Johnny Ray Bufkin, age 91, of Columbus, MS, passed away peacefully June 24, 2026, at his residence.  Funeral services will be Monday, June 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Mt. Vernon Church with Jerry Mitchell officiating.  The interment will immediately follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at Mt. Vernon Church.  Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Bufkin was born October 22, 1934, in Greenville, MS, to the late John P. and Adell Ford Bufkin.  He was a graduate of S. D. Lee High School and attended East Mississippi Community College and Florida State University, where he played tight end on the football team.  He served in the Air Force as a motor mechanic for rotary aircraft for four years. Mr. Bufkin was truck driver and Teamsters member for many years.  He enjoyed Boy Scouts and men’s softball and was a member of Mt. Vernon Church for 47 years.  Mr. Bufkin was a gifted storyteller and enjoyed carpentry, the outdoors, hunting, fishing, skiing, and camping. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Reginald Bufkin, and sister, Betty Faye Bufkin Guess. 

Survivors include his wife, Jeannie Bufkin of Columbus, MS; sons, Ron Bufkin of Columbus, MS, and Ritchie Bufkin of Sarasota, FL; daughter, Ramsey Bufkin Howard of Columbus, MS; stepson, Phillip Thompson of Fredericksburg, VA; stepdaughter, Renee Glendinning of Ocean Ridge, FL; and 11 grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Ron Bufkin, Ritchie Bufkin, Joe Guess, Phillip Thompson, Shane Bufkin, Jake Thompson, Connor Glendinning, and Ross Glendinning.