CLIFFORD GARY BUFFINGTON

LAMAR- A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lamar for Clifford “Gary” Buffington, 85, Lamar, who died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at his home. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Rosary will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, at Daniel Funeral Home, with a visitation that was held immediately following, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to St. Mary's Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include four daughters, LuAnn Zumwalt and husband Rob, Grove, Okla., Patty Fraley, Shawnee, Kan., Sandra Oliver and husband Pete, Coral Springs, Fla. and Renee Maceli, Miami, Fla.; three sons, Dean Buffington and wife Jeannie, Chinook, Montana, Ryan Godfrey and wife Leah, Leavenworth, Kan. and Jeffrey Godfrey and wife Ashley, Republic; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great great-children and two brothers, Virg Buffington, Ames, Iowa and Tub Buffington, Colo, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Darwin Buffington and Mike Buffington; one sister, Karol Buffington; one sister-in-law, Jolene Buffington and his father-in-law, Clarence Schorzman.

Mr. Buffington was born Jan. 14, 1938, in Nevada, Iowa, to Clifford and Ann (O’Donnell) Buffington. He grew up in Colo, Iowa and attended school there. He was a crop and cattle farmer and inherited his love of horses and horse pulls from his father. He moved his family to Lamar in 1976. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Catholic Church. He married Carol Ann Schorzman on Nov. 23, 1996, in Joplin.

Mr. Buffington was a straightforward man who told the truth, not to make you mad, but because you needed to hear it. He wasn't a stranger to hard work and made an honest living with great impacts on those that knew him. He was often lighthearted, even when he probably shouldn't be. He was a family man and loved his kids and grandkids in a very special and generous way. He enjoyed coaching and watching them grow in their love of sports. He was a friend and man you always wanted on your side. He cheered for the underdog, gave a firm handshake and absolutely made his community better. Over the years, his work with horses led him to work with Amish Communities all over the country. The best advice he shared just last week to one of his grandchildren was to "take the trip and enjoy the kids because they grow up quick."