Nona Marise Buley

Nona Marise Buley was born on February 7, 1945 and after a full and colorful life, passed away on June 21, 2022.  While she was born in Fullerton, California, she always considered Oklahoma to be home.  She told anyone who would listen that she “wanted to die on the hill” at her beloved Rockin BB surrounded by her horses, dogs, and donkeys, and in the end she got her wish.

Nona spent over 30 years as a civil servant working for the Department of Defense (Air Force).  She began her civil service career at Tinker Air Force Base in a hangar, where every day she was reminded of her greatest accomplishment when she opened the lid of her tool box and saw photos of her four sons.  After doing some work in the contracting department at Tinker, she was promoted to Scott Air Force Base and finished her career at HQ Air Mobility Command in Civil Engineering.  She then spent many years as a contractor for the government, working across the nation from Massachusetts to Nevada, guiding and advising many future officers regarding housing operations.

Nona loved the beach, sunflowers, casinos, music, dragons, animals, and most especially horses.  She made great fudge and amazing “Mamaw breakfasts” that were legendary (and often had for dinner).  But she loved her family most of all.  She is survived by 2 sons, Randy Kenyon of Shawnee, and Jerrel Buley (Shalisa) of Harrah, and her daughter-in-law, Cathy David Buley.  She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Ryan Kenyon. Taylor Buley (Jacquelyn), Trelawny Shepherd (Zack), Colin Buley (Taylor), Hunter Buley (Austyn), and Dalton Buley (Shelby McGill).  She also leaves behind 10 great-grandchildren:  Emma Kenyon, Tommy Case Kenyon, Waylon Kenyon, Emmitt Kenyon, Beckett Buley, Forest Buley, Miller Shepherd, Margot Shepherd, Kannen Jack Buley,  and Westyn Buley.

She was preceded in death by two of her sons, David Michael Buley and Beryl Jack Buley, and two of her grandsons, James Beryl (J.B.) Buley and Robbie Kenyon.

She leaves behind a wide and far flung circle of dear friends.

As a friend of ours said, we all believed that Nona was tough enough to outlive us all.  Her toughness was matched only by her fierce, protective loyalty to her family and friends.  She had a big heart and will be missed by many.

Family and friends will gather to remember Nona at a Celebration of her Life on Saturday July 23rd at 11 AM at the Rockin BB Ranch, 24275 Highway 177, Tecumseh OK 74873.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations and support for Horse and Hound Rescue (HorseAndHoundRescue.com), an organization that rescues horses and dogs, or Diamond Bar Ranch Equine Rescue and Sanctuary (Venmo @DBRescue-Sanctuary or 1301 South Choctaw Road Luther OK 73054) because Nona never met a lost animal she didn’t want to save.