Rep. John Buckner, at left, talks with House colleagues Jovan Melton and Angela Williams during the 2012 session. Buckner, a Democrat from Aurora, died Thursday. (Photo Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post).
Social media and sad colleagues helped mark the passing of state Rep. John Buckner, the Democrat from Aurora who remained a soft-spoken but powerful champion of education after he moved from the school house to the state house.
Buckner . He had fought a respiratory condition for awhile, but his condition worsened in the last few months. He wore an oxygen tube some days, and as the session wound down to the May 6 adjournment, he took a leave of absence and wrote a good-humored note to his fellow lawmakers apologizing for his excused absence. House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst read the note aloud to the chamber.
“I’m very saddened,” Hullinghorst said Friday morning, reached by phone at her home in Boulder County. “John was a wonderful friend and a great colleague to have in the legislature.
“And I’ll miss him.”
Rep. Jim Wilson, a Salida Republican, like Buckner, put in 40 years as an educator before entering politics. Both had been high school principals. They became friends who worked together on legislation they felt was good for students, teachers and communities around schools, but they were still an odd pair of collaborators. Buckner was reserved and impeccably dressed. Wilson wore cowboy hats and bolo ties. Wilson is a skilled and ready orator. Buckner rarely spoke out boldly in a Capitol full of bold speakers.
His words, however, had gravity and people in both parties paid attention, colleagues said Friday. Wilson said Buckner was always engaged on the issues, but he preferred-one-on-one conversations to big speeches.
“Our relationship evolved,” Wilson said. “He was large school, I was small school. We were worlds apart when we started.”
He recalled Buckner chiding him once that Overland High School, where Buckner was once principal and the school gym bears his name, had more students than Wilson had people in most of his communities in three rural Colorado school districts.
The pair co-sponsored to streamline testing for Colorado students, pieces of legislation in the last session.
“We got the ball rolling and it turned into an avalanche,” Wilson said.
Buckner’s last activity on social media was May 20, when he retweeted news the governor had signed the bipartisan testing bill into law.
Capitol denizens shared condolences on Twitter Friday morning:
Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of A great statesman & voice of clarity. Will b missed
Deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend . He was a man of great integrity & compassion.
— Crisanta Duran (@crisantaduran)
— Rhonda Fields (@reprhondafields)
I am saddened by the loss of Rep John Buckner. We have lost an amazing leader, educator and friend. My prayers are with the family.
— Mark Ferrandino (@MarkFerrandino)
Thoughts this morning with family of Aurora Rep. John Buckner, who died Thursday from respiratory illness.
— Ivan Moreno (@IvanJourno)
I miss you already Rep. Buckner.
— Jonathan Singer (@Singer4Colorado)
So sorry to hear Rep. John Buckner passed away. What a lovely, smart, accomplished man. He will be sorely missed at GA!
— Beth McCann (@BethMcCannHD8)
From one educator to another, you will be deeply missed, my friend. Prayers for Rep. Buckner’s family.
— Leroy Garcia (@Leroy_Garcia)
Rep. John Buckner, educator and lawmaker, dies at age 67
— Tim to go (@TimWJackson)
. was kind and reserved. He didn’t seek press attention. I have a lot of respect for that. Thoughts are with wife Janet.
— Vic Vela (@VicVela1)
Such a gentleman. This is so sad. He will be missed.
— Tracy Kraft-Tharp (@tkth)
We are saddened by the news of Rep. Buckner’s passing. Thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.
— Colorado Dems (@coloradodems)
CO lost a champion of education, the House lost a true statesman, we all lost a friend. my thoughts are with your family
— Daneya Esgar (@Dlesgar)
I am very sad to hear of the passing of State Representative John Buckner. We lost a great legislator, educator,…
— Rep. Jovan Melton (@JovanMelton)
“I believe that collectively, we are much better than we are individually.”- Rep. John Buckner
— Tessa Cheek (@tessacheek)
Rep. John Buckner, 1947-2015. “My heart is broken” his wife Janet said.
— Lynn Bartels (@lynn_bartels)
Our hearts & prayers go out to Rep. Buckner’s family & all those who were inspired by his life:
— The Colorado GOP (@cologop)
Sad news: Longtime educator, Rep. John Buckner of dead at 67
— Chris Harrop (@ChrisHarrop)
