Buz Standefer

Buz was born May 30, 1942 in Chattanooga. He attended Chattanooga City High School and The University of Chattanooga.

He was the President and Dealer Principal of Standefer Motor Sales, Inc. dba Standefer Nissan, for 25 years. He and his father, Charles B. Standefer, were among the first to build a dealership on Highway 153 at Shallowford Road, now known as Auto Row in Chattanooga.

Under his leadership, Standefer Nissan was among the largest import dealerships in the country and was consistently a Nissan Merit Master Dealer. His used car division was the largest used car dealership in the southeast and served as the model for Nissan dealerships nationwide. In 1996, Buz negotiated the sale of Standefer Nissan to United Auto Group for the first initial Public Offering of a dealership group on the New York Stock Exchange.

Buz was a founder and owner of Heritage Pontiac, Cadillac, GMC in Athens, TN. He was currently the managing partner of Standefer Investment Company and owner of Standefer Land Company.

He served as President of the Chattanooga Automotive Trades Association, on the Dealer Advisory Board of Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation and as a Regional Director of the Tennessee Automotive Association. He was a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association and was Secretary of Scenic City Life Insurance Company.

Buz was a member of the Mountain City Club and The Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.

Within the auto industry, he was known as a nice guy and a fierce competitor. He was a lifelong car enthusiast, competing in both drag races and Sports Car Club of America. The last year he raced autocross he took home fastest time of the day in 18 of 24 races.

In all aspects of his life Buz was intent upon accomplishing things. In keeping with his mechanical talents he turned a hobby of fixing antique clocks into a successful business buying , restoring, and selling worldwide. There was really nothing Buz could not fix. His business sense and insightfulness, along with tremendous love of family, led him to establish a family farm, planting trees for the generations to come. Buz was intent upon mastering anything in which he was interested. He always found a way to use his interests and intellect to take the very best care of his family.

Buz was preceeded in death by his parents, Charles B. and Betty Cofer Standefer, who taught him to put family first. Also waiting for him in Heaven are sisters Judy Standefer Schreeder and Linda Standefer Chapin. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Barbie, his son, Alan (Julie), daughter, Ellen (Mark) Mc Omie and his wonderful grandchildren Alli and Jackson Standefer, and Claire McOmie. Buz is also survived by his sister Karen (Steve) Nicely, and brother-in-laws Kim D. Buehler and Jim Schreeder, and many nieces and nephews.

His pallbearers include his nephews, Maury Nicely, Matthew Nicely, John Chapin and Ted Chapin, as well as longtime friends Boone Roach and Mike Shofner, and good friend and business partner Dick Fortney. Honorary pallbearers include his great friends Rick Pollard, Jody Shea and Rick Holder.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, August 12, 2011, in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with John Queen officiating. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens prior to the memorial service.

The family will receive friends at the conclusion of his service on Friday until 3:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association at 1466 Riverside Drive Suite D, Chattanooga, TN 37406 or to Friends of Special Children, P.O. Box 5718, Chattanooga, TN 37406.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com

Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN.