buddy served on numerous boards, including in the 1988 Transition Team for Agriculture from the Reagan administration to the Bush administration. He was also on the National Council for Agriculture Research, Extension and Teaching for University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

In 1979, 1986 and 1990, Buddy received the NWA Outstanding Service Award, the organization’s highest recognition reserved for people who have made a significant impact on and/or contribution to the watermelon industry, according to his obituary.

“When the name C. M. ‘Buddy’ Leger is mentioned, those who knew him remember his tremendous love and support of his family, his spiritual devotion, and his dedicated service and personal sacrifice that had a substantial impact on the watermelon industry, the pecan industry, the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and his state and community,” according to his obituary.

Buddy was known for his strong convictions and agricultural knowledge.

“Buddy was an accomplished manager with years of experience with proven ability to lead and implement strategies and develop new ideas and to lead in a positive manner. He was in the agriculture industry for over 75 years, which included harvesting and marketing pecans and watermelons,” according to his obituary.

Funeral services for Leger were held March 4.