Robert "Bob" Lee Bufkin Jr.

Today, we honor Reverend Robert L. Bufkin Jr., Bob.

He was a true man of God. He loved God with his whole heart and truly believed it was his responsibility to tell others about Jesus.

Bob has lived in Brandon, MS, for the past 8 years, where he relocated from Harrison, Arkansas. He was born on November 18, 1929, and passed away peacefully at his residence in Brandon, MS, on May 21, 2026.

He was a member of the Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Pearl, MS. He was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bob established the Fishers of Men World Missionary Outreach in Kenya.

In 1947, he joined the United States Navy and served honorably until 1952. During his time there, he played the trumpet for the Navy, but more importantly, that is where he came to know Jesus personally. That experience changed the entire direction of his life.

When he returned home, he immediately started telling everyone about Jesus. He stayed involved in the church while also continuing his education. He majored in mathematics and sociology. He made straight A’s and sometimes earned double A’s. He was incredibly intelligent and disciplined. He ended up teaching at universities including the University of Mississippi, Nicholls State University, and California State University.

He could also play multiple instruments, but the accordion was his favorite. But even with all his talents, what mattered most to him was his faith.

At one point in his life, he was in a life-threatening car accident. He later said that while lying on the hot pavement, he heard God say, “You will live, and you will preach the Gospel.” And that is exactly what he did.

Not long after that accident, he experienced unimaginable heartbreak. His wife became ill with cancer and passed away. Less than two years later, his daughter also passed away from cancer. But somehow, through grief that most of us cannot even imagine, his ministry only grew stronger.

He often said that hearing the word cancer was like receiving a death sentence. During a 43-day fast, God revealed how to pray for the sick. From that time on, he never stopped traveling all over the world to spread God's message and lay hands on the dying. He traveled from Mississippi to Canada, from Africa to Russia, and that’s just to name a few. He was truly dedicated to this mission.

He had many friends he enjoyed seeing along the way of his travels. He loved TCBY and lived for chocolate milkshakes. Another thing he taught us was that if it’s not Hershey’s chocolate, then it’s not good quality chocolate.

Preceded in death were his two sisters, Peggy Hawkins and Merle Jean Pausch, one brother, Hanson Bufkin, and one daughter, Patricia Gisclair.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Virginia Bufkin, one daughter, Molly Roy, and two sons, David and Daniel Bufkin. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Evan Williams, Seth Sweatman, and Justin Garner, and one great-grandchild, Charlee Rose Williams. Numerous other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many more.

Maybe one of the clearest pictures of who Bob really was can be found in the simple lists he wrote every day. His daily to-do list always began with the same thing:

Number one: Pray. He kept a folding chair in his closet with a pillow on the floor that he would kneel on every day.

Officiating services will be provided by Bro. Tracy Marshall, Bro. Henry Denny, Bro. Ruel McKinney, Bro. Dewayne Morgan, Bro. Jerry Hamilton, Bro. Bill Pittman, Bro. TJ William and Bro. John Goodhue.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 9:00 am to 9:20 am, and the service will follow starting at 9:30 am.  Services will be held at the Wolf Funeral Services in Morton. Interment will be held at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS.