Kent Buford

Kent Buford, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday May 10, 2007, at St. Luke's in Kansas City, Mo., at the age of 57. Kent was born on July 25, 1949, in Fort Scott, Kan., to George "Art" and Lucille (Brennan) Buford, who owned Art's Fruit Market in Belltown.

Kent grew up and graduated from high school in Fort Scott. He started his career in Fort Scott as a brick layer apprentice, then a union brick layer, and worked his way up to superintendent. His love of history lead him to restoration work, which had him traveling all over doing work for The National Historical Society, and earned the reputation of being one of the best in his field. His name appears in the Smithsonian Institute's Stone Carvers Book.

Kent was met in heaven by his parents and two brothers; Ralph and Melvin Buford. He is loved and missed by his wife of 24 wonderful years, Judi Buford of Fort Scott; sons, Robby Hammons and wife Dana of Enid, Okla., Del Buford of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Crystal Senzig of Fairfield, Texas; and three grandchildren; Devin Hammons, Thomas Hammons, and Ryan Senzig.

The Rev. Francis Ketner will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m., Monday, May 14, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Mt. Orum Cemetery near Redfield, Kan. Family will receive friends Sunday, May 13, from 7:-8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association and left in care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701.

Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to the family at expressions@konantz-cheney.com.