Autry Lee Buford's Obituary
Autry Lee Buford was born in Itasca, TX, October 22, 1925. He was the first born of three children born to Oscar and Robbie Buford. He had a brother whose name was Oscar, (O.B.), and a sister, whose name was Pearl. She was taken back to heaven after two months on this earth. Autry Buford was raised in Austin, TX, in the old Clarksville community in West Austin. Being raised in a Christian home, he professed a faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age. When his mother became a single parent during his early years, he helped his mother working various odd jobs to bring money into the house. Even though times were hard, Autry managed to complete his education graduating from Anderson High School in Austin, TX. When Autry was of age, he entered the U.S. Navy in January, 1944 to March, 1946, during WWII, where he served his first tour on a destroyer ship, the USS ALBANY, for two years. He re-enlisted in April, 1951 to February, 1954. He earned the rank of Seaman Second Class. His tours of duty took him to Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Algeria, Columbia, and Brazil. During that time, he continued to help his mother out by sending his pay home. His mother used that money to help her purchase a home for her family in the Clarksville community While in the Navy, Autry met and married the love of his life, Geraldine Bolden in 1947. To this union of 67 years, six children were born: Larry Bernard, Roy Nolan, Michael Dwain, Sharon Faye, (Roland), Carolyn Denise,(Johnson), and Gregory Allen. After returning from service, Autry continued his education by graduating from a business school and attending Houston Tilloston College, a historical black college, in Austin, TX. He had a great love for Westerns where the family would often gather on weekends around the black and white TV and enjoyed the RIFLEMAN and LAWMAN. He also loved to cook, barbeque, and go fishing on a boat. Autry moved his family from Austin to Dallas, TX in the late 1950’s. There, the family moved their church membership to Bethany Baptist Church. As he labored two and three jobs to help make ends meet during the turbulent 1960’s, he made sure that his children had a home with both parents present, that they went to and stayed in the church, that they all finished high school and had the opportunity to go to college, and that he insisted that when one became of working age, they immediately go and get a job to learn responsibility and support themselves. Family gatherings were a tradition on Sundays, birthdays, and holidays. The family was blessed to celebrate Autry Lee Buford’s 90th birthday on October 22, 2015. Our Heavenly Father called Autry home on July 10, 2016. He is preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine, his parents, Oscar and Robbie Buford (Arnold), his sister, Pearl, his brother, O.B. and step-brother, Nathaniel. He is survived by his six children: Larry, Roy, Michael, (Mable), Sharon Roland, (Herbert, Jr.), Carolyn Johnson, (Paul), and Gregory; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and beloved friends. Now, let the Church say AMEN and AMEN; GLORY TO GOD! The visitation for Autry Buford will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Restland Funeral Home. The service for Autry will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, July 15, 2016 at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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