Dr. Maurice Franklin Buckner

December 4, 1928 - July 1, 2017

Dr. Maurice (Buck) Buckner, 88 of Cocoa, passed peacefully at home with his family the afternoon of Saturday July 1, 2017. Born in Altavista Virginia to Leroy and Nancy Buckner, Buck was the youngest of their family, with Sister Katherine (Ruth), then Brother Leroy (Buckshot) ahead of him. After, shall we say, a rambunctious youth, Buck dropped out of high school and joined the United States Navy, near the end of World War II at 17 years old. After serving his country for two years, he returned from Japan and began his amazing journey from a high school drop-out to teacher of education. At Buck’s first teaching job at Clifton Forge High School in Clifton Forge, VA, he met Barbara Drewry, a beautiful blonde junior, at church one Sunday night, and his life was forever changed. Buck would often tell the story that as Barbara graduated high school she got her diploma in one hand, and he slipped an engagement ring on the other had. Not quite how it happened, but what a great story. On June 25, 1955 they were married and began their 62 year adventure together began. After teaching in Martinsville, VA for several years after getting married they left their home state and came to Florida in 1961. Once in Florida, and after a short stent at Colonial High School in Orlando, in 1963 Buck took a leap of faith and accepted a position as a professor at a budding new college, Brevard Junior College (BJC). it was the career home he had been looking for. His career spanned from professor to Dean of the Business division, the creator of a summer youth program (Super Summer) to his relentless pursuit of building the best adult continuing education program in the state. His commitment to helping people never stopped. It was also in 1963 that Buck and Barbara became parents for the first time. Their son David was born. David was the sweetest, most loving baby and brought joy to them and his proud grandparents alike. And, true adage of karma, as an adolescent David afforded his dad all the opportunities of raising a child that was “just like him”. Sadly he forgot to mention to Barbara that this might be a possibility given his youthful exploits, and she would also share in that. Just like his dad, David worked life out and became a police office, retired safely from that profession. He is now in the information technologies field safe from the sad times of today and the heightened killing of law enforcement officers. David is also married to his lovely high school sweetheart Pam, and lives just miles from his parents. In 1970 the family was ready to grow again, Leigh Ann was born. She was the most amazing baby girl. She quickly stole Buck’s heart, and father like son was forever the apple of her Pop-Pop’s eye as well. Leigh Ann was a great baby and adolescent, always bringing joy to a room. A tomboy at first since we lived in the country, but changed into the pricy daughter mothers always wish for taking dance classes, tap and choirs. A graduate for Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, destiny also shined on Leigh Ann during that time. She met the love of her life while finishing college and her internship in Pennsylvania. Leigh Ann currently owns a massage therapy business, still being joy to those she meets. Leigh Ann and Joe remain the college kids in love and have a wonderful marriage. The 3 great grandchildren, Jessica, Michael and Amber most certainly enjoyed there Pop-Pop. He always had a smile, and most the time a joke to share with them. Sadly the 6 great-grandchildren, Damian, Brynn, Maddi, Chloe, Swayzie, and being born and day now, baby boy Buckner, will not have time to make those memories, but the stories and pictures of their Pop-Pop will live on for them. If you ever spent any time around Buck you quickly shared in his top traits. There are his sense of humor, his love of teaching, love of family, his love of God, and his endless pursuit to live life to the fullest. I can promise you it was not just an act, he lived his life just like that everyday right to the gates of paradise. May all our lives be ever blessed by his time on this earth.