Russell James Buffington, 63, of Cherokee, KS, passed away on May 08, 2024, at his residence.
Russell was born on September 23, 1960, to Thomas and Clara Lucille (Wilson) Buffington in Pittsburg, Kansas. The last born of a family of twelve. Russell attended Westside Elementary, then Roosevelt Junior High, and Pittsburg High School.
Russell served from 1982 to 1984 in the infantry for the United States Army. He was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany.
After the Army, Russell attended Fort Scott Community College earning his Associate's in Environmental Technology, then Pittsburg State University gaining a Biology Major, with an emphasis in Environmental Management.
Russell married Keleigh Harris on July 4, 1995. They later divorced. They had one daughter, Melody Renee Buffington, and a son, Mitchell James Buffington.
Although Russell held many jobs he spent the last years as a water treatment operator and worked 16 years at McBaine Water Treatment Plant in Columbia, Missouri until retiring in 2021.
He is survived by a daughter, Melody Rene Buffington of Cherokee, KS; a son, Mitchell James Buffington of Lawrence, KS; three sisters, Pat Hansen of Augusta, KS, Lynn Giordano (Jim) of Arma, KS, and Jo Peterson of Augusta, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, John, Ed, Ray, Tom, Rick, David, and Mike Buffington, and sister, Jean O'Donnell.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Mt. Olive Cemetery with Randy Beeman officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS.
