Jackson; Kingwood, TX
Funeral Home
Visitation
Kingwood Funeral Home (22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, TX), Thursday, September 5, 2024, 9:30-10:30 am.
Service
Kingwood Funeral Home (22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, TX), Thursday, September 5, 2024, 10:30 am.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on Aug 28, 2024 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Captain John Morton Bufkin, age 94, who had served within the MSARNG within the 31st Dixie Division and the 136th Transportation Group has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. Bufkin was a Korean War Veteran. Prior to receiving his officer commission, Bufkin was a Master Sergeant.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
John Morton Bufkin peacefully passed away on the afternoon of August 28, 2024 at the age of 94. Born on December 8, 1929, in Jackson, Mississippi, he was the eldest of five children to James Morris Bufkin and Susie Jane Davis.
After graduating from high school in Terry, MS, John pursued his passion for chemistry, earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. His life took a pivotal turn during the Korean War, where he served his country with distinction. As a Sergeant First Class in the 31st Infantry Division of the National Guard, and later as a Master Sergeant with the 136th Transportation Group in Jackson, MS, John demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. He was among the first three Mississippi National Guardsmen to graduate from Officer Candidate School at Fort Riley, Kansas, which led to his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps for the Mississippi National Guard.
On July 30, 1959, John married his loving wife, Patricia, in New Orleans, LA. Together, they began raising their two sons, Lance and Derek, and embarked on a journey that would take them across the globe, following John’s thriving career in the oilfield industry with CAMCO Products and Services. Their travels took them to Venezuela in 1974 and England in 1980 before they finally settled in Kingwood, TX, in 1989, where John would retire in 1994.
John lived life fully, overcoming challenges with grace and resilience. He successfully battled prostate cancer, worked as a consultant in the oilfield services, and even enjoyed selling suits in the men’s department at Foley’s. His retirement years were filled with love and laughter, whether he was lending a hand (and sometimes getting in the way) at Pat’s antique business, spreading the Good News through Gideons International, or attending services at the Second Baptist Church in Kingwood. John found joy in the simple pleasures—watching sports, Fox News and following the stock market, working in his yard, walking the dogs, and, most of all, cherishing time spent with his beloved grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 60 years, Patricia Bufkin. He leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication in his sons, Lance Bufkin and his wife Stacy, and Derek Bufkin and his wife Jenny. He is also survived by his brother, Henry “Harvey” Bufkin, and his grandchildren, Madison and Preston.
A memorial service to honor John’s life will be held at Kingwood Funeral Home (22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, TX 77339) on Thursday, September 5th. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am, followed by a service at 10:30 am. John will be laid to rest with military honors at Houston National Cemetery (10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038) at 1:00 pm.
The family welcomes online condolences, which may be left at www.dignitymemorial.com.