Kenneth G. Bredehoft (Buffalo)

Kenneth G. Bredehoft (Buffalo) of Napa caught the cowboy wind Jan. 28, 2014, following a short illness.

Buff was born Jan. 17, 1944, in Vineburg, to Albert and Eleanora Bredehoft. Buff worked for Lucky’s for 28 years. He along with his wife opened Buffalo’s Shipping Post in 1992 and they have always been very hands-on in the business.

Buff is survived by his wife of 26 years, Joan, of Napa; children Kimberly (Matthew) Gilliland of Penn Valley (Nevada County), Eric Bredehoft of Penn Valley, Stacie (Thomas) Davis of Sacramento, Samantha (Mike) Shields of San Francisco, Chad (Anne Laure) Bredehoft of San Rafael, John (Sherry) Clemons of Clearlake, son-in-law, Walter Ariss of Citrus Heights, daughter-in-law Jennifer Ariss of Citrus Heights; grandchildren, Madison, Cooper and Tracy Gilliland, Hayley (Kyle) Mandrup, Roman and Iris Bredehoft, Scotty and Max Davis, Mackenzie Ariss, Chantelle, Harley and John Gabriel Clemons; mother-in-law Mary Douglas. He is also survived by brother, Robert (Lilo) Bredehoft, Newport News, Va., and sister, Janet (David) Midkiff, Baker, Ore., and many nieces and nephews as well as many friends, too numerous to list. He is predeceased by his parents and brother, David Bredehoft.

Buff was an entrepreneur and avid NASCAR fan. He and Joan went to many races and religiously supported Jeff Gordon as he raced. When they were not busy with the Shipping Post in Napa, they were running a candy machine business on the side, opening a barbershop or traveling for pleasure or visiting family.

A man of many talents he and his wife enjoyed shopping for Native American turquoise jewelry, collecting a myriad of records, support an aspiring NASCAR driver James Bickford in his own race to fame, and simply enjoying the little things in life. In any car ride, he would point out how many hawks you passed along the road or tell you about the neighbor cat he befriended. Living with no regrets and always doling out words of wisdom, he was always open and honest with everyone, ready to share his own experiences from his time as a band manager, his many travels or love advice from his fairytale marriage. A Capricorn to the core, he was a great leader, role model and organizer, serving as Justice of the Peace for marriage ceremonies for friends and family. Papa called those he loved weekly to tell them, threw birthday parties that made them feel like the center of the universe and invited the whole neighborhood to Christmas.

Buff became everyone’s own Papa as he was an old-fashioned gentleman to his wife, a supportive and loving father to all his children and the most wonderful grandfather a child could have. His family will cherish his memory dearly as he left a legacy of love and a model of devotion like no other. Buff and Joan were married for 26 years but were together for 36 years, together raising five children (Buff, two and Joan, three). They opened their home to their daughter’s classmate wanting to finish her senior year at Vintage High School when her family moved away, with no connection to her or her parents – they’d never even met them. During the 22 years in business a number of visitors would simply stop in to see them just to say hello.

No formal services will be held.