Gary D. Bufkins

Gary D. Bufkins of Mattituck died March 2 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 72.

He was born Dec. 18, 1941, in Cave City, Kentucky to Wilmore and Mabel Bufkins. He married Valerie (Bryant) Feb. 8, 1962 in Kentucky.

Mr. Bufkins served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966 and was the owner of GMHS plumbing heating in Mattituck. He was a pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Mattituck. Family members said that he loved playing golf and that he lived by the motto: “I have fought the good fight.”

Mr. Bufkins is survived by his wife, Valerie; his sons Douglas and John of Southold, Bill of Saratoga Springs; his daughter Elizabeth Avalos of Guatemala; his sister MarySusan Bufkins of Kentucky and 13 grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, March 6, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue, with a service taking place at 8 p.m. A prayer service will take place at the funeral home Friday, March 7, at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Community Christian Fellowship.