George LaSalle Buckner was born on March 21, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the child of Ulysses Buckner and Fannie (Bowen) Buckner and was the second born of 10 siblings. His father worked as a construction worker and his mother worked as a homemaker.

George graduated from Melrose High School where every so often he would see entertainer, Elvis Presely, who would drive by, stick his head out of the limo and wave at the students while they were outside during lunch. While at Melrose, he was a track athlete and an avid football player. As a football player, he received the local high school football honor of “All Memphis” Football Player of the Year Award.

Not only did he enjoy playing football, but during his high school years, he developed a keen interest in golf when his oldest brother Sonny became a caddy. So, George joined him and became a caddy at Colonial Country Club. This was “the” country club of Memphis and George would often see comedian and founder, Danny Thomas of St Jude Children's Research Hospital, along with other celebrities, beginning a lifelong connection to the game of golf.

During his last year in high school, George received a football scholarship to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri,

George left Lincoln University to serve in the U.S. Army for three years, working as an Electronics Instructor at Fort Bliss, Texas and was a Radar Technician in Okinawa, Japan.

After serving in the Army, he returned to Lincoln University and helped the Blue Tigers win the 1962 Mid-Western Athletic Association title and in 1963 he was awarded the Harry Stokes Outstanding Football Player Award.

In 1964 he became Co -Captain of the Lincoln Blue Tigers football team and was awarded Outstanding Senior for that season. In 2012, he was inducted into Lincoln University’s Football Hall of Fame.

While there he met and married Bertha Lee Hale and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Arts.

In 1966, he started his career in education in Kansas City, Missouri teaching electronics and other shop classes at Lincoln High School. During this time, he went back to school to earn a Master Degree in Education and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree, which is a degree for educators that is between a Master and Doctoral degree, from Central Missouri State University.

His love for football and track was still with him, so he became the head football and track coach at Lincoln High School. In his first year as head coach, he was awarded the Interscholastic League Coach of the Year and was awarded again in 1973. He also led his football team on to win the Interscholastic Championship.

After Lincoln High School, he became an administrator in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. He served as Vice Principal at Southeast High School, where he enforced student discipline and conduct. As many of his former students would say, “Mr. Buckner did not play” and if you had to go to his office it would not end well.

After Southeast, he went on to become Principal at several schools including Westport and Metro Vocational Technical High School.

When it came to his home life, George had a natural knack for fixing and repairing his home, but he would spend hours outside making sure his lawn was immaculate and perfectly manicured. So much so, he won several neighborhood awards for having the best-looking lawn.

George was active in many professional and community organizations such as Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity, the Principals Union, Lincoln University Alumni Association, The Coaches Council, The Boy's Club, and the Mid-Town Kiwanis Club and he was a member of Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. He also continued playing golf participating in the Gates Barbecue Golf Tournaments, and Lincoln University Homecoming Golf Tournaments.

George was married to Bertha, who preceded him in death, for 63 years and have two children, Byron Buckner and Lori Buckner; two grandchildren, Chebet Buckner and Maya Buckner.

George was proceeded in death by his parents, three siblings, Joe Mims, Fannie Norman, and John Buckner.

Surviving to honor his memory are his siblings, Pete Buckner, Melvina Dean, D’lores Simmons, Maxine McCutchen, Jerry Mims, and Eddie Mims; cousin, Barbara Pointer; and extended family. 

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.