On Monday, November 26th, 2018, Gary William Bufmeyer, loving son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, passed away from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the age of 78. Gary was born on February 8th, 1940 to Robert and Yvonne (Phillips) Bufmeyer in Canton, Ohio, where he lived until he moved to Southern Pines, NC in January 1979.
Gary was never one to miss an opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest. This was exemplified by his marriage to his true love, Treva (Mohler) Bufmeyer. Together, they had two children, Teri Mari (Bufmeyer) Clark and Shane W Bufmeyer. Gary and Treva remained happily married for 56 wonderful years.
His family and friends knew him to be honest, hardworking, inventive, and kind. When Gary was a young boy, his father served in World War II, which was the beginning of a strong love for his country and service to his fellow man. This patriotism eventually brought him to enter the Air Force where he was stationed in both Biloxi Mississippi and Athens Greece. He was a man of integrity, who valued his family, his country, and his friendships.
Gary also never passed up the opportunity to tell a good joke or make those around him laugh. Even during his brief illness of 16 days, he tried hard to show his big smile and lighten the mood of those around him.
Gary was generous to the end. Upon discovering that he had leukemia, he asked people not to pray for a miracle for him because there were little children that needed them more. He stated that he had everything he ever wanted out of life: to be married, to have children, and to have grandchildren. His family knows that God granted his wish for a miracle to go to a child who still had so much life to live.
Gary was an artist and had a passion for painting, restoring antique cars and street rods, and building. He had the ability to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Each of the paintings he painted, the 100-plus cars he owned, and the homes he renovated have been touched by the hand of a master.
Gary is survived by his wife Treva, his two children, Teri and Shane and wife Denise, his two sisters Sue Myers and husband Jeff, and Dianne Riemenschneider and husband Scott, his sister-in-law Barbara Janes and husband Dick, his brothers-in-law Dallas Mohler, Thomas Mohler and wife Jan, and Marlan Mohler and wife Denise, grandchildren Matthew Guin and wife Mandi, Kimberly Blackmon and husband Andrew, Erik Bufmeyer and wife Lindsey, Jake Bufmeyer, Rebekah Lester and husband Joseph, and Katherine Guin, great grandson Robert Guin, and several nieces and nephews.
A private family celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Leukemia Research Foundation (www.allbloodcancers.org )
or the Moore Humane Society (moorehumane.org).
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Gary William Bufmeyer, please visit Boles’ Tribute Store.
