Rexford Beason Buffington

The Florida Times-Union, 1/1/2009

BUFFINGTON Rexford Beason Buffington died December 28, 2008. He was 92 years of age and had resided in Jacksonville since 1963. He was born in Steele, Alabama on July 30, 1916 to Eunice Beason and Luke Whittick Buffington, the fifth of seven children.

He grew up in the small Steele community, and when Steele was incorporated in 1952, he served as the first town clerk. As a young man, his promising baseball career was interrupted by World War II. He was a proud member of the US Army and recently was honored as a surviving Veteran of World War II. He served in Europe with the 97th Infantry Division.

In 1945, en route to Japan, his division was on the Pacific Island of Cebu when the war ended. After the War, he began his career with American Bakeries in Gadsden, Alabama. His positions with Merita took him and his family to Rome, Georgia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and finally to Jacksonville where he chose to remain after retirement..some thirty years ago.

In retirement, Rex took special joy in his grandchildren and relished being part of their lives. He loved gardening, and his summer vegetable crops were enjoyed by many. At the time of his death, he was a resident of The Atrium at Regency.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-four years, Marguerite Turner Buffington, an infant daughter, and five siblings. He is survived by one brother, Ormond Hugh Buffington of Springville, Alabama.

He is also survived by his daughters Norma Williamson (Richard) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Sally Wolfe (Edwin) of Jacksonville, Florida; and Madolyn Johns (Cliff) of Alexandria Virginia: his grandchildren, Rich Williamson (Ruth) and Caroline von Kessler (Wilson); Brad Wolfe (Kary), Andrew Wolfe (Lashan) and Stephen Wolfe; Jennifer Johns: his great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Ashley and Richard Williamson; Leila and Anna von Kessler; Jackson Wolfe; Luke Wolfe and Rex Wolfe...his namesake.

A memorial service will be held in Alabama at the Steele Methodist Church where he once served as Chairman of the Official Board.

Interment will be in The Steele Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Steele Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 385, Steele, Alabama 35987.

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