Marvin Wayne Buzzard
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Funeral services for Marvin Wayne Buzzard, 67, Lecompton will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Inurnment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Marvin was born March 16, 1947 in Madera, CA the son of Franklin Fallin and Mary Rachel Grandstaff Buzzard. His journey home was August 12, 2014.
He married JoMarie Enderlin on June 14, 1974 in Vermillion, SD. She preceded him in death December 29, 2006. Their daughter Rachael Marie came to them in September, 1976.
He was an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and an affiliate member of the Haskell Veterans Club.
Marvin’s school career began in Seaside and Monterey, CA, he finished his last two years of high school in Jay, OK. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern State University in Tahlequah, OK and continued his education at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, SD receiving his Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in School Administration.
Marv had a variety of jobs during his high school and college days. After college graduation, he worked for the Department of Labor in Park Rapids, MN. He began working as a school administrator at Pinepoint on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota. He later moved to Nebraska and was Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for several years. He re-entered school administration and became superintendent at schools in Santee and also Winnebago, NE. In 1987 the family moved to Lawrence and finished his career in school administration at Haskell Indian Nations University. For 35 years his goal was to help with education in Indian Country.
Marv enjoyed being with his granddaughters, Mia, Hannah, and Summer Sky. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, NFL especially KC Chiefs, college football and basketball and has a wide collection of sports memorabilia. He enjoyed being outside and keeping his yard in tip-top condition.
Marv is survived by his daughter, Rachael, son-in-law, Tony and three granddaughters, Mia Hannah, and Summer Sky; Jay and Stephanie Crawford, Lawrence, Rose Lee, White Swan, WA (these children were his nieces and nephew; however they were closely mentored by Marv), his sister, Inez of Lawrence, his brother, David of Claremore, OK, two sisters-in-law, Mona of Eucha, OK and AnnaMae of Stilwell, OK, a very special sister, Barbara Cunningham of Anadarko, OK, a host of nephews and nieces, cousins, and a host of friends.
Marv was preceded in death by his wife, JoMarie, his parents, Frank and Mary, two brothers, Leon and Daniel, one brother-in-law, Edward, and two sisters-in-law, Betty and Jeanette.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Haskell Foundation, 155 Indian Avenue, Box #5030, Lawrence, KS 66046 or may be sent in care of the mortuary.
So sorry of your loss, won’t be able to attend the services. My prayers and thoughts will be there. It was so good to see him at reunion, I’ll remember him as of that day. Waiting for the next great reunion,
Sorry I can’t be there for the family but keeping all of you in my prayers and Love. Wayne, along with all of his siblings, and Aunt Mary and Uncle Frank were all so special and my memories remain even though I was too far from you all to visit etc. The 1990 Grandstaff Family reunion there in Lawrence was so special for all of us. Several from that group are now up in Heaven, Where Wayne, also has entered through the gates and is greeting his family and loved ones there. Love you all, Your cousin, Lorene (Price) Ward who was known to family as TONY! Rest in Peace Wayne
Dear family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Wayne, our cousin. We will not be able to attend the services, but want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all, at this time. We had such a good visit at the 1990 reunion and get to know my mother’ side of the family better, your mother, Mary, was my Mother’s (Delia) sister.
God Bless each of you,
Bob Herndon
I remember when you and my husband, Moe, helped me moved into my new big apartment in west Lawrence. You and Moe got into a contest on who could carry the heaviest item without help. You picked up our new 35″ great big Magnavox tube TV and carried it to its place in the living room! Ah, Marvin! You were like a big oak tree where I could come and sort out my mind on my latest workplace crisis. Moe and I have never forgotten you and your kindnesses to us all of the in Lawrence and Haskell and have talked of you often. You made our Haskell experiences so lovely, all of the way through. Rest in peace, dear, dear counselor and friend.
Wayne, I know your daughter & granddaughters will miss you greatly, as well as Inez & David. Have fond memories of your Mom & Dad’s visits to our home, where we all slept on the floor as not enough beds to go around, when we were kids. May God’s deepest comfort be felt by those left behind as you have entered in that home of eternal bliss, your cousin, Dan Price
We have lost a very good man – Marv will be remembered for the good advice, support, and strength he gave others.
I have very fond memories of Marvin Buzzard; he was an understanding and supportive boss but an even better friend. I had many chats during the evenings with Marvin prior to going home for the day and received as much wisdom as he had time to provide. He shared his life stories and we are all richer for it. He will be greatly missed.
This is very late. I remember Marvin fondly from when we were classmates at Fremont Junior High School and Monterey High School. He was amused when teachers tried to pronounce his last name with the accent on the second syllable. He would say, “What’s wrong with them? I’m an Indian! The name is BUZZard!”