Alex “Buster” Dufurrena, 84, passed away at his home on the family ranch near Denio, Nevada on May 28, 2016.
Buster was born July 12, 1931 to parents Alec and Julia Dufurrena, in Room 11 of the Winnemucca Hotel. He grew up in the hills and valleys around Wilder Ranch east of Denio, branding calves, cutting hay and tending sheep camps. He graduated from Humboldt County High School in 1949, where he rodeoed, played basketball, football and tuba. He attended Cal Poly University, where he majored in pre-veterinary medicine and was a member of the Cal Poly Rodeo team. Buster won the National College Finals Bareback Championship for Cal Poly in 1951.
In 1952, during the Korean War, Buster enlisted in the army. In November of that year he was assigned to the US Army Veterinary Corps, Panama. When asked about this time he would often speak of the tough swim test that led him there and the challenges he faced while learning how to doctor monkeys.
Upon returning home after his service, he met Linda Donahue. They were married at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Winnemucca February 11, 1956. Buster cowboyed for and later managed Quinn River Ranch until 1978. He and Linda started the Dufurrena Sheep Company in 1974. They raised three sons, Tim, Dan and Hank, at Quinn River, where the bunkhouses were filled with cousins, friends, cowboys and hay hands on any given night.
Buster was a hardworking gentleman who made his mark on the community, serving as brand inspector and on many different boards and committees, including the Winnemucca Rodeo board in the late 50’s and 60’s and the N2 District Grazing board from 1976-2008. He was president of the Nevada Woolgrower’s Association, a member of the Nevada Legislative Committee on Public Lands, and an elected Humboldt County Commissioner from 1999-2005. He was a member of the Harney Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for 44 years, serving until his death.
Buster would make the trip from the dusty hay fields he’d spent the morning working in to his afternoon meetings in town, dressed in his best button-up shirt and suspenders. Regardless of the day in town, he was sure to make it back out to the ranch in time for a highball with the boys, usually while a grandkid crawled up on his lap and Linda’s warm supper waited on the table. Buster was a family man with an enormous heart and a love for the life he lived. He always had time to visit with or help anyone who needed a hand.
Buster is survived by his wife, Linda; his brother, John (Joan) Dufurrena; his children, Tim (Carolyn), Dan (Maryjo) Hank (Ginny) Dufurrena; his grandchildren Sam, Zack (Amy), Magen, Ryan, Julia and Josh Dufurrena; his great-grandchildren Katie, Quincy Jo and Buster Roan Dufurrena, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Buster was preceded in death by his parents Alexander ‘Alec’ Dufurrena and Julia Eguiara Dufurrena, and his sister Clarice Sizemore.
A memorial service will be held at the West Hall, Winnemucca Convention Center on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Buster’s name to “Rope for Hope,” an annual fundraising event in continued support of rural ranching families battling cancer. Donations may be sent to 3251 Marla Drive, Winnemucca, NV 89445.
