J.C. owned a motor rebuilding company in Houston, Texas named Vilvan Motor Co.
His stepfather Merle and wife Viola had started the business. J. C . was the
son of Viola's first husband Samuel Fair, but J. C. always went by the name of
J. C. Buford until his mother married Merle Vilvan and then went by J . C.
Vilvan. Merle had children by his first wife.