Haskel Gray Buff

Haskel “Hack” Gray Buff, 86, of Morganton passed peacefully from this life on May 4, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville NC after a brave battle with illness.  Hack was born on November, 11 1931 in Burke County to the late Major Ambrose Buff, Sr. and Mae Williams Buff.  Hack grew up on his father’s farm and worked in his father's store in Morganton.  His father, Major A. Buff, Sr. was one of the largest cattle farmers in Burke County at the time.  Hack’s parents were devout Christians and raised their large family to be the same.

Hack served honorably in the US Army during the Korean War.  After the war he moved to Buffalo, NY and for several decades worked for Grand Island Transit and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority as a Bus Driver.  After retiring in 1996 he moved back to his home, Morganton.  Until recently Hack spent his spare time watching sports, fixing up cars, and helping those who needed his help.

A loving father and husband, Hack is survived by his loving wife, of 41 years, Nancy; and his beloved son, Michael, both of the home; son, Haskel G. Buff, Jr. and wife, Gloria; daughters, Leona McClary and husband, Ken, Suann Buff and Patricia J Jones; grandchildren, Tyler and Meghan Jones; and many extended family members.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Buff; brothers, John Obie Buff, George Buff, Major A Buff, Jr. and Melvin T. Buff; sisters, Jettie Mae Dale, Eloise Roper, Belle Penny, Minnie Lovelace, Mildred Shuping, Vernie Jenkins, Ruth Taylor and Alize Leonard..

The family will be having a celebration of Hack’s life at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  Burial will be at a later date in the WNC Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain NC.  In lieu of flowers and to assist the family with expenses, memorial gifts to honor Hack’s memory may be made to Sossoman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 2608, Morganton, NC  28680.