Edward Eugene (Buddy) Wolfford
Buddy Wolfford, 88, of Orange peacefully received his wings on June 29, 2017 at his home with his family by his side.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday July 1, 2017, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange, TX with Father Joseph P. Daleo celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Orange with full military honors.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary at 6:00 p.m., on June 30, 2017 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, TX.
Buddy was born in Orange, Texas on March 19, 1929. He was the second son of seven siblings of Liles and Emily Wolfford. Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, Liles and Emily (Spiares) Wolfford, his first wife, Betty Dorman, his brother, Liles Wolfford Jr., and his two sisters, Leatrice (Wolfford) Lee and Juanita (Wolfford) Arnaud.
He is survived by his wife, Verona Kate (Bourdier) Wolfford of over 62 years and their four sons, Wayne Wolfford and wife Judy, Stephen Wolfford and wife Kimberly, Kevin Wolfford and wife Jen, and Greg Wolfford and wife Staci; his ten grandchildren, Brandon Wolfford, Trent Wolfford, Kara (Wolfford) Ricks, Luke Wolfford, Tyler Wolfford, Garrett Wolfford, Clint Wolfford, Kaitlin Wolfford, Kirsten Wolfford, Byron Wolfford; his 15 great-grandchildren; his brother, Roland Wolfford and his wife, Shirley; and his sister, Jeanette Wolfford Frederick.
Buddy was born and raised in the Cove, where at a young age of twelve he started working in the Evergreen Cemetery, digging graves and mowing the cemetery lawn with a no power push lawn mower for $1.00 a day. After this, he went to work at Consolidated Steel at the age of thirteen. He was a member of the Lutcher Stark Band where he played the coronet and later it was called the Bengal Laucers. Buddy never had a chance to finish school, leaving in 8th grade to work to support his Mother and family. He was very close to his little brother, Roland, and he made sure he was always taken care of. He worked at the shipyard until he married Betty Dorman with whom he had a son - Walter Wayne Wolfford. After an unfortunate illness she passed away at age 20 on February 5th, 1950. Buddy then enlisted into the USS Navy and began his service for his country in the Korean war on January 5, 1951. He was very proud of his Navy service, serving on the USS Small & USS Kidd, which is now stationed in Baton Rouge.
In early 1954, while on leave, he met his soon-to-be wife Verona Kate Bourdier. She was visiting her grandma Simar’s house in the Cove from Iota, Louisiana. Buddy was honorably discharged from the Navy on October 5, 1954 remaining in the Reserves until January 5, 1955. Buddy married Kate on February 5, 1955 in Iota, Louisiana at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The two bought a house in West Orange on 1528 Mustang Street.
Buddy began working at Spencer Chemical in Orange, TX which later became Gulf/Chevron. He worked as a Process A Operator in the steam boiler area, a skill he acquired in the Navy. On March 16, 1990, he retired from Gulf/Chevron after 35 years, but continued to serve his family, friends and community for many years.
As a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Buddy served both the church and St. Mary School faithfully for many years. He was a member of the first Jr. High School Board and athletic board for baseball, football and basketball. He annually assisted in the St. Mary School Festival, and could repair nearly anything at St. Mary School. He received the Bishop’s Medal for outstanding contributions to the Diocese, served at the soup kitchen in the parish hall where he was a member of the Grumpy Old Men Group and served as an usher for mass, particularly funeral masses. He assisted in building the Wesco Little League baseball park and became a board member with the League. Additionally, he committed many hours to the building of the Lion’s Den Park in Orange and was a member of the VFW & served on the CERA board and cared for the facility and grounds for decades.
Quite simply, whenever someone needed help, Buddy was there. He often said, “I am a jack of all trades, but a master of none.” In his family and friends’ eyes, he was always there to help and knew exactly how to get the job done. His legacy of service will remain with the community and his devotion and love will remain with his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to St. Mary School Fund, 2600 Bob Hall Rd, Orange, TX 77630, and Southeast Texas Hospice, 912 W Cherry Ave, Orange, TX 77630.
