It is with great sadness that the family of R. Lynn Buff announce his passing. Lynn, 75, of Nashville, TN and formerly of Morganton, NC passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Alive Hospice Inpatient Unit of Nashville, following a brief illness.
Born on March 8, 1949, in Burke County, NC, Lynn was the son of Roy “Bill” Buff and Vivian Janet Fowler Buff. He proudly served in the United States Air Force as a sergeant during the Vietnam War for four years. Lynn was a linguist and spoke five different languages.
Lynn had a distinguished career as an administrator for several physicians groups, including Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Baptist Healthcare in Nashville and Baptist Health in Memphis, TN until his retirement in 2010.
In 1996, He began dating the love of his life Karen, and they were married in 2011.
Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Janet Buff, his father in-law, Wayne Toles, as well as several aunts and uncles.
Lynn is survived by his wife of 14 years, Karen Toles Buff of Nashville, Tennessee, two aunts, Doris Jean (Charles) Edge of Morganton, Mozell Wilson of West Palm Beach, Florida and an uncle, Doug Buff of Morganton. Lynn is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Special recognition to Dane (Cheri) Benner, Devon (Nathan) Calvert and Justin Benner. Also surviving are numerous great nieces and nephews. Special mention to his closest great nieces, Emma Calvert, who called him Papa and Naomi Benner, who called him Buffer. Lynn is also survived by his fun-loving cousins: Tammy (Lane) McNabb, Tara (Tommy) Rhoney, Jim Morrow, Jeff (Terri) Morrow, Todd (Diane) Buff, Tron Buff, Jon Edge, Alex Rhoney, Dustin Morrow and Dani (Logan) Carbone.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 7, 2025, in the Chapel of Heritage funeral Service in Valdese, with Rev. Dr. Josh Lail officiating. Interment will follow at Burke Memorial Park, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 7, from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese.
Flowers are accepted and appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Alive Hospice, 1710 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the family.