1925 - 2019
COOPERSTOWN - Earl Nathaniel Buffett, Jr., age 93, passed away in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, January 1, 2019, at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Oneonta.
He was a member of two founding families of Long Island, the Buffetts and Conklins. A native of Long Island himself he was born May 9, 1925, in Huntington, a son of Earl Nathaniel and Estelle May Conklin-Buffett.
After graduating from high school, Buffett enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on March 30, 1943, and served as an aviation cadet during World War II at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas. He received training as a B-24 Aerial Gunner, Bombardier and Navigator. He served as a Second Lieutenant with the 231st Army Air Force Base Unit from November 11, 1944, until his discharge on December 19, 1945.
He married Jennie May Sammis, also from a Long Island founding family, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of East Northport on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1948. They began raising their family on Long Island and in 1956 moved to Cooperstown. Here, Buffett began his career in law enforcement as a New York State Trooper. Working out of the Oneonta barracks, he served as a Zone Sergeant in Troop C, retiring at the age of 49. He then went to work for Stephen Clark as head of security for the Cooperstown area Clark properties, including The Farmers' Museum and Fenimore House.
He was interested in American antiques throughout his life. He restored many pieces, and especially enjoyed caning chairs. He had a profound interest in history, particularly in the American Civil War.
Earl is survived by five children and sixteen grandchildren: Sandra Schecher and her husband, Henry J. Schecher III, of Cooperstown, and their daughters, Emily and husband Eric Liston, Amanda Schecher and Charlotte Lermer; Bruce Buffett of Norfolk, Virginia, and his children, Nicole Stevens and husband John Hager, Erin and husband Brandon Redden, Matthew Buffett and Anne Buffett and husband, Mat Dolezel; Lynda Morris and her husband, David A. Morris, of Traverse City, Michigan, and their daughters, Adelia Morris, Victoria Morris, and Madelyn and husband, Andrew Maxbauer; Laurie Kearns and her husband, Gary Kearns, of Cooperstown and their son Peter Kearns and wife, Laura Spence; and Lisa Leslie and her husband, Edwin Leslie, of Fly Creek, and their children, Jessica and husband Christopher Miller, Samantha Leslie, Jeffrey Leslie and wife, Lisa, Margaret Leslie and Michael Leslie; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years who died June 10, 2013, and by a half brother, David Owen Buffett who died in 1991.
The Service of the Burial of the Dead with the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated by the Rev’d Dane E. Boston at 11 o’clock in the morning on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Christ Church, Episcopal, 46 River Street, Cooperstown. A reception at Templeton Hall, 63 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, immediately follows the service.
The Committal Service and burial will take place later this Spring at Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, the Rev’d Boston officiating. Military Honors will be rendered by the members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Christ Church All Souls Fund, 69 Fair Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are being made through Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
