Buford Ray Hartsog

Buford Ray Hartsog, 101 of MacArthur, left this world on Monday, April 24, 2017.

Born April 14, 1916 in Clifton, North Carolina, he was the Son of the late Edward and Bessie Hartsog. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp four days after Pearl Harbor serving as an instructor at Enid Army Flying Field in Enid, OK until the end of the War. Buford’s crew Maintained B-52 Bombers fighting overseas. Buford served as a School Bus Operator for Raleigh County Schools before and after WWII then studied at Beckley College and Morris Harvey College to become an educator. He then retired from Raleigh County Schools as an educator after 38 years, then became a full time volunteer at the Youth Museum of Southern WV, later became an employee for the City of Beckley as a Tour Guide for the two room school house at Beckley Exhibition Coal Mines where he retired in 2012. He was a founding member of Sophia Boy Scout Troop, he was member of Raleigh County Historical Society, United Methodist Temple, Mark Twain High School Alumni and The Hillbilly Motorcycle Club. Buford was a Co-founder of the Youth Museum of Southern WV along with the late James K. Lowry of Daniels, WV.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his four brothers; Elbert Hartsog, Dale Hartsog, Ralph Hartsog and John Hartsog, sister; Viola St Clair, Great Granddaughter; Gracelyn Bennett.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Loretta Tolliver Hartsog of 70 years, Sons; James Buford Hartsog his wife Kim of Denver, CO, Jerry Lee Hartsog and wife Lori of Inwood, WV, Daughter Gina Hartsog Bennett and husband Stephen W. Bennett of Beckley, WV, grandchildren; Zachary Hartsog, Joshua Hartsog, Nicole Henry, Andrew Bennett, Felicia Bennett Lester and eleven Great Grandchildren.

Friends may gather with the family Friday, April 28, 2017 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home from 6-8pm.

Funeral service will be held 1pm, Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Adkins officiating.

Stephen W. Bennett, Andrew Edward Bennett, Zachary Hartsog, Joshua Hartsog, Nicholas Booker and Jon Lester will serve as pallbearers.

Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

In Lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to The Mark Twain Alumni Association 107 Emily Street, Beckley, WV 25801 in honor of Buford Ray Hartsog.