On June 15 2016, Our Dear Lord, in his infinite wisdom, called Thomas Morris "Bear" Buford, to his eternal rest.
Thomas was born December 24, 1934 in Danville, Illinois to Holice and Sara Buford. He married Barbara Lee Overstreet Buford in 1956 in Danville. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September of this year. She survives.
To his union with "Barbie", four children were born, Ms. Lisa Kay Buford Obiereze. Gail Robin Buford, Mrs. Michelle (Jerry II) Overstreet Buford Patton and Thomas Eugene Buford.
Thomas and Barbara were proud to have eight grandchildren and great-grandchild. Thomas was also survived by his sister, Valeria Buford; his only niece, Val (Pierre) Major Luttrell and great niece, Sara Luttrell.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Eugene Buford and many beloved family members and friends.
After high school, Thomas joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed in California. After military service, he returned to Danville, married Barbara, and served our community as a Vermilion County Sheriff's Deputy. Soon after, he joined The City of Danville Fire Department where he served for 28 years. Throughout his many years of service and promotions Thomas was the first African American in Danville's history to obtain the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. In retirement, he worked making dentures for a local dentist. He also worked at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery for nearly 20 years. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Commercial-News (Danville, IL)
Thomas was born December 24, 1934 in Danville, Illinois to Holice and Sara Buford. He married Barbara Lee Overstreet Buford in 1956 in Danville. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September of this year. She survives.
To his union with "Barbie", four children were born, Ms. Lisa Kay Buford Obiereze. Gail Robin Buford, Mrs. Michelle (Jerry II) Overstreet Buford Patton and Thomas Eugene Buford.
Thomas and Barbara were proud to have eight grandchildren and great-grandchild. Thomas was also survived by his sister, Valeria Buford; his only niece, Val (Pierre) Major Luttrell and great niece, Sara Luttrell.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Eugene Buford and many beloved family members and friends.
After high school, Thomas joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed in California. After military service, he returned to Danville, married Barbara, and served our community as a Vermilion County Sheriff's Deputy. Soon after, he joined The City of Danville Fire Department where he served for 28 years. Throughout his many years of service and promotions Thomas was the first African American in Danville's history to obtain the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. In retirement, he worked making dentures for a local dentist. He also worked at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery for nearly 20 years. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Commercial-News (Danville, IL)
On June 15 2016, Our Dear Lord, in his infinite wisdom, called Thomas Morris "Bear" Buford, to his eternal rest.
Thomas was born December 24, 1934 in Danville, Illinois to Holice and Sara Buford. He married Barbara Lee Overstreet Buford in 1956 in Danville. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September of this year. She survives.
To his union with "Barbie", four children were born, Ms. Lisa Kay Buford Obiereze. Gail Robin Buford, Mrs. Michelle (Jerry II) Overstreet Buford Patton and Thomas Eugene Buford.
Thomas and Barbara were proud to have eight grandchildren and great-grandchild. Thomas was also survived by his sister, Valeria Buford; his only niece, Val (Pierre) Major Luttrell and great niece, Sara Luttrell.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Eugene Buford and many beloved family members and friends.
After high school, Thomas joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed in California. After military service, he returned to Danville, married Barbara, and served our community as a Vermilion County Sheriff's Deputy. Soon after, he joined The City of Danville Fire Department where he served for 28 years. Throughout his many years of service and promotions Thomas was the first African American in Danville's history to obtain the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. In retirement, he worked making dentures for a local dentist. He also worked at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery for nearly 20 years. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Commercial-News (Danville, IL)
Thomas was born December 24, 1934 in Danville, Illinois to Holice and Sara Buford. He married Barbara Lee Overstreet Buford in 1956 in Danville. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September of this year. She survives.
To his union with "Barbie", four children were born, Ms. Lisa Kay Buford Obiereze. Gail Robin Buford, Mrs. Michelle (Jerry II) Overstreet Buford Patton and Thomas Eugene Buford.
Thomas and Barbara were proud to have eight grandchildren and great-grandchild. Thomas was also survived by his sister, Valeria Buford; his only niece, Val (Pierre) Major Luttrell and great niece, Sara Luttrell.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Eugene Buford and many beloved family members and friends.
After high school, Thomas joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed in California. After military service, he returned to Danville, married Barbara, and served our community as a Vermilion County Sheriff's Deputy. Soon after, he joined The City of Danville Fire Department where he served for 28 years. Throughout his many years of service and promotions Thomas was the first African American in Danville's history to obtain the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. In retirement, he worked making dentures for a local dentist. He also worked at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery for nearly 20 years. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Commercial-News (Danville, IL)
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