Ronald Nicholas Buenafe

Ronald Nicholas Buenafe

April 4, 1935-June 18, 2026

Ron was born in Visalia, the youngest of nine children, and raised in Lindsay. He graduated

from Lindsay High School in 1954, and continued to Fresno State, where he received his

bachelor’s and master’s degrees and coached wrestling.

He was employed by Tulare City Schools for 35 years, becoming an administrator after two

years of teaching junior high. Ron often remarked that he never had a bad day on the job.

In his retirement, he spent many hours on the golf course in the company of lifelong Tulare

friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Marian and R.O. Hayward, older brothers

Richard, Pete, Angel, Albert, and David and older sisters Irene Nickerson, Carmen Buenafe,

and Carol Neeley.

He is survived by his wife Donna; his son Kevin Buenafe (Barb), his daughter Kim Bennett,

and his granddaughters Amy Tredgett (Gijs), and Julie Bennett; Donna’s children, Carrie

Shropshire (Bradley), and Chris Luallen; son-in-law Bruce Bennett; and the grandchildren

of his heart, Kuyler, Jaime, Allison, Michael, Alex, Nick, and Chelsea.

In keeping with Ron’s wishes, no services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Ron by donating to SCICON in his memory. He worked

tirelessly for SCICON during his time as a school administrator and in his retirement.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald Nicholas Buenafe, please visit our floral store.