Earl Edward (Jr) Buford

Earl Buford Jr. died peacefully on July 25, 2023. Earl was born to the late Earl Buford Sr. and the late Carrie Bristol on April 9, 1942, in Bluefield West Virginia. Earl’s Father (Earl Buford Sr.) relocated to Pittsburgh when he was approximately 8 years old; he lived on Lincoln Ave. in the East Liberty area of Pittsburgh where he was raised by his late Stepmother Bertha Buford and Earl Buford Sr.

Earl was the brother of the Late Rudy Buford (Sandra), Harold Buford (Marjorie), Tammy Hawthorne (Nate), Howard Buford (Mary), Phillis, the late Ethan Moore, and Kimberly Cox. Carla, Debra “CB”, Darryl, Angelean “Buttons”, and Joy.

He married the late Elizabeth Ann Fleming in 1965 and with this union had two children, Mark Buford, and Kelley Buford. Earl had two other children; Earl Buford III and Tiffany Scott. Mark and Kelley blessed Earl with four beautiful grandchildren; Jonathan Frazier, Darren Keys, Brittney Frazier, Leah Buford, and two great-grandchildren. His grandchildren affectionately knew Earl as “Buddy”.

Earl went to Westinghouse High School where he excelled at football. Earl’s nickname was “Sticky” on the football field because he never missed a pass. Earl graduated from Westinghouse High School in 1960 and joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduation. While in the U.S. Army, Earl lived in Germany with his wife Elizabeth Ann Buford, and was honorably discharged after four years of service. Earl completed an Associate Degree in Science from the Community College of Allegheny County and a Bachelor of Arts from California State College. He joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 1968 and was elevated through the ranks of Patrolmen, Detective, Sergeant, Commander, and Assistant Chief of Investigations. Earl became the second minority in the history of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to hold the position of Chief of Police in 1992. Earl retired from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police after 28 years of service and worked as Security Representative for the National Football League for many years.

Earl was very private in life but loved his family with passion, he spent most of his time with his grandchildren. His best times in life were at family gatherings, birthdays, family holiday celebrations, and of course; going to the buffet every opportunity he got. Earl also absolutely loved the water, every family vacation involved beachfront property or cruise ships to Caribbean locations. Earl purchased a boat in the 1970s and spent much time on the rivers of Pittsburgh. Earl owned several boats for more than 25 years and retired to a riverfront property where he lived for the remainder of his years.

Earl developed a strong relationship with GOD in recent years; he became a faithful member of The Church of the Good Shepherd where his brother-in-law (Reverend Huett Fleming) was the pastor.

His loving advice, long conversations, wittiness, and sense of humor, will be deeply missed by family and friends who love him dearly. He has fought a good fight, has finished the course, and has kept the faith. Absent from the body is to be present with the LORD. Our Father, Husband, and Brother is in no better place, than in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Well done good and faithful servant…well done!

Know that you are loved and you will be truly missed!

In lieu of flowers:

CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MADE TO: Mark Buford

                                                               1310 Old Freeport Road

                                                               P.O. Box 11531

                                                               Pittsburgh, Pa. 15238

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