Kay Buford

1943 - 2025

Kay Buford

Jul 1, 1943 - Oct 27, 2025

Kay was born in Wichita, Kansas, on July 1, 1943. Her mother and father were there while Dick was playing professional baseball. When they settled down in Poteau, Oklahoma, is when Kay found her love of "country life". Kay was raised on the back of a horse. Introduced by her dad, Kay became comfortable riding at the age of three. It wasn't unusual for Kay and her girlfriends to traverse the county from daylight until dark on the backs of those first equine companions.

The flower shop and nursery her parents owned in Poteau was like a small family farm, and everyone, including young Kay Lou, had to pull their weight. There were deliveries to be made, and Kay needed to get off that horse and start learning to drive. So, at 12 years old, her dad would let her drive the truck up and down Cavanal Hill until she had passed the Dick Stone school of driving. She did and began delivering flowers all over the county, "back roads only," said Dad!

When Kay left Poteau for OSU, she began an education that she would take by the reins and traverse OSU, Tulane, and OU, finishing with a master's in Clinical Social Work that would enable her to practice in Tulsa for the next 28 years. Kay began her private practice next, dedicating herself to those in need in Tulsa and beyond.

Kay made friends, for life. Her dear friends made up a unique family, that Kay enjoyed up until she was called home. She also had a love of all creatures she encountered. Whether rescuing a turtle from the turnpike or monitoring the activities of a family of foxes living on the property, Kay valued all life and made it a priority to "rescue"!

Following Kay's retirement, she devoted herself to the magnificent stable of horses she loved. Arabian horses were her life's passion, evidenced by the many awards and notable acknowledgments she received, nationally.

There are not many more beautiful scenes than driving up the road to see her horses running to greet her as she returned to the home she shared with these wonderful creatures.

When Kay married the love of her life, Dan Buford, she was blessed with his three children Steve, Sam and Sharon, and would enjoy them and their children for the rest of her life.

Kay Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Stephen Buford; her parents, Dick and Kathleen Stone; her brother, Ken Stone; and her great-nephew, Emery Stone Smith. Kay is survived by her niece, Kimberly Hiddleston; her husband, David; and son, Wiley Todd; and nephew, Spencer Stone and his wife, Hilarie, sons, Carter, Fletcher, and Quincy; and sister-in-law, Judith Stone. She is also survived by Dan's son, Stephen and his fiancé, Dana Kennedy, his son, Sam and wife, Kirsten, as well as his daughter, Sharon Linsenmeyer and her husband, Rodney. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Audrey and Jacob Buford, Emma, Cate, Hannah, and Henry Linsenmeyer.

Visitation 12 to 5 p.m., on October 29th, Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, at 918-585-1151

Graveside Services, Thursday, October 30th, 11 a.m., at Memorial Park Cemetery.

www.fitzgeraldfuneralservice.com