Allyn P. Buff, 64, of Libby

Allyn Paul Buff, 64, of Libby died Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at his home.

He was born Dec.13, 1948, in Pomona, Calif. He attended school and lived most of his young life in Cucamonga, Calif.

Allyn was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969 and served his country in Vietnam, earning two Bronze Service Stars as a combat infantryman.  He was honorably discharged from service in 1971.

Upon returning home Allyn married his sweetheart, Darrylyn Stockrahm, in 1972.  

They had three children. Their family moved to Libby in 1979. The couple divorced in 1984 but remained friends until Darrylyn’s death.

Allyn spent his early years in Libby working as a mechanic at Libby Dam until 1990. He then purchased a well-drilling rig and started his little company, Clearwater Drilling, with the help of his dear friend, Marlene Raitt.  

When he wasn’t drilling holes in the ground all over Lincoln County, the avid fisherman could be found somewhere on his beloved Kootenai River trying to best his own personal record catch of a 19-pound, 34-inch rainbow trout.  

Many people also knew him as a classic-car and hot-rod enthusiast and he spent much of his time tinkering with his old Chevys.

Allyn was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Rantos.

He is survived by his daughters, Cyndi (Joe) Miller of Libby, Paula Buff of Seattle and Lynda Buff of Libby; his sister, Lynn (D.J.) Martin of Arizona; brothers, Rick (Gloria) Tham of Prescott, Ariz., Chris (Sherri) Tham of Petaluma, Calif.; an uncle, Paul Buff of Mobile, Ala.; four granddaughters, Natesha, Tiahna, Shalen and Dustina; and numerous nieces, nephews, good friends and neighbors.

A funeral service will be held at the Libby Cemetery  at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, with military honors.  

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Libby.