Dale Larkin Buford was born at Providence Hospital in Everett April 18, 1942. He began kindergarten at Silver Lake Elementary. He served in the US Nation Guard at a young age and later the US Army Special Forces SP/4, 101st Airborne, serving in Vietnam. He worked various jobs; driving logging trucks, volunteering for Snohomish County Search and Rescue, Real Estate Salesman, and retired from the ILWU Longshoring in Seattle Local 19.

He enjoyed adventure, fishing, hunting, and was a huge football fan. Buford received dozens of awards for his red 1941 Ford pickup. He is survived by wife Margaret of 56 years, grandchildren Brittany Martin (Matt) and Buford Dale IV (Caitlin), Sister Roberta Keiser, Sister-in-law Deborah Corbett, great-grandchildren Paisley, Maitias, and Emalyn, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Dale's are a Gold Star family due to his father Buford Sr. (SSgt, US Marines) was MIA in Korea. Buford is preceded in death by his son, Buford Dale Jr. (Bud) and sister Beverly Rose (Gil). He died peacefully May 24th, 2024, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. Donations can be made to Tunnels to Towers foundation or Salvation Army.