Leonard H. Buff, Jr.

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Dr. Leonard H. Buff, Jr. 89, son of the late Leonard Hobson Buff, Sr. and Eliza Gunter Buff, died Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 at Rosecrest Rehab., Inman, SC, following a recent hospital stay. He was born March 18, 1933, and grew up in West Columbia, S.C., and was a resident of Spartanburg since 1970. He was a Prostate Cancer Survivor and active in the local Prostate Cancer Support Group.

 

He served as Youth Minister at Clemson UMC 1958-1963 and Director of Youth at the Methodist Board of Education, Columbia, S.C. 1963-1967. He taught Biology for 25 years at Spartanburg Methodist College, retiring in 1995. He is a 1951 graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School, has a B.A., Wofford College; B.D., Drew University; M.A., Appalachian State University; and Ph.D., University of South Carolina.

L. H. was a member of Central UMC, Spartanburg where he attended faithfully, enjoyed Bible Study, and sang in the choir. He loved music and sang in choirs at many churches and schools throughout his life. L.H. was a Boy Scout leader for a number of years and loved working with the youth and enjoyed nature and hiking. He was a voice for many boys and girls in the Guardian ad Litem S.C. program for many years. He had a love for Genealogy and was a member of the Lexington County Genealogy Society, and was very interested in the Lexington County Museum. He went to Europe in search of his family lineage and was a regular visitor to the Columbia Archives researching his ancestors, later writing books on the Buff, Gunter and Miller families.

 

A celebration of his life will be held in the Family Life Center at Mt. Hebron UMC, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, on Saturday, Nov., 5 at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service.

 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Marshall M. Buff of West Columbia, a niece and nephew, and adopted son Victor Munoz of Spartanburg. Surviving is his sister Elizabeth Buff Sloan (Jim) of Edgefield, S.C; grandchildren, Brad Munoz (Ashley), and Robin Munoz, of Spartanburg; niece, Buffie Sloan Gnegy (Steve) of Summerville; nephew, James William Sloan, II (Leigh) of Edgefield; great niece, Robin Gnegy; and great nephews, Will Gnegy, Trey and Drew Sloan.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Mt. Hebron UMC, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169; or Spartanburg County Guardian ad Litem Program, 207 Magnolia St. #107, Spartanburg, SC 29306.