Raymond Buffmyer
Raymond Buffmyer passed away at age 76 on February 4, 2026, after a courageous battle against Parkinson’s. Born in Pontiac and raised in Walled Lake, Michigan, Ray graduated from Walled Lake Central High School, where he was a 1968 Class A State Wrestling Champion. Ray went on to wrestle for and graduate from Michigan State University in 1972. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School in 1976 and embarked upon a career as an assistant prosecutor in Eaton County before going into private practice until retiring in 2018.
Ray will always be remembered as an avid storyteller who made his family laugh with anecdotes from his career as a criminal defense lawyer and other life adventures. He was published locally with his “Ask the Lawdog” column dispensing tips and common sense and he always loved to be stopped in town to hear from people about his columns.
Besides his family, Ray loved nothing more than his Michigan State Spartans. Always clad in MSU gear, one of his favorite pastimes was arguing with his University of Michigan friends and attending any and all MSU sporting events. He is also remembered for his passionate love of the outdoors and conservation. Most weekends, he could be found with his dogs and his wife, Debra, heading “Up North” to feed the deer, fish, and attend his long-standing hunting camp with his best friends.
Ray is survived by Debra, his wife of 37 years, as well as his siblings: Louise (Chris) Holman, Laraine Matthews, and sisters-in-law Robin (Wayne) Cook and Barb (Dirk) Frazier. He was a wonderful uncle to 13 nieces and nephews: Jeff Brainard, Kerry (John) Verdi, Allyson (Jeremy) Robinson, Andrew (Ashlee) Holman, Aaron (Michaela) Holman, David Matthews, Erin (Ben) Cohoon, Ben (Kristi) Cook, Melissa Chapman, Elise (Carlos) Silsby-Flores, Kelsey Silsby, Matthew (Marissa) Swab and Ashley Swab. In addition, he leaves behind numerous great nieces and nephews and many, many friends who will miss his smile and quick wit.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Gene Buffmyer, brother-in-law Dan Matthews, in-laws Larry & Bobbie Frazier and sister-in-law Regina Swab.
Funeral services will be held on March 11, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Charlotte, MI. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass and luncheon at the church.
Thank you to all of the friends and family who called, visited and took Ray on excursions through his last couple of years. The family also sends their appreciation to the caring staff at The Courtyard at Delta for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation: 30400 Telegraph Rd Ste. 150, Bingham Farms, Michigan, 48025. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church St./PO Box 503, Leslie, Michigan, 49251. 517-878-6600.