Jesse Hugh Bufkin.

Jesse was born August 15, 1933 in Utica, MS to the late Robert Edward and Rosa Bell Moody Bufkin, graduated from Utica High School. He then served in the US Army in radio electronics where he also enjoyed boxing. He joined the local Plumbers & Pipefitters Union, commencing 62 years of membership, and completed his apprenticeship in plumbing and mechanical in Jackson, MS. Jesse worked for South Central Mechanical Contractors for years before forming Bufkin Plumbing & Heating in 1980, which he and his wife Shirley operated until 2000, a sought-after mechanical construction contractor for hospitals and medical office buildings, known for high quality and hard work. Jesse and Shirley made their home in Jackson, and since 1997 they have resided in Madison.

Jesse was preceded in death by his loving wife Shirley, and by their infant daughter Pam Bufkin. Also by his sisters Catherine Bufkin Weems, and brothers Billy and Pete.

He is survived by three children: daughter Tina (Hunter) Arnold of Madison, sons Ronnie (Tammy Tate) Bufkin of Madison, and Don (Stacy McMurtrey) Bufkin of Bentonia; his sisters Lorine Bufkin Oberhausen of Raymond, Marie Bufkin Blush of Jackson, and his brothers, Percy Bufkin of Jackson, and Jimmy Bufkin of Bossier City, LA. He is also survived by sister-in-law Frances (Keith) Keen of Redwood, MS; grandchildren; Jessica Arnold, Regan Arnold Maxwell (Joseph), Sullivan Bufkin Windham (Gary), Britton Bufkin, Dani Tate Ramsey (Chandler), and Tanner Tate, and great grandchildren Piper Dean and Landry Windham.

Jesse and Shirley owned and operated Bufkin Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for over 20 years before retiring in 2000. He then continued to assist the daily operations of his son Ronnie’s business, Bufkin Mechanical, Inc. well into his 80’s. One of the highlights of his day was going out to lunch daily in Madison with Ronnie or Don. Jesse was a master gardener of vegetables, and he enjoyed providing the harvest for friends and family as a lifelong ministry. He was dearly loved as a husband, father, brother, father-in-law, grandfather (Papaw). Jesse and Shirley were active members of Broadmoor Baptist Church since 1957.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 7, 2018 from 5pm – 7pm, and Tue, May 8, from 10am – 11:00 am, and funeral services are 11am, Tue, May 8, all to be held at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. Burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS. All arrangements are being addressed by Parkway Funeral Home of Ridgeland, MS.

Special thanks to nephrologist Dr Murphy S. Martin and his nurse Amy, who provided excellent specialized care over the last 10 years for Mr. Bufkin

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by donations to Broadmoor Baptist Church, or to Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bentonia, MS.