Michael Scott Buffington, beloved father, son, grandson and brother, passed away on September 16, 2024. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Collins.
Michael was born on June 19, 1976, in Jackson Mississippi, and attended Madison Ridgeland Academy and then Prentiss Christian before going on to Jones Junior College. Moving often throughout his childhood allowed Michael the opportunity to locate all of the most promising fishing spots in the Southern United States and after finishing school he started looking farther afield.
Michael excelled at deep sea fishing and quickly moved up the ranks from deckhand to captain as he fished off the coasts of Port Aransas, Venice Beach, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego, and Puerto Rico. Michael lived and breathed fishing and understood the art of fishing like few on this earth— a talent that was surely a gift from God. He founded Southern Star Outfitters and continued making lures and organizing charter trips even after retiring from full-time fishing.
After his years as a captain, Michael moved back to Mississippi to work in the family business, Community Credit, as the manager of the Magee branch. He was a fixture in the office— always ready to help customers or community members in need and assuredly accompanied by his chocolate lab, Jack, behind the desk.
Michael is survived by his son, Cole Grady Buffington; his parents, Mike and Sally Buffington; his sister, Leslie Robinson; and his grandmother, Mary Frances Buffington. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Scott Buffington of Collins, MS; and his maternal grandparents, Clyde and Leslie Phillips of Madison, MS.
Michael was devoted to his son, Cole, and was able to pass on his love of the outdoors to him. Whether it was going to Gerald’s farm for a swim in the spring fed pond or teaching him how to hunt antelope species in Zambia— there was no greater teacher that a boy could ask for when it came to wildlife and the sport of hunting and being a man.
Michael was fiercely protective of those that he loved, willing to go to any and all lengths to ensure that his people were safe. But beneath Michael’s tough exterior there was a soft heart that was sincere and genuine and unfailingly loyal— when his niece was scared of the crocodiles on a recent trip to Zambia it was Michael who carried her around without a complaint. Michael was the one you called when you needed help, and there was never a moment of doubt that Michael would show up when called. We comfort ourselves with the knowledge that now we all have the fiercest and best armed guardian angel in heaven to watch over us.
Michael will be dearly missed by friends near and far. If you knew Michael, you knew that he was either somewhere with a line in the water or he was brainstorming on tactics for how best to reel in that next big one. But you also knew that Michael loved the Lord, and even though he had a strong nonconformist streak in him, it was Michael that was on his knees at night praying with his son for all of us. Michael felt the Lord’s presence strongly in his last years with us and saw His hand guiding Him during the trials of life. He marveled at His creations. Be it the oceans of the world or the woods of Mississippi or the bush of Zambia, these were the places where Michael was most at home and his happiest and we trust that Michael’s heaven has plenty of fish to be caught and game to enjoy.
Honorary pallbearers are Jay Arrington, Alan Buffington, Gerald Buffington, Tal Pickering, Drew Smith and Clint Strong.
Memorials may be made to the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks in Michael Buffington’s honor at www.foundationmwfp.com.
Psalms 91:4 “He shall cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge…”
