Obituary of John R. Buffington

John Bufflngton passed away peacefully at 72, with his family by his side, at his home in Vancouver, WA. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life's challenges with a smile. He was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Born in Bremerton Washington on July 19,1949, John was the son of George Buffington and Lois Schauer. He grew up on a small farm in Marysvi]le, WA. Being the oldest child he had the responsibility to rise very early, before anyone else, to feed the animals and make lunches for his six siblings, before they all headed out to school. John attended Olympia Junior College where he studied mathematics & electronics. He supported himself through school by working as a line cook at Crazy Eric's. This is where he met the love of his life Linda Cauley who waitressed there. Linda remarked that John's outgoing and comical personality brought her out of her shell and always brightened her day. John eventually proposed to Linda by wrapping the small ring box in progressively larger and larger boxes, disguising the true intent of the moment. They married on December 6, 1969, and were together for over 50 years. One of their happy early memories together involved walking hand in hand through the snow from their small newlywed apartment in Bremerton to get coffee at the corner shop. John and Linda were blessed with a large family, having four children: Brooks, Brian, Brandi, and Brittany. John was a hard-working man who used his charisma, brain, and brawn to support his family and fund his hobbies. He started his career as an electronics salesman after graduating from college in 1969 with a degree in electronics. For many years, he traveled all across the state of Washington on his sales route. It was on these travels that John and Linda became closer as newlyweds, seeing sights for the first time, such as the quaint little towns of the Olympic Peninsula. Later he pivoted his career by leaming the trade skills necessary to build his businesses in general construction and commercial cleaning. Eventually, his passion for technology led him back to school to earn numerous certifications in computer network systems administration. This put him in his true career passion, working with cutting edge technology at Boeing, where he eventually retired in 2009. John was passionate about such hobbies as scuba diving in the Puget Sound to explore the seafloor and fish for dungeness crab; geeking out on HAM radios and calling to talk to friends and family far and wide; tinkering with the latest technology and building computers for family and friends; as well as entertaining his kids with balloon animals and designs. He loved to share these passions and skills with his kids and grandkids, which would serve them well later on in life in their own careers. John's face was always lit up with a smile. He lovedto tell jokes, pull pranks, and tease those he loved, ironically he never liked to be the butt of a joke. A boundaryhis children and grandchildren pushed at every occasion. He was a spiritual man who was baptized as a member of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1970. He was a member of many congregations over the years and loved to put his knowledge of technology to use setting up and maintaining their sound systems. He will be greatly missed by his fellow witnesses in the Salmon Creek Congregation of Vancouver WA (as well as many friends made abroad). John is survived by his loving wife Linda; his four children and five grandchildren: daughter Brooke Reyes (Buffington), husband Josh Reyes, and grandson Quentin Dasilva; son Brian Buffington, wife Darci Morgan, and grandson Logan Buffington; daughter Brandi Buffington, and grandsons Aiden Buffington & Kellan Buffington; daughter Brittany Aloisio (Buffington), husband Joseph Aloisio, and grandson Emery Aloisio; and his beloved dog Happy. He is predeceased by his father George Buffington, and stepmother Dorothy Buffington; mother Lois Mueller (Schauer), and stepfather Earl Mueller; and his brother Allen Buffington. Concluding with a favorite memory, John would often turn to one of us with a very serious look on his face and say "You know what?" as though he was leading up to a joke, however his face would turn to a big smile and he'd finish with "I love you!" ln response, we'd all like to say "John, you know what? ... We a]] love you too!" John was honored in a memorial talk at the Salmon Creek Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vancouver, WA on August 14, 2021, and a private celebration of life ceremony for family and friends on August 21, 2021. Scriptures "That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth." (New World Translation, Psalms 83:18) "And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more, And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be, But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace" (New World Translation, Psalms 37: 10-11 ) Poem That man is a Success Who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; Who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy or a perfect poem or a rescued soul; Who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; Who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson