Gary Vernon Buffington

Gary Vernon Buffington, 66, of Poplar Bluff, MO passed away on August 13, 2025. Gary was born on April 25, 1959, to Alta (Dunlap) Buffington and the late Vernon Buffington, in Peoria, Illinois. After graduating from Poplar Bluff High School, in 1977, Gary served in the United States Army. He later became a successful business owner of Certified Automotive, which later became Buffington Automotive. Later he then was a long-time employee of MFA Oil Company. Gary enjoyed horses, cars, hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and the St. Louis Cardinal's Baseball. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Gary is survived by sons, Corey Vernon Buffington (Chyanne), Cody Buffington; three grandchildren, Montana Buffington (Ericka), James Buffington, and Grace Buffington; and one great grandchild, Maylon Dunivan. He is also survived by his mother Alta Dunlap Buffington; two sisters, Gayla Buffington Pruett (Bloyce), Glenda Buffington Bell (Steve); four nephews, Ben Pruett (Lisa), Brandon Pruett, John Bell, and Steven Bell Jr. (Ann); one niece, Flesha Pruett Billmeier; three great-nephews, Kaleb Billmeier, Aidan Bell and Reid Bell; one great-niece, Mollie Pruett , Memphis McCasland. As well as many aunts, uncles and cousins survive. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Buffington; his wife, Pamela Harwell Buffington, his brother, Gerry Dan Buffington; his maternal grandparents, Homer and Mary Deckard Dunlap; and paternal grandparents, Claude Buffington Sr. and Mollie Allison Buffington. Funeral services will be held at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home 701 Vine St. Poplar Bluff, at 10am Monday, August 18, 2025. Burial with full military honors will follow at Kinsey Cemetery in Harviell, Missouri. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959