Michael Buxton

Mike was born June 21, 1954, in Long Beach California, to father Marvin John Buxton and mother Shirley Ann Buxton (nee Chapman). Mike spent most of his childhood in Bellflower, California, surrounded by his family, including his mother Shirley, stepfather Ronald Ford, sisters Debbie, Renee, Carrie, and brother Ronnie. 

Growing up, Mike and his family enjoyed family barbecues, holiday gatherings, camping, riding bikes, playing baseball in the streets, listening to his transistor radio and caring for his homing pigeons. In his teenage years, Mike enjoyed listening to the music of Elvis Presley and the Beatles, which were his favorites. He attended Alondra Jr. High School and graduated from Paramount High School in 1972. 

It was during the time he attended Alondra Jr. High in his 9th grade year, Mike met his wife Debbie.  Debbie was working as a TA in the office when Mike's dog followed him to school. She called him out of class to take his dog home. They quickly became two hippies in love. They married when they were 28. They became separated and reunited a few years later.  Mike and Debbie married again in 2008, this time for good. They shared their lives together watching black and white movies, loving their Boston Terrier Dog, gardening, and spending time with their daughter, Natasha and grandchildren, Amelie and Anderson. 

Mike's professional journey began with 18 years at the Naval shipyards in San Pedro, where he honed his skills in rigging. In May 2001, Mike embarked on his career journey with Traylor Brothers Precast, steadily advancing to the position of Superintendent.  Over the years, he played a pivotal role in numerous projects in locations spanning from Little Rock, CA and Stockton, CA to Seattle, WA, Waldorf, MD, and even Puerto Rico.   It was during this time that found himself  working on a litany of projects with whom he developed a close working friendship with Mehdi Ghazi whom he worked for, for many years.  It was that relationship which ultimately introduced him to Traylor Bros-Precast. Mike was instrumental in the success of Traylor Brothers for 23 years.

Mike's love for art deco was evident in every piece of his collection, each one meticulously curated to capture the elegance and glamor of a bygone era. Whether it was an ornate lamp, a stylish piece of furniture, or a clock he had an eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the intricate designs that defined the art deco movement.  His talent for restoring clocks was a labor of love that brought him immense satisfaction. With careful precision and a steady hand, he breathed new life into vintage timepieces, allowing them to tick once again with the same grace and reliability as when they were first crafted. Each clock he restored became a symbol of his craftsmanship and dedication to preserving the craftsmanship of generations past.

Throughout his life, Mike poured his heart and soul into preserving his beloved car, a symbol of an era defined by elegance and style.  Mike's passion for his 1941 Deluxe Plymouth Coupe Convertible was more than just a hobby; it was a source of joy that brought him closer to his family and friends. His legacy lives on in the memories created on the open road and the admiration shared for a timeless classic that will forever hold a special place in our hearts.  Mike will be missed, but we celebrate the life he lived and the lives he touched in sharing the things that brought him joy.

Survived by:

• Wife: Debra Buxton

• Step-daughter: Natasha Holm and Son-in-law: Darren Espiritu

• Grandchildren: Amelie Espiritu and Anderson Espiritu

• Siblings: Debra Lopiparo, Carrie Ghazimahalleh, Ronnie Ford

• Nephews: Joshua McBride, Aaron Ghazimahalleh, Eric Ghazimahalleh, Chap West, Seth West

• Nieces: Michelle Larson, Jennifer Taylor, Makenna Lopiparo, Madison West

Preceded in death by:

• Father: Marvin Buxton

• Mother: Shirley Ford

• Stepfather: Ronald Ford

• Sister: Renee West

• Brother-in-law: Mehdi Ghazimahalleh

• Uncle: Jerry Chapman

• Nephew: Ryan Ghazimahalleh