Buford McClung, Jr.

John Buford McClung (Johnny B.), Jr. died at 79 peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2020, at Christus Trinity Mother Francis in Tyler, TX.  “Buford” will be buried at the King Cemetery in Aley, TX in the near future.  Buford was born in Kemp, TX on October 24, 1940, to his father John Buford McClung, Sr. and his mother Geneva.  Buford grew up in Dallas and lived in Texas for most of his life, although he has resided in a multitude of various cities in the United States over his long career.

In 1959, Buford graduated from N.R. Crozier Technical High School in Dallas, TX.  Subsequently, he worked at several engineering companies while simultaneously attending the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and obtained his Bachelor’s of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1967.  Buford’s extensive career involved both military and civilian contracts spanning decades working for more than 17 companies.  He was employed at E-Systems (Raytheon), Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL), Amerada Hess, EG & G, General Dynamics, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), to mention a few.  He acquired professional engineering (PE) licenses in three fields of engineering including electrical, mechanical, and civil.  He was also a member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical/Electronic Engineers).

He managed several businesses including a construction company (Aurora Construction) where he functioned as owner, general contractor, and master plumber.  Buford built custom-designed homes for high-end housing markets in the early 1970s and constructed the house for his late father and mother in Aley, TX.  In 1991, he launched a computer store, Hawaii-TX Company in Athens, TX.  The business was a full-service repair center as well as a retail computer storefront for custom-built computer hardware systems which was family owned and operated until 2000.

Upon retirement, he continued to work on the farm with various projects.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren fishing and creating toys from wood in his workshop. His hobbies also included chess, carpentry, plumbing, farming, and computer-aided design (CAD).

Buford was preceded in death by his father, mother, and twin sisters Anna Osinsky and Martha Perry and leaves behind his wife of 43 years Magdalena McClung of Kemp, TX, daughter Zarel McClung of Kemp, TX, son Braxton McClung and wife Emma of Solon OH, grandson Ethan and granddaughter Isabelle, nephew Clayton Perry and wife Jenny of Plano, TX, niece Chelsea Moore of Gun Barrel City, TX, nephew Greg Perry and wife Deanne of Keller, TX,  niece Amy Autry of Kaufman, TX, and close cousins O.B. Ray of Malakoff, TX and Sammy Weaver of Lubbock, TX.