Ralph Buffkin

Ralph Pyron Buffkin, born in Birmingham and long-time resident of Mobile, Alabama, passed
away peacefully on September 30, 2015. He and his two brothers grew up at the Catholic Boys
Home. Although it was a humble childhood, he often shared fond memories of his high school
years whether it was about the glory days of football and baseball at McGill Institute, catching
trout in Portersville Bay or sharing the various versions of the origin of the nickname "Croaker"
which all three brothers shared. After a couple years at Alabama, where he prided himself on
playing football, he returned to Mobile and went to work for Campbell Express Trucking. In
1963, he married Mary Russell Courson, whom he remained married to until her death in 1989.
He worked for Ciba-Geigy for 25 years before taking "early retirement." For two decades, you
could find him on Friday nights in the fall as an official at high school football games, and even
on Saturdays at the college level towards the end of his officiating career. He later paired up
with Lee Roy Jordan at Southern Valve Services before "retiring again" when the business was
sold. In 1992, he was fortunate enough to find the love and affection of Susan Koehn
Brutkiewicz, his wife of 22 years who remained by his side until his death. He never really quit
working. For many years, he maintained an active consulting company assisting numerous local
businesses. Somewhere along the way, he became involved in politics. He would later serve as
the campaign manager for Mayor Mike Dow and mayoral candidate John Peavy. He eventually
ran unsuccessfully for County Commissioner. Although he was unsatisfied with the result, he
always found a way to create new friendships even with his opposing candidates. He continued
to work on numerous political campaigns at the local and state level. He concluded his career by
working as the Human Resources Director for the Mobile County Sheriff's Department, and
always boasted about it being the job he enjoyed the most. He served his community for the vast
majority of his life. He was a board member, and often times eventually the chairman, of several
boards, including: City of Mobile Sports Commission, United States Sports Academy, Alabama-
Mississippi All Star Game, Mobile Solid Waste Advisory Board, Mobile Works, Mobile Job
Training Partnership Board, Mobile United, and Alabama Commission on Higher Education. He
also dedicated numerous time to the Senior Bowl and GMAC Bowl serving in various committee
roles. Blessed with sheer strength, he was never afraid to take on a challenge. He is survived by
his wife, Susan K. Buffkin, his brother Lou Buffkin (Patsy) and his children Leigh Buffkin,
Russell Buffkin (Mollie), Sarah Beth Holland (Michael), and Emily Arendall (J.). He is also
survived by the family members that he was most proud of, his grandchildren, William Buffkin,
Annie Buffkin, Russell Buffkin, Jr., Warren Buffkin, Ellen Arendall, Susie Arendall, Kate
Arendall, Joe Holland, and Henry Holland - all of whom will miss him dearly. He was
predeceased by his parents, Crandle and Ruth Buffkin, and his brother, David (Roberta). The
family will receive friends at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 3rd in the St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wilmer Hall or the
Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter.

Service

Memorial Service

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Chapel
4051 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL  36608
Saturday, October 3, 2015
9:00 AM

Memorial Contributions

Wilmer Hall
3811 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL  36608

Friends of Mobile Animal Shelter
855 Owens Street
Mobile, AL  36608