Alford J. Buford Jr.

                                                             1940 -  2018

Alfred J. Buford Jr. ” Al” age 77, of Freeport, Fl. A native of St. Martinville,  La. passed away Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at Select Specialty Hospital in Pensacola, Fl.  He lived most of his early years as a resident of the Coteau Holmes community in St. Martin Parish until he joined the Air Force.

Al served our country in the Air Force for 22 years (1958 – 1980) while serving (2) two tours in Vietnam and retired as a Captain.  After retirement from the Air Force, Al worked in Safety with Safety Ammunitions and Explosives in Hawthorne Nevada, where he met Rebecca.  He later became the Safety Director for United Technologies in San Jose, California, and worked there until civilian retirement, where they began preparations for their sailing trip to Florida and his final resting place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ our Redeemer Catholic Church in Niceville, Fl. Father Bob Johnson will be the celebrant.  A gathering of family and friends will be held prior to the Mass from 10-11 a.m. Interment will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery with full military honors. 

Al will be remembered by his Cajun friends and relatives for sailing his 44 foot sail boat the Soldawna, from San Francisco Bay, through the Panama Canal, then up the Bayou Teche, anchoring at the Evangeline Oak, with Rebecca, David and Michael by his side.  He then sailed from St. Martinville to Destin, Florida, which became the Soldawna’s final voyage.

Survivors include his wife; Rebecca of 33 years of Freeport, Fl.  Brother; Murphy Ray Buford and wife, Glenna of Concord, Ca. Sister; Edie B Gerbracht of Las Vegas, Nev. Children; Anthony and Andrew Buford of Destin, Fl.  David Barnhurst and wife, Jill, and Michael Barnhurst of Atlanta, Charlton “Skipper” Buford and Curstin Rutherford of Fort Walton, Fl.  Nieces and Nephews; Kim D. Ryan and husband, Mark of Slidell, Joel J. Dugas and wife, Fran, of Loreauville, Lee L. “Rocky” Dugas II of Howard, Ohio, Shawn Buford, Werner Gerbracht, Matthew Gerbracht and Gina G. Kalehuawehe and husband, Billy, all of Las Vegas, Danielle Buford of Reno, Nev. Jonnie B. Valenciano and husband, Rob, of Anaheim, Ca.  Raymond Buford of Concord, Ca. and Murphy Buford Jr. and Wife Tina of Virginia.  Kelly Ryan of Slidell, La. Nathan Ryan of Augusta, Ga. Grandchildren; Taylor Sullivan of North Vernon, In. Timothy and Anna Barnhurst of Atlanta, Ga. And Zachary, Brianna        , Joseph Rutherford of Fort Walton Beach, Fl.  Great Grandson Kai Johnson of North Vernon, In.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Alfred J. Buford Sr. Kate Daigle Buford, Sister, Peggy Buford Dugas

Pallbearers will be Joel Dugas, Jake Dugas, Emily Dugas, David Barnhurst, Michael Barnhurst, Steve Rutherford.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Fort Walton Medical Center and for their loving care of compassion bestowed to our beloved Husband and Father.

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