James Buford Rachels

James Buford Rachels—Butch—Dad—Papa—88 of the Glendale Community of north Walton County passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at the family residence. He was born November 22, 1922 in New Brockton, Alabama the son of James Wiley Rachels and Maude Ray Drinkard Rachels. Buford was a long time farmer in Glendale and was Walton County’s first soybean producer. Throughout his life he was a “man of many caps”; golfer, deer and fox hunter, businessman, machinist, welder, fervent supporter of Walton athletics, advisor, a member of the board of directors at First Federal Savings and Loan of DeFuniak Springs, WWII Navy veteran, and a regular for breakfast, coffee and conversation at Mamie’s Restaurant in DeFuniak Springs and the Hitching Post General Store in Glendale. He graduated in 1940 from Walton High School where he played both football and basketball for the Braves. After high school he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone where he served for the duration of World War II, his principal duty was the observation and removal of enemy mines. He was a member of Glendale Presbyterian Church. He is predeceased by his parents and his siblings Sam Rachels and Sarah Farmer.

Among survivors are his wife of sixty years Hazel Tidwell. His daughters Karen Medley of Dothan, Nancy Currie of DeFuniak Springs and Beth Tucker and husband Martin also of DeFuniak Springs. His grandchildren, Rachel Norman and husband Matt of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Holli Medley of Atlanta and Reid and Jesse Tucker of DeFuniak Springs. Great grandchild Ella Kate Norman. Sister Jewell Wesley. Niece Hope Rachels, nephews Sammy Rachels and Jimmy Wesley and their families and many friends.

The love, care, guidance and sense of humor he shared with his family and friends will be missed and never forgotten. Active Pallbearers will be Lynn Spradlin, John Peters, Bill Laird, Charles Barefield, Josh Simmons and Stosh Arnold. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bud McBroom, Bill Young, W.A. Ray, Art Kinky and Ray Neenan. The family will receive friends in Glendale Presbyterian Church Thursday, July 28, 2010 from 9 until 11 A.M. with the funeral beginning at 11:00 A.M. at the church with Reverend Keith Andrews officiating. Burial will follow in Glendale Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Floral arrangements are being accepted or memorials may be made in Burford Rachels memory to Glendale Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, 9218 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433.