Virginia Jacqueline Gleason and Ralph Gupton Buckner

RALPH GUPTON BUCKNER was born May 12, 1921 in Casper, Natrona, Wyoming,⁴⁵³² and died December 29, 2005.⁴⁵³²

He married VIRGINIA JACQUELINE GLEASON on October 16, 1949 in Church of the Epiphany, Independence, Jackson, Missouri,⁷⁹⁴⁶ daughter of ANNA EVELYN WILLIAMS and KENNETH JACK GLEASON. She was born April 21, 1925 in Kansas.

Ralph G. Buckner

• was a Veteran of World War II⁷⁹⁴⁶
• was a Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Oklahoma State University

Virginia J. Gleason

• was assistant to the librarian at Washburn college prior to her marriage⁶⁷⁵⁸

St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 16, 1949⁷⁹⁴⁶

R. G. Buckner, Independence Girl to Be Married Today

The marriage of Miss Virginia Jacqueline Gleason, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jack Gleason of Independence, Mo., and Ralph Gupton Buckner will take place this afternoon in Independence at the Church of the Epiphany with the rector, Rev. Frederic J. Raasch reading the double ring ceremony. Mr. Buckner is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph R. Buckner, 6675 Washington ave.

Miss Gleason, to be given in marriage by her father, has chosen for her wedding a gown of imported French shadow lace in candlelight shade over ice pink wedding ring sating. A scroll of embroidered seed pearls outlines the rounded neckline and is repeated on the long pointed sleeves. She will wear a matching lace bonnet and carry her prayerbook ornamented with talisman roses.

Mrs. Fred Tiffany Wilkin Jr., as matron of honor, will be the bride's only attendant. Her gown is fashioned of delft blue marquisette and her matching bonnet is of velvet. She will carry an arm bouquet of garnet chrysanthemums. Henry W. Endres Jr., St. Louis, will serve as best man for Mr. Buckner and Chester Hoevel of Ferguson will be an usher.

Today's bride was graduated from Washburn College, Topeka, Kan., and is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Mr. Buckner served as a pilot with the Army Air Force and after his release from military duty returned to Westminster College, where he was graduated with the class of 1947. He is a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and served his chapter as president in his senior year.

In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Buckner, parents of the bridegroom-to-be, St. Louis guests at the wedding will be his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Vogt, 40 Mason ave., Webster Groves.

May 1, 2006¹²⁵¹⁵

Ralph G. Buckner

Dr. Buckner (KSU ’56), 84, Stillwater, Okla., died Dec. 29, 2005. A member of the veterinary faculty at Oklahoma State University for 30 years, he served as professor and retired in 1986 as head of small animal medicine. Following retirement, Dr. Buckner owned a companion animal referral practice and consulted with veterinarians across the state and region.

A charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he established one of the few colonies of hemophilic Beagles in the nation. Dr. Buckner’s research on inherited canine hemophilia paved the way for understanding the pathogenesis of classic hemophilia in people, the source of factor VII in the body, and its important role in blood coagulation. A life member of the Oklahoma VMA, he was named Veterinarian of the Year in 1986. In 1990, the American Animal Hospital Association presented Dr. Buckner the Outstanding Practitioner Award for the Western Region.

A World War II veteran, he served as a pilot in the Air Corps, attaining the rank of lieutenant. Dr. Buckner’s wife, Jacqueline; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Elk City Education Foundation, Elk City, OK 73644.