Norman Ross Buffington

Our precious husband and father Norman Ross Buffington was born to Q. R. and Alvina Buffington on March 8, 1934. Norm entered the world in Billings, Montana and began his life on the high windswept plains of Northern Montana at the family farm, approximately 50 miles from the Canadian Border where his father grew wheat and raised cattle. Norm joined his brother Donald and two years later his younger brother Phillip joined the family. Norm began his education at a one-room schoolhouse with six other students and his mother, who was the teacher to all the children. In the sixth grade the family moved during the winter to Chester, Montana because getting to school 30 miles away was a struggle with unpaved roads. Norm graduated from Chester High School in 1951 at age 16.

Norm attended several colleges, beginning in Billings, Montana at Rocky Mountain College and later Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana where he received a provisional teaching certificate. Norm taught 6th grade in Great Falls, Montana for five years and finished his degree at the University of Montana in Missoula, graduating in 1958. After graduation, Norm moved to California and taught 8th grade Science and Math in middle school. In 1960 he met and married Patricia Berg.

After attending graduate school at Montana State University, Norm’s second career began as a result of running out of money! Norm, Patty and Jacquie left Bozeman, Montana for Seattle, Washington where Norm was hired by The Boeing Co. They were transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana where Boeing was building the booster for the rocket John Glen rode in. By this time their first baby was a northern child. While in Louisiana, Gwen was born and now they had a northern baby and a southern baby. Later a job came up in Michigan where Debbie was born and now they had a Northern baby, a Southern baby and an Eastern baby. In California, where David was born they now had a Northern baby, a Southern baby, an Eastern baby and a Western baby. Their marriage produced a wonderful family of four children, Jacquelynn, Gwendolynn, Deborah and David and lasted 62 years.

Norm loved his family above all other areas of his varied life and always took the entire family with him if he was being transferred across the United States or on a truly memorable month-long vacation in Europe. During his career, Norm taught school in Montana and California, worked at The Boeing Co in Seattle, Washington, New Orleans, Louisiana, Huntsville, Alabama and Detroit, Michigan. Norm joined IBM in 1967 in California and worked with IBM for 13 years. He then went on his own as a successful computer analyst and was hired by the Univ. of California Presidents’ Office in Oakland, California where he took his first retirement. After all these moves and adventures, he again went on his own and contracted with business in Utah, Oregon, Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada during Y2K. Norm was also a very active father in his children’s lives, going to and enjoying all of his children’s activities and coaching basketball, softball and soccer. He was person who could fix nearly anything and the entire family always depended on Dad to get it done and he did. His family dearly loved him.

Norm leaves behind his wife Patricia, his three daughters and one son and their families. Jacquelynn Buffington Bernard, husband Mike, two sons Brian and Nick. Gwendolynn Buffington Ball, husband Steve, one daughter Emily and two sons, Cameron and Jackson. Deborah Buffington Fein, husband David, one daughter Eva, and two sons Nathan and Zachary. David Buffington, wife Jamie, one daughter Campbell, all of whom Norm dearly loved. His Father and Mother and two brothers preceded Norm in death. Norm also leaves many nephews, nieces and cousins from a very large extended family along with several in-laws and out-laws all of whom were very important to him and truly loved, although too many to name.

Norm was truly loved by his wife and children and they wish for the time to quickly come that we may all be together again. Funeral services are scheduled for September 9, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at The Springs Lutheran Church, 470 Rockwell Ave. Sparks, NV near the intersection of Pyramid Hwy and La Posada Blvd. Turn right at La Posada and use the First Round-About to turn back to Rockwell Ave. The Church is two blocks on the left. A light lunch follows the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fitzhenrysfuneralhome.com for the Buffington family.