Kenneth Scott Buffington

Kenneth Scott Buffington September 30, 1919 — March 1, 2014 Kenneth Scott Buffington died March 1, 2014 at his home. He was 94. His life was well lived. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Ken's greatest gifts were his positive attitude and his love of people. Ken was the youngest son of Warren Burton Buffington and Hazel Ruth Scott Buffington. He was born on September 30, 1919 in a rural farm area south of Wauneta, Nebraska. He began his formal schooling in a one room country school house, which he attended through the eighth grade. He and his brother, Bob, batched together in town while attending Wauneta High School. They lived in a used-to-be chicken coop and ate cold pancakes for breakfast. Throughout his four years in high school, Ken lettered in football, basketball, baseball and tennis. He was a naturally talented athlete and baseball was his first love. He graduated from high school in 1938. He later played semi-pro baseball in Nebraska. After graduation Ken worked on the Buffington family farm. His dream was to attend college at the University of Nebraska and play for The Huskers, but a hail storm wiped out the dry land wheat crop that year so there was no money to go to college. In August of 1942 Ken volunteered and joined the United States Navy. A Nebraska farm boy's choice of the Navy made no sense, but he wanted a dry warm place to sleep. He served in World War II aboard a destroyer, the USS Farenholt. He was a radar man for three and a half years. The USS Farenholt DD491 was involved in many battles in the South Pacific and received thirteen medals of commendation. His ship was hit by a torpedo that did extensive damage which made it necessary to return to San Francisco for repairs. It was at this time that Ken went home on leave and was united in marriage to Nina Horn on April 26, 1944 at the United Methodist Church in Benkelmen, Nebraska. After a short honeymoon in Denver, Colorado at the Argonaut Hotel, Ken returned to overseas duty and served until he safely returned home and received his Honorable Discharge. After the war was over, Ken and Nina built a new home in Benkelmen where they started a plumbing and heating business. They raised two children, a daughter, Gail Maureen and a son, Gary Kenneth. Ken was very active in the community. He served on the Town Council, the American Legion Board and the Volunteer Fire Department. In 1956 Ken moved his family to Fort Collins, Colorado. Both Ken and Nina believed that education was a necessary ingredient for success and wanted their children to have the educational opportunities available to them in northern Colorado. Ken worked in the plumbing and heating business for over 30 years. He had many customers that always asked for him to do their work.Ken retired in July of 1982. Ken was an ardent sports fan all his life. He loved his New York Yankees. Both Ken and Nina were active with the "Poudre Boosters" at Poudre High School, where both Gail and Gary graduated. Ken was also instrumental in helping start youth baseball in Fort Collins in 1961. He recently joined the Fort Collins Baseball Club in celebrating their 50th Anniversary of providing the youth of the Fort Collins community the opportunity to play the game of baseball. Through the years, Ken and Nina supported and attended many of the school activities and sporting events of their children and grandchildren. They were always very proud of their children's accomplishments in education and their chosen professions. After his retirement, golf became his passion sport. He could be outside in the fresh air and he loved the competition. He was really good at it too. He made his first "Hole-in-One" at age 77. Then he went on to score 3 more "Holes-In-One". His last one was when he was 85. Every person he had the pleasure of meeting, he would ask them if they golfed and if they said no he would tell them," Well you better get out there and learn." Even after his fall, which resulted in a broken hip and then rehab, he was still at the Cattail Course in Loveland at age 93 with his wheels his walker. Golfing kept him moving, gave him something to look forward to and boy was it have fun. Ken was an amazing man and a great role model. He was preceded in death by his parents, all of his four siblings, and his dear, sweet, wife, Nina. He is survived by his daughter, Gail Ward of Longmont and her husband John; his son, Gary Buffington of Fort Collins and his wife Sally; five grandchildren: Jennifer McCabe of Kansas City, Missouri and her husband, Mike, Marc Buffington of Fort Collins and his wife, Kate and his great grandson, Logan Buffington; Kimberly Porter of Cheyenne, Wyoming and her husband, Glen, and by grandsons, Matthew Buffington of Colorado Springs and Kevin Ward of Longmont. Also, he is survived by many nieces and nephews from Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona. Those who desire may view Ken from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Ken's Life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014 at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Road, Fort Collins, Colorado with a reception immediately following. Interment with full Military Honors will be conducted by active Navy personnel and the Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard at Grandview Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Ken's name to Pathways Hospice, Fort Collins Youth Baseball or Poudre High School in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

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Kenneth Scott Buffington

September 30, 1919 - March 1, 2014