Ivan Buffington

Ivan was born in Seattle, WA on December 19, 1933 to Bryan and Selma (Overland) Buffington. He attended LaFayette grade school.

In June of 1943, the family moved to the Victor area of Mason County where Selma went to work at Shelton General Hospital as and RN. Ivan attended Vaughn grade school and Peninsula High School until the family moved to Shelton in 1949. He graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in 1951. Upon graduation, Ivan entered the U.S. Air Force for four years and was discharged in June 1955. In the USAF, he was stationed at Scott AFB where he attended radio tech school, Pope AFB No. Carolina in the 3rd Radio Relay Sq.; the DEW Line in Northern Alaska in the 10th Radio Relay Sq., and was discharged from McCord AFB.

Ivan attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the University of Washington, majoring in Electrical Engineering and Oceanography. His work history included: The Boeing Company as a two-way radio tech., Broadcast Chief Engineer and Announcer for KAPY, Port Angeles and KXA, Seattle, WA. In his job with Northern Radio, he was able to travel to most of the remote villages in Alaska where he installed radios for the Alaska Area Native Health Service. This system allowed the villages to be in contact with central hospitals for healthcare. He taught Solid State Electronics and was Chief Instructor at the Bremerton branch of Washington Technical Institute.

On June 5, 1965, Ivan married Mae Porter in Bothell, WA and resided in Kenmore, WA until 1977, then moved to Shelton so Mae could take the job of Director of Nursing Services at Mason General Hospital. They resided at their home on Island Lake. Ivan enjoyed traveling, photography, good poetry and listening to music, and of course being with friends.

Ivan was active in the Elks being a Life Member of the Shelton Lodge #2467, and a Past Exalted Ruler of that lodge. He held several state offices for the WA State Elks Assoc. and was State Chaplain for five years, Dist. Ritual Chairman for eight years and State Ritual Chairman for two years. He was a member of the American Legion and the 40 et 8.

Ivan was preceded in death by his wife Mae and two half brothers, Burton and Noble Buffington. He is survived by two nieces and two nephews.