Buford Tucker, 101, formerly of Ionia, KS passed away at Midland Hospice House in Topeka on February 27, 2016.
Buford was born on December 11, 1914 to Ed & Gladys Tucker on a farm NW of Ionia in Jewell County, KS. He was the second of severn children born to Ed & Gladys. Two of the seven are surviving.
Buford attended Ash Creek & Center District Schools through the 8th grade. As times were tough, there wasn't much to do other than work on the farm. In his early 20s, Buford left Kansas and went to work for the Smuckers Company in the state of Washington. He alternated between Kansas & Washington for several years until his mother passed away.
Buford married Wilma Thomas on June 12, 1940. They lived on a farm in Jewell County. They were parents to 3 children ~ Judy, Robert, and Connie. During the 1960s, they ran a grocery store in Ionia. They also took a trip to Oregon to visit relatives. Buford worked for Rose Pork Farm for about 30 years.
The Tuckers lived a simple life. They enjoyed playing pitch and dancing. Buford liked to spend time working in his shop. He was never too much into sports or other outdoorsy types of activities. Spending time with his family was the most important to him.
Buford lost his first wife on Nov 11, 1982. In 1996, he married Fern Lyon and they spent 25 years together until her passing in 2011. He then moved from his home in Ionia to Hilltop Lodge, Beloit on March 6, 2011. While at Hilltop he enjoyed playing bingo, working in the garden and woodworking, but most of all he enjoyed family and friends stopping by for a visit. In the spring of 2015, he moved to Osage City, KS to be closer to his daughters.
Preceding Buford in death were his parents; both of his wives; his son, Robert on February 19, 1965; sisters Mayme Reinert & Ruth Underwood; brothers Walt Tucker & Archie Tucker; and son-in-law Leon Falk.
Survivors are his daughters, Judy Falk of Burlingame, KS and Connie (Jim) Robertson of Olathe, KS; 7 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Fiene & Ruby Hesting; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 1 from 2-7 pm at Kleppinger Funeral Home, 409 Broadway, Jewell, KS 66949, which is handling arrangements. Funeral service will be Wednesday, March 2 at 11 am at Ionia United Methodist Church, Ionia, KS with memorials being given to the church. Burial will be in the Ionia Cemetery.