Dr. Thomas (Tom) Oliver Buford died on November 20, 2018. Born in Texas on November 17, 1932, he was the son of Oliver Parker (O.P.) and Annie Doris (Doris) Buford. Tom was reared in Overton, Texas. After graduating from Huntsville (TX) High School, he received a B.D. from Southwestern Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Boston University. He held teaching and administrative positions in philosophy departments at several institutions: Kentucky Southern in Louisville, KY; University of North Texas in Denton, TX; and Furman University in Greenville, SC. He wrote or edited twelve books. Tom received many honors throughout his distinguished career. For example, he was recognized as a Meritorious Alumni from Boston University and recently there was a Festschrift published in his honor entitled Persons, Institutions, and Trust: Essays in Honor of Thomas O. Buford.
Tom is survived by a wife, Delores (Dee) Phife Buford; a daughter, Anna L.B. Pigg; a son, Russell Warren Buford; and four grandchildren (in birth order): Jack Buford, Emily Pigg, Sarah Pigg, and Daniel Buford; and a sister-in-law Charlie Buford. He was predeceased by his parents, a son, Robert (Rob) Carl Buford, and a brother, Gene Parker Buford. The family would like to express their special thanks for the staff of Skilled Nursing at The Woodlands at Furman, and Interim Hospice.
The Celebration of Tom’s life will be at First Baptist Church in Greenville, SC (847 Cleveland St.) on Sunday, November 25th at 2pm. The family will receive friends in the parlor following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the “Shucker, Buford, Cloer Scholarship” in the Development Office at Furman University, Greenville, SC.
Online condolences may be expressed at MackeyMortuary.com.