Condolences
Laura & Tim Wolfford
July 3, 2017
Uncle Buddy was the sweetest man to me and everyone he ever met! He will be missed so much. But know that we all have an angel to keep us safe!!
Rfather Manger
July 3, 2017
Buddy was a very life-giving person. I see that you cannot write his obituary without the word "build." He did a lot of rebuilding. But more than anything he built a great home with dear Kate. Orange and St Mary's will miss him dearly Father Manger
Paula Mathews
July 2, 2017
Buddy was such a good man and took care of things that needed to be fixed at SM school, always got them working. He always laughed when I told him I was jealous of his blue eyes. He will be missed by many because he did do much
Anonymous
June 30, 2017
Country Basket Blooms was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Anonymous
June 30, 2017
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Anonymous
June 30, 2017
Ocean Breeze Spray was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Anonymous
June 30, 2017
Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Anonymous
June 30, 2017
Basket of Memories was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Wendy Goodwin
June 30, 2017
So sorry for your loss Eric. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~Wendy.G
Candice Trahan
June 30, 2017
We are very sorry for your loss at a difficult time. Our Condolences and prayers are with you! Many hugs, Candice & Daniel Trahan
Anonymous
June 30, 2017
Emerald Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Anonymous
June 30, 2017
Treasured Lilies Spray was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Margaret Lindsey
June 30, 2017
He was my favorite dance partner and will be greatlg missed. Sending all our love, Grace and Margaret Lanier
Johnie And Janet
June 30, 2017
Johnie and Janet purchased the Garden Accent - A heart of gold stopped beating... for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Claybar Funeral Home
June 30, 2017
259 files added to the album LifeTributes
Debbie Rost Hernandez
June 29, 2017
A dear man, a sweet man, a thoughtful man, a giving man, a man who loved life. That describes my dear friend, Buddy. A man who showed the world his love for Miss Kate and his family wherever he went. For 10 years, you would light up my Gulf/Chevron office with your smile when you walked in the door. I loved working with you in rebuilding the CERA when it was flooded. We shared many years of laughter and friendship, and I was Blessed to have had you in my life. You earned your wings and your halo here on this earth, and by now you are fixing something that God needed done. You had a heart of gold and we are all richer knowing your life touched ours.
Chad,Tracey, Forrest And Brittany Dowdle
June 29, 2017
Chad,Tracey, Forrest and Brittany Dowdle purchased the Large Basket Garden for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Roland Wolfford
June 29, 2017
Sorry I broke your new fly rod that you never used - the one you shipped from Japan when I was a teenager. Gonna miss you brother. Roland
Anonymous
June 29, 2017
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Anonymous
June 29, 2017
Emerald Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Judy, Kristi, James, And Jalee
June 29, 2017
Judy, Kristi, James, and Jalee purchased the Divine Peace Bouquet for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Nan Allen Dillard
June 29, 2017
Buddy was such wonderful human being and I know that we are all a better person for knowing him. Some of my fondest memories were camping at Dam B many times. My parents and Auntie and Uncle Charles would set up our camp site and then when Buddy got off work, his group would join us. Buddy even built their own camper. Who does that? Another memory I have is Buddy being the life of the party. He never sat down and would "jitterbug" till the party was over. I can remember him being out on the dance floor just a dancing waiting for someone to dance with him. Buddy we will miss you. I will miss your impromptu visits as you would drive through the Cove reminiscing. We love you, but we know you was needed for something bigger and better in heaven.
Anonymous
June 29, 2017
Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Anonymous
June 29, 2017
Crystal Cross Bouquet was purchased for the family of Edward E. Wolfford.
Jerry Harris
June 29, 2017
Having known Buddy most of my life, I can truly say the Good Lord broke the mold when he created Buddy Wolfford! Buddy never met a stranger and you always walked away from a conversation with Buddy with a smile on your face (and sometimes shaking your head). Buddy will be greatly missed by his family and all that knew him! Please lift up Kate and his family and pray for their peace and comfort!