Buford M. Turner, 67, of Vinton, died Monday, January 17, 2011, at his residence.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 21, 2011, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor Don Johnson of Magnolia Baptist Church in Vinton, and assisting will be Brother Dale Tatum, U.S. Naval Chaplin Retired and current chaplain of the American Legion Post # 208 in Vinton. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Bridge City, with Military Honors provided by the Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.
Born in Leesville, Louisiana on August 1, 1943, Buford was the son of Thomas and Fannie Lea Moore Turner. Buford was a U.S. Army Veteran, an active member of the American Legion "John C. Bowden" Post 208 in Vinton, having served as the Post Commander for over 21 years. Buford has lived in Vinton since 1974 and was a retired electrician. Buford loved working with all Veterans, he was an active supporter of the Vinton Lions football team, and was active with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and The Vinton Cancer Support Group.
Buford was preceded in death by his parents, his son Daniel Turner, brothers Douglas Turner, Glen Turner, and Neal Turner. He was also preceded by sisters Eloise Johnson and Mary Borders. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Karen "Kay" Kittrell Turner of Vinton, three sons, Matt Stephanie Turner of Vinton, Darin Charlotte Turner of Beggs, Oklahoma, and Don Stephanie Turner of Moss Bluff, Louisiana., 15 grandchildren, one great grandchild, brothers Thomas Terri Turner of Bridge City, Rudolph Patsy Turner of Leesville, and sister Sheryl Jeff Wenig of Leesville.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Lennie Benoit, Jerry Kittrell, Sam Kittrell, Jerry McInnis, Ricky Owen and Tommy Vassar. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be his 12 grandsons, 1 great-grandson, and 3 granddaughters.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 208, 5461 Joe Courville Rd., Vinton, LA 70668, or to the American Cancer Society, 755 South 11th St., Suite 212, Beaumont, TX 77701.