He was born on December 9, 1936 in Stearns, Kentucky, to Robert Lee and Ollie Sarah Thomas. Buford graduated from McCreary County High School and attended Cumberland College in Williamsburg, KY. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen(Thompson)Thomas, in Cincinnati, OH. He worked for General Motors (Delphi) for thirty-two years. Buford was an avid animal lover, gardener and budding meteorologist. He loved his family and was a doting grandfather. Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife of sixty years, Helen (Thompson) Thomas; his two children, Jeffery (Catherine) Thomas, of Fishers, Lisa (Andy) Schmidt, of Selma; and his three grandchildren, Lee (Courtney) Schmidt, of Noblesville, Emily (Tom) Schmidt-Ten Eyck, of Houston, TX, and Sarah Thomas, of Fishers. He was preceded in death by his parents. A Private Memorial Service Celebrating his life will be held for family and close friends, with Pastor John Bunch Saturday August 28, 2021at Mountain View Cemetery. Hickman Strunk Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Buford Thomas.