Guy T. Bufkin

Guy T. Bufkin of Bay St. Louis, MS, devoted family man and fisherman, went home to be with the Lord August 13, 2009. Born July 15, 1915 in Atlanta, GA. to Guy T. Bufkin Sr. and Nancy Ella (Beard) Bufkin. Guy has been counting the days when he would reunite with Jackie, his wife of 61 years. Their display of love and loyalty to each other was an inspiration to the entire family. He grew up in the heart of the depression whose lessons he carried with him his entire life. Guy was "very fortunate to have done so many varied and interesting things in his life." He worked in his dad's mercantile store in Waynesboro as a boy, in a saw mill in Quitman as a teenager; he operated movie projectors in Waynesboro, The Avalon in the Pass, and Ortte's Theater in Bay St. Louis (later known as the Star Theater). In the 1930's he learned how to fix coin machines, juke boxes, pinball and arcade machines. He became interested in electronics and took correspondence courses teaching himself how to repair radios. He enlisted in the Coast Guard as a Radio Technician at the beginning of WWII and began installing radios and radar in PT boats in New Orleans and teaching radio classes in Mobile. He helped set up and maintain radio equipment at remote stations all along the Gulf Coast while stationed in Brownsville, Texas, Pensacola and Panama City Florida. After the war he went into business for himself placing juke boxes and pinball machines throughout Hancock County. The business needed more room so he moved to Bay St. Louis in 1951 where he opened and operated Bufkin's TV & Appliance store on Second Street. He was the exclusive RCA dealer for the area, expanded into furniture and serviced everything he sold. After selling the business in 1972 and retiring he began purchasing and restoring boats. He sold, installed and repaired radios, radar and depth finders to commercial and leisure boaters. Mr. Bufkin has been a member of the American Legion Post 139 for 65 years; he was active in the '60s in the civil defense; he served many years as a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 where he taught boating safety classes. As a communication officer he achieved the rank of Commander. He was called upon many times to drop what he was doing and head out into the Sound or the marshes to rescue stranded boaters or pick up people in the water who had abandoned burning vessels. His family already misses him, his dry wit, his great sence of humor and the endless giving of his love. He is survived by his sister Mildred Bufkin Brandon, four of his children, daughter Shirley and husband Don Russum of Nashville, TN, daughter Eleanor and husband Norman Cory of Saucier, MS, son Ron Bufkin and wife Lisa of Dallas, TX, and son Guy Edward and wife Darlene of Bay St. Louis, MS. He leaves ten grandchildren, Jimmy, Paul and Mark Russum, Erin Taylor, Dana Lynn DuBois, Ronnie Martin, Amber, Helen Aubye, and Amanda Bufkin and Ricky Trudell. He leaves four great grandchildren, Hanna Russum, Jacki Knapp, Allen and Laura DuBois. He also leaves sister-in-law Elaine Aubye of New Orleans, LA, sister-in-law Faye Bufkin Herring of Bay St Louis, nieces, Betty, Pat, Deborah, Claudia, Connie, Beverly and Patti and nephews, Johnny and Danny, countless cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Jackie, daughters Mary Louise and Miriam Cheryll Bufkin, his brothers Jack and John Lewis Bufkin and sister Marjorie Brannon and grandson Thomas Russum. There will be a memorial mass Friday August 21st at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church at 1:30 PM followed by a grave site service at Garden of Memories.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS is in charge of the arrangements.