John Franklin Buford was born on April 13, 1940 in Trumann, Arkansas to Joe Wheeler and Vernia Louise Buford. John passed away, peacefully at home on April 28, 2019 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer with the help of his son John and daughter Bonnie, who provided care for him for the final month of his life.
John met Bonnie Jean Gray in Kern County and they married in 1960. They were married until she passed in 2007. John missed her terribly and looked forward to the day that he would be reunited with her.
John worked for P,G&E for nearly 30 years, before retiring in 1989. He continued working as a self-employed Diesel Mechanic until about a month before he passed. He was always hard-working and earned a great reputation as a sought-after diesel mechanic with many of the local farmers in Kern County. He has maintained relationships with many of his co-workers from P,G,&E and those he has worked for over the years in his own business.
John is survived by his children, Bonnie Mays and husband Jim Mays, Fonda Winslow and husband Mike Winslow, and John Buford; his grandchildren Donald Buford, Sarah Fiske, Nick Evans and wife Jasmine Evans, Tanner Winslow and wife Zulema Juaregui-Winslow, and Michaena Winslow; his great-grandson Ryett Evans; his sister’s Rosemary Foster and Shirley Buford; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Joe Wheeler and Vernia Buford; Wife Bonnie Buford; sisters Colleen Hammond, Eva Bailey, Martha Russell, and Jack Bailey; brother Joe “Bud” Buford.
John will be dearly missed by his family and friends, but we are comforted to know that his pain has ended and he is finally reunited with our mother.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to Sheila Rich and Brian Williams for their help during this difficult time.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 5pm-9pm and services will be held on May 9, 2019 at 10am at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306. Graveside services will follow where John will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Bonnie.
Flowers may be sent to Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306.
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