House Resolution 56

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. JOSEPH "JOE" KENT BUCKNER, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on Sunday, February 19, 2017, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Joseph "Joe" Kent Buckner, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost an outstanding soldier, athlete, educator, businessman, musician, student of the Bible, and a faithful Christian husband and father with the passing of Mr. Buckner, who was born on April 30, 1948, in Longview, Mississippi, to Ed and Louise Buckner; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Buckner attended school at the Longview School House and graduated from Starkville High School in 1966, where he excelled in math, writing, music and sports, including football, in which he played quarterback, and competed in track, where he ran distance and pole vaulted; and

WHEREAS, having lettered in football for numerous years at Starkville High, upon graduation, Joe retired his high school cleats for college cleats at East Mississippi Junior College in Scooba, Mississippi, after receiving a scholarship to play football for the school, and he finished his university studies at Mississippi State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science and his master's degree in adult education; and

WHEREAS, during his collegiate years, Joe also joined the National Guard, graduating as an officer, and represented the United States military and the Mississippi National Guard three times in international competitions through CIOR, where he distinguished himself in orienteering and marksmanship; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Buckner served full time as an ROTC instructor at the University of Mississippi and completed his military career by serving three different Mississippi Governors as "Advisor to the Governor for Military Transition," where he helped thousands of Mississippi military veterans transition back into public sector jobs by initiating, organizing and leading job fairs across Mississippi and the surrounding states, ultimately retiring from the Mississippi National Guard as Lieutenant Colonel and from the State of Mississippi as an executive in the State Economic Development Office; and

WHEREAS, early in his life as an educator, Mr. Buckner was the Director of Adult Education and Heavy Equipment Operation and Training at East Mississippi Community College, Mayhew Campus, where he facilitated the River Boat Project, drove a bulldozer himself to help clear land and lay the foundation for Camp Seminole and the State of Mississippi's Sheriff's Boy's Ranch, and served in various other community service activities; and

WHEREAS, a man of values and principles, Mr. Buckner was very active in his church, ministry and family life and always fought for the underdog and reached out to the needy and less fortunate, as he served and supported missions around the world by making mission trips to various countries to help the poor and needy and share the gospel of Jesus; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Buckner was a leader and an army officer who led everything he was involved in with a sense of military urgency, strategy and precision, but as the Christian leader he was, his Christian values were unwavering and at the forefront of every step he took and every decision he made, and through compassion and humility, he taught all those around him how to build strong and lasting relationships with God and the fellowman; and

WHEREAS, a true family man, Mr. Buckner loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and the entire extended Buckner family with all of his heart and soul and strived to represent and serve them in everything he accomplished, and his legacy of faith and boldness for the Gospel and Biblical values will live powerfully in the hearts of hundreds whom his influence has changed forever; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Mr. Buckner, a man held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of his beloved survivors: his wife, Suzanne Griggs Buckner; children, Bryna Martin, Joshua Buckner, Corrie Murphy, Matthew Buckner and Lydia Buckner; seven grandchildren; brothers, Ed Jr., Donald and Johnny Buckner; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that Mr. Buckner fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7, "by having fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Joseph "Joe" Kent Buckner, a gracious man who always put others before himself, loved his family and friends unconditionally, and worshipped the Lord God Almighty with all of his heart, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. Joseph "Joe" Kent Buckner, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Joseph "Joe" Kent Buckner and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.