Roy Samuel Buffat

Reverend Roy Samuel Buffat, Jr, 90, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully in his home on the morning of December 27th. He spent his final days and hours surrounded by loved ones, including his great-grandson, Ezra, and his faithful canine companion Ella.

Known to all as “Sam,” he was born in Hebron Illinois in 1933 and was the first child of Reverend Roy Samuel Buffat, Sr. and Helen Parrette Buffat. At an early age, he moved with his family to Centralia, Illinois where his father was installed as the lead pastor at First Presbyterian Church, where Sam was confirmed and where he first met and fell in love with his future wife, Isabell. He graduated from Centralia High School in 1951 where he played both varsity football and basketball.

Upon graduating he took his love of basketball to the next level and attended Centralia Community College, where he had the opportunity to participate in the Junior College National Championship tournament in Kansas City in 1953.

After completing Junior College, he joined the Illinois National Guard and was activated to Army status during the Korean conflict where he served for 3 years and was stationed at Fort Bellingham, Washington. It was during his time in the Army when he felt a calling to become a servant leader in the church and a pastor like his father before him.

After serving in the Army, he completed his undergraduate degree in English Literature from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee and graduated in 1956.

On August 18th, 1957, he married the love of his life, Isabell Garcia Mayoral at First Presbyterian Church in Centralia, whereafter he and Isabell started their lives together by moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he attended and graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1960.

Upon ordination, he, Isabell and their first child Mark embarked on the first stage of their lives and ministry within the Presbyterian Church community and greater Christian church, beginning at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, New Jersey and then going on to serve four other faith communities: Collegiate Presbyterian in Ames Iowa, Frame Memorial Presbyterian in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Lakeside Presbyterian in Duluth, Minnesota and First Presbyterian in Willmar, Minnesota. Along this journey, their other children, Drew, Elise, and Paul were born.

Sam’s life and ministry were defined by his unconditional love for others. He met everyone where they were along life’s journey and guided them by the principle of “What is the most loving thing to do?” in any given situation, no matter how difficult. He walked humbly with God, always seeking to do what was just and embraced mercy wherever it could be found.

After retiring in 1998, he and Isabell moved to Madison, Wisconsin where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and in particular with their grandchildren. Sam also enjoyed woodworking, fishing, golfing, Badger basketball and football, and observing the birds and other wildlife in the reserve behind their house from the comfort of the kitchen table. He also shared his love for poetry and a good pun now and then. One of his favorites was “What do you call a seagull that lives near the bay?” Well, a “bay-gull,” of course.

Sam loved life and his greatest loves in life were his children and grandchildren. Sam is survived by his four children, Mark, Drew, Elise and Paul and their spouses Sally, Rashel, Tim and Jennifer and his brother John. Sam was blessed with a total of 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his wife Isabell, his infant daughter Jean Helen, his parents Roy and Helen and his sister Ann.

Visitation will be from 10-11:00 am on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4100 Nakoma Rd, Madison, WI 53711 with a service to follow at 11:00 am.  Refreshments and a light lunch will be served immediately following the service.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace

Sun Prairie, WI 53590