Thaddeus Buffington

HICKORY - Thaddeus "Thad" Buffington, 90, of Hickory, died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley. Born April 23, 1918, in New Kensington, Pa., he was the son of the late Harry Domer and Nellie Lucas Buffington. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Louise Bailing Buffington; two sisters, Nathel Buffington Walker and husband, George; infant twin sister, Gladys Buffington; and a brother, Myron Buffington. Mr. Buffington was a member of Third Presbyterian Church in Uniontown, Pa. He retired from the Kroger Co. after 35 years serving in store management. He worked in several cities in western Pennsylvania, including 10 years in Uniontown, Pa., where he was the recipient of the Kroger National Manager of the Year Award out of hundreds of stores nationwide. His work was his passion and he absolutely loved his job. After he retired in 1974, he and his wife moved to Port Charlotte, Fla., where he lived until moving to Hickory in 2002 and residing at Kingston Residence. He served as a tech sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and was with the rail head supply company in the European Theatre, coordinating major supplies to the front lines. Mr. Buffington was an avid sports fan and an accomplished athlete. He played semi-pro baseball and was invited to play with the Detroit White Sox Farm System at the age of 14, but his parents denied permission. His favorite sports figures and teams were the Cincinnati Reds and Pete Rose, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tiger Woods. He was an avid golfer after retiring to Florida. He is survived by two daughters, Judith Buffington Shepler and husband, Larry, and Janie Lou Buffington Haky and husband, Steve; four granddaughters, Kristan Hafer, Amy Keepper and husband, David, Erica Haky and husband, Tom, and Jennifer Sterbutzel and husband, Jesse; grandson, Daniel Shepler and wife, Beth; and nine great-grandchildren, Slater Hafer, Jake Hafer, Colby Shepler, Carson Shepler, Parker Shepler, Zoey Keepper, Lucy Keepper, Joshua Sterbutzel and Danica Sterbutzel. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at Haky Funeral Home chapel in Uniontown, Pa., with burial following in Mt. Saint Macrina Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Kingston Residence and Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley for their loving care. A special thank you to his Stephen minister and special friend, Melvin Mears. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1167, Hickory, N.C. 28603 or Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hakyfuneralhome.com. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is handling local arrangements for the family of Thaddeus "Thad" Buffington.