Elmore Buffkin Jr.

Sargent Major (Ret) Elmore M. Buffkin, Jr., 89, of Disputanta, VA and formerly of Cape Coral, FL., was called home to be with the Lord on November 20, 2015. He was born on March 30, 1926 in Bladenboro, N.C. and was the son of the late, Elmore and Alma Inman Buffkin; and was also preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Dorothy Frances Collie Buffkin; one son, Elmore M. Buffkin; and a sister, Gladys Buffkin Millican. At the age of 9, he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of his life. He was strong in his faith. Elmore attended elementary and secondary schools in Columbus County, NC. And received his certificate of high school equivalency from the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Leo College in Saint Leo, FL, having graduated Magna Cum Laude. He attended Chapman College in Orange, CA. While managing a shoe store in Wilmington, NC, Elmore met and married Dorothy Collie, on April 25, 1943. They had three children, Barbara, Elmore Marcel and Dave. Elmore and Dorothy moved to Savannah, GA, so he could take a position with Southeastern Shipbuilding Company. From here he was drafted in the United States Army and was sent to Ft. Bragg, NC, Field Artillery Training. He was assigned to a 240MM FA. BN, and sent to the European Theater of Operations (France and Germany). When the war ended, the general wanted a band. Elmore was ordered to audition for the band, which he did, and served as a musician, (performer and director) for the next 18 years. The next 12 years he served in logistics. He served as CSM, 7th S&T BN in Korea and was SGM G4, II Field Forces and The Third Regional Assistance Command RVN. Elmore was a graduate of every course the QM school offered. The NCOLP, SR QM NCO, QM Basic Officer and QM Career Officer Extension Course. During his military service, he received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, ETO, WWIIVM, AFEM (Korea), VSM, RVNCM, ROKPUC, RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the Meritorious Service Medal. His list of awards and citations are many. He retired, honorably on August 31, 1975. He was employed with the City of Petersburg, VA, Public Utilities, until he retired on July 1, 1991. Elmore was initiated in the Fort Benning Lodge # 579, A.F. & A.M. in Columbus, GA, on April 16, 1951. He received the Scottish Rite of the Valley of Central Jersey, Trenton, NJ and the Order of the Eastern Star of Germany Chapter #1. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He loved preaching and teaching the Holy Bible, and leading the singing in churches and nursing homes. He served as Chaplain for several groups. Mr. Buffkin was a member of Oakland Baptist Church, in Disputanta, VA. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Dungan and husband, Duane; one son, Dave Buffkin and wife, Tammy; eight grandchildren, Donovan Dungan and wife, Tracie, Doug Dungan, Shelley Dungan Maruca and husband, John, Christopher Buffkin and wife, Wendy, Timothy Buffkin and wife Heather, Walter Brian, Kristin and Rebekah Buffkin; eight great-grandchildren, Aaron, Ryan, and Elizabeth Dungan, Jake Maruca, Christopher D., Michelle, McKenna and Tanner Buffkin; and two nieces, Alma Jane Russell and Ana Lee Millican. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at Oakland Baptist Church, with the Rev. Robert Livesay and the Rev. Dr. Tom Lovorn, officiating. Entombment will Full Military and Masonic Rites will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George, VA. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Rd., Petersburg, VA 23805. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Oakland Baptist Church or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Service Information

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 11:00am, Oakland Baptist Church