Joseph “Joe” Kent Buckner
“It is not about us winning the race, it’s about us finishing the race…”
April 30, 1948 – February 19, 2017

In Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday, February 19, 2017, Joseph “Joe” Kent Buckner, 68, was received home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That day he was in the middle of running a cross-country race with family when he faithfully finished life’s race. While doing something he loved, he was quickly taken.

A funeral “Celebration of Joe Buckner’s Life” will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, February 24th, 2017, at First Baptist Church, Starkville, MS. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, February 23rd at Welch Funeral Home, Starkville, and a second visitation will be from 1-1:45 p.m., Friday, February 24th, at FBC. Graveside services will follow at Craig Springs Cemetery.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Edward A. Buckner, Sr.; mother, Louise Murphy Buckner; one sister, Barbara Buckner Tyree; one brother, William “Bill” Fred Buckner; one uncle, William “Fred” Murphy and one aunt, Dot Murphy. Joe is survived by his wife, Suzanne (Griggs) Buckner; five children – Bryna Martin (Matt) from Memphis, Joshua Buckner (Veronika) from Jackson, Corrie Murphy from Starkville, Matthew Buckner from Jackson, and Lydia Buckner from Starkville; and seven grandchildren – Seth, Sam and Sarah Martin; Caroline, Judah, Luke and Violet Murphy. Joe has three brothers living in Starkville - Ed Buckner, Jr. (Tricia), Donald Buckner (MaryBob) and Johnny Buckner (Debbie.)

Joe Buckner exemplified a life well-lived. Respected as a faithful Christian husband and father, Joe was an outstanding soldier, athlete, educator, businessman, musician, and student of the Bible. He was very active in church, ministry and family life. Joe challenged family and friends to achieve their full potential and to do what is right. He was a man of values and principles. He fought for the underdog. He reached out to the needy and less fortunate.

Joe was born “Joseph Kent Buckner” to Ed and Louise Buckner on April 30, 1948, in Longview, Mississippi. He started school at the Longview School House and excelled in math, writing, music and school yard sports. Joe graduated in 1966 from Starkville High School where he lettered multiple years in football and track. He began university studies as a student athlete having received a scholarship to play football at East Mississippi Jr. College (Scooba.) Joe finished his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Mississippi State University. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Adult Education from Mississippi State University and later began other graduate studies.

Joe Buckner lived as he died: with dignity, passion, strength, humility and uncompromising values. He was so many things to so many people. A great high school competitor, Joe played quarterback, ran distance and pole vaulted in track. He joined the National Guard during college years and became an officer after graduating. He was motivated and disciplined and never lost that competitive edge that inspired him and energized many under his leadership.

“The Colonel” had a stellar military career. As a young athlete and soldier, Joe represented the United States Military, and the Mississippi National Guard three times in international competitions through CIOR, where he distinguished himself in orienteering and as top competitor in marksmanship. Buckner served full time as an ROTC instructor at the University of Mississippi. He completed his military career by serving 3 different Governors of the State of Mississippi as “Advisor to the Governor for Military Transition,” where he helped thousands of Mississippi military veterans transition back into public sector jobs. He initiated, organized and led job fairs across Mississippi and in surrounding states. He retired from the Mississippi National Guard as Lt Colonel and from the State of Mississippi where he served as an executive in the State Economic Development Office.

As an educator, Joe early in life was Director of Adult Education and Heavy Equipment Operation and Training at East Mississippi Community College, Mayhew Campus. As a leader at EMCC he facilitated the River Boat Project. He was also involved in various community service activities, even driving a bulldozer himself to help clear land and lay the foundation for Camp Seminole, a Boy Scout property just north of Starkville and helped clear the land for the State of Mississippi’s Sheriff’s Boy’s Ranch which was located between Starkville and Columbus.

Joe Buckner was a leader. He was an army officer who led everything with which he was involved with a sense of military urgency and strategy. As a leader, he was above all, one who saw Christians as soldiers for the great cause of the Kingdom of God through Jesus. He was uncompromising in his Christian values. Joe was an ambassador. He represented Jesus Christ, the National Guard, the US Army, the State of Mississippi, and his family everywhere he went. In a school classroom or in the Governor’s mansion, his sterling reputation as a man of integrity went before him. Joe served and supported missions around the world making mission trips to various countries to help the poor and needy and to share the gospel of Jesus. He was inclined to roll up his sleeves to get the job done.

Joe Buckner was a servant and a family man. He cared about everybody and honored everybody. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and so many in the extended Buckner family, whom he joyfully and sacrificially served. Through compassion and humility he taught all of us how to build strong and lasting relationships both with God and our fellow man.

Though Joe will now be serving Jesus Christ in new and unseen ways, his legacy of faith and boldness for the Gospel and Biblical values lives powerfully in the hearts of hundreds whom his influence has changed forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations “In Memory of Joe Buckner” be made for:


“Foreign Missions” through:
NEI (New Enterprises International) P.O. Box 80271
Starkville, MS 39759


“Street Ministry” through:
Beautiful Feet Ministries
1709 East Hattie Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104


“Student Athlete Ministry” through:
Mississippi FCA
PO Box 449
Ridgeland, MS 39158