Buford B. Barber, age 92, of Castalia, died Monday night, March 31, 2014,
in Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky, OH, after a brief illness.
He was born June 11, 1921, in Hunter, Okla., and graduated from Wichita University.
Buford was a veteran of World War II, joining the US Navy in Dallas on Jan. 9, 1941,
and discharged after spending a six-year enlistment, Jan 9, 1947.
Spending his boot camp in San Diego, he served aboard the USS Helena CL-50,
and was tied up at dock during the Pearl Harbor attack Dec. 7, 1941, receiving one torpedo during that attack.
After being repaired, the USS Helena participated in numerous conflicts in the South Pacific, which included
the Battle of Cape Esperance, Battle of Guadalcanal, and the Battle of Kula Gulf; and many bombardments
on Japanses held islands, which included Gualalcanal, Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa. He spent the remainder
of his Navy career on five cruisers, the USS Helena, Houston, Vincennes, Vicksburg, and Miami; and one carrier the USS Sicily.
After his discharge from the U. S. Navy he became employed by Edison Brothers Inc., St. Louis, MO., for 35 years,
retiring in 1983. Buford spent his retirement in Avon Lake, Ohio, Fairhope, Ala., and Huron. He was a member of the
Pearl Harbor Survivors Assn., the USS Helena CL-50 Assn., Gideon International, and American Legion.
Buford enjoyed golf and fishing.
He is survived by three daughters, Cary Johnson of Stockon, Calif., Dianna Feuling of Madison, Wis., and
Rebecca (Thomas) Higham of Castalia; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Buford was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Barber; parents, William and Lulu (Phipps) Barber;
two brothers, Kenneth and Keith Barber; and one sister, Laverne Dillard.
Memorial services will be 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Commons of Providence, 5000 Providence Drive, Sandusky.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Castalia Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Commons of Providence, 5000 Providence Dr., Sandusky;
or to Gideons International, P. O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.
Ransom Funeral Home, Castalia, was in charge of the arrangements.
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